Energy Resources and Consumption: Renewable, Nonrenewable, and Sustainable Technologies

What are renewable energy sources?

Energy sources that can be replenished naturally at or near the rate of consumption.

What are nonrenewable energy sources?

Energy sources that exist in fixed amounts on Earth and cannot be easily replaced or regenerated.

Give an example of a depletable renewable energy source.

Biomass (e.g., wood, charcoal, ethanol) can run out if overused.

What is a nondepletable renewable energy source?

Energy sources that do not run out if overused, such as solar and wind energy.

What is the primary energy source for electricity generation globally?

Fossil fuels are by far the most common fuel source globally.

What is the main fuel for vehicles?

Gasoline, derived from oil.

How is hydroelectric energy generated?

By using water to spin a turbine that generates electricity.

What is the role of uranium in energy production?

Uranium is used in nuclear energy generation through fission to produce heat and electricity.

What factors affect the use of fossil fuels?

Availability, price, and government regulation.

What is the average energy use of a US resident compared to the world average?

The average US resident uses 5 times as much energy as the world average.

What is biomass fuel?

Biomass fuel sources that are easily accessible and often used in developing countries for heating or cooking.

What is the process of coal formation?

Coal forms from pressure on peat over time, resulting in different types of coal based on energy density.

What is natural gas primarily composed of?

Natural gas is mostly methane (CH4).

Why is natural gas considered a cleaner fossil fuel?

It produces fewer air pollutants and less CO2 when burned compared to coal and oil.

How is crude oil extracted?

By drilling wells through rock layers to reach underground deposits.

What is fractional distillation?

A process that separates different hydrocarbons in crude oil based on their boiling points.

What are some products derived from crude oil?

Gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, motor oil, and asphalt.

What is the estimated lifespan of coal reserves?

~100-150 years.

Which country has the largest natural gas reserves?

Russia.

What is the estimated lifespan of oil reserves?

~50 years.

How does economic development affect fossil fuel consumption?

As nations develop, fossil fuel consumption increases due to higher energy demands.

What are subsistence fuels?

Biomass fuels that are easily gathered and used for heating or cooking in developing countries.

What is the environmental impact of using wood as a fuel source?

It can lead to deforestation and habitat loss.

What is the significance of government regulation in energy use?

Governments can mandate energy source mixes and provide incentives for renewable energy development.

What is the impact of fracking on natural gas availability?

Fracking opens new natural gas reserves, increasing availability and decreasing prices.

What is the primary challenge of using tar sands for oil extraction?

It is extremely energy and water-intensive to extract oil from tar sands.

What is the difference between lignite, bituminous, and anthracite coal?

They differ in energy density and quality, with anthracite being the highest quality.

What are the main environmental benefits of using natural gas over coal?

Natural gas produces less CO2 and fewer pollutants compared to coal.

What is hydraulic fracturing (fracking)?

A method of natural gas extraction that releases gas trapped in semi-permeable sedimentary rock layers by cracking the rock with pressurized water.

What are shale gas reserves?

Deposits of natural gas found in shale rock that can be extracted through fracking.

What drives the extraction and use of fossil fuels despite their non-renewable nature?

Short-term economic profit.

Where is the world's largest oil sands reserve located?

In the Alberta region of Canada.

What is the primary source of electricity production globally?

Coal.

What are the products of fossil fuel combustion?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

What is the efficiency of coal as a fuel source for generating electricity?

Approximately 30%.

How does natural gas efficiency compare to coal in electricity generation?

Natural gas is approximately 60% efficient.

What is cogeneration?

A process where the heat produced from electricity generation is used to provide heat to a building, achieving higher efficiency.

What are the environmental consequences of coal mining?

Habitat destruction, CO2 emissions, and release of pollutants that can harm respiratory health.

What is bitumen?

A thick, sticky, semi-solid form of petroleum found in tar sands.

What are the environmental impacts of extracting oil from tar sands?

Habitat destruction, water depletion, and contamination of water sources.

What is the process of fracking?

Drilling a vertical well into sedimentary rock, then horizontally, and using high-pressure fluid to crack the rock and release natural gas.

What are the environmental consequences of fracking?

Groundwater contamination, habitat loss, methane release, and increased seismic activity.

What is nuclear fission?

A process where a neutron is fired into the nucleus of a radioactive element, causing it to break apart and release energy.

What does radioactivity refer to?

The energy emitted by the nucleus of a radioactive isotope as it decays.

What is a radioactive half-life?

The time it takes for 50% of a radioactive substance to decay.

How is electricity generated from nuclear fission?

Using the heat from fission to convert water into steam, which turns a turbine connected to a generator.

What are the steps in the electricity generation process from fossil fuels?

Heat → Water into Steam → Steam turns a turbine → Turbine powers generator → Generator produces electricity.

What are the consequences of crude oil spills?

Environmental damage to aquatic life, contamination of water sources, and habitat loss.

What is the role of methane in the environment?

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

What is the significance of tailing ponds in tar sands extraction?

They store wastewater and can overflow, leading to water contamination.

What are the main pollutants released from coal combustion?

Carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).

What is the impact of fossil fuel combustion on the carbon cycle?

It releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to climate change.

What is the relationship between energy efficiency and environmental impact in energy generation?

Higher efficiency in energy generation typically leads to lower environmental impacts due to reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

What is the purpose of using high-pressure fracking fluid?

To create fractures in the rock layer, increasing permeability and allowing natural gas to flow out.

