Extracting the Energy from Hydrocarbons
Fossil fuels are found under the earth's crust and include crude oil and natural gas (methane). Exploration and extraction of fossil fuels are necessary to bring these energy building blocks to the surface. Complex refining plants transform crude oil into a myriad of energy-yielding fuels such as gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel. These refined compounds are burned to release heat energy. This heat energy is then used to form steam which can produce electricity in steam turbines.
Source of Chemical Energy
Hydrocarbons are valuable because of the energy stored in the chemical bonds. Hydrocarbons can have many chemical bonds between the atoms and, when burned, the bonds are broken which releases tremendous heat energy. The simplest chemical reaction from the combustion of hydrocarbons releases water (steam), carbon dioxide and heat energy. A reaction that releases heat to the environment is called an exothermic reaction. This heat can be used directly to heat homes or industrially to vaporize water into steam and generate electricity.
Alternative Sources of Energy
Because of the time it takes to produce fossil fuels (millions of years), they are a nonrenewable resource. Once they are extracted, refined and burned, hydrocarbons take a different form that cannot be recovered. Over time, the earth's fossil fuel reserves will be depleted and other sources of energy must be found, perfected and implemented. Wind and solar energy are alternative sources of renewable energy. The sun also imparts energy to plant life through photosynthesis. This energy is also locked within the bonds of plant components. Although more complex than hydrocarbons, carbohydrates found in plants could provide energy in the future