1. Energy and Resources

2. What is Energy? Energy is the ability to do work
Work: exerting a force over a distance to move an object
If an object or organism does work (exerts a force over a distance to move an object) the object or organism uses energy.

3. Generators Use energy to generate electric currents.
A moving magnet pushes the electrons along a wire.
The energy used to move the magnet is carried by the electric current.
magnet
Coil of wire
torch bulb

4. energy What do we need to make a generator for a power station?
Strong magnets
Lots of wire
then lots of
energy
to turn the generator.

5. Generators in power stations are huge!
Huge generators need huge amounts of energy.
The energy turns the generators.
The electric current carries the energy to where it is needed.
Size of a person

6. How can a generator be turned?
Steam is used to turn a turbine to turn the generator.
Turbine
Source of steam

7. A power station
electric current

8. heat water to make steam?
What fuel can be used to
heat water to make steam?
Historically we have used coal.
The smoke is dirty and pollutes the atmosphere.
Also produces lots of carbon
dioxide which is a green house gas –
heats up the Earth.
Old way:
Burn coal
Newer way: Burn gas
Gas is cleaner than coal but still makes lots of carbon dioxide
Eventually the world will run out of coal and gas.

9. Two Types of Energy Resources
Non- Renewable- an energy source that once used up will not be available again in our lifetime
Also known as fossil fuels because they come from ancient plants and animals that have fossilized.
Renewable- an energy source that will be available for use again in our lifetime

10. Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Coal-formed in stages from decayed plants
Oil/petroleum-refined for use
Natural Gas
Nuclear Energy-comes from uranium
Metals

11. Coal
Coal has 4-5 stages of development. We get the most energy from bituminous coal and anthracite (last 2 stages)
We use it primarily for power generation (electricity)
Advantage: cheap and plentiful in US
Disadvantage: air pollution, acid rain, mines disturb environment

12. Oil/Petroleum
Oil/petroleum has to go through refining processes before we can put gasoline in our cars or make other products from it.
We use it to produce products from gasoline to plastic containers, fertilizers, and some drugs.
Advantage: can be used to make multiple products (drugs, pesticides, plastics) and multiple fuels
Disadvantage: damaging environment (Gulf oil leak), burning oil releases CO2 into atmosphere (greenhouse gas)

13. Gulf Oil Spill 2010

14. Natural Gas
Natural gas is provided to homes by massive networks of pipelines that span miles before they get to customers.
We use it for power generation/heating systems
Advantage: Burns “cleaner” when compared to other fossil fuels
Disadvantage: unscented (leaks can start fires), air pollution, pipelines disturb environment

15. Nuclear Energy
Formed from fission and fusion of uranium atoms in a nuclear reactor. Waste must be cooled off before storage.
We use it for power generation.
Advantage: a lot of energy for a little bit of raw material
Disadvantage: waste is toxic, production and waste storage sites are expensive to create and maintain, nuclear catastrophy possible.

16. Renewable Energy Resources
Solar Power-produced by sunlight
Hydroelectric Power-produced by water flow
Geothermal Energy-produced by heated water
Biomass-produced by garbage
Wind Power-produced by wind

17. Solar Power Solar cells take in sunlight and produce electricity
watch?v=lqF9Z35PzAc
Advantage: sun is never ending source
Disadvantage: equipment and installation is expensive

19. Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power is produced when water flows through a dam and turns a turbine that is connected to a generator.
Used in Southwest (Hoover Dam-Colorado River)
Advantage: water cycle unending
Disadvantage: limited sites to harness power, multiple dams on one river can damage ecosystems.

21. Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is produced by water that heats in an underground area of hot intrusive igneous rock. That water produces steam when heated and turns a turbine to generate electricity.
Used in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada
Advantage: no air pollution is produced
Disadvantage: rock can cool over time and energy will not be produced, limited areas where this happens.

23. Biomass
Biomass occurs naturally when leaves fall to the forest floor and accumulates. We also process certain items of garbage to create fertilizers.
Advantage: makes use of material that usually goes into landfills, can use product (from compost pile) as fertilizer.
Disadvantage: methane (greenhouse gas) is produced

25. Wind Power
Wind power is produced by rotating windmills that turn a turbine to produce electricity
watch?v=RFPj9frhKuo
Advantage: no air pollution produced
Disadvantage: limited areas to build wind farms (mountains, coast, midwestern plains),noise pollution

26. What can we do? To decrease fossil fuel use?
Carpool/public transportation
Turn off appliances when not in use
Recycle
What we’ve already done…
Slowly converting to more solar and wind power where available.
Hybrid cars
Reusable grocery bags

27. Electric Car of the Future?

28. $50,000 2-Seater Car/$39,000 lithium battery

29. Okay…so not many people can afford that…
Brainstorm and write down practical ways that:
You already use renewable resources
You really think you can in the future
And…ways that…if you use nonrenewable resources, how can you cutback or conserve them?