Energy development
The discipline of energy development refers to the actions that centre on the acquisition of sources of energy derived from natural resources. These operations include the production of energy from sources such as renewable resources, nuclear power, and fossil fuels, as well as efforts for the recovery and repurposing of energy that would otherwise be squandered. Taking actions to save energy and increase its efficiency not only lowers the need for new forms of energy production but also has the potential to enhance society's relationship with the natural world.
Energy is used by societies for a wide variety of functions, including transportation, manufacturing, lighting, heating and air conditioning, communication, and industrial and commercial activities. Energy resources may be categorised as primary resources, in which the resource can be used in a form that is essentially similar to its original state, or as secondary resources, in which the energy source must be transformed into a form that can be used with greater ease.
The energy business provides jobs for thousands upon thousands of people. The renewable energy business is one of the new energy industries, which also includes the alternative and sustainable manufacturing, distribution, and sale of alternative fuels. Other new energy companies include those that focus on alternative transportation fuels.
Primary energy resources are those that can be used directly without having to be converted into another form, while secondary energy resources are those that must first be converted into a useful form using significant amounts of primary energy before they can be used.
Resources are considered "renewable" if they can regain their capacity within a period of time that is meaningful to human requirements. Examples of this are hydroelectric power and wind power, which are used when the natural processes that serve as the principal source of energy continue unabated and are not drained by the requirements of human activity. The term "non-renewable resources" refers to those that have had a major portion of their potential reduced as a result of human activity and are not likely to recover to a meaningful degree within the lifespan of humans. Coal is an example of a non-renewable energy source since its formation in nature does not occur at a pace that is sufficient to maintain its usage by humans.