REPORTING EARTH SCIENCE

ENERGY RESOURCES

  • Presented by: Biniverse

SCRAMBLED WORDS

  • rgeeyn eosurce -> energy resource

  • ofliss sluef -> fossil fuels

  • petmorleu -> petroleum

  • learnuc eyenrg -> nuclear energy

  • thermlageo eyenrg -> geothermal energy

TABLE OF CONTENT

  • Sources of Energy

  • Fossil Fuels

  • Nuclear Energy

  • Geothermal Energy

SOURCES OF ENERGY

Overview

  • Approximately 13.8 billion years ago, post-Big Bang, there existed only pure energy which ultimately led to the present state of the universe.

  • This primal energy also drives Earth and its subsystems today.

  • According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed.

Definitions

  • Energy: The capacity to do work, derived from various sources including nuclear, fossil fuels, geothermal, hydro, wind, solar, and biomass.

  • Resource: A general term referring to any item used for a specific purpose.

Types of Energy Resources

Renewable Resources

  • Can be replenished or regenerated on a human time scale. Examples:

    • Geothermal

    • Flowing Water

    • Wind

    • Solar

    • Biomass

Nonrenewable Resources

  • Cannot be replenished or regenerated on a human time scale. Examples:

    • Nuclear

    • Fossil Fuels (Oil, Natural Gas, Coal)

Dependence on Nonrenewable Sources

  • Humanity primarily relies on nonrenewable sources like coal and petroleum, leading to environmental issues such as global warming and climate change.

Data from the International Energy Agency (1971-2013)

  • Chart shows data about energy sources which include nuclear, hydro, biofuels/waste, geothermal/solar/wind, coal/peat, oil, and natural gas.

ENGINEER'S ROLE

  • Engineers apply scientific knowledge and ingenuity to develop efficient and effective solutions to energy problems.

HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND ELECTRICITY

  • Electricity can be generated from almost any energy source.

  • It plays a crucial role in assisting and improving human activities.

FOSSIL FUELS

Insights

  • Fossil fuels are the world's primary energy source, providing energy for transportation, electricity, heating, and industrial activities.

  • Includes coal, oil (petroleum), and natural gas, extracted from the remains of prehistoric organisms.

Coal

  • A combustible rock primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, formed from ancient plant remains.

  • Types of Coal:

    • Lignite: Soft, low-rank; ~70% carbon.

    • Bituminous: Higher temperature coal; ~70% carbon.

    • Anthracite: Shiny, high-rank coal; ~95% carbon.

  • Energy released from burning coal is proportional to its carbon content.

Petroleum

  • Derived from Latin "petra" (rock) and "oleum" (oil), petroleum is a liquid consisting of complex hydrocarbons found underground.

  • Oil Window: Specific temperature and pressure conditions required for petroleum formation, ranging from 50 to 150°C.

Natural Gas

  • A hydrocarbon mainly constituted of methane (CH4), lighter and highly flammable.

  • Petroleum and natural gas can migrate and are stored in porous rocks.

Environmental Impact

  • Carbon released from fossil fuels when burned contributes to CO₂ emissions, disrupting the carbon cycle and raising global temperatures, contributing to climate change.

CARBON CYCLE

  • Diagram explaining the carbon cycle highlights various sinks and the role of photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion.

Global Atmospheric CO₂ Concentration

  • Historical data showing fluctuating levels of atmospheric CO₂ from 180 up to 400 ppm.

WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

  • Steps:

    1. Use public transport or cycle.

    2. Turn off unnecessary lights for Earth Hour.

    3. Use energy-efficient bulbs.

    4. Reduce paper waste using recyclable products.

    5. Bring reusable bags shopping to reduce plastic waste.

    6. Practice efficient food consumption to minimize waste.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Overview

  • Nuclear energy is derived from the atomic nucleus through:

    • Fusion: Combining atomic nuclei.

    • Fission: Splitting atomic nuclei to release energy.

Nuclear Power Formation

  • Involves chain reactions in uranium within nuclear reactors.

Nuclear Power Plant Cycle

  1. Reactor Vessel: Atoms split to release heat.

  2. Steam Generator: Heat boils water into steam.

  3. Turbines: Steam turns turbines to generate electricity.

  4. Cooling Towers: Cools steam allowing it to condense back into water for reuse.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Overview

  • Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the Earth's core and is a renewable energy source.

  • Earth's core temperature reaches up to 9,392°F.

Geothermal Gradient

  • Measures how Earth's temperature increases with depth, enabling efficient geothermal energy extraction.

Geothermal Power Plant Functionality

  1. Hot water is pumped from underground.

  2. Pressure drop turns it to steam.

  3. Steam spins turbines, generating electricity.

  4. Cooled water is injected back into the Earth.