DOE/GO-10095-070
`FS 218
`January 1995
`
`Most of the time, we use stored
`energy for fuel. Burning fuel sets
`the stored energy free in the form
`of heat. Long ago, people only
`burned wood as fuel. Now, we
`mostly burn “fossil fuels”—oil,
`natural gas, and coal.
`
`They are called fossil fuels
`because they are formed over
`millions of years from the fossils,
`or remains, of dead animals
`and plants. The fossils became
`buried under dirt and rock. Heat
`from the earth and pressure
`from dirt and rock changes these
`fossils into oil, natural gas, and
`coal. Because it takes millions
`of years to make, or “renew,”
`more fossil fuels, we call them
`“nonrenewable fuels.”
`
`Other fuels are
`called “renewable
`fuels” because
`they are “renewed”
`all the time and
`will never run out.
`One example of
`a renewable fuel
`is solar energy.
`Energy from the
`sun can be turned
`into electricity or
`heat.
`
`BA-A220901
`
`ENERGY
`EFFICIENCY
`Learning About
`RENEWABLE
`Saving EnergyC
`ENERGY
`
`What is energy?
`Energy is the ability to do work. It
`can come in the forms of heat and
`light. There are two types of
`energy: working energy and stored
`energy. Stored energy becomes
`working energy when we use it.
`
`You eat food for energy. Then
`your body stores the energy until
`you need it. When you work and
`play, your stored energy becomes
`working energy.
`
`We use energy every day. We use
`it to grow our food, warm and cool
`our homes, make our electricity,
`run our cars, and make products
`like clothes and toys. It is a very
`important part of our lives.
`
`
`
` AND
`
`LEARINGHOUSE
`
`
`Fossil fuels come from the remains of
`dead animals and plants.
`
`This document was produced for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL),
`a DOE national laboratory. The document was produced by the Technical Information Program, under the DOE Office of Energy
`Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) is operated by NCI
`Information Systems, Inc., for NREL/DOE. The statements contained herein are based on information known to EREC and
`NREL at the time of printing. No recommendation or endorsement of any product or service is implied if mentioned by EREC.
`
`Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% postconsumer waste
`
`R T M E N
`TOF
`
`EN E
`
`DEPA
`
`N I
`U
`
`T
`
`R G Y
`
`CA
`
`ERI
`M
`
`A
`
`E D S
`
`TAT S O F
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`Exhibit 1020, Page 1
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`

`
`Another kind of fuel is nuclear
`energy. Nuclear energy uses
`special radioactive materials to
`make electricity. Many people
`believe that nuclear energy is
`a clean, renewable energy. But
`making electricity this way leaves
`behind radioactive wastes that
`must be stored safely for thou­
`sands of years.
`
`How do we use
`energy?
`We use a lot of energy to heat and
`cool our homes. We burn fuel in
`our furnaces or boilers for heat.
`We also burn fuel to heat water
`for our baths and showers.
`
`Large utility companies use
`energy to make electricity. These
`companies usually burn fossil
`fuels, such as coal, to make elec­
`tricity. But burning fossil fuels
`causes air pollution that damages
`our environment.
`
`We use electricity to power our
`lights, TVs and radios, refrigera­
`tors and washing machines, air
`conditioners, and sometimes our
`stoves and clothes dryers.
`
`We use energy to run our cars.
`Most cars use a form of oil called
`gasoline to make them run. Our
`cars can go a lot farther on a gal­
`lon of gasoline than they could
`20 years ago. But now we drive
`more cars and drive them more
`often than we did 20 years ago!
`
`Almost half the energy we use in
`the United States today helps
`make the everyday products we
`buy in stores. Factories use
`energy to make food, furniture,
`clothes, and toys. Factories also
`make paper, which we use a lot of
`every day. You use paper in
`school. And all your books are
`made from paper.
`
`Some products are made of fossil
`fuels. For example, some plastics
`are made from oil. Most of the
`time, we use plastic products once
`and then throw them away.
`
`Factories use a lot of energy to
`make packaging. Almost every­
`thing we buy comes in a package.
`For example, cereal comes in
`boxes made of cardboard, a kind
`of paper. In fact, about half of all
`the paper made in the United
`States is used for packaging.
`
`BA-A220902
`
`We use energy every day in many ways.
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`Exhibit 1020, Page 2
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`

