Web Sites (Fossil | Wind | Solar| Nuclear)
START with How Stuff Works
This is an awesome site that offers you an
overview of how things work, including
energy resources available to us today.
Beyond Fossil Fuel
Professor Martin Hoffert answers questions related to why we need to look beyond fossil fuels, what the greenhouse effect has to do with this need, what alternatives are available, how much land is needed, fuel and personal transportation, nuclear power, safety issues, breeder reactors, nuclear fusion, solar power, and future technologies.
Source: WebPath Express
Energy Information Administration
Provided through the Department of Energy, within this site you will find links to every topic under the category of energy. For an historical overview, visit the site Energy in the United States: 1635-2000
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
For a widespread look at various sources of renewable energy, visit this site form the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Click on one of the major research and development areas to learn more about that type of energy. For instance you can find out about solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen and fuel cells and others. The site also includes recent news articles about renewable energy plus basic information for those who are interested in using it. Source: WebPath Express
Energy Technologies and Environmental Studies: Securing a Cleaner Tomorrow (Berkley Labs)
Coal and other Fossil Fuels | Wind | Solar| Nuclear
Coal
Coal has been used for thousands of years as a source of energy. Since the 1800s, however, a great deal of concern has been raised over whether or not coal is destroying our air. On this web site you will learn all about this interesting natural resource. Not only will you discover how coal is created but you will also learn about the different forms of coal and what they are used for. There is a discussion on the environmental risks of using coal for you to explore as well.
Source: WebPath Express
Dirty Coal Power
We are creating a silent killer. Our nation's consumption of electricity is creating the need for more power. Power plants are the main source of this generated power. However, the methods of generating electricity are creating a massive amount of pollutants which are entering the air in which we breathe. These pollutants lead to major health problems for children and adults. Discover the statistics and evidence which have lead many major environmental groups to demand a change in power. Source: WebPath Express
Fast Facts About Coal
You may have thought it was a myth, but it is a fact that coal actually comes, in part, from the remains of the dinosaurs! On this web site you can take a look at some cool fast facts about coal, such as the fact that "coal is a combustible mineral formed from the remains of trees, ferns and other plants that existed and died during the time of the dinosaurs." Read on to see what else you did not know about coal.
Source: WebPath Express
Fossil Fuels
Petroleum, coal, and natural gas are all fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are substances made from plants and microorganisms that were buried a long time ago. Fossil fuels provide much of today's energy, such as the gasoline that fuels cars and the coal that powers electrical plants. Travel to this explanatory web site and read more about fossil fuels. MSN provides this informative article, which can be easily printed or emailed and used as reference material. Source: WebPath Express
How Coal Works
Coal is fuel made from sedimentary organic rock, formed by ancient plants and animals. When plants die off, they settle and accumulate in peat bogs. But, it takes thousands of years for peat to accumulate and turn into coal! Coal is a very dirty form of fuel: "Carbon emissions from burning coal are one of the leading causes of global warming." But, coal is still a necessary form of fuel. On this site you will be able to learn "How Coal Works". Source: WebPath Express
How Important is Coal in Generating Electricity?
This web site teaches the reader about how coal is still used; in fact it is responsible for more than half the power generated in the United States! The site discusses the role of electric companies in energy production as well as environmental issues as a result of burning coal.
Source: WebPath Express
The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels
The price of gas continues to rise. The cost of coal, oil, and natural gas continues to rise. Topics covered within this article include: Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuel Use, Global Warming, Air Pollution, Water and Land Pollution, Thermal Pollution, and the National Security Impacts of..." Source: WebPath Express
Office of Fossil Energy, US Department of Energy
With a primary mission to ensure we can continue to rely on clean, affordable energy from our traditional resources, this site offers information about the Fossil Energy Organization and current fossil energy types such as clean coal and natural gas systems. You will also be able to view current issues within the news.
Fossil | Wind Power | Solar| Nuclear
About Wind Energy
While learning about wind energy you are also learning about wind turbines. This article begins by praising the use of wind energy by comparing it to other mechanical forms or even electricity. The pro- wind energy article informs readers about the history of wind energy, its nature, the cost, its global usage, applications, the many benefits to using wind energy over other forms of energy.
