Nonrenewable Energy
OilCrude oil, also known as petroleum is separated into gasoline, heating oil, and asphalt. It's first extracted from the ground. and then refined, separated by process of distillation, and then converted to the desired product. It can also be drilled offshore. It's inexpensive to extract and a dependable source of energy, but releases hazardous gases and fumes into the air.
NuclearNuclear fission is the process where an atom's nucleus splits and releases nuclear energy. The nuclear energy generates electricity. Doesn't release greenhouse gases but produces radioactive material.
Renewable EnergyWindWind turbines are built where strong wind can turn the blades which then spins a shaft that connects to a generator. The generator then creates kinetic energy into mechanical (electricity).
BioPlant waste is collected and burned to boil water so it creates steam pressure that spins a turbine, which then powers a generator that creates electricity. Animal waste is also used in the same way, but first must be converted into methane gas before going through the process of generating electricity.
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CoalCoal is a solid fossil fuel that is formed in different stages: peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite.
It's an abundant energy resource burned to produce electricity and steel. The coal is extracted underground by miners working in tunnels and shafts. SolarEnergy provided from the sun creates electricity. The energy is collected from photovoltaic (PV) cells by having sunshine hit the cells and excite a photon of light. Eventually this flow is what generates energy.
GeothermalHeat from the Earth's crust warms water that is seeped into underground reservoirs. Once water gets hot enough it breaks through the Earth's surface as steam or hot water. Tubes undergound collect the steam that will spin a turbine to power the generator, and produce electricity.
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Natural GasNatural gas and oil are fossil fuels trapped undergound in reservoirs. Natural gas (mostly made out of methane) is extracted at the production well, flows into the pipeline system, and is transported into processing plants to remove impurities. "Cleaner" and inexpensive method than fossil fuel, only releases carbon dioxide. However, causes environmental problems.
Future of EnergyHydroWater is released from a dam to spin the blades of a giant turbine that connects to a generator, to create electricity.
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