Energy Resources

• Solar energy - the energy from the sun that is used to generate electricity

  • cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available
• Geothermal energy - carried by water and steam to the earth's surface to generate electricity

  • contained in the rocks and fluids beneath the earth's crust and can be found as far down to the earth's hot molten rock called magma
• Hydropower/Hydroelectric - conversion of energy from flowing water into electricity

  • some also utilize hydrothermal energy
• Coal - black/brownish-black, solid rock that can be burned and used as fuel to generate electric power

  • taken under the ground through mining
  • source of air pollution when used as fuel and produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
• Fossil fuels - formed from dead plants and animals that are millions of years old

  Examples: coal, petroleum (crude oil), natural gas
• Natural Gas - used as fuel to produce electricity

  • produces the least carbon dioxide among fossil fuels
• Wind energy/power - the wind is used to generate electricity

  • wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy