Types of Energy Sources
Oil is the world’s favorite energy source which comprises 38% to the total energy production closely followed by coal (26%) and gas (23%). Both nuclear and hydroelectric energy sources contribute equally at 6% each with the remaining 1% coming from solar, wind, wood, wave, tidal, and geothermal sources. The supply of oil has both geopolitical and strategic implications for the entire world. It is geopolitical because the large known oil reserves are in the Middle East which is a region considered to be anti-American. It was the hidden agenda in the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the toppling of a legitimate or some say illegitimate, presidency of Saddam Hussein. Iraq has the 2nd largest known oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabia.
Electricity diagram
Oil was used once before as a political weapon by Arab countries when the cartel of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) was still strong then. The discovery of new and large oil fields in countries which are not members reduced OPEC’s political and economic clout on the world stage. It is also strategic militarily because it is one of the war materials a country needs to wage and win wars. Oil, like copper and aluminum, is a strategic raw material and the U.S. imports a lot of oil not for its consumption but for stockpiling in underground salt mines in Utah and Nevada. These reserves form its strategic planning to ensure supplies of critical materials in wartime. The “Strategic Petroleum Reserve” is filled up to 700 million barrels which is equal to about a month’s energy consumption by the U.S. There has been a frantic search for oil by drilling in such pristine areas as Alaska, around the Great Lakes area and continental shelf but it carries the risk of degrading the ecosystem and the environment.
Energy consumption graph
Coal consumption has been increasing for the past years because of the fantastic price increases of oil in world markets. Coal is relatively cheaper compared to all other energy sources and new carbon-emission technologies allowed cleaner burning. Another reason for its comeback is its availability in the U.S. mainland and therefore it is less vulnerable to supply disruptions than oil which is mainly imported from other countries.
Water energy
Gas is a cleaner fuel compared to either oil or coal but has its own drawbacks. One is the safe transport of gas since it is very flammable or combustible. This energy source is cooled and pressurized to make it into liquid form for easier and safer transport. The correct term for it is liquified natural gas (LNG) or liquified petroleum gas (LPG).
Nuclear energy
Nuclear power is a significant energy source in some countries like Germany and France. Its critics always cite safety concerns because of what happened at the Chernobyl reactor. The meltdown and resulting explosion spewed clouds of radioactive material into much of Europe and is the leading cause of birth defects due to genetic mutations. There is a new nuclear reactor technology that uses ceramics for its core. Ceramics can prevent meltdowns because it has a very high tolerance for extreme heat.
Hydroelectric power energy
Hydroelectric power is the alternative energy chosen by some countries who do not want nuclear plants due to safety concerns. This is a viable alternative when a country has sufficient water supplies. The largest dam for years is the Hoover Dam in the U.S. between the borders of Arizona and Nevada. Today, that distinction now belongs to the Three Gorges Dam in mainland China. When it becomes operational in 2011, it will be the largest hydroelectric power station in the world producing some 22,500 megawatts. The argument against building dams to produce electricity is dislocation of the people living nearby and the resulting changes to the environment. The dam made many historical monuments, archaeological sites and cultural villages now underwater and gone forever. This Chinese dam spans the Yangtze River in the Hubei province and is the largest civil works project since the construction of the Great Wall. A reason for building this giant dam is flood control along the entire Yangtze River. Estimated total cost of this project is US$25 billion when completed and it needs to generate about 1,000 terawatts in 10 years for its construction costs to be fully recovered. China has a 14-facility hydropower long-term development plan in place until 2020.