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`To save electricity:
`Turn off all the lights when you
`leave a room.
`
`Ask your parents to replace your
`regular light bulbs with special
`lights called “compact fluorescent
`lights.” They use about a fourth of
`the energy of regular light bulbs.
`To save the most energy, install
`them in light fixtures that are on
`for several hours at a time, such
`as lamps used for reading.
`
`Turn off the TV, radio, and com­
`puter when you are through
`using them.
`
`To save gasoline:
`Ride the bus to school.
`
`Walk or ride your bike to school
`or to visit friends.
`
`Share rides with friends to after-
`school activities and Saturday
`games.
`
`BA-A220905
`
`Ride your bike to school.
`
`Many soft drinks
`and fruit juices
`come in cans or
`bottles. It takes a
`lot of energy to
`make steel and
`aluminum cans
`and glass bottles.
`
`BA-A220903
`
`Almost everything we buy is packaged.
`
`How can we save
`
`energy?
`It is important to save energy
`because most of the energy we
`use comes from fossil fuels. If we
`use up all our fossil fuels, there
`will not be any left for people to
`use in the future.
`
`It would be impossible to stop
`using energy. But we can try to
`use less. Here is a list of things
`you can do to save energy.
`
`To save energy for
`heating and cooling:
`You can save energy in your home
`or apartment in many ways.
`First, you need to find out how
`much energy you use. One way
`is to look at your family’s utility
`bill each month. Second, ask your
`parents or utility company to do
`an energy survey or audit of your
`home. This will tell you exactly
`where you can save energy.
`
`BA-A220904
`
`Wear a sweatshirt or other warm
`clothing indoors when it is cold,
`so your parents will not have to
`turn the furnace up so high.
`
`Wear fewer clothes indoors when
`it is hot, so your parents will not
`have to run the air conditioner
`as much.
`
`3
`
`
`Energy-efficient compact
`fluorescent lights use less
`energy than do regular
`light bulbs.
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`Exhibit 1020, Page 3
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`

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`Activities
`Here are some activities you can
`do to help save energy. Choose
`ones that you can do yourself or
`with your family and friends.
`
`Count how many light bulbs you
`use in your home. Ask your par­
`ents to replace some of them with
`compact fluorescent bulbs.
`
`Make a list of all the car trips
`your family takes in a week. At
`the end of the week, look at the
`list. Which trips could your fam­
`ily have combined? Which trips
`could your family have avoided by
`walking or riding a bike?
`
`Do a science project on a renew­
`able energy fuel. See the Source
`List for ideas.
`
`Visit a recycling center. Find out
`where the recycled materials go.
`
`If you don’t already, start recy­
`cling at home. A good place to
`start is with newspapers, alu­
`minum and steel cans, glass bot­
`tles and jars, and plastic soda and
`milk containers.
`
`Go to the library and read about
`more ways to save energy.
`
`Tell your friends how to save
`energy.
`
`To save energy used to
`make products:
`Reduce. Reuse. Recycle!
`
`Reduce
`Buy products without much pack­
`aging and wrapping.
`
`Reuse
`Share your clothes and toys with
`others after you outgrow them.
`
`Recycle
`Recycle newspapers. Paper made
`from recycled paper uses about
`one-third less energy than paper
`made from raw materials.
`
`Recycle glass bottles and jars.
`Glass made from recycled glass
`also uses about one-third less
`energy than glass made from raw
`materials.
`
`BA-A220906
`
`Recycle steel and aluminum
`cans and aluminum foil. Alu-
`minum cans made from recycled
`aluminum use 90% less energy
`than aluminum made from raw
`materials.
`
`Buy products made of recycled
`material. Look for the recycle
`mark—three arrows that make a
`circle—on the package.
`
`BA-A220907
`
`Recycle newspaper, aluminum, plastic, steel,
`and glass at home.
`
`4
`
`
`Give clothes that
`you have outgrown to
`others.
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`Exhibit 1020, Page 4
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`

