Energy Resources: Coal/Tidal

1. Energy Resources: Coal/Tidal By: Brandon B., Sergio R.

2. Description Coal energy is a natural resource that comes directly from the Earth. Initially, it was developed from plant and vegetative life buried many millions of years ago. Energy was captured through plants from photosynthesis to create compounds that make up the plant tissue. The most important element in the plant material is called carbon, which gives coal most of its energy. Tidal Energy is a form of hydropower that turns the energy from tides mostly into electricity. Tidal energy is more predictable than wind and solar energy, therefore being a little more efficient than the other energy sources. To get what is needed to create this energy does turn out to be very expensive, because of this tidal energy hasn't had much of a successful growth rate. Fortunately there is some solutions coming to make this work.

3. Pros and Cons of Coal and Tidal Energy Coal • Pros: Cheap and plentiful, It’s safe and easy to store, Coal is really stable, Can be stored and transported safely, and it can be easily converted into energy. • Cons: A major source of several pollutants for example: carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, sulfur dioxide, and a component of acid rain., It speeds up global warming, Its polluting chemicals are dangerous for health, It’s still non-renewable, and the transportation can be costly. Tidal Energy • Renewable Energy • Green energy (Does not pollute environment) • Predictable Energy Source • Consistent Power • Effective at low speeds Cons • Location specific • Useful Period (10 hrs out of 24) • High Initial Cost

4. History of Coal/Tidal Energy Coal • Most plentiful fuel in the fossil family • In the 1700s, the English found out they could produce fuel that burned cleaner and hotter than wood charcoal • The Hopi Indians used coal for cooking, heating, and to bake pottery they made from clay in the 1300s • Coal was rediscovered in the U.S. by explorers in 1673 • The Industrial Revolution played a crucial role in the expansion of coal use • In the 1800s, more uses for coal were found • Coal was first used to generate electricity in the 1880s Tidal Energy Tidal Energy Timeline • http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/tidal-and-ocean-wave-energy-timeline

5. Development As An Energy Source Coal • “Coal has been used since the caveman times.” (http://www.fossil.energy.gov/education/energylessons/coal/coal_history.html) • During the 1300s, the Hopi Indians used coal for cooking, heating, and to bake the pottery they made from clay. • The Industrial Revolution is what helped expand the usage of coal. Tidal Power Brief Video about tidal energy • http://www.snopud.com/PowerSupply/tidal.ashx?p=1155

6. Past Use As An Energy Source Coal • Coal was used to provide heat in caveman times. • Native Americans used coal for cooking, making clay pots, and heating. • It was used to fuel boilers on steam-powered trains. • During the American Civil War, coal was used to make weapons. • It eventually became a widespread use to heat homes, generate electricity, provide heat to cook, power railroads and boats, and fuel factories. Tidal Power • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Iq-h4ShZ8s • 0:23-0:45

7. Present Use of Coal/Tidal Present Use Coal • We (the U.S.) use coal to generate electricity, manufacturers use coal to make chemicals, cement, paper, ceramics, and metal products. • The top coal producing states are Wyoming, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Texas. • The largest coal reserves are found in the USA, Russia, China, India, and, Australia. Tidal Energy • Tidal Power has been really unestimated therefore tidal use hasn't been as effective as it should be. People are slowly discovering that It will eventually be effective. But the costs of these Tidal plants are too expensive and are causing the process to be slow.

8. Future Use of Coal/Tidal Energy Coal • Products from coal may soon be a part of communications and transportation systems, computer networks, and even space expeditions. • It will most likely continue to be a vital source of electricity generation due to the fact it’s more abundant and cost-effective compared to oil and natural gas. • There will be a significant increase in use for electricity purposes in China and India. Tidal Energy • Scientist are working really hard to make Tidal water a more efficient energy source and less expensive, Some of them predict that in 30 years tidal energy will be something that evolved into our worlds best energy source.

9. Works Cited • "DOE - Fossil Energy: A Brief History of Coal Use in the United States." DOE - Fossil Energy: A Brief History of Coal Use in the United States. Fossil Energy Office of Communications, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. • "Coal’s Past, Present, and Future » American Coal Foundation." American Coal Foundation. American Coal Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. • "Coal Energy." Information, Definition & Explanation. Atoms for Peace Nuclear Energy & Science For The Twenty-First Century, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. • "Tidal Power." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Mar. 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. • "Pros & Cons of Coal Energy." Pros & Cons of Coal Energy. The Pros And Cons A Debate On Things That Matter, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. • "Tidal Energy (Tidal Power) Pros and Cons." Renewable Green Energy Power RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. • "Coal and Future Energy Production." Http://www.ice.org.uk/topics/energy/Briefing-Sheets/Coal-and-future-energy-production. Institution of Civil Engineers, n.d. Web.