What are the main components of fracking fluid?

Water, salt, detergents, and acids.

What is the environmental concern associated with wastewater from fracking?

It can leak into groundwater and contaminate water sources.

What is the function of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

Control rods are lowered into the reactor core to absorb neutrons and slow down the reaction, preventing a meltdown.

What role does the water pump play in a nuclear power plant?

The water pump brings in cool water to be turned into steam and also cools the reactor down from overheating.

What is the purpose of a cooling tower in a nuclear power plant?

The cooling tower allows steam from the turbine to condense back into liquid and cool down before being reused.

Is nuclear energy renewable or nonrenewable?

Nuclear energy is nonrenewable because radioactive elements like Uranium are limited.

What are the environmental benefits of nuclear energy compared to fossil fuels?

Nuclear energy generates no air pollutants (PM, SOx/NOx) or CO2/CH4 during electricity generation.

What is a significant drawback of nuclear energy?

Drawbacks include the possibility of meltdown and radioactive contamination.

What are spent fuel rods?

Spent fuel rods are used fuel rods that remain radioactive for millions of years and need to be stored in lead containers on site.

What are mine tailings?

Mine tailings are leftover rock and soil from mining that may contain radioactive elements, potentially contaminating nearby water or soil.

What is thermal pollution in the context of nuclear power plants?

Thermal pollution occurs when hot water from the power plant is released back into surface waters, causing thermal shock.

Name three famous nuclear meltdowns.

Three Mile Island (US), Fukushima (Japan), and Chernobyl (Ukraine).

What caused the Three Mile Island incident?

The Three Mile Island incident was a partial meltdown due to a testing error.

What triggered the Fukushima meltdown?

An earthquake and tsunami triggered a cooling pump failure that led to a meltdown.

What was the cause of the Chernobyl disaster?

A stuck cooling valve during a test led to a complete meltdown and explosion of the reactor core.

What are the environmental consequences of nuclear meltdowns?

They can cause genetic mutations and cancer in surrounding people, animals, and plants due to radiation released.

How does biomass differ from biofuels?

Biomass is organic matter burned for heat, while biofuels are liquid fuels created from biomass for use in vehicles.

What is considered 'carbon neutral' in biomass burning?

Biomass burning is considered carbon neutral because it releases modern carbon that was recently sequestered.

What health risks are associated with biomass burning?

Biomass burning releases CO, NOx, PM, and VOCs, which are respiratory irritants and can worsen conditions like asthma.

What are the environmental impacts of biomass burning?

Environmental impacts include deforestation, air pollutants, habitat loss, and soil erosion.

What is the process of creating ethanol from biomass?

Corn and sugar cane are fermented into ethanol, which is then mixed with gasoline.

What is the composition of E85 fuel?

E85 fuel is a mix of 51-83% ethanol and gasoline.

What are the environmental consequences of monocrop agriculture for biofuels?

Consequences include soil erosion, habitat loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the role of photovoltaic cells (PV) in solar energy?

PV cells convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials.

What is a drawback of solar energy?

A drawback is intermittency, as solar energy can only be generated during the day.

What is concentrated solar thermal (CST) energy?

CST uses mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a central water tower to produce steam for electricity generation.

What are the potential environmental impacts of concentrated solar thermal energy?

Impacts include habitat destruction and the risk of harming birds with light beams.

What is the main difference between rooftop solar and large-scale solar farms?

Rooftop solar is installed on individual homes or businesses, while large-scale solar farms generate electricity on a larger land area.

What are the environmental impacts of large-scale solar farms?

They can take up land and cause habitat loss or fragmentation.

What is a major advantage of solar energy?

It is renewable and does not release air pollutants or CO2 during electricity generation.

What are some drawbacks of solar energy?

Mining for semiconductor metals like silicon can disrupt habitats and pollute water.

What is hydroelectricity?

Electricity generated from the kinetic energy of moving water, typically through turbines.

Which countries are the largest producers of hydroelectricity?

China, Brazil, and the United States.

What is the purpose of a dam in hydroelectric power generation?

A dam creates a reservoir that allows for controlled water flow to generate electricity.

What are the ecological impacts of damming a river?

Damming can flood ecosystems, prevent fish migration, and alter sediment flow.

What is a run-of-river system?

A hydroelectric system that diverts a river's current through a man-made channel without creating a reservoir.

What is one benefit of hydroelectric dams?

They do not emit greenhouse gases during electricity generation.

What is geothermal energy?

Energy derived from the natural heat of the Earth's core, often used for heating or electricity generation.

How does geothermal energy generate electricity?

Hot water from underground reservoirs is turned into steam to spin a turbine connected to a generator.

What is a ground source heat pump?

A system that uses the ground's stored heat for heating and cooling buildings, not directly from geothermal activity.

What are the pros of geothermal energy?

It is potentially renewable, produces less CO2 than fossil fuels, and does not release air pollutants.

What are the cons of geothermal energy?

Not all areas have accessible geothermal resources, and drilling costs can be high.

What is the initial energy source in geothermal power generation?

The natural radioactive decay of elements deep in the Earth's core.

What is the function of fish ladders in hydroelectric dams?

They allow migratory fish like salmon to bypass dams and continue upstream to spawn.

What are the economic impacts of constructing dams?

They can displace homes and businesses, have high initial construction costs, but create long-term jobs.

What is the impact of sedimentation in hydroelectric systems?

Sedimentation can change upstream and downstream conditions, affecting habitats and water quality.