ENERGYENERGY

Fossil Fuels to ElectricityFossil Fuels to Electricity

Energy on DemandEnergy on Demand Enormous amounts of electric energy Enormous amounts of electric energy

can be transported through a wire the can be transported through a wire the diameter of a quarterdiameter of a quarter

What is electricity?What is electricity? Electricity is the flow of electrons, which Electricity is the flow of electrons, which

are tiny charged particles that whirl are tiny charged particles that whirl around the nucleus of an atom.around the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons set in motion=electricity Electrons set in motion=electricity generatedgenerated

An electric generator is a device for An electric generator is a device for converting mechanical energy into converting mechanical energy into electricity.electricity.

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels Power plants convert energy sources, usually Power plants convert energy sources, usually

fossil fuels, into electric energy.fossil fuels, into electric energy. Ex. of fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gasEx. of fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas Fossil fuels are the remains of organisms that Fossil fuels are the remains of organisms that

lived in millions of years agolived in millions of years ago Fossil fuels are rich in carbon compounds Fossil fuels are rich in carbon compounds

which contain large amounts of stored energy which contain large amounts of stored energy in their molecular bondsin their molecular bonds

Burning fossil fuels will release stored Burning fossil fuels will release stored energy and produce electricityenergy and produce electricity

Fossil fuels may also be used to operate Fossil fuels may also be used to operate enginesengines

88% of energy used in United States 88% of energy used in United States comes from fossil fuelscomes from fossil fuels

Fossil fuel supplies are limited and we are Fossil fuel supplies are limited and we are currently using these resources much faster currently using these resources much faster than they can be replaced by naturethan they can be replaced by nature

ONLY ONE FOSSIL FUEL EXISTS IN ONLY ONE FOSSIL FUEL EXISTS IN RELATIVE ABUNDANCE: COALRELATIVE ABUNDANCE: COAL

The United States owns about 22% of the The United States owns about 22% of the world’s known coal reserves.world’s known coal reserves.

We have enough coal to last about 400 years We have enough coal to last about 400 years at the current rate of consumptionat the current rate of consumption

DRAWBACKS TO FOSSIL FUELSDRAWBACKS TO FOSSIL FUELS

The environment is threatened by The environment is threatened by exhaust from power plants and motor exhaust from power plants and motor vehicles, oil spills, and strip mining for vehicles, oil spills, and strip mining for coal.coal.

Large amounts of carbon dioxide Large amounts of carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels may released from burning fossil fuels may also cause worldwide impacts by also cause worldwide impacts by changing the Earth’s climatechanging the Earth’s climate

Renewable Resources and Renewable Resources and Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable Resources

Nonrenewable resources are those that Nonrenewable resources are those that can be used upcan be used up

Renewable resources are those that are Renewable resources are those that are continually being producedcontinually being produced

Ex. wind and sunlightEx. wind and sunlight

COAL: COAL: our most abundant fuelour most abundant fuel America has more coal than any other America has more coal than any other

fossil fuel resource. The United States fossil fuel resource. The United States also has more coal reserves than any also has more coal reserves than any other single country in the world. In fact, other single country in the world. In fact, just over 1/4 of all the known coal in the just over 1/4 of all the known coal in the world is in the United States. The United world is in the United States. The United States has more coal that can be mined States has more coal that can be mined than the rest of the world has oil that can than the rest of the world has oil that can be pumped from the ground.  be pumped from the ground. 

Currently, coal is mined in 26 of the 50 Currently, coal is mined in 26 of the 50 states.states.

There are four types (or "ranks") of coal There are four types (or "ranks") of coal mined today: mined today:

1. anthracite1. anthracite 2. bituminous2. bituminous 3. subbituminous3. subbituminous 4. lignite.4. lignite.

Lignite: Lignite: The largest portion of the world's coal The largest portion of the world's coal

reserves is made up of lignite, a soft, reserves is made up of lignite, a soft, brownish-black coal that forms the lowest brownish-black coal that forms the lowest level of the coal family. You can even see level of the coal family. You can even see the texture of the original wood in some the texture of the original wood in some pieces of lignite that is found primarily pieces of lignite that is found primarily west of the Mississippi River in the west of the Mississippi River in the United States. United States.

Subbituminous: Subbituminous: Next up the scale is subbituminous coal, Next up the scale is subbituminous coal,

a dull black coal. It gives off a little more a dull black coal. It gives off a little more energy (heat) than lignite when it burns. It energy (heat) than lignite when it burns. It is mined mostly in Montana, Wyoming is mined mostly in Montana, Wyoming and a few other western states. and a few other western states.

