Note: This article is a supplementary read to “Why is My Laptop On?” tailored for those striving to grasp energy in a simpler way.

In our current times, terms like clean energy, solar power, fossil fuels, carbon emissions, oil prices, and fracking are prevalent. While some of these terms may be clear, others might leave you puzzled.

Here’s a brief overview of the primary energy sources shaping today’s world and a glimpse into each one.

Let’s first delve into what is likely not fueling the gadget you’re using to read this—

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy, also known as Green Energy or Clean Energy, garners positivity for its sustainability and eco-friendliness. It taps into resources like water, wind, sunlight, and replenishable sources such as wood, causing minimal harm to the environment comparatively.

Despite its green appeal, renewable energy remains a small fraction of the global energy mix. Challenges like cost-effectiveness and scalability hinder its widespread adoption, with only about 19% of the world’s energy coming from renewable sources. The cleanest types contribute merely around 1% to global energy consumption:

Let’s now explore the main renewable energy categories—

Biomass

Biomass energy involves burning living or recently living organisms or converting them into fuel. Common examples include burning wood or converting corn into ethanol fuel.

Biomass energy, while often overlooked in discussions on clean energy, constitutes a significant portion of global renewable energy. However, unlike other renewables, biomass contributes to carbon dioxide emissions and demands substantial soil usage, with its resources falling short of the infinite nature of wind, water, or solar power.

Hydropower

Hydropower stands out as another prominent renewable energy source, supplying almost 4% of the world’s energy and over 8% of the US’s electricity. It operates by leveraging the force of gravity through dams positioned in the path of falling or rushing water. The water’s movement through the dam rotates a turbine, generating electricity that is then transmitted into the power grid.

This mechanism of turbine-induced electricity generation forms the backbone of most power plants and is the primary source of electricity utilized today.

Wind

Wind energy, dedicated solely to electricity generation, contributes about 0.5% of the world’s energy consumption. Offering a clean and harmless energy alternative, wind power has experienced substantial growth and holds a significant share in some regions (e.g., Denmark, which derives over a quarter of its electricity from wind).

Solar

Solar power garners much attention for its potential but presently only fulfills around 0.3% of the world’s energy consumption, either as electricity or heat. Ongoing research and innovation in solar technology position it as the fastest-growing renewable energy source globally.

The land area required to power the entire world with solar panels is surprisingly minimal. As depicted in the image below, covering a modest surface with solar panels could potentially satisfy the world’s energy needs:³

Geothermal

Geothermal power plants utilize natural steam vented from the Earth’s hot depths to rotate turbines and generate electricity. Geothermal energy, akin to solar, finds applications in heating besides electricity production. Presently, geothermal energy accounts for about 0.2% of the world’s energy consumption.

Shifting from milder options, let’s dive into a contender possibly fueling the device you’re using—

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy taps into the immense power of nuclear fission, the process of splitting heavy atoms to yield energy for electricity generation.

Nuclear energy remains a topic of debate. Its proponents often categorize it as a renewable energy source, championing its sustainability and environmental benefits due to reduced emissions. Conversely, critics cite catastrophic incidents, hazardous waste disposal, high costs, and proliferation risks, advocating against nuclear power.

Notably, the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster following a tsunami sparked global concerns, leading some nations like Germany and Italy to curtail or ban nuclear energy use altogether.

Despite such challenges, historical data indicates that nuclear energy, per energy unit generated, has resulted in fewer fatalities compared to other major energy sources. Moreover, the highly efficient energy output from a minimal amount of uranium-235, devoid of CO₂ emissions, presents a compelling case for exploring nuclear energy further.

As of 2011, nuclear energy contributed to 2.8% of global energy consumption, with over 8% supplying energy in the US, primarily in the form of electricity.

Transitioning to the heavyweights of energy production—

Fossil Fuels

Among energy sources, fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, stand out as major contributors, accounting for approximately 78% of global energy consumption (rising to 82% in the US). Chances are, the device you’re using relies on fossil fuels for its operation.

Fossil fuels played a pivotal role in propelling the Industrial Revolution, enhancing living standards worldwide and propelling society into modernity. However, their use has resulted in numerous environmental crises, including global warming, acid rain, oil spills, and health hazards.

The impact of burning fossil fuels raises pertinent questions about its repercussions, the future outlook, and necessary actions. Examining the origins and characteristics of fossil fuels highlights their fundamental role in meeting energy demands:

Coal: Comprising a black sedimentary rock forming coal beds underground, coal primarily serves electricity production. Despite its abundance and affordability, coal is notorious for emissions, releasing significantly more CO₂ than oil or natural gas per heat unit.

Oil: Crude oil, or petroleum, constitutes a significant energy source derived from underground reservoirs. Following extraction, crude oil undergoes refinement, yielding various products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Globally, oil predominantly fuels transportation systems as opposed to electricity generation.

Natural Gas: Predominantly gaseous methane found in subterranean pockets or shale rock formations, natural gas serves household needs and power generation, constituting nearly 20% of US electricity. Recent advancements in extraction techniques, notably hydraulic fracturing or fracking, have bolstered natural gas production but raised environmental concerns.

Fossil fuels encapsulate the Earth’s ancient organic remnants, offering an extensive history that, once depleted, cannot be replenished at a comparable rate, making them a non-renewable resource.

Exploring the remaining reserves for these fossil fuels reveals the following estimates by the US Energy Information Administration:¹⁰

• Coal: Approximately 905 billion metric tons or 4,416 billion barrels equivalent to 702.1km³
• Oil: Around 3,740 billion barrels, inclusive of Canadian and Venezuelan oil sands, totaling 595km³
• Natural Gas: Estimated at 181 trillion cubic meters, equivalent to 1,161 billion barrels or 184.6 km³ of oil.

Summing these figures up reveals the global reserves for these fossil fuels stand at approximately 1,481 km³, indicating a finite resource pool awaiting consumption. To put this into perspective, a cube measuring 11.3 km or 7 miles per side would encompass all remaining fossil fuels on Earth.

Projecting forward, considering current consumption rates, this fossil fuel reservoir equates to an energetic cube measuring approximately 2.4 km or 1.5 miles per side, aligning closely with downtown Manhattan’s dimensions. This forecast underscores the challenges posed by finite fossil fuel supplies and underscores the urgency for sustainable energy alternatives moving forward.

Lastly, a visual representation¹¹ illustrating US energy sources and consumption in 2012 offers insights into energy utilization and wastage, reflecting the intricate dynamics of energy distribution and consumption:

Sources

1. US Energy Information Administration
2.Renewables 2010 Global Status Report, p. 15
3. Land Art Generator Initiative
4. James J. MacKenzie. Review of The Nuclear Power Controversy by Arthur W. Murphy The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 467-468
5. Sturgis, Sue. “Investigation: Revelations about Three Mile Island disaster raise doubts over nuclear plant safety”
6. “Natural Gas and the Environment”
7. World Energy Council – Survey of Energy Resources 2010
8. BP Statistical Review Year-End 2004
9. www.theglobaleducationproject.org
10. World Proved Reserves of Oil and Natural Gas, Most Recent Estimates
11. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory– Flowcharts

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