ENERGY AROUND THE WORLDDOES ONE SIZE FIT ALL?
WHAT TYPES OF ENERGY ARE AVAILABLE
AROUND THE WORLD?
BIOMASS
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Biomass is an organic material made from
plants and animals. Biomass can be wood,
manure, and even some garbage!
Biomass energy is created by burning
biomass material. The gases that are
released are made into electricity, and the
steam it releases can directly heat houses.
Some biomass, like garbage, releases
methane gas, which is the main ingredient
in natural gas. Since natural gas is a nonrenewable resource, we can substitute a
renewable resource, like biomass, into a
very similar renewable resource. That is
better for the environment.
Biomass can pollute the air when it is
burned, though not as much as fossil fuels
can.
http://www.worldofenergy.com.au/graphics/photos/factsheet9/types-ofbiomass.jpg
NUCLEAR
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Nuclear energy supplies 16% of the worlds
energy.
It is created by using a nuclear reactor, and
uranium particles are either split or
combined to create energy. Nuclear fission is
used more than nuclear fusion.
Pros- Nuclear energy could produce energy
even after fuel and coal run out. Nuclear
plants need less fuel than fossil fuel plantsone ton of uranium produces energy that
would take several million tons of fossil fuels.
Well operated nuclear plants do not pollute.
Cons-They produce radiation, which is very
harmful to humans if they are exposed.
Nuclear explosions can happen if a meltdown
occurs- nuclear reactions happen too quickly
and too often. The Chernobyl disaster was
caused by this happening. If nuclear wastes
are not stored correctly they can result in
explosions, just like if they were in use.
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/business/wpcontent/uploads/2008/09/nuclear-energy-gmr.jpg
http://www.our-energy.com/chernobyl_disaster.html
HYDROGEN
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Hydrogen is the most plentiful gas in the
universe. It is a simple element, and it only
exists as a solid compound when
combined with other elements on Earth.
To make hydrogen into a form of energy,
we must first separate it from the other
bonds in the compound it is in. Next it is
turned into a gas by steam reforming or
electrolysis. Then it is ready to be turned
into energy! Hydrogen is usually turned
into a fuel cell, although it can be used
once it is in its pure hydrogen gas state.
Every region in the world has some type of
material that can be used to process
hydrogen, and this makes this type of
energy very accessible.
Hydrogen can power everything from cars
to homes to laptop computers. It is also a
very clean source of energy and does not
emit any type of fume or vapor.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/Inter
mediateHydrogen.html
There’s even a
hydrogen powered
cell phone!
http://www.inhabitat.com/wpcontent/uploads/angstrom-hydrogen.jpg
WIND
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In this form of energy, wind turns the
turbine. The blades turn a shaft inside the
nacelle (the box at the top). The shaft goes
into the gear box which increases the
rotation speed enough for the generator
to convert rotational energy into electric
energy using magnetic fields.
Pros- Wind is free, and wind farms don’t
need to use any fuel! Wind energy
produces no waste or greenhouse gases,
and the land beneath the turbines can still
be used.
Cons- On some days there is no wind, so a
backup energy source is needed. Although
it is extremely rare, birds can be killed by
the turbines. Sometimes the turbines are
noisy, but that too is rare.
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/clockingin/2009/01/valero-hasfired-up-phase-one.html
HYDROELECTRIC
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Hydropower is one of the most used forms
of energy in the US today.
Hydroelectricity is made from deriving
mechanical energy from flowing water.
This is often accomplished by building a
dam to collect water. The amount of
available energy from water is determined
by its flow and fall. Water that runs very
fast or falls a great distance is the most
suitable for use as hydropower energy.
When the water is inside the dam, it turns
a wheel, called a penstock, which in turn
produces electricity in a generator on the
shore.
Hydropower is a great form of energy
because it costs almost no money. There
are no waste by-products, and it does not
pollute the water or the air.
http://www.promotega.org/AAU06004/Hydroelectricity_files/image002.jpg
http://www.radford.edu/%7Ewkovarik/envhist/RenHist/2.water.pix/itaipu.better
.jpg
COAL
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Pros- It is inexpensive and if in
great supply, very reliable. It
provides about half of the United
States' energy.
Cons- The burning of coal is one
of the least environmentally
friendly energy sources, leaving
its large mark on planet Earth. It
is nonrenewable, so when it is
gone, it is gone for good, and can
take several hundred million
years to form again. Burning coal
produces more carbon dioxide
than burning oil or natural gas,
and the fumes contribute to acid
rain.
http://www.the-coalman.co.uk/images/coal.jpg
http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/0
3/coal-combustion-facescontroversy.html
OCEANIC
There are many types of oceanic energy. They are:
 Tidal
 Wave
 Water/Solar
 Water/Wind
These types of energy are useful because they use
water, which is plentiful, to harvest electricity in a
non-impact way.
