Ann Drake Brookville Intermediate School Energy Source Expo Ann Drake Brookville Intermediate School

Biomass What is biomass? Biomass is any organic matter (anything that was once alive) that can be used as an energy source: wood, crops, & yard and animal waste Is biomass renewable or nonrenewable? Biomass is a renewable energy source because we can grow more in a short period of time. How do we make biomass? Biomass gets its energy from the sun. Plants absorb sunlight in a process called photosynthesis.

Biomass How do we use biomass? Industry is the biggest biomass consumer; use it to make products. Transportation sector uses it to make ethanol. Power companies use it to produce electricity. Homes & business us it for heat. How does using biomass affect the environment? Biomass can pollute the air when burned though not as much as fossil fuels.

Coal How was coal formed? Where do we find it? Coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of swampy plants that lived and died millions of years ago. Coal can be found deep underground or near the surface of Earth. Is coal renewable or nonrenewable? Coal is nonrenewable because it takes millions of years to form. How do we get coal? How do we move it? To get coal, we mine for it; surface mining and underground mining. Trains and river barges are the most common way to move coal.

Coal How do we use coal? Coal is primarily used to make electricity. A small percentage of industries use coal; steel & iron, paper, brick, limestone & cement industries. How does using coal affect the environment? Burning coal pollutes our air with carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and sulfur which mixes with oxygen and water to produce acid rain.

Geothermal How is geothermal formed? Geothermal energy is generated in the Earth’s core. Very high temperatures are continuously produced inside the Earth. Is geothermal renewable or nonrenewable? Geothermal is a renewable energy source. How do we capture the energy in geothermal? Deep underground the rock and water absorb the heat from magma. We dig wells and pump the heated, underground water to the surface.

Geothermal How do we use geothermal energy? Geothermal energy is use to heat homes and produce electriciy. How does using geothermal affect the environment? Geothermal energy does little damage to the environment as they produce almost no emissions.

Hydropower What is the water cycle? The movement of water between the Earth and the atmosphere. Make sure you can describe each of the processes in the water cycle. Is hydropower renewable or nonrenewable? Hydropower energy is a renewable energy source. How do we capture the power in moving water? We capture the power of moving water by building dams.

Hydropower How do we use hydropower? Hydropower plants use modern turbine generators to produce electricity. How does using hydropower affect the environment? Hydropower is a clean energy source. A hydropower plant produces no air pollution because it does not burn fuel, but it can affect some wildlife and natural resources.

Natural Gas How was natural gas formed? Where do we find it? Natural gas is a fossil fuel that was formed from the remains of ancient sea plants and animals and is found deep underground. Is natural gas renewable or nonrenewable? Natural gas is a nonrenewable source of energy. How do we get natural gas? How do we move it? Natural gas is hard to find but once comes out of the ground it is sent to a plant to be cleaned and separated. Pipelines are used to ship natural gas.

Natural Gas How do we use natural gas? Industry burns natural gas for heat and manufacturing. Homes use natural gas for heating. Natural gas can be used to generate electricity. How does using natural gas affect the environment? Natural gas is a fossil fuel so it releases emissions into the air including carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Natural gas are the cleanest burning fossil fuels.

Petroleum How was petroleum formed? Where do we find it? Petroleum is formed from the remains of tiny sea plants and animals that died millions of years ago and is found deep underground. Is petroleum renewable or nonrenewable? Petroleum is a nonrenewable energy source. How do we get petroleum? How do we move it? We use a drilling rig to drill down to the oil and then use a pump to draw out the oil. The petroleum is then refined. Pipelines are used to transport petroleum.

Petroleum How do we use petroleum? Petroleum is used primarily for transportation as a fuel source (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc.) How does using petroleum affect the environment? Drilling for and transporting oil can endanger wildlife and the environment. Processing oil can contribute to air and water pollution. Burning gasoline contributes to air pollution.

Propane How was propane formed? Where do we find it? Propane is a fossil fuel that is formed millions of years ago from the remains of tiny sea animals and plants. Propane is usually found mixed with deposits of natural gas and petroleum underground. Is propane renewable or nonrenewable? Propane is a nonrenewable energy source. How do we get propane? How do we move it? Propane comes from natural gas and petroleum wells.

Propane How do we use propane? Propane is used by industry, homes, farms and businesses- mostly for heating. It is also used as a transportation fuel. How does using propane affect the environment? Propane is a fossil fuel so it releases emissions into the air including carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Drilling can endanger wildlife and the environment.

Solar How is solar energy made? The sun is a big gas ball made up mostly of hydrogen and helium gas. The sun makes energy in its inner core in a process called nuclear fusion. Is solar energy renewable or nonrenewable? Solar energy is a renewable energy source. How do we harness solar energy? Solar collectors is one way to capture sunlight and change it into usable heat energy. Solar energy can be used to heat homes: passive solar home & active solar home. Solar energy can be used to heat water. Solar energy can also be used to produce electricity.

Solar What other energy sources depend on solar energy? Nearly all energy sources depend on solar energy- biomass, fossil fuels, & wind. How does using solar energy affect the environment? Solar energy is a clean energy source. There is no air pollution because it does not burn fuels.

Uranium (Nuclear Energy) What is uranium? Where do we find it? Uranium is a common metal found in rocks all around the world. Uranium goes through fission; a small particle called a neutron hits the uranium atom, it splits, releasing a great amount of energy as heat and radiation. Is uranium renewable or nonrenewable? Uranium is a nonrenewable energy source. How do we use uranium? Uranium fuel is formed into ceramic pellets. Fission generates heat and is used to boil water into steam. Steam turns huge turbine blades and they drive generators to create electricity.

Uranium (Nuclear Energy) How does using uranium in a power plant affect the environment? Nuclear power plants have very little impact on the environment unless there is an accident. Nuclear power plants do require a lot of water for cooling. The major challenge of nuclear power is storage of the radioactive used fuel.

Wind How is wind formed? Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by radiant energy from the sun. Is wind renewable or nonrenewable? Wind is a renewable energy source. How do we capture the energy in wind? We use wind turbines to capture wind energy.

Wind How do we use wind energy? Wind power plants or wind farms are clusters of wind turbines used to produce electricity. How does using wind affect the environment? Wind is a clean, renewable energy source that produces no air pollution. And wind is free to use.