Energy development

Energy development is the field of activities focused on obtaining sources of energy from natural resources. These activities include production of conventional, alternative and renewable sources of energy, and for the recovery and reuse of energy that would otherwise be wasted. Energy conservation and efficiency measures reduce the demand for energy development, and can have benefits to society with improvements to environmental issues.

Societies use of energy

Societies have long history of using energy, which has evolved from human and animal power, to the use of water wheels and windmills, to burning wood and coal for heat. In the industrial age, use of steam power and internal combustion engines led to an increase in energy use. In the 20th century, use of oil, natural gas, nuclear power and fossil fuels increased dramatically. In the 21st century, there is increasing use of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, and a decrease in use of coal.

Sources of energy

Energy development is the ongoing effort to provide sufficient primary energy sources and secondary energy forms for supply, cost, impact on air pollution and water pollution, mitigation of climate change with renewable energy.

Non-renewable energy

Non-renewable energy sources include fossil fuels and nuclear power. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are used in everything from cars to electricity generation. Nuclear power uses the energy from nuclear fission or fusion to generate heat and electricity.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal energy. These sources are constantly replenished and will never run out. They also have a lower impact on the environment compared to non-renewable sources.

Energy conservation

Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption. This can be achieved through increased efficient energy use, in conjunction with decreased energy consumption and/or reduced consumption from conventional energy sources.

See also

• Renewable energy
• Non-renewable energy
• Energy conservation
• Fossil fuel
• Nuclear power

Energy development gallery

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  World energy consumption 2022
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  World energy production yearly
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  Basic Open System Model
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  Moss Landing Power Plant
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  Barnett Shale Drilling
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  USS Enterprise, USS Long Beach, and USS Bainbridge underway in the Mediterranean Sea during Operation Sea Orbit, in 1964
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  NSF picture of Yamal
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  Global public support for energy sources (Ipsos 2011)
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  2011 Renewable energy capacity - International Energy Agency
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  Percentage of electricity from fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables - biggest fossil fuel emitters