Lesson 7: Fossil Fuel and Other Energy Sources

Objectives:

In this lesson, you will learn to:

1. Describe the formation of fossil fuels

2. Explain how heat from inside the Earth is tapped as a source of energy (geothermal) for human
use
3. Explain how energy (hydroelectric) is harnessed from flowing water
4. Cite ways to address the different environmental concerns related to the use of fossil fuels,
geothermal energy, and hydroelectric energy

Earth and its Energy Sources

In the last module, we learned how minerals are found, mined, and processed. We also learned
the benefits of mining to the economic growth of the human civilization, as well as its harmful effects to
the environment.

In this module, we will learn the different sources of energy that are found on Earth, as well as
the processes that are being done to acquire these resources.

Energy resources are essentially obtained in order to sustain our daily living. They are used to
provide heat, light, and power — things which are necessary for the development of humankind. Energy
sources come in a variety of forms: fossil fuels, geothermal, hydroelectric, and bio-fuel energy.

Energy sources are classified into two: renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

Non-renewable Energy Sources

Non-renewable energy sources are energy sources which cannot be replenished in our lifetime
and are likely to run out. Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas are some examples of non-
renewable energy source.

Fossil fuel

Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources that took millions of years to form.
Despite this, the world uses up fossil fuels more than any other energy source in the world. The
world generates 66% of its electricity from fossil fuels.

The main element found in fossil fuels is carbon. In fact, the time period when fossil
fuels were formed (about 360-300 million years ago) is called the Carboniferous Period. They are
formed even before the dinosaurs came into existence. Earth had a different landscape: it was
covered with wide, shallow seas and swampy forests.

It is in this landscape that plants, algae, and plankton grew. These living organisms
absorb sunlight and create energy by means of photosynthesis. When they died, the organisms

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 drifted into the bottom of the sea or lake. There was energy stored in these dead organisms
even when they died.

Years passed by and these dead plants would be crushed under the sea bed, as rocks
and sediments will continuously pile on top of them. The remains of plants and animals will
eventually be turned into fossil fuels which we are using today.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Fossil Fuel

Fossil fuel is the primary source of energy in the world today despite being non-
renewable. This is because it is relatively inexpensive to extract compared to other energy
sources. It is also easier to store these energy sources anywhere in the world.

However, the use of fossil fuels has a negative impact on the environment. Burning coal
and oil pollutes the air, water, and land.

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy comes from resources which are naturally replenished. The sun, the wind,
the water, the Earth's heat, and plants are some of these sources. Renewable energy technologies turn
these fuels into usable forms of energy which we utilize in our daily lives — be it electricity, heat,
chemicals, or mechanical power.

Geothermal Energy

The Earth's core can reach temperatures of up to 9000 1 F. This heat flows out of the
core, heating the surrounding area which can form underground reservoirs of hot water and
steam. This becomes what we now utilize as geothermal energy. We make use of this
renewable energy source to generate electricity or heat buildings.

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 The heat coming from within the Earth can be captured and utilized for buildings. They
are also used to generate electricity by injecting water reservoirs underneath the earth, which
will become steam because of the heat. This steam will be harnessed and used for electricity.

The geothermal energy potential in the uppermost 6 miles of planet Earths crust
amounts to 50,000 times the energy of all the oil and gas resources in the world, and it can be
used almost anywhere. Nevertheless, it will take robust technological development and
substantial cost be able to fully harness this renewable energy source.

Solar Energy

The sun can become an endless source of energy which are now being used to generate
li ght, heat, and power.

While we are only able to use solar electricity recently, humans have been utilizing the
sun's power since the ancient times. Ancient Native Americans built their dwellings directly into
south facing cliff walls because they knew that the sun travels low across the southern sky in the
Northern Hemisphere during the winter. The people in the ancient times also knew that the
massive rock of the cliffs can absorb the sun's heat, hence it was warmer than any other place
during winter.

Today, scientists continuously develop efficient technologies to be able to maximize the

use of solar energy, as well as to make it more accessible to all. Solar cells, for example, are
developed so that we can convert solar energy into electricity which humans can use directly.

Hydroelectric power

Hydroelectric Dam
Hydroelectric power comes from flowing
water. The movement of water is used to
turn turbines and generators which
produce energy. Energy is neither created
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nor destroyed — it only changes its form. To
generate hydroelectric power, we make
use of water motion — a form of kinetic
energy — to turn blades in a turbine, thus
converting mechanical energy into
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electricity.

Even hydroelectric power has an effect on

the environment, particularly the aquatic
life. The reservoirs created from dam-type
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hydroelectric power plants can destroy

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 natural space and displace living organisms. Moreover, they create major difficulties to
migratory fishes, who are often threatened by the dangerous turbines which keep them from
travelling.

Biomass energy

Another renewable energy source that is being utilized today is the biomass energy, or
energy formed from things such as wood wastes, agricultural residues and other forms of
garbage.

When garbage decomposes, it releases methane gas. Natural gas, which is one of the
energy resources that we utilize today, is made up of methane gas. Pipelines are collected into
landfills to collect the methane gas. It is then used in power plants to generate electricity.

Aside from wood, animal waste can also be used to make biomass energy. It is an
efficient energy source which can help reduce global warming, compared to fossil fuels.

The Environmental Impact of Using Energy Sources

The use of different types of energy sources has become essential to the sustainability of the
humans' daily lives. We need to utilize them in order to bring light to our homes, to run automobiles and
other machineries, and to bring heat to buildings. The economic development of the nations also
depends on the energy sources which they can harness.

Nevertheless, while the different

energy sources have become useful in
our daily li ves, we must keep in mind
the environmental impacts of using
these energy sources. One of the global
issues that we are facing today is the
depletion of natural resources, which
includes non-renewable energy sources
li ke oil and petroleum.

Another issue that we are facing is

pollution. The use of fossil fuels can
release harmful toxins in the air we
Source: www.earthtimes.org breathe. There are also instances when oil leaks polluted
usable water, which caused illness among humans. And let
us not forget the number of wildlife which are affected by the building of power plants.

While governments and worldwide organizations are campaigning for ways to solve these
environmental problems, there are a lot of simple ways which we can do in order to conserve energy
and help save the environment. At home, for instance, you can save energy simply by turning off
appliances which you are not using. Turn off the lights when there is no one in the room. If you want to
travel somewhere within walking distance, try not to use the car so that you can save fuel.

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References:

Twidell, John and Weir Tony.Reneworble Energy Resources, 2 nd Edition.(2006). Retrieved from:
http:fimaxwe I I .sze.hut -Ma rcsajM egu iu lo E nergiaforra soklBooks/re newa bl e%2Clenergy%2Oresou ices. pd
f

Renewable Energy: An Overview. (March 2001). Retrieved from:

http://www.nrel.govidocsAyOlosti/27955.pdf

National Geographic Society. Non-Renewable Energy. Retrieved from:

http:fina tic halgeographic.orgiencyclopediainon-renewable-energy/

The National Academies. Our Energy Sources, Geothermal. Retrieved from:

http:fineedtoknow.nas.eduienergyienergy-sourcesirenewable-sourcesigeotherrnali