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Nonrenewable Resources
Resources that are finite and cannot be replenished at a rate comparable to their consumption; examples include oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy.
Renewable Resources
Resources that can be replenished naturally over a relatively short period; examples include solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy.
Net Energy Yield
The amount of high-quality energy available from a resource after subtracting the energy needed to make that energy available.
Net Energy Ratio
The ratio of energy obtained from a resource to the energy used to obtain it; also called energy returned on investment.
Horizontal Drilling
A drilling technique that allows access to oil and natural gas trapped between compressed layers of shale rock formations.
Hydraulic Fracturing (Hydrofracking)
A process that involves pumping water, sand, and chemicals into cracks in shale rock to release oil and natural gas.
Shale Oil
Oil integrated within bodies of shale rock, extracted through mining, crushing, and heating.
Oil Sands (Tar Sands)
Extensive deposits containing bitumen, a thick form of heavy oil.
Bitumen
A thick, sticky form of crude oil found in oil sands, requiring extensive processing for extraction.
Natural Gas
Primarily methane, a fossil fuel with a medium net energy yield that burns cleaner than oil and coal.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Natural gas stored in pressurized tanks for use in rural areas.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Natural gas that has been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport.
Coal
A solid fossil fuel formed from the remains of land plants, burned in power plants to generate electricity.
Synfuels
Synthetic natural gas (SNG) or liquid fuels produced from coal gasification or liquefaction.
Nuclear Fission
A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.
Light-Water Reactor
A type of nuclear reactor that uses ordinary water as both a coolant and moderator.
Control Rods
Rods made of neutron-absorbing material used in nuclear reactors to control the rate of fission.
Nuclear Fuel Cycle
The processes involved in mining, processing, using, and disposing of nuclear fuel and waste.
Energy Efficiency
Getting more useful work using less energy, reducing waste, and improving the use of energy resources.
Cogeneration
Combined heat and power (CHP), the simultaneous production of two forms of energy from the same fuel source.
Green Architecture
Designing buildings to minimize environmental impact, conserve energy, and use sustainable materials.
Active Solar Heating System
A system that captures energy from the sun in a heat-absorbing fluid and uses pumps to circulate the heated fluid.
Solar Thermal Systems
Systems that concentrate sunlight to boil water and produce steam to generate electricity.
Photovoltaic (PV) Cells
Cells that convert solar energy directly into electric energy.
Wind Turbine
A device that captures the kinetic energy of wind and converts it into electricity.
Geothermal Energy
Heat stored in soil, underground rocks, and fluids in the earth's mantle, used for heating and electricity generation.
Biomass
Plant materials and agricultural waste that can be burned for fuel.
Biofuels
Fuels produced from biomass, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Hydropower
Electricity generated from the kinetic energy of moving water.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
A device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water vapor.
Feed-in-Tariff
Utilities must buy electricity from homeowners with solar cells and feed into the electrical grid.
Environmental Impact
The effects that a company's actions have on the environment, including pollution, land degradation, and resource depletion.
Energy Returned on Investment
Another term for net energy ratio, representing the amount of usable energy obtained from a resource relative to the energy invested in obtaining it.
Coal Ash
A waste material produced from burning coal, often containing harmful pollutants and requiring safe disposal.
Biomass Ethanol
Alcohol produced from fermented plant materials, often used as a biofuel alternative to gasoline.
Conventional Oil
Oil extracted from easily accessible deposits, often resulting in higher net energy yield.
Unconventional Oil
Oil from sources such as oil sands and shale, typically with a lower net energy yield and higher environmental impact.
Shale Gas
Natural gas that is trapped within shale formations, extracted through techniques such as hydraulic fracturing.
Energy Efficiency in Transportation
Improvements in fuel consumption and reduction of emissions through technology like hybrid and electric vehicles.
Nuclear Waste
Radioactive materials left over from nuclear reactions, requiring long-term storage and management solutions.
Nuclear Power Advantages
Includes low greenhouse gas emissions during operation and high energy density compared to fossil fuels.
Nuclear Power Disadvantages
Includes high costs, low net energy yield, risk of accidents, and challenges with waste disposal.
Environmental Leadership
The proactive measures taken by organizations or individuals to promote sustainability and minimize environmental pollution.
Energy Crisis
A situation in which the demand for energy exceeds supply, leading to increased prices and potential shortages.
Renewable Energy Potential
The capacity for renewable sources to supply energy sustainably, minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.
Solar Power Growth
The increasing adoption and implementation of solar energy technologies as a viable energy source.
Wind Power Advantages
Includes high net energy yield, low operational emissions, and renewable characteristics.
Land Degradation
The deterioration of the land's biological and economic productivity due to factors like mining, agriculture, and urban development.
Energy Transition
The shift from fossil fuel reliance to renewable energy sources, aimed at reducing environmental impacts.
Hydraulic Fracturing Risks
Environmental issues associated with fracking, including groundwater contamination and induced seismic activity.
Hydropower System
A system that generates electricity from the flow of water, utilizing dams or other structures.
Sustainable Practices
Actions that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs in relation to environmental health and resource availability.
Energy Storage
Technologies that store energy for later use, crucial for balancing supply and demand in renewable energy systems.
Climate Change Mitigation
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, aimed at slowing the pace of global warming.
Active Solar Energy System
Systems that collect and convert solar energy into other forms of energy, using mechanical and electrical devices.
Energy Conservation
The practice of using less energy by reducing consumption and waste.
Nuclear Reactor Components
Key parts of a nuclear reactor, including fuel rods, control rods, coolant, and containment structures.
Geothermal Pump Systems
Systems that use the ground temperature for heating and cooling buildings, providing energy efficiency.
Clean Energy
Energy derived from renewable, zero-emissions sources that do not contribute to air pollution or global warming.
Industrial Energy Efficiency
Improvements within industrial processes to reduce energy consumption and enhance productivity.
Environmental Policy
Policies and regulations that aim to protect the environment and promote sustainable resource management.
Emissions Trading
A market-based approach to controlling pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing emissions.
Carbon Neutral
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing emitted carbon with an equivalent amount offset or sequestered.
Smart Grid Technology
An electricity supply network that uses digital technology to monitor and manage energy flow from all generation sources.
Resource Management
Strategies and practices for managing natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure their availability for future generations.
Energy Policy
Government policy aimed at guiding energy production, consumption, and sustainability efforts.
Natural Gas Advantages
Burns cleaner than coal and oil, has lower emissions, and is abundant in many regions.
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