APES unit 6 -vocab?

Nonrenewable energy resources

Energy sources that are finite and cannot be replenished in a human timescale, such as fossil fuels and nuclear fuel.

Fossil fuels

Natural substances derived from biological materials that have been buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

Renewable energy resources

Energy sources that are considered infinite or can be regenerated indefinitely, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Energy efficiency

The goal of using less energy to provide the same service or achieve the same outcome.

Energy conservation

The practice of reducing energy use, often through behavioral changes and improved efficiencies.

Hydrocarbon

A compound composed only of the elements hydrogen and carbon, commonly found in fossil fuels.

Biomass

Biological material from plants and animals that can be used as a renewable energy source.

Photovoltaic cells

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Biogas

A type of biofuel that is produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic materials.

Carbon neutrality

When an entity's net carbon emissions are zero, which may be achieved through balancing emissions with carbon offsetting.

Peak oil

The hypothetical point in time when the global production of oil reaches its maximum rate, after which production will gradually decline.

Nuclear fission

The process of splitting a nucleus of an atom into smaller parts, releasing energy.

Greenhouse gas

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Half-life

The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Energy return on energy investment (EROEI)

A measure of the amount of usable energy gained from an energy resource compared to the amount of energy expended to obtain that energy.

Cogeneration

The simultaneous production of electricity and useful heat from the same energy source.

Tidal energy

Energy obtained from the movement of tides, driven by the gravitational pull of the Moon.

Smart grid

An electrical grid that uses digital technology to monitor and manage the transport of electricity from all generation sources to meet the varying electricity demands of end users.

Active solar energy

The use of technology to harness solar energy, such as photovoltaic cells and solar heating systems.

Passive solar heating

Architectural design techniques that make use of natural solar energy without mechanical systems.

Hydraulic fracturing

A method of extracting natural gas and oil from underground formations by injecting high-pressure fluid.

Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide.

Climate change

Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system.

Tar Sands

Deposits of sand and clay saturated with a viscous form of petroleum known as bitumen.

Energy carrier

A substance or phenomenon that can store and deliver energy in a convenient, usable form.

Fuel cell

An electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electricity through a chemical reaction.

Electricity generation

The process of producing electrical energy, typically by converting mechanical energy from a turbine into electrical energy.

Environmental impact assessment

A process used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project before any decision is made.

Energy resources

Sources of energy that can be utilized to produce electricity or heat, including renewable and nonrenewable forms.

Coal

A black or brownish sedimentary rock formed from decomposed plant material, used as a fuel source.

Natural gas

A fossil fuel in the gaseous state, primarily composed of methane, used for heating and electricity generation.

Solar energy

Radiant energy emitted by the sun, harnessed using various technologies, especially photovoltaic cells.

Wind energy

Energy derived from the movement of air, converted into electricity using wind turbines.

Hydropower

Electricity generated from the energy of flowing or falling water.

Renewable resources

Natural resources that can be replenished at a rate comparable to their consumption, leading to sustainable energy supply.

Geothermal energy

Heat energy generated and stored in the Earth, used for electricity generation and direct heating.

Energy storage

Technologies and methods used to store energy generated at one time for use at another, such as batteries and pumped hydro.

Electric vehicles

Automobiles powered by electric motors instead of internal combustion engines, contributing to reduced emissions.

Climate resilience

The ability of a system or community to withstand and recover from climate-related shocks and stresses.

Energy auditing

The systematic examination of energy flows in a building or system to identify opportunities for energy savings.

Demand response

A strategy used by utility companies to encourage consumers to reduce or shift their electricity usage during peak periods.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS)

A technology designed to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions generated from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes.

Green technology

Innovative technologies that aim to improve environmental sustainability and reduce negative impacts on the environment.

Sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Life cycle assessment (LCA)

A technique to assess the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life from cradle to grave.

Net-zero emissions

The balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere, achieving a net-zero balance.

Alternative energy

Energy sources that are different from traditional fossil fuels, typically renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal.

Smart meters

Devices that record energy consumption in real-time and provide information to both consumers and utility companies.

Electricity generation

The process of producing electrical energy, typically by converting mechanical energy from a turbine into electrical energy.

Smart grid

An electrical grid that uses digital technology to monitor and manage the transport of electricity from all generation sources to meet varying electricity demands.

Smart meters

Devices that record energy consumption in real-time and provide information to consumers and utility companies.

Energy management

The process of monitoring, controlling, and conserving energy within an organization.

Energy storage

Technologies and methods used to store energy generated at one time for use at another, such as batteries and pumped hydro.

Energy efficiency

The goal of using less energy to provide the same service or achieve the same outcome.

Greenhouse gas

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Biomass

Biological material from plants and animals that can be used as a renewable energy source.

Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide.

Climate change

Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system.

Energy return on energy investment (EROEI)

A measure of the amount of usable energy gained from an energy resource compared to the amount of energy expended to obtain that energy.