energy resources

energy resources

natural resources that can be transformed by humans into usable energy, generally classified as renewable or non-renewable

non-renewable energy resources

resources that exist in finite quantities and cannot be replenished within a human timescale

fossil fuels

formed from the remains of ancient organisms (plant/plankton) subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years

coal

formed from compressed plant material (peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite)

• burned to generate electricity

• major contributor to CO2 emissions and air pollution

petroleum (crude oil)

formed from marine organisms; refined into gasoline, diesel, kerosene, plastics, etc.

natural gas

mainly methane, “cleanest: burning fossil fuel

• used for heating electricity, cooking

renewable energy resources

resources naturally replenished on a human timescale; generally produce little to no direct greenhouse gas emissions

solar energy

energy from sunlight, captured via photovoltaic

wind energy

kinetic energy of moving air captured by wind turbines to generate electricity

hydropower (hydroelectric)

energy from flowing water, typically using dams to drive turbines

geothermal energy

heat energy from within the earth (magma, hot rocks)

biomass energy

energy from organic materials

• wood, crop residues, animal waste, biofuels like ethanol/biodesel); considered renewable but can release CO2 when burned

tidal and wave energy

energy harnessed from the rise and fall of tides or wave motion; still merging technology

hydrogen fuel cells

produce electricity via a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing water as the only byproduct