Energy Sources Throughout History

Energy Sources Throughout History

Pre-History (Before 3000 BCE)

• Primary energy sources:
  • Human and animal power
  • Biomass (wood, plants)
  • Water (rivers, streams)
• Limited energy needs, mainly for basic survival and tool-making

Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE - 500 CE)

• Energy sources:
  • Biomass (wood, charcoal)
  • Animal power (domesticated animals)
  • Water power (waterwheels, mills)
  • Human power (slaves, manual labor)
• Development of early energy technologies:
  • Fire for cooking, heating, and metalworking
  • Waterwheels for grain milling and irrigation

Medieval Period (500 - 1500 CE)

• Energy sources:
  • Biomass (wood, charcoal)
  • Animal power (horses, oxen)
  • Water power (waterwheels, mills)
  • Human power (manual labor)
• Introduction of new energy technologies:
  • Windmills for grain milling and pumping water
  • Horse-powered machinery

Industrial Revolution (1500 - 1800 CE)

• Energy sources:
  • Coal
  • Water power (hydroelectricity)
  • Steam power (coal-fired engines)
• Development of new energy technologies:
  • Steam engines (James Watt, 1769)
  • Coal-fired power plants

Modern Era (1800 - 2000 CE)

• Energy sources:
  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
  • Nuclear power
  • Hydroelectric power
  • Renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal)
• Development of new energy technologies:
  • Internal combustion engines (1870s)
  • Electricity generation and transmission (1880s)
  • Nuclear power plants (1950s)

Contemporary Era (2000 CE - present)

• Energy sources:
  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
  • Renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal)
  • Nuclear power
  • Alternative energy (hydrogen, biofuels)
• Focus on:
  • Energy efficiency and conservation
  • Sustainable energy development
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change