1. POWERING OUR FUTURE

2. Why We Need It
We need fuel to power our homes, drive our cars, and cook our food
The past decades have seen an exponential rise in fuel prices and their demand
These factors have caused scientist and researchers to explore new methods of fueling our society

3. Wind Energy How it works
Wind blows across the landscape and rotates the blades of a wind turbine
this rotation powers a generator which sends electricity to homes, and offices

4. Solar Energy How it works Sunlight is absorbed on photovoltaic panels
The light is converted to an electric current
The current must pass through a battery or inverter before it is ready for use

5. Hydroelectric Energy How it works
Dams are built into rivers and create large storage reservoirs
Potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy as water flows through the penstock due to the effects of gravity
The flowing water rotates a turbine which then powers a generator

6. Nuclear Energy How it works
Controlled nuclear reactions are used to heat water and create steam
The steam is used to rotate a turbine and power an electric generator

7. Biomass
How it works
Organic materials: plant/animal matter, wood, crops, waste are collected
They can be burned as solids or converted to liquids and methane gas
Liquids are used as ethanol or biodiesel
Methane is used in heating, cooking, and producing electricity

8. Geothermal Energy How it works
Holes are drilled into the earth’s surface
Steam is extracted and used to power generators

9. Tidal Energy How it works Turbines are installed along the coast
The water’s current spins the turbine
The rotation powers generators that produce electricity

10. Coal How it works Coal is mined and removed from the earth
Transported to power plants
Where it is burned to produce steam
This steam powers a generator which produces electricity

11. Oil How it works Crude oil is removed from reserves
Transported to refineries
Then distributed as fuel

12. Works Cited http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html