Energy makes change possible. We use it to do things for us.

It moves cars along the road and boats over the water. It bakes a cake in the oven and keeps ice frozen in the freezer. It plays our favorite songs on the radio and lights our homes. Energy is needed for our bodies to grow and it allows our minds to think. Scientists define energy as the ability to do work. Modern civilization is possible because we have learned how to change energy from one form to another and use it to do work for us and to live more comfortably. Forms of Energy Energy forms are either potential or kinetic. Potential energy comes in forms that are stored including chemical, gravitational, mechanical, and nuclear. Kinetic energy forms are doing work like electrical, heat, light, motion, and sound. Energy is found in different forms including light, heat, chemical, and motion. There are many forms of energy, but they can all be put into two categories: potential and kinetic Potential Energy Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position gravitational energy. There are several forms of potential energy.

Kinetic Energy Kinetic energy is motion of waves, molecules, objects, substances, and objects. Energy Sources Can be Categorized As Renewable or Nonrenewable When we use electricity in our home, the electrical power was probably generated by burning coal, by a nuclear reaction, or by a hydroelectric plant at a dam. Therefore, coal, nuclear and hydro are called energy sources. When we fill up a gas tank, the source might be petroleum or ethanol made by growing and processing corn. Energy sources are divided into two groups renewable (an energy source that can be easily replenished) and nonrenewable (an energy source that we are using up and cannot recreate). Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources can be used to produce secondary energy sources including electricity and hydrogen.

Renewable Energy Renewable energy sources include:

Solar energy from the sun, which can be turned into electricity and heat Wind Geothermal energy from heat inside the Earth Biomass from plants, which includes firewood from trees, ethanol from corn, and biodiesel from vegetable oil Hydropower from hydroturbines at a dam

We get most of our energy from nonrenewable energy sources, which include the fossil fuels oil, natural gas, and coal. They're called fossil fuels because they were formed over millions and millions of years by the action of heat from the Earth's core and pressure from rock and soil on the remains (or "fossils") of dead plants and creatures like microscopic diatoms. Another nonrenewable energy source is the element uranium, whose atoms we split (through a process called nuclear fission) to create heat and ultimately electricity. We use renewable and nonrenewable energy sources to generate the electricity we need for our homes, businesses, schools, and factories. Electricity "energizes" our computers, lights, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, to name only a few uses. Most of the gasoline used in our cars and motorcycles and the diesel fuel used in our trucks are made from petroleum oil, a nonrenewable resource. Natural gas, used to heat homes, dry clothes, and cook food, is nonrenewable. The propane that fuels our outdoor grills made from oil and natural gas, both nonrenewable. Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). In 2006, about 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass, such as wood-burning. Hydroelectricity was the next largest renewable source, providing 3% of global energy consumption and 15% of global electricity generation. Wind power is growing at the rate of 30 percent annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of 121,000 megawatts (MW) in 2008, and is widely used in European countries and the United States. The annual manufacturing output of the photovoltaics industry reached 6,900 MW in 2008, and photovoltaic (PV) power stations are popular in Germany and Spain. Solar thermal power stations operate in the USA and Spain, and the largest of these is the 354 MW SEGS power plant in the Mojave Desert. The world's largest geothermal power installation is The Geysers in California, with a rated capacity of 750 MW. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18 percent of the country's automotive fuel. Ethanol fuel is also widely available in the USA

While most renewable energy projects and production is large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to small off-grid applications, sometimes in rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development. Kenya has the world's highest household solar ownership rate with roughly 30,000 small (20100 watt) solar power systems sold per year Some renewable-energy technologies are criticized for being intermittent or unsightly, yet the renewable-energy market continues to grow. Climate-change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable-energy legislation, incentives and commercialization. New government spending, regulation and policies should help the industry weather the 2009 economic crisis better than many other sectors Main Forms Sources Of Renewable Energy The majority of renewable energy technologies are powered by the sun. The EarthAtmosphere system is in equilibrium such that heat radiation into space is equal to incoming solar radiation, the resulting level of energy within the Earth-Atmosphere system can roughly be described as the Earth's "climate." The hydrosphere (water) absorbs a major fraction of the incoming radiation. Most radiation is absorbed at low latitudes around the equator, but this energy is dissipated around the globe in the form of winds and ocean currents. Wave motion may play a role in the process of transferring mechanical energy between the atmosphere and the ocean through wind stress. Solar energy is also responsible for the distribution of precipitation which is tapped by hydroelectric projects, and for the growth of plants used to create biofuels. Renewable energy flows involve natural phenomena such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat, as the International Energy Agency explains:
Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources.

