Energy Resources Resources and Reserves How much is left and how long will it last? Reserves - deposits that have been discovered that can be recovered economically and legally Resources - the entire amount of a given material that may become available for use in the future. Energy Nonrenewable - geologic processes produsce the resource(s) : coal, oil, gas, metals, etc Renewable - solar energy, geothermal (?), wind, alcohol Industrial Revolution - coal based Hydrocarbons - first well in 1859 - clean, easier to transport Fossil Fuels Wood - releases energy by combustion of organic matter Photosynthesis - produces organic matter from carbon dioxide and water Oil and Natural Gas - reducing environment to trap organic matter - high rates of sedimnetation favor accumulation Hydrocarbons Source Thermal History : Hydrocarbon Window Migration - Reservoir Traps - structural or stratigraphic controlled permeability barrier Coal Woody Material Anerobic environment - rapid burial Thermal History -- Increased temperature concentrates or "fixes" the carbon Alternatives to Fossil Fuels Nuclear Energy - Uranium Solar Energy Hydroelectric Power Wind Geothermal