Natural Resources: Fossil Fuels

Non-Renewable Resources

How We Make Electricity

We start with fossil fuels….1. which is burned to heat the water2. to turn the turbines3. to turn the generator4. which move the electricity made into

transformers5. that send electricity out into the “grid.”

Three Types of Fossil Fuels

• There are three states of matter.– Solid, liquid, gas

• And there are three types of fossil fuels:– Coal (solid, an organic sedimentary rock)– Petroleum/Oil (liquid)– Natural Gas (gas)

Where Fossil Fuels Come From

• All Fossil Fuels (FFs) are made from the remains of once living things.

• These remains collect over a long period of time and build up in a certain area.

• Over time, and with pressure, FFs are formed.

Coal

Coal is found in places that were once swamps. There are four different types.

Problems With Coal

• Very dirty (to touch and to burn)• Hard to get to• Inefficient• ~75% of power made from coal is lost before it gets to

the consumer (person who uses it)• Burning it makes lots of greenhouse gases• it does damage to mine workers, the land and

environment around the mine, and the air• Releases sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides that make

acid rain

Petroleum/Oil

• Found in places that were once oceans

• Made from decayed sea life• Used to make lots of stuff: all

plastics, oils and greases, synthetics

• Not as dirty as coal, but still dirty• Limited Supply –it’s running out!• People fight over it -a lot.

Uses for Petroleum

• Cosmetics• Ballpoint pens• Toothpaste• Rubber sneakers• Glue

Types of Offshore Oil and Gas Structures

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl8L4qSqSqE

Where is the Oil Produced?

Another look at oil production…

Worldwide Oil Consumption

The Editor, BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2009, BP Statistical Reviewof World Energy, June 2009, BP p.l.c., London, UK, viewed 10th September, 2009, <http://bp.com/statisticalreview>.

Natural Gas

• Made in the same places as we make oil• Made from the same decaying sea life as oil• Cleanest burning of the three fossil fuels• More efficient: Only about 10% of energy lost!• Still a LIMITED resource!

What is “Fracking?”

Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a way of getting natural gas related to deep well drilling. Once a well is drilled, millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are injected, under high pressure, into a well. The pressure fractures the shale and props open fissures that enable natural gas to flow more freely out of the well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY34PQUiwOQ

The Fracking Debate