Energy

• It’s simple… we need energy! We can’t survive without it!!

• We need it to…– Run our industries– Keep our vehicles moving– Give us prepared foods– Provide us with warm homes in the winter and cool in the summer.– Dry my underwear.

Types of Energy• There are two main categories of energy resources:

1. Renewable2. Non-renewable

• Renewable energy sources are those which will not run out and can be used over again. – includes wind, tidal and solar energy

• Non-renewable energy sources can only be used once. They take millions of years to form. If we run out of the supply – we run out!– includes oil, coal & natural gas.

Types of energy • Some resources are thought to be both renewable and non-

renewable. These are:– Wood - when wood is used for fuel and replanted it is a form

of renewable energy.– Biomass - changing farming wastes, grasses, trees, bark,

sawdust, and other things into energy by burning it, changing it to a gas, or converting it to a liquid fuel.

Canada & Energy• Canada is the 5th largest producer of energy in the world & the

8th largest consumer of energy• We have a diverse and reliable amount renewable and non-

renewable energy sources: • Renewable: hydroelectricity, solar, wind, tidal and biomass. • Non-renewable: oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear (uranium)

Renewable Energy

Solar Energy• Solar energy involves harnessing energy from the sun using

panels and converting it into electricity.• Advantages:

– It’s an infinite supply– Individual buildings can potentially power themselves using

solar panels. • Disadvantages:

– The main disadvantages of solar energy is that it is initially quite expensive to set up.

Wind Energy• involves harnessing the energy of wind via turbines. The wind

turns the turbine which then generates electricity.• Advantages:

– The main advantages of wind energy is that it is potentially infinite.

• Disadvantages:– The main disadvantages of wind energy include the initial

expense of the wind turbine– Considerable opposition from local residents to wind turbines

because of the noise and it is not always windy!

Dawson Creek, B.C.

Wave Energy• The movement of water in and out of a cavity which compresses

trapped air which drives a turbine.Advantages:• The main advantages of wave energy is that it is an infinite source

of energy.Disadvantages: • The main disadvantages of wave energy is that it is costly to set

up. Also, it can only by used in countries that have a coastline.

Additional Info: Slideshow - Types of Wave Energy Device Technologies: www.slideshare.net/AbdulKhaliqueTalpur/types-of-wave-energy-device-technologies

Tidal Energy • Involves harnessing the power of tidal action. Tidal water drives

a turbine which then generates electricity.Advantages:• includes the multi direction of tidal action. Potential to generate

a significant amount of electricity Disadvantages:• costly to set up, can have a negative environmental impact• Only useful to nations with coastlines

Geothermal Energy• Involves harnessing heat from below the surface of the earth. Cold

water is pumped into the ground which then turns to steam. The steam then drives a turbine.

Advantages:• The main advantage of geothermal energy is that it is an infinite

source of energy.Disadvantages: • The main disadvantages of geothermal energy include it being

expensive to set up, geothermal activity can be unpredictable and they only work efficiently in areas of volcanic activity.

Hydroelectric• Hydroelectric energy involves harnessing the power of flowing

water. Water from rivers, reservoirs or lakes flow through a dam. The flowing water drives a turbine which then generates electricity.

Advantages:• The main advantages of hydroelectricity is that reservoirs can

create water reserves.Disadvantages: • The main disadvantages of hydroelectricity include the

environmental impact of creating reservoirs, they are costly to build and it can cause flooding.

W.A.C. Bennett Dam, Hudson’s Hope, B.C.

Hoover Dam, Nevada, USA

The Controversial Site C Dam Currently Under Construction in Fort St John. Estimated to cost $10 Billion

Non-renewable energy

Coal• Coal is a fossil fuel formed in ecosystems where plant remains were

preserved by water and mud. • Coal is primarily used as a solid fuel to produce electricity and heat

through combustion. • Coal is burned and the heat converts boiler water to steam, which is then

used to spin turbines which generate electricity.Advantages:• It is relatively cheap to convert into energy and supplies will last longer

than oil or gas.Disadvantages:• Burning coal releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. It also

causes acid rain.

Oil• Oil is a carbon based liquid found under ground in large

reservoirs. It is formed from fossilized plants and animals. Humans drill for oil which is then pumped to the surface. It is processed for use by industry and transport.

Advantages:• It is relatively cheap to extract and convert into energy.Disadvantages: • It is finite, when burnt it releases greenhouse gases.

Oil Sands - Alberta

Natural Gas• Methane gas is trapped between seams of rock below the

surface of the earth.Advantages:• Cheap to extract and cleaner than oil and coal.Disadvantages: • It is finite, when burnt it releases greenhouse gases.

Nuclear• Nuclear energy involves extracting radioactive minerals such as

uranium. The atoms of these minerals are split or joined together. Electricity is generated from the energy created by this.

Advantages:• Only a small amount of radioactive material is required, there are

no atmospheric pollutants and raw materials are relatively cheap,Disadvantages:• It is expensive to produce, the waste is highly toxic and needs to

be stored for 100s even 1000s of years and accidental leakage can cause massive environmental problems.