Bituminous: Bituminous: Still more energy is packed into Still more energy is packed into

bituminous coal, sometimes called "soft bituminous coal, sometimes called "soft coal." In the United States, it is found coal." In the United States, it is found primarily east of the Mississippi River in primarily east of the Mississippi River in midwestern states like Ohio and Illinois midwestern states like Ohio and Illinois and in the Appalachian mountain range and in the Appalachian mountain range from Kentucky to Pennsylvania from Kentucky to Pennsylvania

Anthracite: Anthracite: Anthracite is the hardest coal and gives Anthracite is the hardest coal and gives

off a great amount of heat when it burns. off a great amount of heat when it burns. Unfortunately, in the United States, as Unfortunately, in the United States, as elsewhere in the world, there is little elsewhere in the world, there is little anthracite coal to be mined. The U.S. anthracite coal to be mined. The U.S. reserves of anthracite are located reserves of anthracite are located primarily in Pennsylvania primarily in Pennsylvania

DEFINE EACH OF THE DEFINE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING KEY TERMS:FOLLOWING KEY TERMS:

ElectricityElectricity Electric generatorElectric generator Fossil fuelsFossil fuels Renewable resourcesRenewable resources Nonrenewable resourcesNonrenewable resources AnthraciteAnthracite bituminousbituminous subbituminoussubbituminous lignite.lignite.

Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy Nuclear energy is the energy that exists Nuclear energy is the energy that exists

within the nucleus of an atom.within the nucleus of an atom.

When subatomic bonds are broken apart When subatomic bonds are broken apart during nuclear fission, huge amounts of during nuclear fission, huge amounts of energy will be released. energy will be released.

One example of nuclear fission is the One example of nuclear fission is the explosion of an atomic bombexplosion of an atomic bomb

Atomic explosion-uncontrolled release of Atomic explosion-uncontrolled release of nuclear energynuclear energy

Nuclear reactions in a nuclear power Nuclear reactions in a nuclear power plant occur at a controlled pace and plant occur at a controlled pace and release energy slowlyrelease energy slowly

This process releases a large amount of This process releases a large amount of heat that will be used to boil water and heat that will be used to boil water and create a high pressure steam to drive create a high pressure steam to drive electric generatorselectric generators

Nuclear containment Nuclear containment buildingbuilding The pressure vessel is completely The pressure vessel is completely

enclosed in a containment buildingenclosed in a containment building

It is usually a dome shaped building It is usually a dome shaped building made of reinforced concrete meters thickmade of reinforced concrete meters thick

Advantages of nuclear Advantages of nuclear energyenergy

The most common nuclear fuel: uraniumThe most common nuclear fuel: uranium Uranium delivers about as much energy Uranium delivers about as much energy

as 3.5 metric tons of coalas 3.5 metric tons of coal Well designed reactors can run for years Well designed reactors can run for years

without refueling or shut downwithout refueling or shut down Nuclear energy does not produce gases Nuclear energy does not produce gases

such as carbon dioxidesuch as carbon dioxide

Why aren’t we using Why aren’t we using more nuclear energy?more nuclear energy?

The most serious disadvantage: produces The most serious disadvantage: produces radioactive wasteradioactive waste

The US does not have a facility for permanent The US does not have a facility for permanent disposal of commercial nuclear wastedisposal of commercial nuclear waste

Nuclear fuel is in short supplyNuclear fuel is in short supply Nuclear energy is extremely expensiveNuclear energy is extremely expensive Nuclear power plants are very large and Nuclear power plants are very large and

complexcomplex

Safety ConcernsSafety Concerns The fission reaction creates dangerous The fission reaction creates dangerous

radioactive productsradioactive products Soviet Union has experienced at least 2 Soviet Union has experienced at least 2

major nuclear accidents.major nuclear accidents. 1. Ural Mountains in 19571. Ural Mountains in 1957 2. Chernobyl in 19862. Chernobyl in 1986

US most serious nuclear accident US most serious nuclear accident occurred in 1979 at the Three Mile Island occurred in 1979 at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.

Human error, blocked valves, and broken Human error, blocked valves, and broken pumps were responsiblepumps were responsible

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission now The Nuclear Regulatory Commission now requires more than 300 safety requires more than 300 safety improvements to nuclear power plants.improvements to nuclear power plants.

Nuclear FusionNuclear Fusion Nuclear fusion occurs when lightweight Nuclear fusion occurs when lightweight

atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing huge amounts of nucleus, releasing huge amounts of energy in the process.energy in the process.

This is opposite of nuclear fissionThis is opposite of nuclear fission

Nuclear fusion powers the stars and sunNuclear fusion powers the stars and sun

Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation The average American uses about twice The average American uses about twice

as much energy as the average as much energy as the average European.European.

