Plate Tectonics and the Geology of Montana Energy Resources
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Energy Resources Energy resources are also divided into renewable & nonrenewable Modern society is dependent on large energy usage Fossil fuels are used at high rate Renewable resources are not fully developed Individually, most can t meet demand
Fig. 24.9. U.S. energy consumption
Renewable Energy Resources Solar energy Solar radiation is not constant or evenly distributed Heat used to produce steam May be converted directly to electricity Photovoltaic cells Cells are relatively inefficient
Renewable Energy Resources Hydroelectric power Uses kinetic energy of flowing water Simple technology is inexpensive and clean Dam construction disrupts the regional environment & ecology Dams require maintenance
Renewable Energy Resources Wind energy Old technology Pollution free and plentiful Expensive to develop Fixed source - needs conversion to portable source Not consistent
Renewable Energy Resources Geothermal energy Tapping into Earth s internal heat Heat in sufficient quantities is often deep May be concentrated around igneous intrusions Heat converts water to steam Cheap & long lasting where available
Fig. 24.16. Geology of geothermal energy
Fossil Fuels Includes coal, oil and natural gas Produced by plants growing millions of years ago Organic matter accumulated and was buried Only a small portion remains to become fossil fuel May be viewed as a form of solar energy
Coal Originated as plant material in temperate swamps Lush growth forms layers of peat Peat is covered and undergoes diagenesis May be metamorphosed Carbon content increases Deposits restricted to later part of geologic history
Fig. 24.18. The origin of coal
Coal Large deposits make it an important resource Geologic mapping has discovered all major reserves Coal mining may cause serious environmental problems Acid mine drainage from included pyrite CO 2 & S emissions from burning
Petroleum & Natural Gas Four step processes of formation Source rock with high organic matter content Burial of source rock at appropriate depth to form petroleum Petroleum or gas must migrate Must accumulate in reservoir rock beneath trap rock barrier
Fig. 24.21. Accumulation of oil & gas
Petroleum & Natural Gas Problems are not as great as with coal Pumping may cause subsidence Spills are locally damaging in short term Consumption is high, longevity of resource is in question Cost is associated with supply & demand
Fig. 24.10. U.S. petroleum consumption
Methane Hydrates Methane hydrate ices form in deeper cold waters of ocean Known to cover vast areas of ocean floor May contain 2x the C as oil, gas & coal combined Volatile gas may be difficult to mine Methane is a greenhouse gas - accidental release could impact climate
Nuclear Energy Controlled fission of U produces large amounts of heat Fission is the splitting of an unstable nucleus into smaller mass elements Heat used to produce steam as with most other energy sources Radiation & thermal pollution are most serious problems
Nuclear Energy Some countries have developed programs to deal with these issues France produces ~75% of its energy from nuclear power Sources of U are commonly associated with weathering of rhyolites Concentrated in sedimentary aquifers by reduction