SOURCES OF ENERGY
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We obtain energy from natural sources. This sources can be clasiffied in two types: renewable and non-renewable.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Renewable energy sources exist infinitely: they replenish themselves. The most important are the hydroelectric, the wind and the solar energy, and the biofuels. They are clean and sustainable.We already have studied how to produce energy in a hydroelectric power station and how a solar panel can transform light energy into electricity, so we are going to focus on the wind energy and biofuels.
Renewable energy sources exist infinitely: they replenish themselves. The most important are the hydroelectric, the wind and the solar energy, and the biofuels. They are clean and sustainable.We already have studied how to produce energy in a hydroelectric power station and how a solar panel can transform light energy into electricity, so we are going to focus on the wind energy and biofuels.
WIND ENERGY
Wind turbines can use the mechanical energy of the wind and transform it into electrical energy: the wind turns a turbine and that movement produces electricity.
Wind turbines can use the mechanical energy of the wind and transform it into electrical energy: the wind turns a turbine and that movement produces electricity.
BIOFUELS
They are produced from plants and animals. We can burn them in power stations to obtain electricity or at home to produce heat.Biofuels can be solid, liquid or gas.
They are produced from plants and animals. We can burn them in power stations to obtain electricity or at home to produce heat.Biofuels can be solid, liquid or gas.
- Solid: biomass. It is made from organic materials, such as forest debris, scrap lumber, manure,... It is clean because it uses waste materials from farming and construction.
- Liquid: bioliquid. Basically, it is any vegetable oil that we can burn to produce energy.
- Gas: biogas. Biogas is produced by the breakdown of organic organisms, such as manure, plants, city waste, food waste,...
NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Non-renewable energy sources have finite amounts. They can't replenish themselves quickly: it took millions of years to form. Non-renewable fuels pollute the air, as they are made up mainly of carbon.
The most important are petroleum, coal, natural gas and uranium.
Coal and natural gas are burnt to produce heat and electricity. Uranium is used in nuclear power stations to produce electricity.
Non-renewable energy sources have finite amounts. They can't replenish themselves quickly: it took millions of years to form. Non-renewable fuels pollute the air, as they are made up mainly of carbon.
The most important are petroleum, coal, natural gas and uranium.
Coal and natural gas are burnt to produce heat and electricity. Uranium is used in nuclear power stations to produce electricity.
PETROLEUM
Petroleum was formed millions of years ago, when large quantities of dead organisms were buried under sedimentary rocks, suffering an intense heat and pressure.
Basically, we use petroleum to heat up our homes, to run our cars and to burn it to produce electricity.
Petroleum can be transformed in many different substances: fuels (such as gasoline, diesel, butane), plastics, lubricants, asphalt, fertilizers, pesticides,...
Petroleum was formed millions of years ago, when large quantities of dead organisms were buried under sedimentary rocks, suffering an intense heat and pressure.
Basically, we use petroleum to heat up our homes, to run our cars and to burn it to produce electricity.
Petroleum can be transformed in many different substances: fuels (such as gasoline, diesel, butane), plastics, lubricants, asphalt, fertilizers, pesticides,...
Time to watch some videos.
On the first video you can watch how a wind turbine works.
On the first video you can watch how a wind turbine works.
On the second video you can watch how petroleum is formed through millions of years.