What is energy?

Energy is defined as the ability to do work. The most commonly used form of energy is electricity, which is measured in watts. Electricity is a secondary energy source, meaning that it is produced from other energy sources, either renewable or non-renewable. Non-renewable energy sources come from the ground and cannot be replenished quickly. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power are most commonly used to generate the world’s electricity.

Find out more about some of the different sources of energy and its distribution.

Fossil fuels Biofuel Power plants Distribution of power Wind energy Solar energy

 

Surge to the future

When Americans wake up in the morning, they expect to be able to turn on a light. When Americans get in the shower, they expect to be able to adjust the temperature to their liking. When Americans climb into their cars, they expect the car to be able to take them where they want to go.

But in the future, we might not be able to expect the same luxuries.

The federal government and some states have recognized the need for different sources of energy and are looking toward renewable sources to avoid an oil crunch and to reduce global climate change.

Locally, individuals and families are taking part in the green revolution by using solar panels to heat their water, vegetable oil to fuel their cars or wind turbines to provide electricity.

Yet both business owners and economists say that these actions are not profitable, sometimes costing thousands of dollars more than conventional energy sources. Even so, many are asking whether we can afford not to act in the long term.

That, in turn, raises several other questions: What are the right actions? Which resource can we expect to save us from ourselves? Which renewable resources make the most sense?