ENERGY Co-finanziato Dal Programma LLP dell’Unione Europea L’autore è il solo responsabile di questa comunicazione. L’Unione europea declina ogni responsabilità sull’uso che potrà essere fatto delle informazioni in essa contenute.

WHAT IS ENERGY? Energy is the capacity of a physical system to perform work work

What kinds of energy ARE THERE in NATURE? Renewable Energy It is any energy resource that is naturally occuring and is replenished and regenerated over a short time scale. It is derived directly from the sun or from other natural movements and mechanisms of the environment. It is potentially infinite. Non-Renewable Energy It is any energy resource that is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time or is replaced only very slowly by natural processes. It is considered "used up", so not available to us again. It is though finite

Renewable Energy Solar Wind Hydroelectric Tidal Wave HEP (Hydroelectric power) Biofuels energy Non-Renewable Energy: FOSSIL FUELS Coal Natural Gas Oil Nuclear

NON RENEWABLE ENERGY:FOSSIL FUELS Fossil fuels are continually produced by the decay of plant and animal matter, but the rate of their production is extremely slow, very much slower than the rate at which we use them.

ADVANTAGES Energy production using coal can be increased or decrease according to demand. The technology to burn coal to generate electricity already exists DISADVANTAGES Coal is finite so will eventually run out. Many existing reserves are becoming harder to extract or are environmentally sensitive areas. Coal releases large amounts of greenhouses gases when burnt Mining deep underground coal is dangerous Coal is very expensive to transport around the world COAL

ADVANTAGES Energy production using oil can be increased or decrease according to demand. The technology to burn coal to generate electricity already exists. Technology is improving to extract deeper. reserves as well oil in tar sands (Canada) DISADVANTAGES Oil is finite so will eventually run A lot of oil is located in politically unstable countries or environmentally sensitive areas (Iraq, Libya). Oil can cause widespread pollution when spilt Oil releases large amounts of greenhouses gases when burnt Oil is vulnerable to large scale changes in its price The production of oil refineries is very expensive. OIL

ADVANTAGES Energy production using gas can be increased or decrease according to demand. The technology to burn gas to generate electricity already exists. Burning gas releases less greenhouses gases than coal and oil. It is now possible to compress gas and transport it more easily. DISADVANTAGES Gas is finite so will eventually run A lot of oil is located in politically unstable countries or environmentally sensitive areas (Russia). Oil is vulnerable to leaks and explosions. NATURAL GAS

It is the energy that uses the power of the sun to heat water or generate electricity. It can be captured, converted and distributed by passive or active means for a variety of applications.

ACTIVE SYSTEMS The sun energy is collected with panels through which air or water is circulated to transfer heat to a storage or utilization device PASSIVE SYSTEMS HOW CAN WE CAPTURE, STORE, CONVERT AND DISTRIBUTE SOLAR ENERGY? Passive solar heating is a simple method by utilizing specific building materials and appropriate building siting (e.g. The South)

ADVANTAGES It is a clean form of energy. It is an infinite resource. Panels can be used locally on the top of houses. It can be used to heat water and generate electricity. DISADVANTAGES Solar panels are very expensive. The sun does not shine all the time. Not every country gets adequate levels of sun. Solar panels can't be used during the night. Solar panels can spoil the beauty of the landscape.

SOLAR ENERGY IS HEAVILY UTILIZED Hot water and heating. Gives energy to devices distant from electrical nets. Big devices connected with the net.