Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Midterms Module 3 Earth Science Energy Resources
Midterms Module 3 Earth Science Energy Resources
Outline:
1. Introduction
2. Type of Energy Resources
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Energy Resources
4. Energy Resources and Environmental Sustainability
5. Environmental Impacts and Energy
6. Importance of Renewable Energy Resources and Technologies For Sustainable Development
Learning Objectives:
After completing the module, the students should be able to:
Cite ways to address the different environmental concerns related to the use fossil fuels, geothermal
energy, and hydroelectric energy.
Energy is the convertible currency of technology. Without energy the whole fabric of society as
we know it would crumble; the effect of a 24-h cut in electricity supplies to a city shows how totally
dependent we are on that particularly useful form of energy. Computers and lifts cease to function,
hospitals sink to a care and maintenance level and the lights go out. As populations grow, many faster
than the average 2%, the need for more and more energy is exacerbated. Enhanced lifestyle and
energy demand rise together and the wealthy industrialized economies which contain 25% of the
world's population consume 75% of the world's energy supply.
Energy sources can be classified into two types: nonrenewable and renewable. Nonrenewable
resources, such as fossil fuels and nuclear material, are removed from the earth and can be depleted.
These resources have been the most used type of energy in the modern era.
Renewable resources, such as wind, water, solar, and geothermal, come from sources that
regenerate as fast as they are consumed and are continuously available. Some, such as biofuel
produced from food crops and other plants, are replenished every growing season. In the early part
of the twenty-first century, renewable sources have become more popular as nonrenewable sources
have begun to be depleted.
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata
in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be
regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure.
Coal is composed primarily of carbon along with variable quantities of other elements, chiefly
hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Source: https://empoweryourknowledgeandhappytrivia.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/
Coalification
also known as carbonification is the formation of coal from plant material by the processes of
diagenesis and metamorphism.
Oil
Crude oil, a liquid composed mainly of carbon and hydrogen, is often black, but exists in a variety
of colors and viscosities depending on its chemical composition. Much of it formed during the Mesozoic
period, between 252 and 66 million years ago, as plankton, algae, and other matter sank to the bottom
of ancient seas and was eventually buried.
Earth Science
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Science, Technology, Engineering and, Mathematics
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Source: http://www.openlearningworld.com/World_Geography/imgs/figure_7.3.3.jpg
Natural gas
An odorless gas composed primarily of methane, natural gas often lies in deposits that, like
those for coal and oil, formed millions of years ago from decaying plant matter and organisms.
Self-Assessment Questions
Solar
This form of energy relies on the nuclear fusion power from
the core of the Sun. This energy can be collected and converted
in a few different ways. The range is from solar water heating with
solar collectors or attic cooling with solar attic fans for domestic
use to the complex technologies of direct conversion of sunlight
to electrical energy using mirrors and boilers or photovoltaic cells.
Unfortunately, these are currently insufficient to fully power our
modern society.
Wind Power
The movement of the atmosphere is driven by differences
of temperature at the Earth's surface due to varying temperatures
of the Earth's surface when lit by sunlight. Wind energy can be
used to pump water or generate electricity but requires extensive
areal coverage to produce significant amounts of energy.
Hydroelectric energy
This form uses the gravitational potential of elevated water
that was lifted from the oceans by sunlight. It is not strictly speaking
renewable since all reservoirs eventually fill up and require very
expensive excavation to become useful again. At this time, most
of the available locations for hydroelectric dams are already used
in the developed world.
Earth Science
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Science, Technology, Engineering and, Mathematics
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Biomass
Biomass is the term for energy from plants. Energy in this form is very commonly used throughout
the world. Unfortunately, the most popular is the burning of trees for cooking and warmth. This process
releases copious amounts of carbon dioxide gases into the atmosphere and is a major contributor to
unhealthy air in many areas. Some of the more modern forms of biomass energy are methane
generation and production of alcohol for automobile fuel and fueling electric power plants.
Geothermal power.
Geothermal energy is the heat that comes from the sub-surface of the earth. It is contained in
the rocks and fluids beneath the earth’s crust and can be found as far down to the earth’s hot molten
rock, magma. To produce power from geothermal energy, wells are dug a mile deep into underground
reservoirs to access the steam and hot water there, which can then be used to drive turbines
connected to electricity generators.
Self-Assessment Questions
1. What are the renewable energy resources that is found in our country? Why is the Philippines
struggling in managing its different renewable energy resources? Cite engineering
challenges of renewable energy.
Earth Science
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Science, Technology, Engineering and, Mathematics
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Other environmental considerations have been given increasing attention by energy industries
and the public. The concept that consumers share responsibility for pollution and its cost has been
increasingly accepted. Simultaneously, concern will likely increase regarding energy-related
environmental concerns such as acid precipitation, stratospheric ozone depletion and global climate
change.
One solution to the impending energy shortage is to make much more use of renewable energy
sources and technologies. This cause is sometimes espoused with a fervor which leads to
extravagant and impossible claims being made. Engineering practicality, reliability,
applicability, economy, scarcity of supply and public acceptability should all be considered
accordingly. All are possible sources of energy but though the science is understood, it does not
follow that provided enough research money is poured into the project an engineering solution
should be found appropriately.
Air pollution is one of the aspects of the environmental problems. The following pollution
agents are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, dust and aerosols, carbon dioxide,
chlorofluorocarbons, steam-laden emissions, and meteorological inversion. Air pollution is
not the only aspect of the environmental problems created by the energy sectors.
Earth Science
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Science, Technology, Engineering and, Mathematics
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
Water pollution includes any detrimental alteration of surface waters, underground water,
or the marine environment with a thermal or material pollution. Water polluting agents can
be solid, liquid, or gaseous that detrimentally alters the natural conditions of waters.
CONCEPTS AT A GLANCE
1. Renewable energy, often referred to as clean energy, comes from natural sources or
processes that are constantly replenished. Meanwhile, nonrenewable sources of energy
are only available in limited amounts and take a long time to replenish.
2. There are different types of the renewable energy like solar energy, wind energy,
hydroelectric energy, biomass energy, and tidal energy.
3. Despite the advantages of these technology, it still holds disadvantages to our
environment.
Reference/s:
Sia, S.R. and L.A. Cortez.(2016).Earth and life science.Quezon Ave., Quezon City.Sibs Publishing House, Inc.
Dincer, I. (2000). Renewable energy and sustainable development: a crucial review. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 4(2), 157–175. doi:10.1016/s1364-0321(99)00011-8
Akella, A. K., Saini, R. P., & Sharma, M. P. (2009). Social, economical and environmental impacts of renewable
energy systems. Renewable Energy, 34(2), 390–396. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2008.05.002