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renewable energy sources
energy sources that can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption, and reused
nonrenewable energy sources
energy sources that exist in fixed amounts and cannot be replenished or regenerated in a timescale useable by humans
Developed countries energy use
High per-capita energy use due to high affluence (wealth), especially homes and cars. High use of commercial fuels, especially FFs
Developing countries energy use
Lower per-capita energy use due to low affluence, lack of electricity & car use. High use of subsistence fuels for personal home heating/cooking (wood, charcoal, etc.)
Commercial fuel sources
Fuel sources that are bought and sold on massive scales for industrial use like electricity generation or gasoline distribution. Primarily FFs.
Subsistence fuel sources
Fuel sources that are gathered by individuals (primarily in developing countries) for personal uses such as heating homes or cooking. Most commonly biomass such as wood, charcoal, dried animal waste or plant matter.
Fossil fuels
Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals compressed overtime into hydrocarbon compounds
combustion reaction
burning fossil fuels to release energy. Requires oxygen and fossil fuels as inputs and gives off CO2, water, and energy in the form of heat
Electricity
A secondary energy source created from primary energy sources like fossil fuels or nuclear fuel (uranium). Also called an energy carrier, sent through transmission lines to our homes and businesses
Steps to electricity generation from coal
The burning fuel from coal transfers energy to water, which becomes steam.
The kinetic energy contained within the steam is transferred to the blades of a turbine, a large device that resembles a fan.
As the energy in the steam turns the turbine, the shaft in the center of the turbine turns the generator.
The generator creates the electricity sent out through transmission lines.
hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
The process used to extract natural gas from the deep layers of rock in which it is embedded. Water, sand, and chemicals are injected into the well to fracture the surrounding rock and release the natural gas stored in it.
Formation of coal
Peat is subjected to pressure from overlying sediment layers which compress it into lignite --> bituminous --> anthracite coal as time goes on. (Usually underneath wetlands, bogs, marshes, etc.)
Formation of petroleum
Petroleum is formed from decomposing phytoplankton (microscopic algae)found in locations where porous rocks, such as sandstone, are capped by nonporous rocks like shale. Petroleum forms over millions of years and fills the pore spaces in the rock.
formation of natural gas
Forms on top of petroleum deposits, as gasses are less dense than liquids. Can be extracted from the top of petroleum deposits.
Dirtiest (highest levels of pollutants) of the fossil fuels
coal
Cleanest (lowest levels of pollutants) of the fossil fuels
natural gas
oil refinery
location where crude oil goes through separation and purification steps using fractional distillation (separation at different boiling points) to create various products from crude oil
ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)
the largest refuge in the U.S. covering nearly 20 million acres in northeastern Alaska; potential site of drilling for oil reserves
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Major tanker accident in Alaska in 1989, that resulted in a major oil spill in Prince William Sound.
BP Oil Spill
Occurred in the Gulf of Mexico from April to July, 2010. Estimated 50,000 barrels of oil spilled each day for 3 months. Loss of biodiversity and major economic impact
Cleanup Methods for Oil Spills
Physical (booms and skimmers), Biological (genetically engineered bacteria), Chemical (Dispersants)
turbine
A device with blades that can be turned by water, wind, steam, or exhaust gas from combustion that turns a generator in an electricity-producing plant
kWh (kilowatt hour)
the unit used to measure the amount of electrical energy used in an hour. Also the unit that power companies track to charge for the electricity used.
2nd law of thermodynamics
Energy cannot be changed from one form to another without a loss of usable energy (reduced quality of energy usually in the form of heat)
cogeneration
Production of two useful forms of energy, such as high-temperature heat or steam and electricity, from the same fuel source.
1 kw = ______ w
1000
Oil sands (tar sands)
deposits of sand containing a heavy form of crude oil called bitumen; mined heavily in Canada
carbon capture and storage
The process of capturing waste CO2, transporting it to a storage site, and depositing it where it will not enter the atmosphere, normally underground.
SOx
air pollutant from burning coal that contributes to acid rain when it is converted into sulfuric acid in the atmosphere
Mercury
a pollutant associated with coal that biomagnifies through the food chain and causes neurological problems
Particulates
very small, suspended particles that can lead to respiratory problems (such as asthma)
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