Energy Sources

Definition: Biomass energy comes from organic materials such as wood, grains, plant materials, or animal waste.
Process: When these living organisms die, the organic matter can be burned or decomposed to become a fuel source.
Use: This fuel can be converted to energy, which includes renewable natural gas.

Definition: Coal is a fossil fuel that takes millions of years to form.
Formation:
- Process: When trees and other plants died and decayed, their material was buried by layers of rock and soil.
- Transformation: Over time, these layers slowly transformed into coal.

Definition: Geothermal energy refers to thermal or heat energy that originates beneath the Earth’s surface.
Heat Source:
- Below the Earth’s crust, there are layers of hot and molten rock, known as magma, which continuously circulate heat.
Utilization:
- Geothermal energy can be harnessed by bringing heated water to the surface or utilizing low levels of heat from rocks located near the surface of the Earth.

Definition: Hydroelectric energy is derived from moving water.
Energy Forms:
- Kinetic Energy: Moving water in rivers and streams possesses kinetic energy.
- Potential Energy: Water stored in reservoirs has potential energy.
Process: These forms of energy are transformed into hydroelectric energy when water falls through pipes at the front of a dam, spinning turbines in a generating station.
Data: More than 98 percent of all electrical energy produced in British Columbia (B.C.) comes from hydroelectricity.

Definition: Natural gas is a fossil fuel that took millions of years to form.
Formation:
  - Organic Material: Tiny plants and animals lived in oceans and, upon dying, were buried on the ocean floor and covered with layers of sediment and rock.
  - Process: As these layers built up, the deepest layers became hot and pressurized, transforming into sedimentary rock.
  - Transformation: Eventually, the deceased plants and animals transformed into liquids and gases, including natural gas.
Uses: The chemical energy stored in natural gas can be used for various purposes such as cooking, transportation, and heating (both water and buildings).

Definition: Nuclear energy generates heat from the reactions occurring within atoms, the fundamental building blocks of matter.
Energy Release: When the nucleus of an atom is broken apart during reactions, it releases large amounts of energy.
Utilization: Nuclear power plants utilize naturally occurring elements, like uranium, to produce controlled nuclear reactions.

Definition: The oceans are in a constant state of motion.
Tides:
- Movement: Tides move in and out twice daily, creating currents beneath the water's surface.
Energy: The waves and moving ocean swells possess kinetic energy that can be harnessed in various ways.

Definition: Oil is a fossil fuel that requires millions of years to form.
Formation:
- Sedimentation: Over time, layers of rock and soil buried plants and animals within sedimentary rock layers.
- Transformation: Pressure and heat gradually transformed these materials into liquids and gases, including oil.

Definition: Solar energy is the primary source of energy for the Earth, emitted by the Sun in the form of radiant energy.
Energy Collection:
- Photovoltaic Cells: Solar energy can be captured using photovoltaic cells that convert the Sun’s energy into electricity.
- Thermal Panels: Solar thermal panels collect heat from the Sun to heat water or buildings, as well as to generate electricity.

Definition: Wind energy is one of the oldest energy sources utilized by humans, with usage dating back over 5000 years.
Historical Uses: Ancient civilizations leveraged wind to pump water and navigate ships.
Energy: Moving air possesses kinetic energy that can be harnessed through various methods, including wind turbines.