OCEANIC-CONTINUED
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Tidal- Like wind energy, tidal energy is
produced with the use of a turbine. In the
tidal system, there are many turbines
placed parallel to each other. All of the
water that passes the turbines is forced
through them, and this spins a wheel
which in turn generates electricity. Tidal
turbines are clean and can be used
anywhere with a tide range above 10 feet,
but they are expensive and may harm
plant and animal life.
Wave- Waves are huge sources of energy.
We can use this energy by bending the
waves into a channel, increasing their size,
and then using the water to spin turbines
to generate electricity. This form of energy
could be used anywhere large waves
break near the shore and would be useful
for the West Coasts of the US and Europe
and in New Zealand and Japan.
Both Pictures are from:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/o
cean.html
OCEANIC-CONTINUED
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Water/Solar Energy- Since the
ocean makes up 70% of the
surface of Earth, why not put a
solar farm on the top of the
ocean? Solar panels would be
placed just offshore to collect
solar energy. Then the panels
would transmit energy to the land
to be used.
Water/Wind Energy- This type of
energy can be used everywhere
along the coast of the US. It is just
like a continental wind farm,
where wind turbines are placed to
change wind into energy. Some
people oppose this because it
would change the view of the
ocean.
http://64.202.120.86/upload/image/new-news/2008/fabruary/unlimited-solar-energyfrom-the-ocean/sea-solar-power-plant-2.jpg
http://ecology.com/ecology-today/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/ocean-wind-powernasa.jpg
NATURAL GAS
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Pros- Natural gas is efficient,
economical, and reliable.
Remember how your gas
stove worked when the power
went out?
Cons- It is less
environmentally friendly than
other alternatives, but
friendlier than oil and coal
energy. Because it is
nonrenewable, when it is
gone, it is gone. This could
make demand much higher
in the future, making the
price skyrocket.
http://laclarongeblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/natural-gas-comes-north.html
http://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/naturalgas.asp
SOLAR
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Solar energy is an excellent and
environmentally friendly energy source
for areas of the world that receive large
amounts of sunlight.
It can be used to heat water and
spaces.
Solar energy is generated using two
types of panels- photovoltaic cells,
which are the kind you see on houses
and are not connected to a power grid,
and cells connected to power plants.
Pros- It is environmentally friendly, very
accessible and useful in sunny areas.
Renewable
Cons- Solar panels are expensive to
install and maintain, which limits the
amount of countries that could benefit
from it. Solar panels can only work
when it is sunny, so it can be used in
limited areas where sunshine is great
enough for the solar cells to be
profitable.
http://www.agpe-energy.com/SOLAR_ENERGY.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/selling_solar_t.php
GEOTHERMAL
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Geothermal energy is derived from
the same force that builds mountains,
erupts volcanoes, and is responsible
for hot springs.
Geothermal energy is sourced from
geothermal reservoirs, which can be
found in few areas. California could
benefit from geothermal energy
because of their fault lines, where
geothermal reservoirs are normally
found.
Pros- Environmentally friendly- they
produce no smoke, only steam, and
they are cost efficient. Renewable.
Cons- Only available in select places.
Both Pictures are from;
http://geothermal.marin.org/pwrheat.html
OIL
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The US produces only 40% of the
total amount of oil it uses.
The top oil producing countries
are Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the
United States.
Pros- Low cost, compact
generators, easy to store and
transport.
Cons- Oil is nonrenewable and
being used at a fast rate, it is a
source of conflict trading wise,
and when in transport, oil can
spill causing great environmental
strain.
http://ecotechdaily.com/2008/05/06/oil-prices-rise-again-on-200-warning/
The dangerous effects of an oil spill
http://www.appvoices.org/images/galleries/MartinCountyNastySpill.jpg
WHERE CAN THESE TYPES OF ENERGY BE
FOUND AND WHY ARE THEY USEFUL?
BIOMASS
Accessible all over the world
 70-90 percent of people in Africa use wood, a
biomass material, to heat their homes
 50-60 percent of all developing countries in
Asia use biomass
 Clean
 Cost-effective, and anyone can have their own
biomass
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NUCLEAR
Virtually can be used in any part of the world
 Limited to countries that can afford it
 Cost in excess of $13 billion
 Japan, Russia, the United States, Korea, and
China have all harnessed nuclear energy
 Sometimes nuclear energy is not used to
benefit, like in WWII
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HYDROGEN
Abundantly located in every region of the world.
 Very clean form of energy
 Likely to be used in countries with a substantial
amount of money, because the whole process
is somewhat expensive
 US, China, Japan, India, and other countries
may be the pioneering forces in making this
energy available to everyone.
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WIND
Can be used in places with wind speeds of over
10 mph.
 Can withstand 140 mph winds
 Mostly found around the coast or in desert or
plain areas
 Wind energy is cost effective, but installation is
expensive
 Most always found in rural areas, would take up
too much space in the city
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HYDROELECTRIC
Best used in mountainous areas with rivers, or
areas with rivers in general
 Many places in Africa, the Middle Sast, Siberia,
and Asia may not be able to access this form of
energy
 Europe, Canada, South America, the USA and
other areas of the world are well suited for
hydroelectricity
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COAL
Can be harnessed where it is found or
imported.
