Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy

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Energy Resource Noun

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[en-er-jee ree-sors]

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Energy Resource

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A substance that can be used as a source of energy to produce heat, electricity, or physical movement.

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Example: Wind turbines are an energy resource that convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity, providing a form of renewable energy.

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Renewable Resource Noun

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[ri-noo-uh-buhl ree-sors]

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Renewable Resource

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An energy resource that can be renewed or replenished in a relatively short amount of time as it is used.

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Example: This image shows that solar energy is a renewable resource because the sun provides a continuous source of energy that can be captured by solar panels.

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Nonrenewable Resource Noun

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[non-ri-noo-uh-buhl ree-sors]

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Nonrenewable Resource

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An energy resource that exists in a limited supply and cannot be replenished as quickly as it is consumed.

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Example: This image shows examples of nonrenewable resources like coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy, which are finite and cannot be easily replaced.

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Solar Power Noun

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[soh-ler pou-er]

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Solar Power

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A form of renewable energy produced by harnessing the radiant light and heat from the Sun's rays.

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Example: This diagram shows how solar energy from the sun is captured by solar panels, converted by an inverter, and distributed through a circuit breaker to power a home.

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Wind Energy Noun

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[wind en-er-jee]

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Wind Energy

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A form of renewable power generated by harnessing the kinetic energy from the natural movement of wind.

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Example: This cutaway diagram shows how wind turns a turbine's blades, spinning an internal generator to create electricity, a form of renewable energy.

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Hydropower Noun

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[hy-droh-pou-er]

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Hydropower

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A form of renewable energy produced from the force or kinetic energy of moving or flowing water.

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Example: Water stored in an upper reservoir flows through a dam, spinning a turbine to generate electricity, which is then sent to power homes and cities.

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Geothermal Energy Noun

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[jee-oh-thur-muhl en-er-jee]

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Geothermal Energy

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A form of renewable energy that comes from the immense thermal energy stored within the Earth's interior.

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Example: Cold water is pumped deep into the ground, where it is heated by the Earth's core, turning into steam that rises to power a generating station.

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Biomass Noun

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[bahy-oh-mas]

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Biomass

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A renewable energy source from recently living organisms, such as plants, that can be burned to release energy.

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Example: Biomass is a renewable energy source derived from organic materials like crops, wood, animal waste, and garbage.

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Fossil Fuels Noun

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[fos-uhl fyools]

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Fossil Fuels

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Nonrenewable energy resources formed over millions of years from the buried remains of ancient plants and animals.

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Example: This diagram shows how fossil fuels, like petroleum, form over millions of years from the remains of ancient sea organisms buried under layers of sediment.

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Coal Noun

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[kohl]

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Coal

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A combustible, black sedimentary rock and solid fossil fuel produced from ancient plant remains, mined and burned for energy.

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Example: Coal is a nonrenewable fossil fuel primarily composed of carbon, along with hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and other minerals.