Energy Sources

Fuel

Something consumed to produce energy, especially: 1. A material such as wood, coal, gas, or oil burned to produce heat or power. 2. Material used in a nuclear reactor. 3. Nutrients used by a living organism; food.

Energy

The ability to do work or the ability to move an object.

Energy Conservation

The practice of decreasing the amount of energy used.

Solar Energy

The radiant energy of the sun, which can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or electricity.

Biofuels

Fuels made from biomass (plants). These are usually mixed with gasoline and diesel fuel. Some examples are biodiesel and ethanol.

Wind Energy

Energy from the movement of wind. Windmills and wind turbines use the force of wind to spin their blades and produce energy.

Renewable Energy

Energy sources can be replenished (made again) in a short period of time. Sunlight, wind, water, geothermal, and plants are all examples of renewable energy sources.

Non-Renewable Energy

Energy sources that can't be replenished (made again) in a short period of time. These energy sources come out of the ground as liquids, gases and solids. Oil, natural gas, coal and uranium are all examples of non-renewable energy sources.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in a substance and released during a chemical reaction such as burning wood, coal, or oil.

Fossil Fuel

Fuel consisting of the remains of organisms preserved in rocks in the Earth's crust with high carbon and hydrogen content.

Geothermal Energy

The heat energy that is produced by natural processes inside the earth. It can be taken from hot springs, reservoirs of hot water deep below the ground, or by breaking open the rock itself.

Hydropower

Energy that comes from moving water. The force of the water pushes on blades in a turbine and produces electricity.

Oil

A black, liquid fossil fuel found deep in the Earth. Gasoline and most plastics are made from oil. It is formed from the remains of animals and plants that lived millions of years ago.

Photovoltaic Cells

A device that converts energy from light into electricity.

Coal

A fossil fuel formed by the breakdown of vegetable material trapped underground for millions of years.

Ethanol

A fuel made from the sugars found in grains, such as corn, sorghum, and wheat, as well as potato skins, rice, sugar cane, sugar beets, and yard clippings.

Carbon Footprint

A measure of how our daily activities affect the environment. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases we release into the world through burning fossil fuels. For instance, driving our cars, heating our homes, and using electricity all contribute to the release of greenhouse gases. Even buying food and clothes affect the amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment.

Biomass Energy

A renewable source of energy that is made from plant material and animal waste.

Wind Turbines

A rotating device, like a windmill, that converts the movement of air into electricity.

Atmosphere

All the gases surrounding the Earth, which help make life possible.