6.1 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources, 6.2 Global Energy Consumption, 6.4 Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

renewable energy sources

can be replenished naturally, at or near rate of consumption and reused

depletable renewables

can run out if overused

example of depletable renewables

biomass (wood, charcoal. ethanol)

nondepletable renewables

do not run out if overused

examples of nondepletable renewables

solar, wind. hydroelectric, geothermal

nonrenewable energy sources

exist in fixed amounts on earth and can’t be easily replaced or regenerated

examples of nonrenewable energy sources

fossil fuels, nuclear energy

Fossil fuels

fossilized remains of ancient biomass that take millions of years to form

examples of fossil fuels

coal, oil, natural gas

Nuclear energy

energy generated from uranium or other radioactive fuels

Key to renewable energy

rate of consumption

rate of consumption

rate of use must be at or below rate of regeneration for renewables

most common fuel source globally

fossil fuels

use of oil

gasoline = main fuel for vehicles

use of coal

main fuel for electricity generation

use of natural gas

secondary fuel for electricity generation and main fuel for heating

hydroelectric energy

dams used to create electricity; are the second largest source; water spins turbine which generates electricity

Nuclear

the largest source; uranium fission releases heat to turn water into steam to turn a turbine to generate electricity

subsistence fuels - biomass

materials that can be easily gathered/purchased (wood, charcoal, dried animal manure); consequently drives deforestation

factors that affect energy source use

availability, price. government regulation

Government regulation

can mandate certain energy source mixes (25% renewable by 2025); can’t directly raise or lower prices of energy sources; can use taxes to discourage companies from building FF power plants, tax credits to encourage companies building renewable energy power plants

largest coal reserve by country ~100-150 years

1. US

2. Russia

3. China

4. Australia

largest natural gas reserve by country ~50-60 years

1. Russia

2. Iran

3. Qatar

4. US

5. Saudi Arabia

largest oil reserve by country ~50 years

1. Venezuela

2. Saudi Arabia

3. Iran

4. Canada

5. Iraq

fossil fuel geologic layers

source rock, reservoir rock. caprock

source rock

organic matter in source rock is subjected to heat and pressure over time, changing to oil and ga, which collects in the reservoir rock above it

reservoir rock

for oil and gas to flow to the surface, this rock must be porous and sufficiently permeable to allow the flow of fluids through the rock

caprock

prevents the oil and gas from migrating to the surface without the well; rock can be porous but must have no to low enough permeability to trap enough oil and gas to result in a successful well

hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking)

method of natural gas extraction that has extended access to natural gas