Energy Resources Overview

Energy Resources

• Energy resources are materials or elements used to produce energy, such as heat, electricity, or mechanical energy.
• Sources are categorized as renewable or nonrenewable.

Types of Energy Resources

• Renewable: Naturally replenishing sources like the sun, wind, and water. They are sustainable and do not deplete over time.
• Nonrenewable: Sources with a finite amount of resources that will run out or cannot be replenished within human timescales. Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, and natural gas) are examples.

Renewable Energy

• Derived from naturally replenishing sources (sun, wind, water).
• Sustainable, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar Energy

• Description: Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells in solar panels.
• Advantages: Abundant, environmentally friendly, low maintenance after installation.
• Disadvantages: High installation costs, energy production depends on weather and daylight.

Wind Energy

• Description: Generated by converting kinetic energy of moving air into electricity using wind turbines.
• Advantages: Sustainable, cost-effective in windy areas, no direct emissions.
• Disadvantages: Turbines can be noisy, require specific locations, and may impact bird and bat populations.

Hydroelectric Energy

• Description: Uses flowing or falling water, often through dams, to generate electricity.
• Advantages: Reliable and renewable energy source; helps with water storage and irrigation.
• Disadvantages: Expensive to build dams, can displace communities, and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.

Geothermal Energy

• Description: Heat energy from the Earth, using reservoirs of hot water below the surface.
• Advantages: Renewable, comes from the Earth's mantle.
• Disadvantages: High upfront costs (megawatt capacity plants cost ~$2-$7 million).

Biomass

• Description: Renewable energy source from plants and algae; Trees, crops, and municipal waste are consistently available.
• Advantages: Zero carbon footprint; lower net carbon dioxide emissions than coal and gas.
• Disadvantages: Expensive to gather, transport, and store; large land requirements for production facilities.

Nonrenewable Energy

• Limited sources that will eventually run out.
• Primarily fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, and natural gas).
• Carbon is the primary element in fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels

• Description: Energy sources from ancient plants and animals.
• Advantages: High energy density; efficient for power generation.
• Disadvantages: Cannot be replenished; depletion over time; release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.

Nuclear Energy

• Description: Released from the atomic nucleus (fission or fusion).
• Advantages: Low carbon footprint; reliable energy source.
• Disadvantages: Risk of accidents (e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima); radioactive waste disposal (long-term hazard).