Energy and Industry: A Comprehensive Overview
Minerals and Energy Sources
Minerals are non-renewable resources. Some, like iron, can be recycled and used repeatedly, while others, like oil, are non-recyclable and can only be used once. Their consumption should be controlled.
Principal Energy Sources
Throughout history, humans have relied on various energy sources:
- Prehistoric people: Human energy, water, and animals
- Industrial Revolution: Coal
- Late 19th century: Oil, gas, and electricity
- 20th century: Nuclear, wind, and solar energy
Today, the principal energy sources are oil, natural gas, and electricity.
Conventional Energy Sources
Oil and Natural Gas
Oil and natural gas are conventional energy sources derived from fossil raw materials. They are non-renewable and are being depleted faster than they can regenerate. They are often found far from consumption centers and require transportation.
Oil-producing countries often try to control and regulate the market through organizations like OPEC. Oil must be refined before use, and the largest consumers are developed countries.
Conventional Electricity
Electricity powers modern machines, equipment, lighting, and heating.
- Advantages:
- Easy to transport
- Clean
- Easily converted to other energy types
- Disadvantage:
- Cannot be stored
Electricity can be generated through various methods:
- Thermal energy: Burning fuel produces heat, which converts water into high-pressure steam. The steam drives turbines connected to electric generators.
- Nuclear energy: Nuclear fission of radioactive minerals (uranium) releases heat, which is used to generate high-pressure steam and produce electricity.
- Hydroelectric energy: The force of water is used to produce electricity. Reservoirs collect rainwater, and as the water flows through turbines, it generates electricity.
Alternative Energy Sources
Alternative energy sources are renewable and produce less pollution than conventional energy.
- Wind energy: The force of wind moves a wind turbine connected to an electric generator.
- Solar energy:
- Thermal solar: Collectors capture the Sun’s heat to heat water, which can be stored in tanks.
- Photovoltaic: Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity.
- Geothermal energy: The Earth’s internal heat is used to produce electricity.
- Biomass and biogas: Organic waste is burned or decomposed to produce gas that drives turbines and generates electricity.
- Ocean energy: Waves and tides can be harnessed to generate electricity, but it is expensive.
Alternative energy sources depend on nature and require significant investments.
Types of Industry
Light Industry
Light industry produces finished products directly for consumers, such as food, electronics, automobiles, and textiles. These industries use less raw material and energy and are often located near large cities.
Heavy Industry
Heavy industry produces products for other industries, such as iron and steel, metals, petrochemicals, cement, and capital goods. These industries require large amounts of energy and raw materials and are typically located near extraction sites.
The Industrial Revolution: Then and Now
The Industrial Revolution began in England with the introduction of machines, new energy sources, and specialized workers. Today, many companies operate globally, with component factories and assembly plants located worldwide.
The industrial sector reflects globalization in three ways:
- Business concentration in large industrial groups
- Multinational corporations
- Global production processes (outsourcing)
Reconversion and New Industries
Today, high-technology industries are emerging in fields such as robotics and automation. Traditional industries have faced challenges due to competition, leading to closures and industrial reconversion.
Science and technology parks are industrial reconversion initiatives that offer advantages such as proximity to transportation, skilled workers, and reasonable land prices.
Great Industrial Regions in the World
Industrialization varies globally:
- Developed countries: Strong industrialization due to advanced technologies, transportation networks, and skilled workforce.
- Emerging powers: Rapid industrialization driven by stable governments and skilled, low-cost labor.
- Non-industrialized countries: Despite abundant natural resources and cheap labor, industrialization remains limited.