Nonrenewable
Once they're used, they will not be replaced in a human lifetime
Fossil fuels
Derived from biological material that became fossilized millions of years ago. (Coal, Oil, Natural gas)
Nuclear Fuels
Derived from radioactive materials that give off energy
Commercial energy sources
Those that are bought and sold, (coal, oil, wood, etc)
Subsistence energy sources
Those gathered by individuals for their own immediate needs. More used in developing countries.
Energy Carrier
Something that can move and deliver energy into a convenient, usable form to end users.
Turbine
Large device that will turn to spin a shaft of a generator which produces electricity.
Electrical Grid
Connects power plants together and links them with end users of electricity.
Capacity
Maximum Electrical output of a plant
Cogeneration
Combined heat and power. Recycling of materials used to generate electricity for other purposes: like water from a thermal power plant used to create heat in the building.
Coal
Solid fuel formed by remains of plants that were preserved at least 280 million years ago.
Petroleum
Widely used fossil fuel. Mixture of hydrocarbons, water and sulfur that occurs in underground deposits.
Crude Oil
Liquid petroleum that is removed from the ground. Oil=crude oil=petroleum
Oil Sands
Slow flowing viscous deposits of bitumen mixed with sand, water and clay.
Bitumen
(Tar/Pitch) Degraded type of petroleum that forms when a petroleum deposit is not capped with nonporous rock.
Energy Intensity
Total energy is increasing, but energy per person is staying constant.
Hubbert Curve- Peak Oil (Dealing with Oil)
Peak Oil
Maximum amount of oil that can be extracted before it begins to decline.
Fission
Nuclear reaction in which a neutron strikes a relatively large atomic nucleus which then splits into 2 or more parts.
Fuel Rods
The fuel- usually uranium- that experiences a chain nuclear fission reaction to generate heat in a nuclear power plant
Control Rods
Cylindrical devices that can be inserted between the fuel rods to absorb excess neutrons. thus slowing and stopping the fission reaction.
Radioactive Waste
Waste after the nuclear fuel is used up and can't produce heat, but still emits radioactivity.
Nuclear Fusion
Reaction that powers the Sun and other stars. Lighter nuclei are forced together to produce heavier nuclei. Lots of heat is generated.
Nonrenewable
Once gone, no more. Oil Coal Nuclear
Potentially Renewable
As long as we do not consume them more quickly than can be replenished. Wood Biofuel
Renewable
Potentially Renewable and Nondepletable
Energy Conservation
Finding ways to use less energy
Peak Demand
Greatest quantity of energy used at any one time.
Passive Solar Design
Technique that takes advantage of solar radiation to maintain a comfortable temperature in a building.
Biofuels
Biomass can be processed or refined into liquid fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Ethanol
Alcohol. Made by converting starches and sugars from plant material into alcohol and CO2.
Hydroelectricity
Electricity generated by the kinetic energy of moving water. 2nd most common form of renewable energy.
Run-of-the-river
Hydroelectricity generation, water behind a low dam and runs through a channel before returning to the river.
Water Impoundment
Storing water in a reservoir behind a dam. Allows for on demand electricity generation.
Tidal Energy
Comes from the movement of water. This is driven by the gravitational pull of the moon.
Active Solar Energy
Technologies capture the energy of sunlight with the use of technologies. Includes, Small scale solar water heating systems, photovoltaic solar cells etc.
Photovoltaic Solar Cells
Capture energy from the sun as light, not heat, and convert it directly to electricity.
Wind Turbine
Converts kinetic energy of moving air into electricity.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Operates like a battery. This reaction isolates Hydrogen and Oxygen and happens in a closed container to which no additional elements are added.
Electrolysis
Electric current is applied to water to split it into hydrogen and oxygen.
Smart grid
Efficient, Self-Regulating electricity distribution network that accepts any source of electricity and distributes it automatically to end users. Adds in energy produced by solar panels on consumers houses.
