Energy Resources and Management Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to energy resources, usage, and waste management.

Nonrenewable energy resources

Energy sources that cannot be replenished within a human lifetime, such as fossil fuels.

Renewable energy resources

Energy sources that are replenished naturally and can be used indefinitely, such as solar and wind power.

Energy efficiency

The ratio of useful output of a service to the input energy; higher efficiency means less energy waste.

Energy conservation

The practice of reducing energy use through behavioral changes and the efficient use of resources.

Biomass

Organic material that comes from plants and animals, which can be used as a renewable energy source.

Fossil fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

EROEI

Energy Returned on Energy Invested; a measure of the energy gained from a process compared to the energy used to obtain it.

Hydroelectricity

Electricity generated by the energy of moving water, usually from dams or tidal systems.

Combined cycle power plants

Power plants that use both gas and steam turbines to generate electricity, improving overall efficiency.

Nuclear energy

Energy produced through nuclear fission, which can generate electricity with lower carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.

Radioactive waste

Waste that contains radioactive materials, which poses environmental challenges due to long half-lives.

Cultural eutrophication

Nutrient pollution that causes excessive growth of algae in water bodies, leading to oxygen depletion.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water.

Landfill

A site for the disposal of waste materials where the waste is buried and can cause environmental contamination.

Metal recycling challenges

Issues faced in recycling metals include market volatility and contamination that reduces efficiency.

Waste stream

The flow of waste through waste management systems including recycling, incineration, and landfilling.

Composting

The aerobic decomposition of organic waste into nutrient-rich humus, reducing landfill space and methane emissions.

Sanitary landfill

A landfill designed with protective measures to minimize environmental impacts, such as clay liners and leachate collection systems.

Zero-sort recycling

A recycling system that allows individuals to place all recyclables in one container without sorting.

Life-cycle analysis

The assessment of the environmental impact of a product from raw material extraction through disposal.