Energy Fact or Fiction: Determine if the following statements are fact or fiction

Fact or Fiction Petroleum is the ultimate source of energy on Earth. Traditional sources of energy come from plants. Fossil fuels are available in limitless supplies. The stored energy in petroleum originally came from the Sun. Natural gas is formed from the remains of living things.

Fact or Fiction Alternative energy sources are renewable sources. Solar heating uses fans to distribute heat. There are no drawbacks to using hydroelectric power. Energy obtained directly from heat in the earth’s crust is called geothermal energy.

Fact or Fiction Wind is one of the least expensive ways to produce electricity. Nuclear fuel is a nonrenewable resource. No greenhouse gases are released from nuclear power plants. Biomass energy sources are nonpolluting. Shale oil is profitable to extract and refine.

Traditional Energy Resources

Fact or Fiction – Answers Petroleum is the ultimate source of energy on Earth. Fiction Traditional sources of energy come from plants. Fact

Transfer of Solar Energy The Sun is the ultimate source of energy on Earth. Fuels are materials that are burned to produce heat or power.

Traditional Sources of Energy Wood most commonly used biomass fuel Used for thousands of years

Traditional Sources of Energy Field Crops Used as fuel when wood is scarce. The simplest way – burn them

Traditional Sources of Energy Fecal Material Feces are the solid wastes of animals. used when have limited forest resources

Traditional Sources of Energy Peat formed when dead plant material is compressed in a bog burns better than wood a fossil fuel

Fact or Fiction – Answers Fossil fuels are available in limitless supplies. Fiction

Fossil Fuels formed over geologic time nonrenewable -- millions of years

Fact or Fiction – Answers The stored energy in petroleum originally came from the Sun. Fact

Fossil Fuels formed from plants and animals that lived 300 million years ago in swamps and oceans the plants and animals died and decomposed under tons of rock and ancient seas

Fossil Fuels Coal formed from compressed organic matter in ancient swamps.

Fossil Fuels Petroleum natural crude oil formed in shallow seas

Fact or Fiction – Answers Natural gas is formed from the remains of living things. Fact

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Methane -- bacteria colorless, shapeless, and odorless

Alternative Energy Resources

Alternative Energy Resources Petroleum - 50 years?? Coal - 150 years?? At current usage rates! Are rates going to stay the same?

Fact or Fiction – Answers Alternative energy sources are renewable sources. Fact (most of them)

Solar Energy The Sun is the ultimate source of energy on Earth. The main advantages Free No pollution

Fact or Fiction – Answers Solar heating uses fans to distribute heat. Fiction

Solar Energy Passive Solar Heating Sun shining through a window Sun shining on bricks, asphalt – heat can be released at night.

Solar Energy Active Solar Heating solar panels collect light fans and pumps distribute heat

Solar Energy Photovoltaic Cells convert solar energy into electrical energy that is stored in batteries

Fact or Fiction – Answers There are no drawbacks to using hydroelectric power. Fiction

Hydroelectric Power energy produced by moving water 20% of the world’s electricity

Aswan High Dam

Three Gorges Dam

Three Gorges Dam

How it Works

Advantages Controls flooding Low operating and maintenance costs No polluting waste products Long (but finite) life spans Areas of recreation

Disadvantages Controls flooding Large flooded areas; people displaced Slow moving water  pathogen breeding ground Destroy habitat Disrupt fish migration

Disadvantages Sedimentation Expensive to build Destroys rivers Dredging Sediments don’t enrich farmland Expensive to build Destroys rivers Earthquakes

More Dams? Not in US -- why not? Outside US?

Tidal Power Energy from the Oceans energy in waves used to generate electricity may disrupt coastal and marine ecosystems

Fact or Fiction – Answers Energy obtained directly from heat in the earth’s crust is called geothermal energy. Fact

Geothermal Energy energy produced by steam and hot water generated by Earth’s own internal heat

Geothermal Energy Advantages: Disadvantages: abundant and reliable must be managed carefully contains large amount of minerals - pollution Transporting is not practical

Fact or Fiction – Answers Wind is one of the least expensive ways to produce electricity. Fact

Wind Energy Wind  mechanical energy  electrical energy Most wind farms are in California, ND, SD, and TX have the best locations 10% of the world’s electricity by the year 2050

Wind Energy Advantages: Disadvantages: virtually unlimited nonpolluting can be built quickly inexpensive, but only in areas with steady winds Disadvantages: not very attractive may interfere with and even kill birds requires land lease/purchase

Fact or Fiction – Answers Nuclear fuel is a nonrenewable resource. No greenhouse gases are released from nuclear power plants. Fact

Nuclear Energy During nuclear fission, atoms are split, releasing large amount of energy Uranium is commonly used 17% of the world’s electricity

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy No new nuclear plants have been built in the United States since 1978. Poor management Costs poor designs

Nuclear Energy Advantages Disadvantages Lots of energy available No greenhouse gases Uranium available Disadvantages Nuclear waste storage Radiation accidents Weapons?

Nuclear Energy

Fact or Fiction – Answers Biomass energy sources are nonpolluting. Fiction

Biomass Biomass is a renewable energy resource – as long as the organisms are replaced. Not wood, field crops Disadvantage release carbon dioxide and particulate matter

Biomass Ethanol Methanol Made from sugar and grain crops Grain alcohol Made mostly from natural gas Wood alcohol

Biomass Biogas Biodiesel Made from plant and animal waste Manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases

Fact or Fiction – Answers Shale oil is profitable to extract and refine. Fiction

Energy from Oil Shale and Tar Sand Oil shale is heated to form oil known as shale oil. The cost of processing oil shale is higher than the cost of traditional crude oil. requires lots of energy produces air and water pollution

Powering the Planet