Nonrenewable
Once they're used, they will not be replaced in a human lifetime
Fossil fuels
Derived from biological material that became fossilized millions of years ago. (Coal, Oil, Natural gas)
Nuclear Fuels
Derived from radioactive materials that give off energy
Commercial energy sources
Those that are bought and sold, (coal, oil, wood, etc)
Subsistence energy sources
Those gathered by individuals for their own immediate needs. More used in developing countries.
Energy Carrier
Something that can move and deliver energy into a convenient, usable form to end users.
Turbine
Large device that will turn to spin a shaft of a generator which produces electricity.
Electrical Grid
Connects power plants together and links them with end users of electricity.
Capacity
Maximum Electrical output of a plant
Cogeneration
Combined heat and power. Recycling of materials used to generate electricity for other purposes: like water from a thermal power plant used to create heat in the building.
Coal
Solid fuel formed by remains of plants that were preserved at least 280 million years ago.
Petroleum
Widely used fossil fuel. Mixture of hydrocarbons, water and sulfur that occurs in underground deposits.
Crude Oil
Liquid petroleum that is removed from the ground. Oil=crude oil=petroleum
Oil Sands
Slow flowing viscous deposits of bitumen mixed with sand, water and clay.
Bitumen
(Tar/Pitch) Degraded type of petroleum that forms when a petroleum deposit is not capped with nonporous rock.
Energy Intensity
Total energy is increasing, but energy per person is staying constant.
Hubbert Curve- Peak Oil (Dealing with Oil)
Peak Oil
Maximum amount of oil that can be extracted before it begins to decline.
Fission
Nuclear reaction in which a neutron strikes a relatively large atomic nucleus which then splits into 2 or more parts.
Fuel Rods
The fuel- usually uranium- that experiences a chain nuclear fission reaction to generate heat in a nuclear power plant
Control Rods
Cylindrical devices that can be inserted between the fuel rods to absorb excess neutrons. thus slowing and stopping the fission reaction.
Radioactive Waste
Waste after the nuclear fuel is used up and can't produce heat, but still emits radioactivity.
Nuclear Fusion
Reaction that powers the Sun and other stars. Lighter nuclei are forced together to produce heavier nuclei. Lots of heat is generated.
Nonrenewable
Once gone, no more. Oil Coal Nuclear
Potentially Renewable
As long as we do not consume them more quickly than can be replenished. Wood Biofuel
Renewable
Potentially Renewable and Nondepletable
Energy Conservation
Finding ways to use less energy
Peak Demand
Greatest quantity of energy used at any one time.
Passive Solar Design
Technique that takes advantage of solar radiation to maintain a comfortable temperature in a building.
Biofuels
Biomass can be processed or refined into liquid fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Ethanol
Alcohol. Made by converting starches and sugars from plant material into alcohol and CO2.
Hydroelectricity
Electricity generated by the kinetic energy of moving water. 2nd most common form of renewable energy.
Run-of-the-river
Hydroelectricity generation, water behind a low dam and runs through a channel before returning to the river.
Water Impoundment
Storing water in a reservoir behind a dam. Allows for on demand electricity generation.
Tidal Energy
Comes from the movement of water. This is driven by the gravitational pull of the moon.
Active Solar Energy
Technologies capture the energy of sunlight with the use of technologies. Includes, Small scale solar water heating systems, photovoltaic solar cells etc.
Photovoltaic Solar Cells
Capture energy from the sun as light, not heat, and convert it directly to electricity.
Wind Turbine
Converts kinetic energy of moving air into electricity.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Operates like a battery. This reaction isolates Hydrogen and Oxygen and happens in a closed container to which no additional elements are added.
Electrolysis
Electric current is applied to water to split it into hydrogen and oxygen.
Smart grid
Efficient, Self-Regulating electricity distribution network that accepts any source of electricity and distributes it automatically to end users. Adds in energy produced by solar panels on consumers houses.