Energy Resources

Where does our electricity, heat, and fuel come from?

Nonrenewable Resources

• Resources that are used up more quickly than they can naturally be replaced.

Non-Renewable -examples

Renewable Resources

• Any natural resource that is recycled or replaced constantly by nature.

Renewable Resources -examples

U.S. Energy

Use Totals 2009

Make electricity by turning a generator

Fossil Fuels

the fuel is burned to boil water to make steam the steam makes a turbine spin

the spinning turbine turns a generator which produces electricity the electricity goes to the transformers to produce the correct voltage

Fossil Fuels (Oil, Coal, Natural Gas)

• Advantages– Inexpensive– Currently widely

available

• Disadvantages– Non-renewable– Polluting– Dangerous to mine

(coal)

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy

• Advantages– Less polluting than

fossil fuels– Provides a great

amount of energy inexpensively

• Disadvantages– Non-renewable– Radioactive waste

(dangerous)

Solar Energy

Solar Energy

• Advantages– Non-polluting– Inexhaustible

• Disadvantages– Expensive technology– Must have sunny area

Wind Energy

Wind Energy

• Advantages– Non-polluting– Renewable

• Disadvantages– Visual pollution (large

windmills)– Windy area needed

Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric Energy

• Advantages– Non-polluting– Renewable

• Disadvantages– Flooding (destroys

land/habitats)– Destroys fish migration

routes

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy

• Advantages– Non-polluting– Inexhaustible

• Disadvantages– Costly to dig deep into

Earth

Biomass –garbage, wood

Biomass Energy

• Advantages

– Quick to replace– Renewable– Inexpensive

• Disadvantages– Pollution produced

when products are burnt