Energy Resource Types

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Energy resource types are different from types of energy. Energy resource types refer to the origin of the
energy source itself, while types of energy refer to different types of potential (chemical, electrical, etc.)
and kinetic (heat, sound, etc.) energy.

In this lesson, we'll look at energy resources types. As you go through the lesson, be thinking about the
implications of the qualities of these energy resources on energy policy.

Generally, we can break energy into two broad categories of resources - non-renewable and renewable.

Non-renewable energy resources

These resources have formed over millions of years of geological processes, and we're using them faster
than they can be naturally replenished. Examples include fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural
gas. We currently depend on non-renewables to meet most of our energy demands, extracting and
combusting them primarily to generate electricity or develop fuels for transportation.

While we often consider nuclear power as an alternative energy option, it is important to remember that
while its carbon output is very low compared to fossil fuels, nuclear fission is still a non-renewable
resource.

Coal

A combustible sedimentary rock made up mostly of carbon and hydrocarbon, coal is the most
abundantly used fossil fuel worldwide for the generation of electricity. In the United States,
approximately 93% of the coal consumed is used to generate electricity (EIA website). The steel,
concrete, and paper industries also rely heavily on coal for both heat and byproducts. The combustion of
coal results in almost 3 times as many CO2 emissions as the amount of coal combusted - burn a pound of
coal, emit almost 3 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a gas that is made up mostly of methane and found near other fossil fuels, like coal.
Methanogenic processes occurring in landfills and marshes also produce natural gas. Like petroleum,
natural gas must first be processed before we can use it as a fuel. It is important to remove most of the
other components of natural gas until it is almost purely methane. When combusted, natural gas
produces only about half the greenhouse gas emissions as coal does, making it a popular fossil fuel in
our increasingly carbon-conscious society. Take a look at these oil- and gas-related maps to learn more
about natural gas production and reserves in the United States.

Petroleum

Petroleum is a toxic, flammable liquid occurring in geologic formations beneath the earth's surface (also
known as crude oil). We use oil for a wide variety of things - the largest use of petroleum is for fuel oil
and gasoline. But, you'll find petroleum in places you might not expect it as well - pharmaceuticals,
plastics, asphalt, kerosene, and synthetic rubber, to name a few. Like natural gas, petroleum must be
processed before we can utilize it. Crude oil naturally contains many different types of hydrocarbons, all
with different boiling points. So, to process the oil for a specific application, the crude must be heated to
a specific temperature range.

Uranium

Uranium is a very heavy, fissile metal (U-235) that can be caused to split in a fission chain reaction,
producing tremendous quantities of heat which can then be used to generate electricity. Because the
reaction of one nucleus capturing another neutron sets off another 2-3 reactions, the resulting chain
reaction is exponential and allows us to generate a substantial amount of heat with a relatively small
amount of uranium. After extraction, uranium must be processed before we can start the fission process.
Most reactors utilize uranium that has been finely ground and then gasified to uranium hexafluoride
which is then converted to pellets of uranium dioxide. While nuclear power offers us a greenhouse gas
emission-free source of energy, the concerns associated with reactor failure and long-term storage of
spent fuel present significant barriers to widespread adoption.

Renewable energy resources

Renewable energy resources are those sources of energy which can be replenished and are not depleted
because of our consumption. Renewable resources include wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, tidal,
and biomass energy. Nuclear fusion also falls into this category. Typically, renewable energy resources
have much lower greenhouse gas and other emissions associated with use.

But if renewable energy resources are cleaner and offer a sustainable supply of energy, why have we
traditionally relied so heavily on non-renewable energy resources like fossil fuels?
inexpensive

in abundant supply

storable

Wind

We can put wind to work by utilizing it to power turbines that generate electricity. The blades of the
turbines turn a shaft which then powers a series of gears that feed into a generator and produce
electricity. Wind turbines can be situated on agricultural or forested land, so there's little or no need to
clear new areas of land to site wind fields. Some people take issue with the noise and visual pollution of
the wind turbines. There are also concerns about bird and bat mortality. Watch the Wind Turbines video
to learn more about how wind energy works.

Solar

Harnessing energy from the sun epitomizes the idea of a renewable energy source. We can use solar
energy to heat water or homes and it can be converted into electricity. Currently, converting solar energy
to electricity either occurs with the use of photovoltaic cells or solar power plants. The PV cells are able
to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar power plants use the solar energy to produce steam to
operate a generator. Like wind energy, however, solar energy is limited in availability based on localized
weather conditions, and it can be challenging to store the energy generated.

Geothermal

The core of the Earth generates a tremendous amount of heat, and in many places around the world
(particularly near tectonically active areas), we can harness that heat in wells and bring it to the surface
to heat and cool homes and buildings. Like solar and wind, geothermal power can be captured at an
individual level - you install a geothermal heat pump to cool and heat your home - or at a more
centralized scale by using dry steam or hot water to generate electricity. Since no fuel is combusted, the
plants release no greenhouse gas emissions like a traditional fossil fuel plant would. There are minor
emissions of compounds responsible for acid rain.

Biomass

Biomass energy encompasses a broad range of fuels including wood and other plant material, food
waste, garbage, and manure. In the case of wood and plant material, it can be processed and combusted
for a beneficial end use such as generating electricity or firing a boiler. With food waste and manure, the
gases resulting from the processes of decomposition of these materials can be harnessed and
combusted for a beneficial end use. Utilizing biomass for energy not only provides us with a renewable
energy source but often allows us to put a material that would otherwise be considered waste to a good
use. It's important to remember that while a renewable energy source, biomass fuels each have their
own set of environmental impacts to consider.

Hydropower

Water is stored in a reservoir, generating a lot of potential energy. Then it is forced through a dam,
turning a turbine, which then turns a generator to produce electricity. Used water is then returned to the
river. While much work has been done to ensure that hydroelectric power has minimal negative impact
on the environment (including the ability of hydropower facilities to earn a low-impact rating), it is
important to recognize the ecosystem disruptions this energy resource can cause. Damming a river and
utilizing the water to generate electricity alters the aquatic and riparian ecosystems, can limit the ability
of fish to navigate across their natural habitat extent and can change the temperature and composition
of the river itself.