DEFINITION OF ENERGY

Energy is the capacity of a physical system to perform work. Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, electrical, or other forms.

TYPES OF ENERGY

We can classify the energy sources in several ways:

-By his origen: it can be primary or secundary.

-By the use in each country: conventional or non-conventional.

-By the enviromental impact: polluting or non-polluting.

But the most famous classification is depending of his availabity in nature and capacity for regeneration:

             

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable energies are sources inexhaustibles and abundants. It means, it's renewed in a shorter period of time than the one that is consumed. They are hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and tidal or waves (ocean energy) energy.

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY

They are not renewed in the short term, therefore, become exhausted. They are nuclear energy and fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas).

HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY

The water that produces hydraulic energy is stored in reservoirs and lakes at a high altitude, so it has a potential gravitational energy. At a given time, it falls down to a lower level. The energy released is transformed into kinetic energy and then into electrical energy at a hydraulic power plant.

Hydroelectric power plants from José M. Rivas

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is a renewable energy obtained by the use of electromagnetic radiction from the sun. It is possible to transform it into thermal or electric energy.

Solar energy from José M. Rivas

WIND ENERGY

Windy energy is the energy produced by the wind to generate mechanic power or electricicty.

Wind power from José M. Rivas