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Identify the basic sources of renewable energy and inexhaustible energy.
Describe at least three different methods of producing power from
renewable energy resources.
Provide at least six examples of different methods of producing power from
inexhaustible energy resources.
Summarize several factors that influence the development of an energy
resource.
Explain advantages and disadvantages of various conventional and
alternative energy resources.
Discuss the environmental consequences most closely associated with
the use of various conventional and alternative energy resources.
It is important to study energy in order to make the best use of our energy
resources and to preserve them for future generations. Alternative energy
resources are in various stages of utilization. Some, such as hydroelectricity,
have been in use for years. In this sense, hydroelectricity is not really an
alternative. Other energy resources, such as wind energy, are only now
beginning to make a small contribution to the world energy mix. A few of
the resources discussed are not used extensively at this time, but they
may play a much greater role in the future.
Most energy has been stored in nature and can be traced back to
the sun. For instance, the sun stores energy in plants and trees. This
stored energy is released when plants or trees are burned. Plants and