Unit 5: Energy Resources

nonrenewable energy

energy in which its source exists in a finite amount

renewable energy

energy where its source is naturally replenished

largest reserves of coal

USA, Russia, China

largest reserves of crude oil

Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Iran

largest reserves of natural gas

Russia, Qatar, Iran

subsurface mining

extracting resources from deep underground

surface mining

accessing materials by removing soil and surface rock

in-situ leaching

chemicals are pumped into the ground to dissolve Uranium, and then pumped back up to the surface

vertical drilling

wells drilled deep into ground and resources brought back to the surface

fracking

water, chemicals, and sand are injected into the surface and cracks form releasing natural gas

peat

organic matter used as biofuel

geothermal energy

heat from inside the earth used to create electricity

direct use Geothermal energy

naturally heated water brought up from geysers and hot springs converted into electricity

deep geothermal

super-heated water very deep below surface is pumped to the surface.

Geothermal energy advantages

low maintenance cost, no greenhouse gases, can directly heat, always available

geothermal energy disadvantages

high startup cost, toxic chemicals released, not everywhere in the world, can have geologic effects and create earthquakes

hydroelectric power

movement of water creating electricity

hydroelectric: dam/reservoir

structure built to hold back water, water flows downwards and pushes turbines that create electricity

dam/reservoir advantages

prevents flooding, can collect water for irrigation and drinking, very high energy yield, low greenhouse gas emissions

dam/reservoir disadvantages

disturb ecosystems thru blocking of water, easy to evaporate, risk of dam falling

micr

microhydropower

turbine powered by river or stream to power a small area (home, village, etc.)

microhydropower advantages

no greenhouse gases, little impact on environment

microhydropower disadvantages

water flow can vary making it unreliable, has to be near river to minimize energy loss

tidal energy

ocean waves and tides are brought through a turbine to create electricity

tidal energy advantages

tides are predictable which makes it reliable, turbines are not visible, they serve as storm surge barrier

tidal energy disadvantages

noise and chemical buildup, can only be used in areas where tides change