Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

Energy

The capacity to do work

Potential Energy

Energy at rest

Kinetic Energy

Energy in motion

Radiant Energy

Only form of energy that can travel through empty space

Convection

Transfer of heat by the movement of the heated matter

Conduction

Transfer of energy through matter from particle to particle

Energy Quality

Capability to store types of energy

Net Energy Yield

The comparison between the energy cost of extraction, processing, and transportation and the amount of useful energy derived from the fuel

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transferred and transformed

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Entropy (disorder) of the universe is increasing

Combustion

A chemical reaction between the fuel and oxygen that yields carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy

Fossil Fuels

Formed from the fossilized remains of once-living organisms

Seams

Long continuous deposits

Exploratory Wells

Drilling and sampling of a particular area

Proven Reserve

An estimate of the amount of fuel that can be obtained from that area

Crude Oil

Oil that is pumped fresh from a reserve

Tar Sands

Oil reserves in surface sands

Anthracite

Purest coal

Bituminous

Second purest coal

Subbituminous

Third purest coal

Lignite

Least purest coal

Subsidence

Slumping or cave-in

Strip Mining

The removal of Earth’s surface to the level of the coal seam

Scrubbers

Alkaline substances that precipitate sulfur dioxide

Fly Ash

Waste product produced by the burning of coal

Boiler Residue

Other waste product produced by the burning of coal

Fracking / Hydraulic Fracturing

The injection of water, sand, and harsh chemicals at high pressures to fracture rock, releasing oil and gas

Hubbert Peak

The end of oil as a cheap and easily available form of energy is in the near future and developing alternative fuel sources is necessary

Fission

The nucleus of an atom is split into two with a neutron

Breeder Reactors

New fissionable material is generated faster than it consumes materials

Radioactive

The emission of energy over time as particles or photons from unstable nuclei (ex. alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray)

Half-Life

The time it takes for half of the radioactive sample to degrade on average

Nuclear Fusion

The process of fusing two nuclei

Boiling Water Reactors

Use of reactor core heat to boil water into steam for electricity

Pressurized Water Reactors

Use of three water circulation systems with the first one being under pressure

Fuel Rods

Nuclear fuel to produce heat to power turbines

Biomass

Organic matter fuel

Peat

Partially decomposed organic material harvested from a type of wetlands

Gasohol

Type of synfuel comprised of 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol

Hydroelectric Power

Systematic placement of river dams spin turbines to produce electricity

Fish Ladders

Structures on or around artificial and natural barriers that faciliate fishes’ natural migration and movements

Passive Solar Energy Collection

The use of building materials, placement, and design to passively collect solar energy

Active Collection

Use of devices to collect, focus, transport, or store solar energy

Photovoltaic Cells

Allows for direct collection of solar energy

Nacelle

The base of a turbine that houses a gearbox and generator

Wind Farms

Groups of wind turbines

Geothermal Energy

A form of energy that’s obtained from within the Earth

Cogeneration

The use of a fuel source to generate both useful heat and electricity

Tidal Power

Power generated through the tidal movement in the ocean and hydrogen cells

CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy)

Standards for mile-per-gallon to reduce energy consumption by increasing fuel economy of cars and light trucks