Conservation: using materials and Conservation: using materials and energy wiselyenergy wisely

Ways to Conserve Ways to Conserve Energy:Energy:

Modify structures, systems, and vehiclesModify structures, systems, and vehicles Walk or ride a bicycleWalk or ride a bicycle CarpoolCarpool Buy high-efficiency appliancesBuy high-efficiency appliances

Alternative Sources of Alternative Sources of EnergyEnergy

1. Solar Energy- energy from the sun1. Solar Energy- energy from the sun

Solar energy is clean, safe, and Solar energy is clean, safe, and renewablerenewable

The “ultimate renewable resource”The “ultimate renewable resource”

Solar energy in homesSolar energy in homes Solar energy is used in three ways in Solar energy is used in three ways in

homes and buildings:homes and buildings:1.1. Passive solar heatingPassive solar heating2.2. Solar water heatingSolar water heating3.3. Solar cellsSolar cells

Passive Solar HeatingPassive Solar Heating The simplest and cheapest method The simplest and cheapest method Sunlight is used to heat buildings directly Sunlight is used to heat buildings directly

without pumps or fanswithout pumps or fans Houses will have windows facing sun.Houses will have windows facing sun. Houses will be built with stone, adobe, or Houses will be built with stone, adobe, or

concrete (these materials store heat well)concrete (these materials store heat well)

Solar Water HeatingSolar Water Heating More than 1 million homes in the US use More than 1 million homes in the US use

solar energy to generate hot watersolar energy to generate hot water Solar water heating uses solar collectors Solar water heating uses solar collectors

to capture the sun’s energyto capture the sun’s energy Water or a water-antifreeze mixture Water or a water-antifreeze mixture

absorbs the sun’s energyabsorbs the sun’s energy

Solar CellsSolar Cells Solar cells are also called photovoltaicsSolar cells are also called photovoltaics Solar cells convert the sun’s energy Solar cells convert the sun’s energy

directly into electricitydirectly into electricity Problems of solar cells: Problems of solar cells: 1.1. high cost and low efficiencyhigh cost and low efficiency2.2. Require sunny wather to workRequire sunny wather to work3.3. Do not produce enough energy in single Do not produce enough energy in single

cellscells

Alternative Sources of Alternative Sources of EnergyEnergy

2. Wind Energy2. Wind Energy

Wind is an indirect form of solar energyWind is an indirect form of solar energy

Wind energy is collected with turbines Wind energy is collected with turbines connected to electric generatorsconnected to electric generators

(ex. windmill)(ex. windmill)

The cost of wind-generated electricity is The cost of wind-generated electricity is lower than electricity produced by other lower than electricity produced by other sourcessources

Disadvantage: Disadvantage: 1. few regions have winds strong or consistent 1. few regions have winds strong or consistent

enough to make wind generators economicalenough to make wind generators economical 2. large commercial wind generators may not 2. large commercial wind generators may not

be attractive to landscapebe attractive to landscape 3. very noisy at full speed3. very noisy at full speed 4. blades can interfere with microwave 4. blades can interfere with microwave

communicationscommunications

Alternative Sources of Alternative Sources of EnergyEnergy

3. Hydroelectricity3. Hydroelectricity

Energy comes from falling waterEnergy comes from falling water

Water must fall large distance to produce Water must fall large distance to produce enough energy to push a turbine and enough energy to push a turbine and generatorgenerator

(ex. dams)(ex. dams)

Advantages of water Advantages of water powerpower

Direct Benefits:Direct Benefits: 1. clean1. clean 2. renewable2. renewable 3. leaves no waste3. leaves no waste

Indirect Benefits:Indirect Benefits: 1. reservoir formed from dams offer 1. reservoir formed from dams offer

recreational opportunities and drinking waterrecreational opportunities and drinking water 2. dams control flooding2. dams control flooding

Disadvantages of Disadvantages of hydroelectricityhydroelectricity

1. water that forms reservoirs disrupt 1. water that forms reservoirs disrupt river ecosystems and covers existing river ecosystems and covers existing land ecosystemsland ecosystems

2. dam construction is expensive2. dam construction is expensive 3. hydroelectricity is limited to areas with 3. hydroelectricity is limited to areas with

rivers and streamsrivers and streams

Alternative Sources of Alternative Sources of EnergyEnergy

4. Geothermal Energy4. Geothermal Energy

Energy is produced from using heat Energy is produced from using heat inside the Earthinside the Earth

This heat used to drive electric This heat used to drive electric generatorsgenerators

Hot dry rock method: one method used Hot dry rock method: one method used to extract geothermal energy from the to extract geothermal energy from the EarthEarth

Problem with geothermal energy: Earth Problem with geothermal energy: Earth processes replace the heat very slowlyprocesses replace the heat very slowly

New Zealand once used geothermal New Zealand once used geothermal energy but depleted itenergy but depleted it

Alternative Sources of Alternative Sources of EnergyEnergy

5. Biomass5. Biomass

Biomass is the organic matter in plants or Biomass is the organic matter in plants or plan productsplan products

Used worldwide in form of woodUsed worldwide in form of wood

Wood is major source of energy throughout the Wood is major source of energy throughout the worldworld

Industrialized nations use relatively little woodIndustrialized nations use relatively little wood US is increasing use of wood to heat homesUS is increasing use of wood to heat homes

Disadvantage of biomass energy: produces Disadvantage of biomass energy: produces carbon dioxide an noxious smokecarbon dioxide an noxious smoke

Waste to EnergyWaste to Energy An enormous amount of biomass exists An enormous amount of biomass exists

as waste material.as waste material.