Named the expression sources of energy will be able to become in the closer sense raw materials and/or materials, which are made usable in chemical or nuclear form energy to store and therefore for the power production or the energy transfer, and/or. In the extended (political) linguistic usage as sources of energy also energy sources (e.g. Geothermie, solar energy, water power, etc.) are designated, which for power production are suitable, but no source of energy in the closer sense to represent.

Distinction between primary and secondary sources of energy

The directly to the power production suitable - because in usable form in nature existing - one differentiates primary source of energy into fossil, regenerativ and nuclear sources of energy. Secondary sources of energy calls one materials, which are suitable for energy transfer and for the energy storage, in nature however not in more usably ("more loaded") form do not occur (e.g. hydrogen).

Primary sources of energy

Fossil sources of energy

The fossil sources of energy are from biomass materials developed, which - by sediment layers of the atmosphere finally - could not rot and so their chemical energy received. Fossil sources of energy are coal, natural gas, oil and methane hydrate. It is common to all fossil sources of energy that they are present in limited measure only and its use is connected with CO2-Emissionen (see greenhouse effect, climatic change, climatic protection).

See also fossil energy.

Biomass

Biomass ranks among the regenerating raw materials, i.e. it is available not for an unlimited period (as for instance wind or sunning energy), can develop however within short time on natural way again (contrary to fossil sources of energy). Biomass results from the transformation of energy from the solar radiation by plants over the process of photosynthesis into organic subject. Biomass represents thereby stored solar power. The difference from biomass to other types of use of the solar power is their independence from the times of the sun exposure. The use for power production takes place directly (burn for heating or for power generation) or indirectly (after processing to fermentation gas, fuels, etc.). Biomass sets free with the utilization only CO2, which was bound before time near from the atmosphere, is thus CO2-neutral. The energy balance worsens however clearly, if biomass is not won from wastes, but energy plants specially to this purpose to be cultivated, synthetically fertilized and over far distances transported.

Nuclear fuel

Is common to all nuclear sources of energy (uranium, plutonium, determined transuranic element, deuterium, tritium, determined other radionuclides) that they do not cause CO2-Freisetzung during the power production, however develops radioactive waste. To be considered however also here the transport of the fuel and the energy-intensive establishment of the plants must.

During the nuclear fission of uranium, plutonium and determined other Transuranen develop for energy and neutrons, which released for their part again further splitting. This with this nuclear chain reaction freely becoming energy is controlled used in a nuclear reactor.

By nuclear fusion one understands the fusion more easily atomic nuclei (usually deuterium and tritium) to heavier (helium). The sun and other stars win its energy by nuclear fusion. On earth power production is not so far possible by nuclear fusion.

The decay of radioactive substances can be used as energy source, the developing decay warmth in radioisotope generators is used to the Stromgewinnnung on thermoelectric basis and for heating. The profitable energy quantities are small, therefore radioisotope generators are used primarily as power source and heating for space probes in the outside solar system, where solar cells do not supply sufficient achievement and warmth.

Secondary sources of energy

As secondary sources of energy are in particular

• Electricity
• Hydrogen and
• secondary organic burning and fuels, like e.g.

Fermentation gas,

Ethanol,

Methanol and

Bio Diesel

to call. Theoretically one knows also radioactive substances, which are used in karyorrhexis generators, when secondary sources of energy bezeichenen, if you were produced for this purpose in nuclear reactors.

Transformation of energy in Germany

In Germany 2004 14,408 Petajoule primary energy were converted. After departure of the transformation losses remain 9237 PJ, which divide themselves as follows on the individual sources of energy:

Related links

• Source of energy info. at the Federal Office for Environment Protection

Articles in category "Source of energy"

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