Each of these sources has unique characteristics which influence how and where they are used. Renewable Energy Commercialization When comparing renewable energy sources with each other and with conventional power sources, three main factors must be considered:

capital costs (including, for nuclear energy, waste-disposal and decommissioning costs); operating and maintenance costs; fuel costs (for fossil-fuel and biomass sourcesfor wastes, these costs may actually be negative).

These costs are all brought together, using discounted cash flow, here. Inherently, renewables are on a decreasing cost curve, while non-renewables are on an increasing cost curve. In 2009, costs are comparable among wind, nuclear, coal, and natural gas, but for CSPconcentrating solar powerand PV (photovoltaics) they are somewhat higher. There are additional costs for renewables in terms of increased grid interconnection to allow for variability of weather and load, but these have been shown in the pan-European case to be quite lowoverall, wind energy costs about the same as present-day power. Wind power is growing at the rate of 30 percent annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of over 100 GW, and is widely used in several European countries and the United States. The manufacturing output of the photovoltaics industry reached more than 2,000 MW in 2006, and photovoltaic (PV) power stations are particularly popular in Germany and Spain. Solar thermal power stations operate in the USA and Spain, and the largest of these is the 354 MW SEGS power plant in the Mojave Desert. The world's largest geothermal power installation is The Geysers in California, with a rated capacity of 750 MW. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18 percent of the country's automotive fuel. Ethanol fuel is also widely available in the USA. Developing Country Markets Renewable energy can be particularly suitable for developing countries. In rural and remote areas, transmission and distribution of energy generated from fossil fuels can be difficult and expensive. Producing renewable energy locally can offer a viable alternative. Renewable energy projects in many developing countries have demonstrated that renewable energy can directly contribute to poverty alleviation by providing the energy needed for creating businesses and employment. Renewable energy technologies can also make indirect contributions to alleviating poverty by providing energy for cooking, space heating, and lighting. Renewable energy can also contribute to education, by providing electricity to schools. Kenya is the world leader in the number of solar power systems installed per capita (but not the number of watts added). More than 30,000 very small solar panels, each producing 12 to 30 watts, are sold in Kenya annually. For an investment of as little as $100 for the panel and wiring, the PV system can be used to charge a car battery, which can then provide power to run a fluorescent lamp or a small television for a few hours a day. More Kenyans adopt solar power every year than make connections to the countrys electric grid

Potential Future Utilization Sustainable development and global warming groups propose a 100% Renewable Energy Source Supply, without fossil fuels and nuclear power. Scientists from the University of Kassel have suggested that Germany can power itself entirely by renewable energy. Energy Crises An energy crisis is any great bottleneck (or price rise) in the supply of energy resources to an economy. In popular literature though, it often refers to one of the energy sources used at a certain time and place. Causes Market failure is possible when monopoly manipulation of markets occurs. A crisis can develop due to industrial actions like union organized strikes and government embargoes. The cause may be over-consumption, aging infrastructure, choke point disruption or bottlenecks at oil refineries and port facilities that restrict fuel supply. An emergency may emerge during unusually cold winters due to increased consumption of energy. Pipeline failures and other accidents may cause minor interruptions to energy supplies. A crisis could possibly emerge after infrastructure damage from severe weather. Attacks by terrorists or militia on important infrastructure are a possible problem for energy consumers, with a successful strike on a Middle East facility potentially causing global shortages. Political events, for example, when governments change due to regime change, monarchy collapse, military occupation, and coup may disrupt oil and gas production and create shortages. Emerging Shortages Crises that exist as of 2008 include:

Oil price increases since 2003 - Caused by continued global increases in petroleum demand coupled with production stagnation, the falling value of the U.S. dollar, and a myriad of other secondary causes. 2008 Central Asia energy crisis, caused by abnormally cold temperatures and low water levels in an area dependent on hydroelectric power. Despite having significant hydrocarbon reserves, in February 2008 the President of Pakistan announced plans to tackle energy shortages that were reaching crisis stage. At the same time the South African President was appeasing fears of a prolonged electricity crisis in South Africa. South African electrical crisis. The South African crisis, which may last to 2012, lead to large price rises for platinum in February 2008and reduced gold production. China experienced severe energy shortages towards the end of 2005 and again in early 2008. During the latter crisis they suffered severe damage to power

networks along with diesel and coal shortages. Supplies of electricity in Guangdong province, the manufacturing hub of China, are predicted to fall short by an estimated 10 GW. It has been predicted that in the coming years after 2009 that the United Kingdom will suffer an energy crisis due to it's commitments to reduce coal fired power stations, it's politician's unwillingness to set up new nuclear power stations to replaces those that will be de-commissioned in a few years (even though they will not be running in time to stop a full blown crisis) and unreliable sources and sources that are running out of oil and gas. It is therefore predicted that the UK may have regular blackouts like South Africa

