58 Energy: from fossil fuels to windmills

A Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are sources of energy which were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago. Several new oil wells1 were constructed in the desert last year. Off shore2 drilling platforms explore the ocean bed for oil and gas. Older, coal-fired3 power stations generally cause high levels of pollution. The coal mines4 in the north of the country are no longer profitable. A new gas pipeline5 was built to bring cheaper energy to the capital city.

1 hole made in the ground for the removal of oil 2 away from or at a distance from the coast 3 using coal as a fuel 4 deep hole or system of holes under the ground from which coal is removed 5 very large tube through which liquid or gas can flow for long distances

B Renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy that can be produced again as quickly as it is used. is energy that can be produced again as quickly as it is used. Onshore1 wind farms2 to get new government subsidies Solar panels3 to be installed on all government buildings Hydroelectric4 power station to be closed down

Tidal power6 and wave power7 may meet future energy needs Government to focus on renewables8, Minister announces Three new nuclear9 power stations to be built

Geothermal10 energy will last 1,000 years, says scientist Biomass5 not the answer, claims Energy Minister

C

1 on the land (opp. = off shore) 2 group of wind turbines that are used for producing electricity 3 devices that change energy from the sun into electricity 4 producing electricity by the force of fast-moving water such as rivers or waterfalls 5 dead plant and animal material suitable for using as fuel 6 using the force of the sea tide to produce energy 7 using the force of waves in the sea to produce energy 8 note that renewable can also be used as a countable noun 9 using the power produced when the nucleus of an atom is divided or joined to another nucleus 10 using the heat inside the earth

Common mistakes

Using energy

What can ordinary citizens do to reduce energy consumption1? Some simple things include using fewer power-hungry2 appliances3 around the home, monitoring4 your use of electricity and consuming5 less energy by switching off unnecessary lights and entertainment systems that use power while on standby. Is your car a gas-guzzler6? Think about changing to a more energy-eff icient7 model. Think more about food miles8 and buy local products, so that fuel consumption in the transporting of goods is reduced. We can also reduce our carbon footprint9 by planning travel more carefully and cutting out unnecessary journeys. Remember, the world’s coal, oil and gas deposits10 are finite11; one day they will run out, so think now about what you can do to consume less.

Take care with the spelling of energy (NOT energie or energi).

1 how much is used of something 2 using a great amount of energy 3 equipment, especially electrical equipment, used in the home, e.g. washing machines, fridges 4 regularly watching and checking something over a period of time 5 using (e.g. energy, time), especially in large amounts 6 one that uses a lot of fuel; informal

7 using only a little electricity, gas, etc. 8 distance food is transported from where it is produced to when it reaches the consumer 9 measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide that your activities create 10 layer formed under the ground, especially over a very long period 11 having an end or lasting a limited time

58.1

58.2

58.3

58.4

Choose words from the box to write labels for these pictures.

solar panels wind farm pipeline offshore drilling platform coal mine

1 2 3

4 5

Rewrite the underlined parts of the sentences using words from A and B opposite. Make any other changes necessary.

1 A new 100-kilometre metal tube has been built to bring oil from the holes in the ground for extracting oil in the north of the country to a refinery on the coast. 2 The power station is one that uses coal, but it will soon be replaced by a plant that uses atomic science. 3 Fire has broken out on a drilling platform in the sea. 4 Power from the tide or from waves could solve the energy problems of countries with extensive coastlines. Other parts of the world may be able to use energy from the heat insidethe earth. 5 ‘Energy sources that can be renewed are important,’ the Prime Minister said. ‘We intend to give grants for people to install devices that turn the heat of the sun into electricity, as well as developing groups of turbines based on the land that use wind.’ 6 The country is developing two main energy sources: the use of dead plant material and power stations that use the force of rivers. At the same time, inefficient deep holes for extracting coal will gradually be closed.

Complete the sentences with words from C opposite.

1 We should consider the issue of when shopping for fruit and vegetables and try to buy local produce. 2 Most recent models of washing machines and other domestic use less power than older comparable models and are quite . 3 The company is trying to reduce its by allowing fewer foreign trips and encouraging the use of video-conferencing. 4 This car is a real - . It has a very high fuel . 5 We’re our energy use at home and trying to less power. 6 The planet only contains a amount of oil and coal. One day the will run out.

Over to you

Write a short composition of about 75–100 words on the present and future energy sources your country uses now and is likely to develop in the future. Use words and expressions from this unit.