EN Week 1 Reading

Energy

The ability or capacity to do work

Kinetic Energy

The use of potential energy to produce motion or change

Potential Energy

A measure of the amount of stored potential to do work

Power

The rate of doing work; the conversion of energy from one state to another across space

Law of Conservation of Energy

The law that states that the quantity of energy remains constant and cannot be created or destroyed within a closed system; there is a finite amount of energy present in our universe that simply changes form or location

Chemical Energy

The stored energy in the chemical bonds of compounds

The Three Parts of Our Energy System

Energy Production, Energy Transmission, Energy Consumption

Energy Production

Collecting and harnessing energy resources for human use

Energy Transmission

Moving the resource, in either its natural or refined state, from the place of production to the place of consumption

Energy Consumption

The end use of different energy resources to perform a variety of key functions, most notably the production of electricity

Joule (J)

The amount of energy expended to apply the force of 1 newton over the length of 1 meter;

or, the energy required to produce 1 watt for 1 second

Watt (W)

The basic unit of power; measures the rate at which energy is converted from one form to another

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

Measures the amount of energy consumed over time;

the amount of energy converted in one hour at the rate of 1 kW

British Thermal Unit

The heat energy needed to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, equal to 1,055 J

Ton of Oil Equivalent

Measures the amount of energy derived from burning 1,000 kg of oil, approximately 41.88 GJ

Ton of Coal Equivalent

The heat released from burning 1 metric ton of coal, with 28 GJ being the international standard

Barrel

The primary international standard for measuring oil;

42 gallons in volume (158.987 liters)

Barrel of Oil Equivalent

The amount of energy derived from one barrel of oil, approximately 5.71 GJ

Electricity

The flow of an electrical charge, or electrical power;

Most important single secondary energy source;

Secondary because we use other energy resources to create it

Neither renewable nor nonrenewable

Static Electricity

Produced through friction, causes electrons to jump from one atom to another

Electrical Generator

A coil of wires is surrounded by an electromagnet, and physical energy is used to turn the coil rapidly between the magnets, leading to the generation of power in each wire of the coil, which is then consolidated into a larger electrical current

Steam Turbine

Produces a majority of electricity;

An energy input is used to boil water in a boiler, which produces steam that is then pumped through a turbine system consisting of a series of fans. These fan blades turn a rotor that is then connected to the coil of wires inside the generator, which spins to produce the electrical current.

Transmission Loss

Small losses of electricity that occur along a transmission route;

mitigated by locating electrical generation facilities close to end users, because longer distances increase transmission loss

Grid Storage

Allows electricity from periods of excess generation to be stored for use later when the grid is no longer generating enough to meet demand

Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric

One of the most reliable methods of grid energy storage;

In periods of excess generation, water from one resevoir is pumped uphill to another storage reservoir, converting the electrical energy to potential energy. When the energy needs to be converted back to electricity, the water from the top reservoir is then allowed to flow through turbines going downhill, using gravity to generate electricity.

Vehicle-To-Grid Storage

A proposed grid storage system where the batteries of electric cars that are plugged in while not in use can be used as grid batteries;

Will only work if electric cars begin to be adopted on a larger scale

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Energy resources that, one converted for use by people, are gone forever;

Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy

Renewable Energy Resources

Energy resources that derive energy from ongoing natural processes and cannot reasonably be exhausted;

Biomass, hydropower, wind, geothermal, and solar energy