2a) A Wind Turbine is a large wheel that is spun by the wind to produce electricity.

2b) The energy is created from the wind. The wind spins the wheels of the wind turbine and creates electricity.

3) The US uses about 4% of its electricity on wind turbines.

4) Some impacts wind turbines have on the environment are the following: They are large and unappealing structures that make a lot of noise. They can also require the use of rare minerals, that have a negative impact on the Earth. Lastly, the metals to make wind turbines require a lot of energy, and use fossil fuels.

5) The cost to build wind turbines is can be expensive or inexpensive, depending on the size. A small wind turbine can be around 4,000 to 9,000 dollars, but a large wind turbine is extremely expensive costing 350,000 dollars.

6) Wind turbines are used on large spaces of open land, and a group of many wind turbines together is called a wind farm.

http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=wind_environment

Hydropower is power created by water. The water turns a turbine which turns a generator and creates electricity. Usually hydropower is created at dams. The water is collected by a intake and pushes against the blades of the turbine. Dams also have reservoirs to store water. The United States does not use very much Hydropower. Only 7% of United States energy comes from hydropower. However there are a few states that rely mostly on hydropower and have much lower energy bills. Unfortunately, reservoirs can create greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere. Hydropower can sometimes create more greenhouse gases carbon dioxide emissions.Hydropower is mostly used to create electricity.

How does this technology work: Solar power cells convert sunlight into electricity, using the energy of speeding photons to create an electrical current within a solar panel. 

Gathered/Created: The type and size of a solar energy collection and conversion system determines how much of available solar energy can be converted to useful energy. Solar energy is created in the Nuclear Fusion in the Sun. It comes to the Earth in the form of heat and light through radiation.

Current U.S. Consumption: In 2013, less than 1% of U.S. electricity generation came from solar power.

Environmental impacts: Clearing land for construction and the placement of the power plant may have long-term impacts on plant and animal life by reducing habitat areas for native plants and animals.

Costs: $4,500-$12,000 (PV) --(DC to AC) $1,000-$3,000

Examples: PV's can range from those that provide tiny amounts of power for watches and calculators up to those that provide the amount used by hundreds of homes.

Low-temperature solar thermal collectors absorb the sun's heat energy to heat water or air for heating in homes, offices, and other buildings.

Links: http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=solar_where

http://www.sunrun.com/solar-lease/cost-of-solar/

http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/what-are-some-examples-of-solar-energy.shtml

http://www.solartechnologies.com/cm/About-Solar-Power/how-does-solar-power-work.html

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/SolarEnergy.php

Energy is made from petroleum by burning the petroleum. This creates heat which boils water. The water turns into steam in narrow pipes so when it emerges from the pipes it is under a lot of pressure. This passes through a turbine which spins a generator to create energy. Petroleum and other oils are gathered by drilling. 1% of the United States energy comes from petroleum. Burning petroleum creates lots of pollutants that harm the environment. Drilling for petroleum costs 33.76 dollars per barrel. Petroleum is often used for fuel in cars andto create electricity.

2a) Burning natural gas works through exploring and drilling.

2b) It is gathered and created by going and and drilling to reach a source.

3) Natural gas supplies nearly 1/4 of energy use in the United States.

4) Natural gas impacts the environment negatively. It accounts for much 

of the use of water, hazardous chemicals could possibly be released, drilling 

for the natural gas could possibly cause small earthquakes, and the natural 

gas could potentially be released to the environment after drilling.

5) Gaining access to natural gas costs around $30 to $50.

6) Natural gas is most commonly used as fuel.

http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=natural_gas_environment

How does this technology work: Clean coal technology seeks to reduce harsh environmental effects by using multiple technologies to clean coal and contain its emissions.

Gathered/Created: The energy in coal comes from energy that was stored in giant plants that lived hundreds of millions of years ago in swamp forests. When these giant plants and ferns died, they formed layers at the bottom of the swamps. Water and dirt began to pile up on top of the dead plant remains.

Current U.S. Consumption: The U.S. gets over half of it's energy from coal.

Environmental Impacts: Pollutions

Costs: $66 per day

Examples: The most significant uses of coal are in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing and as a liquid fuel.

Links: http://www.originenergy.com.au/4229/Coal

http://www.fplsafetyworld.com/?ver=kkblue&utilid=fplforkids&id=16200

http://www.eia.gov/coal/news_markets/

http://www.worldcoal.org/coal/uses-of-coal/

http://www.energy4me.org/energy-facts/energy-sources/coal/

2a.) a small particle called a neutron hits the uranium atom and splits it, releasing a great amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. 

2b.) More neutrons are also released when the uranium atom splits. These neutrons go on to bombard other uranium atoms, and the process continues to have a chain reaction.

3.) There are currently 100 operating commercial nuclear reactors at 62 nuclear power plants in the United States. There are 31 states with at least one commercial nuclear reactor.

4.) The main environmental concerns for nuclear power are radioactive wastes such as uranium mill tailings, spent (used) reactor fuel, and other radioactive wastes. These materials remain radioactive and dangerous to human health for thousands of years.

5.) The United States use about 800 billion kilowatthours.

6.) Nuclear uranium is currently used as reactors.

http://www.energy4me.org/energy-facts/energy-sources/uranium-nuclear-energy/

2.)Geothermal reservoirs are naturally occurring areas of hydrothermal resources.

• Volcanoes and fumaroles (holes where volcanic gases are released)
• Hot springs
• Geysers