Other sources of energy. Hydroelectric plants use the energy of moving water to drive engines that generate electricity. Such plants are costly to build but efficient to run because water is an abundant resource.
The sun provides an inexpensive and virtually inexhaustible power source. Several devices have been built to use solar energy, but most remain experimental. However some devices to collect the sun's energy have already become common. Various kinds of solar-heated houses have been built, especially in places that have a lot of sunshine. Scientists have made solar cells that change sunlight into a reliable source of electricity. The cells are used on space satellites and even in small calculators.
People have long used energy of the winds. Perhaps the most familiar form of wind power is windmills. The main job of the early windmills was to grind grains. They were also used to pump water. Today different type of windmills is built. Their job is to generate electricity. Wind energy is widely available but is less reliable than other sources. Since winds vary from place to place, windmills are more practical in some areas, although in other places they do not work at all.
Geothermal energy is another option that is getting attention these days. This energy comes from the intense heat that is stored within the earth. Geothermal plants use water and gases heated under the earth's surface to power engines that generate electricity. Geothermal plants are located in Italy, Mexico, Japan, Iceland, Russia and the USA. Like wind energy, geothermal energy is usable in only some parts ofthe world. The same problem limits the use of tidal energy, which can be harnessed in only a few areas.
1. What are the three major fossil fuels?
2. What products might countries lack ifthere are oil shortages?
3. How do the oil-consuming nations deal with the claim that the
world's oil resources will soon be depleted?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy, hydro-
electricity, and solar energy?