08. Energy Resources and Consumption Free Online FlashCards

What kind of energy source is electricity?

Electricity is a secondary energy source, or energy carrier, produced by converting primary energy into electrical power.

What defines a nonrenewable energy source?

A nonrenewable resource forms much more slowly than humans consume it, so its available stock is finite on human time scales.

What are major environmental impacts of coal?

Coal combustion produces carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, mercury, and ash; mining can also damage land, water, and habitat.

Why is methane leakage a concern for natural gas?

Methane leakage during natural-gas production and transportation is a major concern because methane is a powerful greenhouse gas.

How does conventional nuclear power release energy?

Nuclear fission releases energy when heavy atomic nuclei, commonly uranium-235, split. The resulting heat is used to produce steam and electricity.

What makes an energy source renewable?

A renewable energy source is replenished naturally on a human time scale, but its availability is still limited by rate, location, and conditions.

Which generation technology converts sunlight directly into electricity?

Solar PV converts sunlight directly into electrical current through semiconductor cells, without using a turbine.

What is the basic sequence of electricity delivery?

The electricity pathway is Generation → Transmission → Distribution → End use.

How do capacity and generation differ?

Capacity is a facility’s maximum possible power output. Generation is the amount of electricity it actually produces over time.

What is demand response?

Demand response shifts electricity use to different times, helping grid operators balance changing supply and demand.

What is the formula for energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency = useful output or energy service ÷ energy input. A higher ratio means more service is obtained from each unit of input energy.

What is energy conservation?

Energy conservation reduces energy use through behavior or reduced consumption of a service, such as turning off unused lights, walking, or driving less.