12 Nonrenewable Energy Sources

What are the two most widely used natural resources in the United States?

Oil and natural gas

What is net energy?

The total amount of useful energy available from a resource minus the energy needed to make the energy available to consumers.

Why is net energy important?

It is the best measure for determining the long-term usefulness of an energy resource.

What happens if a resource has a net energy of zero or negative?

The resource cannot compete in the marketplace and needs subsidies from taxpayers.

What are the advantages of using conventional crude oil?

Ample supplies for many decades, medium net energy, low land disruption, efficient.

What are the disadvantages of using conventional crude oil?

Causes air and water pollution and releases greenhouse gases.

What is fracking?

A method of drilling wells using large amounts of water, sand, and chemicals to extract natural gas.

What are the environmental effects of fracking?

Polluted wastewater, gas contamination, air pollution from methane emissions, and increased earthquakes.

What is natural gas primarily composed of?

A mixture of gases, of which 50-90% is methane.

What are the advantages of natural gas?

Ample supplies, versatile fuel, medium net energy, and fewer air pollutants when burned.

What are the disadvantages of natural gas?

Low net energy for LNG, carbon dioxide and methane emissions during production/delivery, and water pollution from fracking.

What is coal formed from?

Remains of land plants buried and exposed to intense heat and pressure for 300-400 million years.

What percentage of the world's electricity is generated from coal?

40%.

What are the environmental costs of burning coal?

Severe land degradation, water contamination, and air pollution.

What is the nuclear fuel cycle?

The process that includes mining uranium, processing it, using it in reactors, storing radioactive waste, and decommissioning reactors.

What are the main concerns regarding nuclear power?

Low net energy, high costs, fear of accidents, and long-lived radioactive wastes.

What is the main advantage of nuclear power?

It has a low environmental impact during operation with no CO2 emissions.

What are the major nuclear accidents that have occurred?

Chernobyl (Ukraine), Fukushima Daiichi (Japan), and Three Mile Island (United States).

What is nuclear fusion?

The process of fusing two isotopes together to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

What challenges does nuclear fusion technology face?

It is very difficult to develop.

What are the three major options for increasing oil supplies?

Live with much higher oil prices, extend oil supplies, or use other energy sources.

What is the role of petrochemicals?

They are by-products of refining crude oil.

What is the significance of proven oil reserves?

They are available deposits that are profitable and determined by demand, technology, and market price.

What are the environmental impacts of unconventional heavy oil?

Higher environmental costs and lower net energy compared to conventional oil.