An introduction of the topic of energy. Presentation outlines the different types of energy and their usage. Also features positives and negatives of each.

1. ENERGYBY MATTHEW MORTIMER
‘ P O W E R D E R I V E D F R O M T H E
U T I L I Z AT I O N O F P H Y S I C A L O R
C H E M I C A L R E S O U R C E S , E S P E C I A L LY
T O P R O V I D E L I G H T A N D H E AT O R T O
W O R K M A C H I N E S ’ .

2. FINITE AND NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
For several centuries now, non-renewable and finite energy
sources have been our main supply of energy. A non-
renewable resource is a resource that does not renew itself at
a sufficient rate for sustainable economic extraction. In simple
terms, it is an energy resource that is running out faster than
more is being created.

3. COAL PRODUCTION
Coal is a black sedimentary rock. Coal is highly valued for its energy content,
and, since the 1880s, has been widely used to generate electricity. At various
times in way back in the past, the Earth had very dense forests in low-lying
wetland areas. Due to natural processes such as flooding, these forests were
buried underneath soil. As more and more soil built up on top of them, they
were compressed. The temperature also rose as they sank deeper and
deeper. As the process continued the plant matter was protected from rotting
oxidation, usually by mud or acidic water. Under high pressure and high
temperature, dead vegetation was slowly converted to coal. As coal contains
mainly carbon, the conversion of dead vegetation into coal is called
carbonization.

4. COAL PRODUCTION
Coal has been mined for hundreds of years. During Britain's industrial revolution,
there were hundreds of coal mines up and down the country. They were
considered extremely dangerous and many children worked in them. Now
only a handful of mines still operate in the UK. More modern technology and
machinery is used to mine coal, mainly in countries such as China.

5. OIL PRODUCTION
Oil is a viscous liquid derived from petroleum, especially for use as a fuel or
lubricant. Oils have a high carbon and hydrogen content and are usually
flammable and slippery. The oil that is important for energy is crude oil, often
referred to as Petroleum. Crude oil is a yellow to black liquid found
underneath the Earths surface. Like coal, oil is a fossil fuel. Petroleum is a
fossil fuel made from ancient fossilized organic materials, such as
zooplankton and algae. These died thousands of years ago, sinking to lake
bottoms and sea beds, mixing with sediments and being buried. As further
layers settled to the sea or lake bed, intense heat and pressure build up on
the deeper layers. This process caused the organic matter to change into
gaseous hydrocarbons

6. OIL PRODUCTION
Crude oil is often extracted by oil rigs in the sea. They run pipes far
beneath the sea bed, and use huge pumps to extract crude oil. The
North Sea is a very popular area for oil rigs, as there are large oil
reservoirs. Oil is also extracted on land by pumpjacks. These are
often located in desert areas, and are found commonly in the USA.
There are many pumpjacks in Texas.

7. NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION
Natural gas is flammable gas, consisting largely of methane and other
hydrocarbons, occurring naturally underground and can be used as
fuel. It is a fossil fuel formed when layers of buried plants, gases, and
animals are exposed to intense heat and pressure over thousands of
years. The energy that the plants originally obtained from the sun is
stored in the form of chemical bonds in natural gas. Natural gas is a
non-renewable resource because it cannot be replenished on a
human time frame.

8. NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION
Extracting natural gas is very much like the extraction of oil. Large gas reserves
are found below the ground, and pipes are sent down to extract the gas. Gas
extraction is very dangerous, as gas is extremely volatile and flammable. This
can lead to disasters, so any extraction must be managed very carefully.

9. NUCLEAR ENERGY
Nuclear energy is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion,
especially when used to generate electricity. Nuclear power plants
convert the energy released from the nucleus of an atom via nuclear
fission that takes place in a nuclear reactor. Nuclear fission is the
splitting of the atom. The heat is removed from the reactor core by a
cooling system. This cooling system uses the heat to generate
steam, which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator
producing electricity.

10. NUCLEAR ENERGY
The process of harbouring nuclear energy is one of extreme danger. Uranium
used in the process is extremely volatile, and if not cooled correctly can melt
through all metals and solid concrete. If a nuclear reactor is exposed,
radiation will emit outwards over a huge area. This can be seen in the city of
Pripyat, Ukraine. The 1986 Chernobyl Disaster meant the city was
abandoned in a day, anyone left behind would die of exposure. A 20 km
exclusion zone is still active, as this radiation will take millions of years to
fade.

11. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Renewable energy is generally defined as energy that comes from
resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale. In
the modern day, we are turning more and more towards the use of
renewable energy sources. They can be replenished unlike fossil
fuels, and also pose little threat to the environment. Renewable
energy sources are sustainable.
Sustainable – ‘Using resources in the present day
without damaging the needs and wants of future
generations’.

12. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth.
Geothermal power stations run large pipes far down below the Earths
crust. The deeper they run, the hotter the Earth becomes. Water is sent
down these pipes and turns to steam. This steam is then returned to the
surface where it turns a turbine attached to a generator, creating
electricity. Geothermal power stations can only be operated in certain
locations due to the depth the pipes need to reach. They are well known
for being widely used in Iceland.

13. WIND ENERGY
Wind turbines are used to turn wind energy into electricity. They can be
found singularly, but are usually together in wind farms. The wind
turns the turbine, which is attached to a generator, producing
electricity. Some people do argue that wind turbines mar a
landscape, and also that they can be damaging to wildlife,
particularly birds.

14. SOLAR ENERGY
The sun is can be used as a great source of energy. Energy from
sunlight is captured in solar panels and these panels convert it into
energy. Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular, and can
easily be fitted onto house roofs. They are sometimes costly to
produce, but do make the money back in with their energy producing
abilities.

15. TIDAL ENERGY
Tidal energy production uses the movement of tides to drive turbines. A
tidal barrage is built across estuaries, forcing water through gaps.
These gaps allow high pressure water through, turning turbines. In
the future underwater turbines may be possible out at sea and
without dams. This would mean that ships could travel over them
with no effect.