We use energy for many things.
It helps us drive cars. It keeps our homes warm. It makes our lights turn on. We get energy from the Earth.
It is all around us. Can you find energy at your home?
We get energy from nature.
Some energy comes from the sun. Some comes from the wind. These are called renewable. This means they do not run out.
Other energy comes from things like coal and oil. These are called non-renewable. Once we use them, they are gone. We use energy to move cars. We use it to light up rooms.
It helps us in many ways.
People get power from many natural sources.
This work is called energy development. We use energy to heat homes and move cars. We also use it to make things in factories.
Some sources are renewable. This means they do not run out. Wind and sun are examples. These sources are ongoing.
Other sources are non-renewable. These will eventually run out. Fossil fuels are a main type. They include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Fossil fuels come from old plants and animals. In 2024, they met 86% of the world's energy needs. Burning them lets out gases. These gases can cause climate change.
We also use nuclear power. This uses nuclear fission. Fission is when tiny parts of an atom split apart. This makes a lot of heat.
This heat can make electricity. Some people think nuclear power is safe. Others worry about accidents. There are many ways to study and find better energy.
Energy development is the work of getting power from nature.
Humans need this energy for many important tasks. We use it for heating, cooling, and making light. It also powers our cars and helps us communicate. We use it in homes, shops, and big factories. Some energy is a primary resource. This means it can be used in its original form. Other energy is a secondary resource. These must be changed into a new form to be useful.
There are two main ways to group these resources. One way is by how long they last. Renewable resources come from ongoing natural processes. These include wind power and solar power.
They can be used for a very long time. Non-renewable resources are different. They can be used up by humans. These will not grow back quickly. Another way to group them is by how they are used. Primary resources like wood or coal are used directly. Secondary resources like electricity must be made from a primary source.
Fossil fuels are a major part of our world. They come from the remains of old plants and animals. There are three main types: coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
People burn these fuels to create heat. This heat can move cars or make electricity. Fossil fuels provide most of the world's energy today. In 2024, they met 86% of the world's energy needs. This is an increase from 81% in 2005. However, burning them releases gases like carbon dioxide. These gases are a main cause of climate change.
Nuclear power is another way to make energy. It uses a process called nuclear fission. Fission happens when the tiny parts of an atom split apart. This splitting creates a lot of heat.
We use this heat to make electricity. In 2012, nuclear power provided about 5.7% of the world's energy. By 2013, there were 437 nuclear reactors working in 31 countries. Some people say nuclear power is a safe way to reduce emissions. Other people worry about accidents. Famous accidents happened at Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011.
Learning about energy helps us think about the future. We can use energy more wisely through conservation. This means using less energy to do the same jobs. We can also work on making energy more efficient. This is like making a car go further on less fuel.
Scientists are also researching nuclear fusion. This is a different way to use atoms for power. Experts think commercial fusion might not happen before 2050. Understanding these different sources helps us manage our world.
Energy development is the specialized field of activities used to obtain energy from natural resources. This field focuses on extracting power for many societal needs. Humans require energy for communication, illumination, and manufacturing. We also use it for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Energy is essential for transportation and various agricultural or industrial purposes.
To manage these needs, we must understand how energy is categorized and harvested.
Scientists classify energy resources in two primary ways. The first method distinguishes between primary and secondary resources. A primary resource is found in its original form. Examples include wind power, solar power, wood, uranium, and fossil fuels. A secondary resource must undergo a conversion process to become useful. Electricity and hydrogen are common examples of secondary resources.
This conversion allows energy to be transported or used more conveniently.
Another vital classification is based on the time required to regenerate a resource. Renewable resources come from ongoing natural processes. These include wind and hydroelectric power. These sources can sustain indefinite human exploitation because they do not deplete. Non-renewable resources are significantly depleted by human use. These resources do not recover their potential during human lifetimes.
Because they do not replenish quickly, these sources are finite.
Fossil fuels are the most significant non-renewable resources today. They are formed from the remains of decomposed plants and animals. There are three main types: coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is also used and comes from natural gas. These fuels are part of the carbon cycle. When burned, they release solar energy that was stored long ago.
In 2024, fossil fuels met 86% of the world's energy needs. This is an increase from 81% in 2005.
Using fossil fuels involves several complex processes and consequences. We burn these hydrocarbons to create heat for space or industrial processes. This heat can also be converted into mechanical energy for vehicles. However, combustion releases various substances into the atmosphere. These include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, soot, and heavy metals like mercury or lead. Carbon dioxide is the main contributor to recent climate change.
Additionally, extracting these fuels can cause environmental degradation, such as mountaintop removal for coal.
Nuclear power provides an alternative method through a process called nuclear fission. Fission occurs when the parts of a uranium atom split apart. This process generates intense heat, which is then used to produce electricity. In 2012, nuclear power provided about 5.7% of the world's energy. By 2013, there were 437 operational reactors in 31 different countries.
While some argue it is a safe way to reduce carbon emissions, others worry about accidents. Notable incidents include the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011.
Looking toward the future, scientists are researching new ways to develop energy. One area of intense study is nuclear fusion. This is the process of creating energy through the fusion of atoms. Unlike fission, commercial fusion power production is not yet a reality. Experts project that commercial fusion may not be available before 2050.
We also focus on energy efficiency and conservation. Efficiency measures reduce the overall demand for new energy development. By using energy more wisely, societies can improve various environmental issues.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (23)
+ 11 more
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.