 People are choosing more environmentally
friendly alternatives.
 Remains the cheapest, and supplies many
American and world wide households
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OCEANIC
Useful to countries and states located on the
ocean or any other large body of water
 Wave and tidal energy are the only exceptions to
that rule, because they require substantial
amounts of change in sea level and waves must
break close to the shore to generate a high
amount of electricity
 These forms of energy would be helpful to poorer
countries, because they are all relatively
inexpensive
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NATURAL GAS
Can be used where it is found or imported.
 Like coal, it is cost effective.
 India, the United States, Canada, and Russia all
use natural gas in great amounts.
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SOLAR
Very smart energy choice in sunny parts of the
world: countries on the equator, India, Alaska,
Arizona, or Hawaii etc.
 Island nations could benefit from solar energy.
 Panels can be expensive if put on a large area,
so some countries, or cities could not use them
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GEOTHERMAL
Can only be used in a small part of the world
where geothermal reservoirs are found.
 Includes: countries surrounding the Ring of
Fire, the Philippines, Alaska and California.
 Has also been used in Europe.
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OIL
Can be used anywhere in the world.
 Creates a significant amount of pollution,
countries or states with large amounts of
pollution might use a more environmentally
friendly alternative.
 Oil is one of the best choices for poor countries.
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WORKS CITED
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"BWEA - How Does Wind Energy Work?." BWEA: Delivering UK wind, wave and tidal energy. 12 Apr. 2009
<http://www.bwea.com/energy/how.html>.
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Baskind, Chris. "Oil Prices Rise Again on $200 Warning | EcoTech Daily." EcoTech Daily | Green technology, gadgets & news. 19 May
2008. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://ecotechdaily.com/2008/05/06/oil-prices-rise-again-on-200-warning/>.
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"Chernobyl disaster - Our energy." Home - Our energy. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.our-energy.com/chernobyl_disaster.html>.
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"Coal Image." The Coalman. 13 Apr. 2009 <www.the-coalman.co.uk/images/coal.jpg>.
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"Department of Energy - Coal." Department of Energy - Homepage. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.energy.gov/energysources/coal.htm>.
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"EIA Kids Page - Energy from the ocean: tidal energy, wave energy." Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy Statistics from
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EWG. "Enviroblog: Coal combustion faces controversy Archives." Enviroblog. 19 Mar. 2009. 13 Apr. 2009
<http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/03/coal-combustion-faces-controversy.html>.
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"Energy Resources: Home page." c l a r a . n e t - Customer Index. 14 Apr. 2009 <http://home.clara.net/darvill/altenerg/index.htm>.
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"Fossil Fuels and Coal." The Energy Story. 13 Apr. 2009 <www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter08.html>.
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"Geothermal Education Office." Geothermal Education Office. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://geothermal.marin.org/>.
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"Hydrogen - Energy." Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government. 8 Apr. 2009
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/IntermediateHydrogen.html>.
WORKS CITED-CONTINUED
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"Hydropower - Water Energy." Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government. 8 Apr. 2009
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/water.html>.
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"Lac La Ronge and Area Blog." Lac La Ronge and Area Blog. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://laclarongeblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/natural-gascomes-north.html>.
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"NaturalGas.org." NaturalGas.org. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/naturalgas.asp>.
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”.Petroleum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 14 Apr. 2009
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum>.
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"Renewable Energy - Biomass including wood, MSW, and biofuels, carbon cycle, photosynthesis." Energy Information Administration - EIA Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government. 7 Apr. 2009
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/biomass.html>.
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"Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development." Solar Energy Society of Canada. 29 Nov. 1997. 7 Apr. 2009
<www.newenergy.org/sesci/publications/pamphlets/renewable.html>.
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"Solar Energy." AGPE Energy. 13 Apr. 2009 <http://www.agpe-energy.com/SOLAR_ENERGY.html>.
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"The Pros and Cons of Various forms of Generating Electricity." The Ramblings of a Bush Philosopher. 12 Mar. 2009. 13 Apr. 2009
<geocities.com/daveclarkecb/ElecGenProsCons.html>.
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Thomas, Justin. "Home Depot Selling Solar to Mainstream America : TreeHugger." TreeHugger. 24 Oct. 2006. 13 Apr. 2009
<http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/selling_solar_t.php>.
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Vaughan, Vicki. "Mckee Wind Farm." My San Antonio Blogs. 22 Jan. 2009. 13 Apr. 2009
<blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/clockingin/2009/01/valero-has-fired-up-phase-one.html>.
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"World of Energy-Biomass Fact Sheet." World of Energy. 8 Apr. 2009
<http://www.worldofenergy.com.au/factsheet_biomass/07_fact_biomass_what.html>.