Energy: What It Means and How It’s Changing

What is Energy? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary online it is a “Usable power, typically heat or electricity.” Energy comes in many forms; it could be electrical, thermal, nuclear, chemical, potential and even kinetic (Merriam-Webster, 2012). We use different forms and sources of energy every single day, whether we realize it or not. The biggest use of energy is that of electricity, we use to power lights, keep our food cold and power up our computers and modems. Another is driving a car that is not possible without gas, except for diesels, and hybrid type vehicles. Gas is the end product of the refining of oil that gives the different octanes of gas that we use to get our cars from point A to point B.

My main source of energy I depend on is electricity. Here in California we produce a good amount of our own electricity, but we still receive about 25 percent from the Northwest and Southwest. (US Energy, 2011). The Hoover damn in Arizona is one of these main sources in which we get power, others come from Nuclear plants spread through multiple areas. Just like the Hoover Damn, we have other Hydropower plants throughout Central California.

Since I do not know how to cook and live alone, I typically do not use my gas oven, I am a toaster oven and microwave king. Both of these cook my food using only electricity, My Fridge and freezer use electricity to keep my food fresh, and the electricity gives my power to have lighting and power for my computer and high speed internet. Living in Southern California, I never use my heater, and am currently dependent on having a working Air Conditioning system. During winter months I sleep with the window open and my ceiling fan on in order to keep electricity costs low.

Based on my lifestyle I know that the majority of my energy consumption is not renewable, but some percentage of California’s and the world’s energy is. By the use of Hydropower plants creating energy by moving water, as well as Windmills that create...