Energy Literacy
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U.S. Geological Survey Scientists have been studying methane hydrates for years, including this drill used to estimate how much there might be under the Arctic permafrost. Could the future of cleaner fossil fuel really be frozen crystals now trapped in ocean sediments and under permafrost?
US Reports 'Unprecedented' Success With Methane Hydrate
What lessons from the IT revolution should inform the future of energy technology? How can the information and communication technology industry address the energy issues it faces? Moderator - Vint Cerf , Google, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist Anita Jones , University of Virginia, Professor; ATS Corporation, Director Shwetak Patel , University of Washington, Assistant Professor George Rittenhouse , Alcatel-Lucent, Chief Operating Officer, Software, Services, and Solutions Group S.
Program
Historically, conventional natural gas deposits have been the most practical and easiest deposits to mine. However, as technology and geological knowledge advance, unconventional natural gas deposits are beginning to make up an increasingly large percent of the supply picture. So what exactly is unconventional gas? A precise answer to that question is hard to find. What was unconventional yesterday may, through some technological advance or ingenious new process, become conventional tomorrow.
NaturalGas.org
DOE - Fossil Energy: How Fossil Fuels Were Formed
Contrary to what many people believe, fossil fuels are not the remains of dead dinosaurs. In fact, most of the fossil fuels we find today were formed millions of years before the first dinosaurs. Fossil fuels, however, were once alive! They were formed from prehistoric plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Think about what the Earth must have looked like 300 million years or so ago. The land masses we live on today were just forming.
Solar cells can be used devices such as this portable monocrystalline solar charger. A monocrystalline solar cell A solar cell (also called a photovoltaic cell ) is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect . It is a form of photoelectric cell (in that its electrical characteristics—e.g. current, voltage, or resistance—vary when light is incident upon it) which, when exposed to light, can generate and support an electric current without being attached to any external voltage source.
Solar cell
Solar Simplified SRoeCo Solar is committed to simplifying solar to help you feel more comfortable in your decision to install solar. Browse freely.
Solar Panel Comparison, Most Efficient Solar Panels
So just how do we get electricity from water? Actually, hydroelectric and coal-fired power plants produce electricity in a similar way. In both cases a power source is used to turn a propeller-like piece called a turbine, which then turns a metal shaft in an electric generator , which is the motor that produces electricity. A coal-fired power plant uses steam to turn the turbine blades; whereas a hydroelectric plant uses falling water to turn the turbine.
Hydroelectric Power: How it works, USGS Water Science for Schools
How Do Wind Turbines Work
This article covers the topic of how wind turbines work , in order to provide a basic understanding on the process of electricity production from the wind. Firstly, it is important to understand the design of the two main types of wind turbines available today. It is significant to ask this question as the two main types of wind turbines are horizontal and vertical, and these designs use the wind in slightly different ways regarding the wind energy harnessing process.
This aerial view of a wind turbine plant shows how a group of wind turbines can make electricity for the utility grid. The electricity is sent through transmission and distribution lines to homes, businesses, schools, and so on. View the wind turbine animation to see how a wind turbine works or take a look inside . Wind is a form of solar energy and is a result of the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and the rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns and speeds vary greatly across the United States and are modified by bodies of water, vegetation, and differences in terrain.
Wind Program: How Wind Turbines Work
The Energy Story - Introduction
Energy is one of the most fundamental parts of our universe. We use energy to do work. Energy lights our cities. Energy powers our vehicles, trains, planes and rockets.As we learned in Chapter 2 , electricity flows through wires to light our lamps, run TVs, computers and all other electrical appliances. But where does the electricity come from? In this chapter, we'll learn how electricity is generated in a power plant. In the next few chapters, we'll learn about the various resources that are used to make the heat to produce electricity.
The Energy Story - Chapter 6: Turbines, Generators and Power Plants
Power Plants
Electricity is actually the flow or movement of electrons through a material. Electric generating plants typically produce electricity using magnetic conduction. This happens when a large number of conductive wires are spun around inside a magnetic field, causing electrons to move (i.e., electricity to flow). In a generating plant, the potential energy of various types of fuels (fossil, nuclear, or renewable) is converted into another form of energy (usually mechanical or heat energy). This energy is used to turn fan-like blades inside a turbine. These blades are attached to a pole-like shaft.Education Standards