Energy: �Conservation and Transfer

Explain the environmental implications associated with the various methods of obtaining, managing, and using energy resources.

Energy: �Conservation and Transfer

• 8.P.2.1
• Explain the environmental consequences of the various methods of obtaining, transforming and distributing energy.
• 8.P.2.2
• Explain the implications of the depletion of renewable and nonrenewable energy resources and the importance of conservation.

Forms and Transformations of Energy

• What is energy?
• The ability to make things move or change

Energy Transformations

• Energy changes forms all of the time but can never be destroyed.
• The amount before and after a transfer or transformation will always be the same
• Like in a chemical reaction

Energy Transformations

• When a lightbulb is lit, the energy released as heat is not useful, often called “lost” energy
• It is not lost, just transferred to the air around the bulb
• Whenever energy is transformed, some moves into the environment in the form of heat, just feel your cellphone while it is charging!

Energy Resources and Their Environmental Impact

• Humans use large amounts of energy to power cars, heat homes, and produce electricity
• This energy comes from the environment
• Surroundings of all living things

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• Energy and the environment

Types of Energy Resources

• Nonrenewable Energy Resource
• Energy source that is used faster than it can be replaced
• Also called Exhaustible Resources
• Video
• Renewable Energy Resource
• Energy source than can be replaced as it is used or cannot be used up
• Video
• Video (Part 2)

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

• Most energy in the US comes from Fossil Fuels
• An energy resource that formed over millions of years from the decayed remains of ancient plants and animals
• A solid example of this is coal
• Used to power many power plants for electricity
• A liquid example of this is petroleum (oil)
• Often turned into propane to heat homes
• A gas example of this is natural gas
• Usually found with petroleum

Historic Disaster: 10 Years after the Kingston coal ash spill

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Nonrenewable Energy Resources

• The main advantage of fossil fuels is the large amount of energy they can produce
• However, this leads to pollution
• The release of unwanted materials into the environment

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• Extracted
• the action of taking out something, especially using effort or force ; examples of resources are coal, oil, and natural gas
• Coal mining can damage land and pollute water supplies
• Burning coal causes air pollution
• Accidents can damage habitats
• Fossil Fuels Video
• History of…

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air
• Many scientists believe that the extra CO2 has led to Global Warming.
• A trend of rising average temperatures around the world
• This term has recently been changed to Climate Change
• The broader set of changes that go along with global warming: including changes in weather patterns, oceans, ice, snow, and ecosystems.
• Argument about Global Warming
• Long
• Argument against Global Warming
• Shorter

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

• Ozone
• An inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O3. A major air pollutant in the lower atmosphere but a beneficial component of the upper atmosphere
• It is a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell.
• Los Angeles Smog
• Greenhouse Effect
• The heating of the atmosphere owing to the presence of CO2 and other gases.
• Greenhouse Effect, Ozone, and Global Warming Video

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

• Nuclear Energy
• Energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, especially when used to generate electricity.
• Another source of energy used in the US
• Most use Uranium, a nonrenewable resource
• Does not cause air pollution
• Could release radioactive materials into the environment that could be harmful to living organisms (us…)
• Produces radioactive waste which needs to be stored for a long time

What Really Happened in the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster? | Britannica

A decade after the Fukushima meltdown, this Japanese region faces radioactive water | ABC News

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Renewable Energy Resources

• Humans have used Natural Resources for thousands of years
• Materials provided by the Earth that can be used to make more complex products
• Wind
• Water
• Solar

Renewable Energy Resources

• Solar Energy
• Processes that use energy from the sun to generate heat or electricity.
• Often used today to heat water in homes
• Solar panels can be used to produce electricity also
• Photovoltaic Cell
• Another name for a solar cell
• They collect sunlight that heats the atoms in the cell
• Cannot be used at night
• Can combine with Solar Batteries
• Store the energy collected during the day
• Solar Reflector
• Reflects and focuses sunlight onto fluid-filled pipes

Renewable Energy Resources

• Wind Energy
• The kinetic energy of wind, harnessed and redirected to perform a task mechanically or to generate electrical power.
• Turns the Wind Turbines
• Structure that has large blades attached to an engine and that is used to produce electricity
• No pollution but does affect local environments
• Noisy for the neighbors
• Local birds and bats are often struck by the blades
• Many nations looking offshore to build new wind farms

Renewable Energy Resources

• Hydroelectric
• Generating electricity using flowing water to drive a turbine that powers a generator.
• typically from a reservoir held behind a dam
• Built on rivers in US and around the world
• Moving water turn blades to produce electricity
• Similar to wind energy
• Usually near waterfalls or fast moving water
• Watch This Dam Video!
• Fontana Dam Project
• ​

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Renewable Energy Resources

• Biomass
• Any material from living things that can be used as an energy source
• Examples include burning wood, fermenting crops like corn for ethanol
• Disadvantage is the release of CO2 into the environment
• Another disadvantage is the use of food source for energy when there are people starving.

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• NASCAR connection

Renewable Energy Resources

• Geothermal Energy
• Heat energy inside Earth that can be used to heat buildings and produce electricity
• Usually located over volcanic grounds
• Iceland has the largest number
• Nearly 90% of all homes in Iceland are heated by geothermal energy

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• Geothermal Heat

Using and Conserving �Energy Resources

• Nonrenewable energy resources are used most worldwide.
• In the last 50 years, we have doubled the use of fossil fuels to meet the growing world population
• These fuels will not last forever

Using Energy

• Using Energy
• The more tools and devices we develop, the more energy we will need
• Conserving Energy
• In the 1950’s we used the same amount of energy we produced
• In the 2000’s we use much more energy than we produce
• Conservation
• The careful use and management of resources

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• Using energy responsibly
• 20 Minute Video

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