Chapter 15: Energy

Chapter 15: Energy

Section 15.3:Energy Resources

Section 15.3:Energy Resources

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

• These types of resources exist in limited amounts. – Cannot be replaced in a reasonable

amount of time• Examples:

– Oil (fossil fuel)– Natural Gas (fossil fuel)– Coal (fossil fuel)– Uranium

• These types of resources exist in limited amounts. – Cannot be replaced in a reasonable

amount of time• Examples:

– Oil (fossil fuel)– Natural Gas (fossil fuel)– Coal (fossil fuel)– Uranium

Renewable Energy Resource

Renewable Energy Resource

• Resources that can be replaced in a reasonable amount of time

• Examples:– Hydroelectric energy– Solar energy– Geothermal energy– Wind– Biomass– Nuclear fusion (in the future)

• Resources that can be replaced in a reasonable amount of time

• Examples:– Hydroelectric energy– Solar energy– Geothermal energy– Wind– Biomass– Nuclear fusion (in the future)

Hydroelectric EnergyHydroelectric Energy• Energy obtained from flowing water

– Potential energy from downward flowing water changes to kinetic energy.

– Kinetic energy can be connected to electric generators

• Advantages– Low cost to produce– Causes no pollution

• Disadvantages– Dams cause environmental concerns.– Many of the best places for dams in the U.S.

are already being used.

• Energy obtained from flowing water– Potential energy from downward flowing

water changes to kinetic energy.– Kinetic energy can be connected to electric

generators

• Advantages– Low cost to produce– Causes no pollution

• Disadvantages– Dams cause environmental concerns.– Many of the best places for dams in the U.S.

are already being used.

Solar EnergySolar Energy

• Sunlight converted into usable energy

• Benefits depend on climate– Does not cause pollution– If the climate lends itself to cloudier

weather, then solar energy is not as practical.

• Sunlight converted into usable energy

• Benefits depend on climate– Does not cause pollution– If the climate lends itself to cloudier

weather, then solar energy is not as practical.

Geothermal EnergyGeothermal Energy

• Thermal energy beneath Earth’s surface

• Found in some regions ~ especially ones close to volcanoes

• Advantage: does not cause pollution

• Biggest disadvantage: not widely available

• Thermal energy beneath Earth’s surface

• Found in some regions ~ especially ones close to volcanoes

• Advantage: does not cause pollution

• Biggest disadvantage: not widely available

Other Renewable Resources

Other Renewable Resources

• Biomass energy: chemical energy stored in living things

• Can be converted into thermal energy– Examples:

• burning wood• using corn stalks to produce fuel for cars

• Hydrogen fuel cells: generate electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen (produces water)

• Fusion: likely to produce little pollution or radioactive waste

• Biomass energy: chemical energy stored in living things

• Can be converted into thermal energy– Examples:

• burning wood• using corn stalks to produce fuel for cars

• Hydrogen fuel cells: generate electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen (produces water)

• Fusion: likely to produce little pollution or radioactive waste

Conserving Energy Resources

Conserving Energy Resources

• Energy can be conserved by:– reducing energy needs– increasing the efficiency of energy use

• Finding ways to do these two things is energy conservation.

• Making products more energy efficient can be expensive at first (a problem for manufacturers) but saves money and energy over time.

• Energy can be conserved by:– reducing energy needs– increasing the efficiency of energy use

• Finding ways to do these two things is energy conservation.

• Making products more energy efficient can be expensive at first (a problem for manufacturers) but saves money and energy over time.