Social & Economic Effect The macroeconomic implications of a supply shock-induced energy crisis are large, because energy is the resource used to exploit all other resources. When energy markets fail, an energy shortage develops. Electricity consumers may experience intentionallyengineered rolling blackouts which are released during periods of insufficient supply or unexpected power outages, regardless of the cause. Industrialized nations are dependent on oil, and efforts to restrict the supply of oil would have an adverse effect on the economies of oil producers. For the consumer, the price of natural gas, gasoline (petrol) and diesel for cars and other vehicles rises. An early response from stakeholders is the call for reports, investigations and commissions into the price of fuels. There are also movements towards the development of more sustainable urban infrastructure. In the market, new technology and energy efficiency measures become desirable for consumers seeking to decrease transport costs. Examples include:

In 1980 Briggs & Stratton developed the first gasoline hybrid electric automobile; also are appearing plug-in hybrids. the growth of advanced biofuels. innovations like the Dahon, a folding bicycle modernized and electrifying passenger transport Railway electrification systems and new engines such as the Ganz-Mavag locomotive variable compression ratio for vehicles

Other responses include the development of unconventional oil sources such as synthetic fuel from places like the Athabasca Oil Sands, more renewable energy commercialization and use of alternative propulsion. There may be a Relocation trend towards local foods and possibly microgeneration, solar thermal collectors and other green energy sources.

Tourism trends change and ownership of gas-guzzlers vary, both because of increases to fuel costs which are passed on to customers. Items which were not so popular gain favour, such as nuclear power plants and the blanket sleeper, a garment to keep children warm. Building construction techniques change to reduce heating costs, potentially through increased insulation. Crisis Management An electricity shortage is felt most by those who depend on electricity for their heating, cooking and water supply. In these circumstances a sustained energy crisis may become a humanitarian crisis. If an energy shortage is prolonged a crisis management phase is enforced by authorities. Energy audits may be conducted to monitor usage. Various curfews with the intention of increasing energy conservation may be initiated to reduce consumption. To conserve power during the Central Asia energy crisis, authorities in Tajikistan ordered bars and cafes to operate by candlelight. Warnings issued that peak demand power supply might not be sustained. In the worst kind of energy crisis energy rationing and fuel rationing may be incurred. Panic buying may beset outlets as awareness of shortages spread. Facilities close down to save on heating oil; and factories cut production and lay off workers. The risk of stagflation increases. Future & Alternative Energy Sources In response to the petroleum crisis, the principles of green energy and sustainable living movements gain popularity. This has led to increasing interest in alternate power/fuel research such as fuel cell technology, liquid nitrogen economy, hydrogen fuel, methanol, biodiesel, Karrick process, solar energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, wave power, and wind energy, and fusion power. To date, only hydroelectricity and nuclear power have been significant alternatives to fossil fuel. Hydrogen gas is currently produced at a net energy loss from natural gas, which is also experiencing declining production in North America and elsewhere. When not produced from natural gas, hydrogen still needs another source of energy to create it, also at a loss during the process. This has led to hydrogen being regarded as a 'carrier' of energy, like electricity, rather than a 'source'. The unproven dehydrogenating process has also been suggested for the use water as an energy source. Efficiency mechanisms such as Negawatt power can encourage significantly more effective use of current generating capacity. It is a term used to describe the trading of increased efficiency, using consumption efficiency to increase available market supply rather than by increasing plant generation capacity. As such, it is a demand-side as opposed to a supply-side measure.

