9.4 Energy Resources

• renewable resources can naturally replenish themselves
• non-renewable resources cannot be replaced once they are used up
• oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy are non renewable resources
• solar energy, wind, falling water, the heat of the earth (geothermal), plant materials (biomass) are all renewable resources
• Hydropower: When water is released through the dam, it spins a turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity.
• Solar power: Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it directly into electrical energy using photovoltaics.
• Wind Power: Windmills or wind turbines convert kinetic energy from moving air into mechanical energy which turns an electric generator.
•  Geothermal Energy: use steam to produce electricity. The steam comes from reservoirs of hot water found a few miles or more below the earth's surface. The steam rotates a turbine that activates a generator, which produces electricity.
• Biomass: is burned in a boiler to produce high-pressure steam. This steam flows over a series of turbine blades, causing them to rotate. The rotation of the turbine drives a generator, producing electricity.
• Advantages of Hydropower

  1. Hydropower is a renewable source of energy. ...
  2. Hydropower is fueled by water, making it a clean source of energy.
  3. Hydroelectric power is a domestic source of energy, allowing each state to produce its own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.
• Disadvantages of Hydropower

  1.  it can alter aquatic habitat
  2. flood previously dry areas
  3. may require the expropriation of land leading to the relocation of local communities,
• Natural gas and coal electrical energy are used the most in Saskatchewan
• Hydro Electricity is the most used electrical energy sources in Canada
• Four methods of producing electrical energy that use heat energy are natural gas, coal, geothermal, biomass