Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

Sources of Energy

TEKS 5.7.C
Energy Sources
 Engage
• Which of the following slides show a source of
energy for our homes, cars, etc. ?
• As we scroll through the slides raise your hand
when you see one that shows a source of
energy.

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

 Amazon River Dam

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

 Coal

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

 Gasoline

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

 Nuclear Reactors

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

 Natural Gas

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

 Wind Turbines

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

 Wind Turbines

Generously supported by Marathon Oil Corporation

Sunflowers
Solar Collectors
Ocean Tides
Algea
Jatropha
Corn
Tree Waste
Geothermal Springs
Which were sources of energy?
• All of them were sources of energy.
• Now explore some of them with your lab groups.
 Let’s Explain
• Energy is the ability to do work.
• Alternative energy refers to energy sources,
which are not based on the burning of fossil
fuels or the splitting of atoms.
 Why should we use
alternative energy sources?
• Fossil fuel is non renewable and there is a
limited supply
• Fossil fuels pollute
• Nuclear power plants are too dangerous and
generate radioactive waste
Fossil Fuel Pollution
Nuclear Power Plant Disaster
Limited Supply
 Alternatives
• There are many means of harnessing energy,
which have less damaging impacts on our
environment.
• Here are some possible alternatives:
o Solar
o Wind
o Geothermal
o Biofuels
o Hydroelectric
 Solar

• The total energy we receive each year from the

sun is around 35,000 times the total energy
used by man.
• Solar energy is presently being used on a small
scale for homes, but it has the potential to be
used for much larger applications.
• Must have a sunny day to harvest this energy –
weather dependent
• It is non-polluting and will not run out.
 Wind
• Wind power is an alternative energy source
that does not pollute and will not run out.
• Like solar power, harnessing the wind is
highly dependent upon weather and
location.
 Geothermal
• Geothermal energy is obtained from the
internal heat of the planet and can be used
to generate steam to run a steam turbine.
This in turn generates electricity.
• Geothermal energy is also non-polluting and
should not run out.
 Biofuel
Unlike other renewable energy sources,
biomass can be converted directly into
liquid fuels, called "biofuels," to help
meet transportation fuel needs. The two
most common types of biofuels in use
today are ethanol and biodiesel.
 Ethanol
• Ethanol is an alcohol. It is most commonly made
by fermenting any biomass high in carbohydrates
through a process similar to beer brewing.
• Corn and sugar cane are commonly used for
ethanol production.
• Ethanol is mostly used as a blending agent with
gasoline to increase octane and cut down carbon
monoxide and other smog-causing emissions.
 Biodiesel
• Biodiesel is made by combining alcohol
(usually methanol) with vegetable oil, animal
fat, or recycled cooking grease. It can be used
as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions or
in its pure form as a renewable alternative
fuel for diesel engines.
• Algae is now being used to produce biodiesel.
 Hydroelectric
• Hydroelectricity comes from the damming of
rivers and utilizing the potential energy stored
in the water. As the water stored behind a dam
is released at high pressure, its kinetic energy is
transferred onto turbine blades and used to
generate electricity.
• This system has enormous costs up front, but
has relatively low maintenance costs and
provides power quite cheaply.
• Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source.