Alternative Energy Sources Development How Are We Doing? Not Enough Effort To Develop Alternative Energy Sources.. Improvement in efforts to develop energy sources have not been nearly enough replace our dwindling oil reserves. This is particularly true of the U.S. which consumes the most fossil fuels but where the prevailing opinion among many citizens appears to be that there is no energy crisis that can't be cured by developing the oil deposits of the Arctic Refuge in Alaska or by increased offshore drilling. I don't believe that line of reasoning is correct. In the long run, we won't be able to drill ourselves out of the energy crisis. (But drilling helps!) Adjusting To Higher Fuel Price Meantime, the Hummers are humming away and pickup trucks are getting so large that one has trouble seeing over the top of the truck beds. Gasoline and other fuel costs are up over the levels that existed several years ago, but most people have adjusted to higher gasoline prices fairly well, particularly with the recent fuel price decreases because of the deepening recession. But what about the really big fuel price increases that will hit in the future as the depressed economy recovers. Out of the public eye, there is obviously a little more awareness of the energy crisis among the nation's leaders as witness the occupation of oil-rich Iraq because of "WMD's" when the major issue was actually control of the Middle East's vast oil reserves. Conventional (Non-renewable) Energy Sources. Crude oil, coal, and natural gas. Crude oil is the most used of the three fuels and we are beginning to run out. When world Peak Oil (maximum production of oil) is reached, prices of the fuel will skyrocket. This is the fuel we must quickly find a substitute for. Coal is more abundant than crude oil but the atmospheric emissions problems with its use are severe and, therefore, its use is restricted. Natural gas is a "clean" fuel but the supply is somewhat limited although it is more abundant in nature than crude oil. Because of its relative abundance, natural gas is treated, herein, as an non-renewable alternative energy source (see next section).

Unconventional (Non-renewable) Energy Sources. Some alternative energy sources fall into this category. LNG, oil sands and nuclear energy are probably the most important of these energy sources. Certain forms of natural gas - LNG, CNG, and GTL - are important here. These forms of natural gas or natural gas products have specific advantages when in the liquid or compressed state or when converted to a synthetic liquid fuel. Natural gas is clean and, as discussed in the above paragraph, some forms of it can actually be considered an alternative energy source in their own right. We will need lots of this clean natural gas to tide us over until the more pristine alternative energy sources kick in. Please keep in mind that, while natural gas can be considered an alternative energy source, it is not a renewable energy source...we will eventually run out of it! Also in this energy category are the oil sands and tar sands, nuclear energy, and unconventional sources of natural gas such a "tight" formation gas and shale formation natural gas. These unconventional energy sources should be considered as legitimate energy substitutes since they replace conventional oil and coal. They are very important energy sources since they will likely be the "bridge" energy sources that we will have to use until the renewable energy sources are developed. Coal, while plentiful, is so dirty it should not be listed as an alternative fuel at this time. Renewable Energy Sources. These are the alternative energy sources that are perpetually renewable. Solar energy, wind power, ethanol, biodiesel, etc. Once developed, these energy sources will theoretically supply a near infinite supply of energy........when they are developed! In the meantime, we have to have the less exotic energy sources of categories 1 and 2. Otherwise, civilization, as we know it, will be badly hurt. In accordance with the above definition of alternative energy source, improved energy efficiency is considered as a source. Efficiency improvements could be very important in meeting the energy shortage as similar improvements were back in the 70's, 80's and 90's during the past energy crises.

In similar fashion, "psychological acceptance of alternative energy" might also be included as an alternative energy source though virtually impossible to quantify. Don't laugh........fake solar panels have shown up in Japan! That is good! More and more people want to, at least, look as if they are supporting alternative energy. Nothing will help spur energy development more than a change of attitude about the subject. Time Available to Develop Alternative Energy Sources? It should also be noted that the arrival of Peak Oil - originally predicted by some oil experts to arrive as early as 2005 - has been delayed for several years, at least. That gives us a little more time to get ready for the Peak Oil event that is sure to come. However, please note that my own projection is that Peak Oil could be arriving now. I don't believe in a sharp reduction in the oil production curve. Instead, I think there will be a peak oil production plateau for a few years. Then, the rapid decline! It should be noted that time projections for the arrival of Peak Oil are hazardous projections to make. The present economic recession, discoveries of large amounts of oil and, particularly, development of natural gas in shale formations, will have pronounced effects on when Peak Oil arrives. The world is not standing still waiting for Peak Oil! (Thank God!) Predictions Although technology has made oil extraction more efficient, the world is having to struggle to provide oil by using increasingly costly and less productive methods such as deep sea drilling, and developing environmentally sensitive areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The world's population continues to grow at a quarter of a million people per day, increasing the consumption of energy. Although far less from people in developing countries, especially USA, the per capita energy consumption of China, India and other developing nations continues to increase as the people living in these countries adopt more energy intensive lifestyles. At present a small part of the world's population consumes a large part of its resources, with the United States and its population of 300 million people consuming far more oil than China with its population of 1.3 billion people. William Catton has emphasised the link between population size and energy supply, concluding that