What are the sources of energy
- Renewable energyr
- Non renewable energy resources
What are the types of renewable energy sources
- Solar energy
- Hydro energy
- Tidal energy
- Biomass energy
- Nuclear energy
What are the types of non-renewable energy
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Petroleum
Two important advantages of renewable forms of energy than fossil fuels
- Produce little or NO emissions regarded as having harmful effects, such as S-Ox, N-Ox, suspended particulate matter, volatile organic compounds
- Emit little or NO greenhouse gases (CO2) compared to fossil fuels – no global warming effects
- CO2 emitted are compensated for by future offsets (C sequestration) – new trees
Explain fossil fuels
- Is a fuel formed by natural processes,
such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms, containing energy originating in ancient photosynthesis - Contain high percentages of carbon and
high energy density - Millions of years ago the remains of
dead plants and animals were buried under ground - Over the years by the action of heat from the Earth’s core and pressure from rock and soil, these buried and decomposed organic materials have been converted into fossil fuels
Explain Primary Energy
- Energy obtained directly from natural sources that have not undergone any conversion or transformation
- Exists in raw, unconverted form
- Extracted or harnessed directly from nature
- Often needs to be processed or converted before end use (e.g., crude oil refined into petrol).
Forms the base supply for all secondary energy.
eg ) Coal; Crude oil; Natural gas; Solar radiation; Wind; Water (hydropower); Uranium (nuclear fuel); Biomass (wood, crop residue)
Explain secondary energy
- Energy that is produced from the transformation of primary energy sources
- Derived form of energy, converted for convenience and efficiency
- Easier to transport, store, or use
- Involves energy losses during conversion
- Enables practical applications such as powering appliances, vehicles, and industries.
Eg ) Electricity (from coal, hydro, nuclear, solar, etc.)
Petrol or diesel (from crude oil)
Hydrogen fuel (from electrolysis or reforming)
Refined biofuels (e.g., ethanol)
Pollution from Energy use
- NOx, formed through combustion at high temperature
- N from air (and possibly from the fuel) combine with O2
- Sulphur : Oil and Coal have always varying concentrations of Sulphur; once fed into the atmosphere
- It is a source of acid rain
- CO and CO2: these are by products of FF combustion
Explain renewable energy fully
- Energy sources that can be naturally replenished in a short time or are inexhaustible on a human timescale
- Sustainable and will not run out
- Have low environmental impact (produce little or no greenhouse gases)
- Often depend on natural cycles (sunlight, wind, water)
- Initial setup cost may be high, but operating cost is low
Explain no-renewable energy fully
- Energy sources that are finite and cannot be replaced within a human lifetime once they are depleted
- Limited supply — will eventually run out
- High environmental impact — burning releases CO₂ and other pollutants
- Usually cheaper and easier to use with existing technology
- Extraction and use can cause ecosystem damage
What is End Use of Energy (4 Main Sectors)
- his refers to how and where energy is finally consumed — the sectors that use energy for specific purposes after it has been produced and distributed
- Industry (Production of Materials)
- Households (Domestic Sector)
3,. Services (Commercial, Government, Schools, etc.) - Transportation (Road, Rail, Air, etc.)
Define Solar Thermal Energy
Energy harnessed from sunlight to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity (via steam turbines) or for direct heating (like water or space heating)
Define Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials (such as silicon) in solar panels
Define Nuclear Energy
Energy released from the nucleus of atoms during nuclear fission (splitting atoms, usually uranium-235 or plutonium-239) or fusion. The heat produced is used to generate electricity
Define Wind Energy
Energy obtained from the movement of air (wind), captured by wind turbines that convert kinetic energy into electrical energy
Biomass Energy
Energy derived from organic materials such as wood, crop residues, and animal waste. It can be burned directly for heat or converted into biofuels for electricity or transport
Geothermal Energy
Energy obtained from the heat stored within the Earth’s crust, used to produce steam for electricity generation or for direct heating applications
Ocean Tidal Energy
Energy harnessed from the rise and fall of ocean tides, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. It uses turbines or tidal barrages to generate electricity
