Energy Production & Carbon Emissions

Why Do We Need Energy? Energy is the ability to do work. We must have energy in order to survive. This means that our society has to develop ways to produce the energy that we need. Energy is needed for: –Transportation –Food Production –Manufacturing –Medicine/Healthcare –Housing/Shelter Basically, without the energy to satisfy our basic needs – we die!

Sources of Energy We can harness different sources of energy and convert it into the types of energy we need such as electricity and heat. There are two main categories of energy sources – they are based on how long it takes to replace the energy they give us. –Renewable Energy – These sources of energy are replaced almost instantaneously. They are available for use each and every day. –Non-renewable Energy – These sources of energy take a very long time to replenish them selves so once they are used, you must wait a very long time before they are replaced.

Solar Energy Renewable Energy Using the energy of the Sun to produce electricity. Solar energy generates clean, reliable power that requires little maintenance. The energy of the Sun is free and it produces no carbon dioxide once it is in place!

Solar Power

Geothermal Energy Renewable Energy The energy of the Earth is pumped up into buildings through a series of underground pipes. In the summer, the heat created in a building can be sent into the Earth to be discharged. Geothermal energy is cheap and produces almost no pollution or greenhouse gases.

Geothermal Energy

Hydropower Renewable Energy The kinetic energy of water flow by a turbine produces electricity. Large hydro dams can store water when energy is abundant (like a battery). Water is free and produces very little pollution or greenhouse gases. The impact of the dam on wildlife must be considered before a dam should be constructed.

Hydropower

Wind Energy Renewable Energy Using the kinetic energy of moving air masses (the wind) to spin a turbine and create electricity. Becoming cheaper to start, creates little to no pollution or greenhouse gases.

Wind Energy

Nuclear Energy Non-renewable Energy A radioactive material (such as uranium) breaks down and provides energy that is converted into electricity. It is a costly way to produce energy and the mining of the uranium consumes a lot of energy and produces a fair amount of carbon dioxide. Water from nearby sources is used to cool the reactors – can have negative environmental effects.

Nuclear Energy

Coal Non-renewable energy Coal is a fossil fuel that is combusted to provide energy that can be converted into electricity. Coal is the biggest threat to the environment – it does not burn clean and produces the most carbon dioxide and pollution per unit. It is still used today because it is so easy and cheap to access.

Coal

Oil & Natural Gas Non-renewable Energy These fossil fuels are combusted and the energy releases is converted into electricity. Both of these contribute carbon dioxide and pollution to the atmosphere. Neither is as bad as coal though. The exploration, extraction and refining of oil and natural gas causes a lot of environmental stress. Still used because its is a cheap and easy process.

Oil & Natural Gas

Some Final Questions If renewable energy sources produce a lot fewer greenhouse gases, why are we not using them? Who is in charge of saying what type of energy resources we use to produce our energy? What do you think will happen when the oil on Earth starts to become scarce?

The End