ENERGY RESOURCES

Dam

\- %%**water reservoir for large amounts**%%

\- with the help of __**gravity**__, potential energy is transformed to mechanical energy where it fall thru a penstock

Ocean Power

Can produce electricity provided by %%**waves, tides, and the temperature fluctuations**%%

Tides

The kinetic energy in the flowing water can be used to turn turbines if the difference in water height is large enough

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

\- uses %%**temperature difference**%% between surface water and deep ocean water

\- surface water vaporizes a low-boiling point fluid like ammonia

\- vapor expands and spins the turbine

\- vapor is condensed by deep ocean water into liquid

Geothermal Gradient

\- direct relationship between the rates of increase in temperature with respect to the increase in depth of the Earth’s interior

Dry Steam

\- most %%**simple**%% and %%**oldest**%% designs

\- directly uses geothermal stream

Flash Stream

\- %%**most common type**%%

\- hot water from underground is pumped into a cooler temperature flash tank → sudden change in temperature creates steam in which powers the generator

Solar Energy

\- can be converted into electricity by %%**solar cells**%%

\- can also be harnessed using concentrated solar power or solar thermal system

Wind Energy

\- %%**secondary form of solar energy**%%

\- air is set in motion by pressure gradient force

Grid-connected wind turbine generators (WTG)

\- __**wind**__ rotates the blades which %%**drives the generator that produces electricity**%%

Wind Hybrid Systems

\- uses other sources such as %%**photovoltaic cells**%%

\- used in small remote grids

Wind Pumps

\- transform kinetic energy to %%**suck water upwards**%%

Nonrenewable Energy

\- %%**do not renew**%% themselves within the human time frame

Coal

\- sedimentary rocks made up of solid organic materials

\- %%**from plant remains**%%

\- most sought after energy source

Natural Gas

\- mixture of naturally-occurring light hydrocarbons composed %%**mostly of methane**%%

\- main products are: carbon dioxide and water

\- %%**cleanest**%% of all fossil fuels

\- forms from the %%**remains of ancient microorganisms**%%

Petroleum

\- some of the heavier components that are difficult to separate may undergo %%**vacuum distillation**%%

Binary Steam

* used if water that reaches the surface is %%**not hot enough to produce steam**%%