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`Glossary
`
`Coal: A solid fossil fuel found
`Nuclear energy: Energy that
`in the earth. Coal is burned to
`comes from splitting atoms of
`make electricity.
`radioactive materials, such as
`uranium, which leave behind
`radioactive wastes.
`
`Compact fluorescent lights:
`Lights that use a lot less energy
`than regular light bulbs. We can
`use compact fluorescent lights
`for reading lights and ceiling
`lights.
`
`Oil: A liquid fuel found deep in
`the earth. Gasoline and some
`plastics are made from oil.
`
`Radioactive waste: Materials
`left over from making nuclear
`energy. Radioactive waste can
`harm people and the environ­
`ment if it is not stored safely.
`
`Recycling: A way to reuse
`materials instead of just throw­
`ing them away.
`
`Recycle mark: A design of
`three arrows that make up
`a circle. This mark tells you
`that you can recycle the prod­
`uct. It can also mean that the
`material is made from recycled
`materials.
`
`Renewable fuels: Fuels that
`can be easily made or
`“renewed.” We can never use up
`renewable fuels. Types of
`renewable fuels are solar, wind,
`and hydropower energy.
`
`Solar energy: Energy from the
`sun. The heat that builds up in
`your car when it is parked in
`the sun is an example of solar
`energy.
`
`The recycle mark tells you
`a product either is made
`from recycled materials
`or can be recycled.
`
`Energy: Energy is the ability to
`do work. Stored energy becomes
`working energy when we use it.
`
`Energy audit: A survey that
`shows how much energy you
`use in your house or apartment.
`It will help you find ways to use
`less energy.
`
`Environment: All the natural
`and living things around us.
`The earth, air, weather, plants,
`and animals all make up our
`environment.
`
`Fossil fuels: Fuels formed in
`the ground from the remains of
`dead plants and animals. It
`takes millions of years to form
`fossil fuels. Oil, natural gas,
`and coal are fossil fuels.
`
`Fuel: Any material that can be
`burned to make energy.
`
`Natural gas: A fossil fuel
`found deep in the earth. Nat­
`ural gas is often found with oil.
`
`Nonrenewable fuels: Fuels
`that cannot be easily made or
`“renewed.” We can use up nonre­
`newable fuels. Oil, natural gas,
`and coal are nonrenewable fuels.
`
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`Exhibit 1020, Page 5
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`

`
`Resources
`
`
`National Energy Education Development Project
`1920 Association Drive, Suite 414
`Reston, VA 22091
`(800) 875-5029
`This group offers energy education programs for grades
`4 to 12.
`
`Books
`These books have more information on energy. This
`list does not cover all the books on energy, nor does
`any mention of a book mean that we recommend it. To
`get these books, go to your library or bookstore. Or
`you can write the publisher. Ask the bookstore or pub­
`lisher how much the book costs before you order it.
`
`For You
`50 Simple Things Kids Can Do To Recycle, Earth-
`Works Press, Box 25, 1400 Shattuck Avenue, Berke­
`ley, CA 94709, (415) 841-5866, 1994.
`Experimenting with Energy, by Alan Ward, Chelsea
`House, ISBN: 0-7910-1510-6, 1991.
`Rads, Ergs, & Cheeseburgers: The Kid’s Guide to
`Energy & the Environment, by Bill Yanda and John
`Muir, ISBN: 0-945465-75-0, 1991.
`Renewable Energy: A Concise Guide to Green
`Alternatives, by Jennifer Carless, Walker & Co, ISBN:
`0-8027-8214-0, 1993.
`
`For Your Teacher
`Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten through
`12th Grade, National Energy Information Center,
`Energy Information Administration, Room 1F-048,
`1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
`20585, (202) 586-8800, 1994.
`Science Projects in Renewable Energy and Energy
`Efficiency, American Solar Energy Society, National
`Energy Foundation, 5160 Wiley Post Way, Suite 200,
`Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 539-1406, 1991.
`Teach with Energy! Fundamental Energy, Electricity
`and Science Lessons for Grades K–3, National Energy
`Foundation, 5160 Wiley Post Way, Suite 200, Salt
`Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 539-1406, 1990.
`Teach with Energy! Fundamental Energy, Electricity
`and Science Lessons for Grades 4–6, National Energy
`Foundation, 5160 Wiley Post Way, Suite 200, Salt
`Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 539-1406, 1992.
`
`This fact sheet gives you some information on how
`you can save energy. If you want more information,
`check out the groups and books listed here. Most of
`these books will be in your library.
`
`Helpful Groups
`These groups have more information on energy
`and ways to save it. Call or write them to get that
`information.
`
`For You
`Alliance to Save Energy
`1725 K Street, NW, Suite 509
`Washington, DC 20006-1401
`(202) 857-0666
`
`This group has information on saving energy in the home.
`
`The Energy Efficiency and Renewable
`Energy Clearinghouse
`P.O. Box 3048
`Merrifield, VA 22116
`(800) 363-3732
`This group has information on renewable energy and saving
`energy. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
`Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
`9 West Broad Street
`Stamford, CT 06902
`(203) 323-8987
`This group offers information on how to get rid of trash by
`recycling.
`National Renewable Energy Laboratory
`Center for Science Education
`1617 Cole Boulevard
`Golden, CO 80401
`(800)-NEW ENGY
`(800-639-3649)
`This center has student and teacher information and videos
`on renewable energy.
`Renew America
`1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 710
`Washington, DC 20036
`(202) 232-2252
`This group offers information on renewable energy and the
`environment.
`
`For Your Teacher
`Bull Frog Films
`P.O. Box 149
`Oley, PA 19547
`(800) 543-3764
`This group has films and videos on energy. Ask for its free
`catalog.
`
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`Exhibit 1020, Page 6