Source: WebPath Express
Illustrated History of Wind Power Development
Find historical and technical information on the history of the wind turbine from the Mediterranean mill to the advanced designs that will take us into the future. The text includes many photographs and descriptions along with several links to further your understanding. Source: WebPath Express
Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program: Wind Powering America
This site, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, explores wind farms. Wind creates power, which in turn creates energy. It is also considered a renewable resource because it is always with us. Find out where the wind farms are located and how effective this program has been. Source: WebPath Express
Wind Turbine Energy
Discover wind turbine energy through a series of questions and answers. The list of eight questions is presented before each is answered. If you are interested in a particular answer to a question, just click on the question to find the results. The questions pertain to the benefits of wind energy, the role of wind energy in Green Power Switch, the amount of energy produced, how energy is generated, how often wind turbines produce electricity, how wind sites are selected, and more... Source: WebPath Express
Wind With Miller
A wind turbine consists of a tower, nacelle, transformer, rotor, and foundation. The wind turns the rotor and the rotor turns the generator. Explore what is in the tower as Miller climbs 60 meters in the air. Find out the parts of the nacelle. The wind gets its energy from the sun. The land gets hot faster than the water. Wind is stronger high on hills. Learn how all the parts of a wind turbine work and do experiments with wind and turbines.
Source: WebPath Express
Fossil | Wind |Solar Energy| Nuclear
Arizona Solar Center: Technology - PV and Solar Thermal
Two major technologies use the sun to generate energy. One uses the sun's light and the other uses its heat to increase the temperature of liquid. Learn more about these two energy alternatives and how they work. This site is very detailed in describing the process of creating solar energy and includes links to more information.
Source: WebPath Express
Mr.Solar.com
This web site contains information on ways of capturing and using solar energy. There are many alternatives to heating your home and cooking your food other than the common sources of gas and electric. Solar power can become a realistic alternative. This site offers advice on everything from solar washing machines and batteries, to solar economics and design dependability. Source: WebPath Express
Photovoltaic Cells: Power at a Price
Satellites and space stations have long relied on solar panels for energy, but developing solar power on Earth is still a work in progress. Making electricity from sunlight has been a scientific goal in the midst of power outages, rising fuel prices, and environmental concerns. The problem is creating an efficient and affordable system. Source: WebPath Express
Project Sol - Solar, Electricity, Energy, Photovoltaic
One source of energy that is available everywhere on earth is sunlight. Learn about solar energy and how it is converted for use by living things. Learn about fossil fuels and electricity generated from solar sources. Read about photovoltaic cells and how they will become increasingly important in supplying our energy needs of the future. Source: WebPath Express
Solar Energy Topics
Do you know that solar energy can even be used to cool buildings? Get the basic facts about this form of renewable energy from the U.S. Department of Energy web site. There is a basic explanation of how solar energy works to generate electricity and heat water. More detailed information includes facts about photovoltaic solar cells, passive solar design, and solar hot water heaters. The methods of concentrating solar power are described. Source: WebPath Express
Fossil | Wind | Solar| Nuclear Energy
Are You Ready? Nuclear Power Plants
A technological hazard of modern society is a potential nuclear power plant accident. Should one occur, there may be little warning, so it is important to be prepared with information about what to do, particularly if you are one of the three million Americans living within ten miles of a nuclear power plant.
Source: WebPath Express
How Nuclear Power Works
"Nuclear power plants provide about 17 percent of the world's electricity." The author presents information about how a nuclear power plant works, enhanced with an animated graphic. Links are provided to Uranium, nuclear fission, what can go wrong, and other topics. When the reader follows the "Inside a Nuclear Power Plant," an animated and labeled graphic is displayed indicating the flow of energy to create electricity. Source: WebPath Express
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power was initially welcomed in America in the 1950s. The meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 and the explosion at Chernobyl in 1986 changed many people's opinions about nuclear power. Today, the government, scientists, and the public are examining and debating the future of the 103 nuclear power plants still operating in America. Learn more here. Source: WebPath Express
Nuclear Power Gets a Boost
This is an article about energy production and the nuclear industry. See how America's dependence on oil for energy can be a problem when the supply is cut. The reasons the United States public has been reluctant to accept more nuclear power plants are explained. There are statistics about the numbers and types of commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. Source: WebPath Express
Energy for the world
Is nuclear energy the answer to the world's energy crisis? The world supply of non-renewable fuel sources like crude oil, coal, and natural gas will not last forever. Scientists are looking at nuclear power as the answer. However, there are many questions that still need to be answered. This web site provides a wonderful overview of the advantages of nuclear power as the world's primary energy source. It also raises questions to consider.
Source: WebPath Express
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