11-HUMSS 3

MEMBERS OF TOPIC 9:

VILLANUEVA,JOSHUA
TAGBILARAN,ELIAZAR
SIMBORIO,RICHMOUND
TABAÑAG,REYMARK
WATA,TERISSA MAE

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
TEACHER: KHRIZ HEAVENLY
 Describe how energy is harnessed from different sources

Fossil fuels, Biogas, Geothermal, Hydrothermal, Batteries, Solar

cells, Biomass

Fossil fuels
Harnessing energy from fossil fuels involves a multi-step process that begins
with the extraction of coal, oil, or natural gas from underground reservoirs
through mining or drilling operations. Once extracted, these fossil fuels are
transported to power plants or refineries for further processing. In power
plants, coal and natural gas are typically burned to produce heat, which is
used to generate steam. This steam drives turbines connected to generators,
converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Oil, on the other hand, is
refined into various products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, which are used
for transportation and industrial purposes.
The combustion of fossil fuels releases stored chemical energy in the form of
heat. This heat is then converted into mechanical energy through the
movement of turbines and generators, ultimately producing electricity. Fossil
fuels have been a primary source of energy for centuries due to their high
energy density and relatively low cost compared to alternative sources.
However, the burning of fossil fuels also releases pollutants such as sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the atmosphere,
contributing to air pollution and negative health impacts.
Despite their widespread use, the environmental consequences of burning
fossil fuels have become a growing concern. Greenhouse gas emissions from
fossil fuel combustion are a major contributor to climate change, leading to
global warming and its associated impacts on ecosystems and weather
patterns. As a result, there is a growing global shift towards cleaner and more
sustainable energy sources like renewable energy to mitigate these
environmental impacts and transition towards a more sustainable energy
future.

Biogas
Energy is harnessed from biogas through a process called anaerobic
digestion. This process involves the breakdown of organic matter, such as
agricultural waste, manure, sewage, and food scraps, by microorganisms in the
absence of oxygen. As the organic matter is broken down, biogas is produced
as a byproduct. Biogas is primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide,
with smaller amounts of other gases.
Once produced, biogas can be utilized for various energy applications. It can be
burned directly to produce heat or used in gas engines to generate electricity.
The heat generated from burning biogas can be used for heating purposes in
homes, businesses, or industrial processes. Additionally, biogas can be
upgraded to biomethane through purification processes, making it suitable for
injection into natural gas pipelines or used as a vehicle fuel. Harnessing energy
from biogas not only provides a renewable energy source but also helps in
waste management by diverting organic waste from landfills and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
Geothermal

Geothermal energy is harnessed from the Earth's natural heat reserves,

which originate from the planet's core and naturally migrate towards the
surface. Heat, fluid, and permeability are the three essential components
required to harness geothermal energy. Hot water or steam is extracted from
underground geothermal reservoirs through wells and directed to power plants
where it drives turbines connected to generators, producing electricity that can
be distributed for various uses.
There are three main types of geothermal power plants based on the
temperature and phase of the fluids involved: dry steam systems, flash steam
systems, and binary cycle systems. Dry steam systems use steam directly from
underground reservoirs to turn turbines, while flash steam systems convert hot
water into steam and use it to turn turbines. Binary cycle systems employ a
heat exchange process to transfer heat from hot water to a working fluid, which
is then used to generate electricity.
Geothermal energy offers a sustainable and renewable alternative to traditional
fossil fuels, with the potential for continuous operation regardless of weather
conditions or time of day. By tapping into the Earth's natural heat reservoirs,
geothermal power plants can produce electricity reliably and with minimal
greenhouse gas emissions. Although geothermal energy currently accounts for
a small portion of the global energy mix, ongoing research and development
efforts seek to unlock the full potential of geothermal energy as a clean and
reliable source of power.

Hydrothermal

Harnessing energy from hydrothermal sources involves tapping into the

heat stored in water beneath the Earth's surface. Hydrothermal energy is
typically found in regions with active volcanoes, geysers, or hot springs, where
water is heated by magma deep underground. This heated water can be used
directly for heating applications or converted into electricity through
geothermal power plants. The process begins with drilling wells into the
geothermal reservoir to access the hot water or steam trapped below.
There are two main types of geothermal power plants that harness energy from
hydrothermal sources: flash steam plants and binary cycle plants. In flash
steam plants, high-pressure hot water is released from the reservoir into lower-
pressure tanks, causing it to rapidly vaporize and drive turbines connected to
generators. Binary cycle plants, on the other hand, use a secondary fluid with
a lower boiling point than water to capture heat from the geothermal fluid. This
secondary fluid vaporizes at a lower temperature, turning a separate turbine to
generate electricity.
Hydrothermal energy offers a reliable and sustainable source of electricity with
minimal greenhouse gas emissions. By utilizing the Earth's natural heat
reservoirs, hydrothermal power plants can provide continuous electricity
generation without being affected by weather conditions or time of day.
Batteries

Energy is harnessed from batteries through a process known as

electrochemical reactions. Batteries store energy in the form of chemical
potential energy, which is converted into electrical energy when needed. Inside
a battery, two electrodes (anode and cathode) are immersed in an electrolyte
solution that allows ions to move between them.

During charging, an external electrical current forces ions to move from the
cathode to the anode, storing energy. When the battery discharges, the ions
flow back from the anode to the cathode, generating an electric current that
can power devices. Different types of batteries, such as lithium-ion, lead-acid,
and nickel-metal hydride, utilize various materials and chemistries to store and
release energy efficiently.

Solar cells

Energy is harnessed from solar cells through the photovoltaic effect, which
converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar cells are made of semiconductor
materials, such as silicon, that absorb photons from sunlight and release
electrons, generating a flow of electricity.

When sunlight hits the solar cell, it creates an electric field across the layers,
causing the electrons to flow in a specific direction, creating a direct current
(DC) of electricity. This DC electricity is then converted into alternating current
(AC) electricity through an inverter, making it suitable for use in homes and
businesses. Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that can be
harnessed in various applications, from powering homes and businesses to
providing electricity for remote locations.

Biomass

Energy is harnessed from biomass through various conversion methods,

including combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, and liquefaction. Biomass
includes organic materials such as wood, agriculture residue, and municipal
solid waste. Combustion is the simplest method, wherein biomass is burned to
produce heat, which can be used for space heating or converted into steam to
drive turbine generators for electricity production.

Gasification transforms biomass into synthesis gas (syngas), a combination of

carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H₂), and other gases, which can be further
processed to create electricity, synthetic fuels, or chemicals. Pyrolysis produces
biochar and bio-oils by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen, while
liquefaction turns biomass into biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Biomass energy offers a renewable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels,
helping to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and promote circular economies.
 QUESTIONS:

1.What are fossil fuels, and how are they formed?

2. What is the primary composition of biogas, and how is it produced through
anaerobic digestion?
3. What are the three essential components required for harnessing energy
from geothermal sources, and how do they contribute to the process?
4. How is hydrothermal energy harnessed, and what are the key technologies
involved in its utilization?
5. How do batteries store energy, and what role do electrochemical reactions
play in their operation?
6. What is a solar cell, and how does it work?
7. What are the various methods of harnessing energy from biomass, and how
do they contribute to providing a renewable and sustainable alternative to
fossil fuels?

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Describe how energy is harnessed from various sources such as fossil fuels,
biogas, geothermal, hydrothermal, batteries, solar cells, and biomass.

2. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuels (a non-

renewable source) versus solar cells (a renewable source).