Fossil Fuels

There are three main fossil fuels:

Coal

Oil

Natural Gas

Coal

Coal is a black rock that is mined.

It was formed from layers of dead plants and took millions of years to form.

Coal is burned to heat water to turn a steam turbine to spin a generator.

Oil

Oil was formed from the remains of dead animals and plants.

It was formed over millions of years.

Heat and pressure created crude oil. The oil is released using pipes that are drilled into the earth.

The oil is taken to a refinery where it is turned into petroleum.

Natural Gas

Natural gas was formed the same way as oil.

We also get natural gas the same way as oil by drilling.

The gas is stored in tanks.

When it is cooled, it turns into a liquid and can be transported by truck or boat.

Fossil Fuels and the Environment

When fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and causes global warming.

Greenhouse gases trap heat which causes the Earth to warm.

Burning petrol also hurts the air that we breathe.

Fossil Fuels and Taiwan

Fossil Fuels are the most widely used source of electricity in Taiwan.

Oil (38.51%), Coal (33.64%) and Gas (19.74%) make up nearly 92% of Taiwan's power usage.

This leads to poor air quality some days in Taiwan.