Creating a dedicated folder on energy production, storage, and transmission will provide a thorough foundation. Here’s a structured list of notes to consider for a comprehensive overview:

  1. Introduction to Energy Systems

    • Overview of energy types, sources, and the global energy landscape.

  2. Energy Production Methods

    • Nuclear Energy
      • Detailed information on nuclear reactors, types (e.g., fission, fusion, thorium), pros and cons, waste management, and safety.
    • Solar Power
      • Types of solar panels (photovoltaic, concentrated solar), efficiency factors, and large-scale vs. small-scale applications.
    • Wind Energy
      • Wind turbine designs, offshore vs. onshore wind, and efficiency considerations.
    • Hydropower
      • Types (dam, pumped storage, run-of-river), environmental impacts, and energy capacity.
    • Geothermal Energy
      • Types (dry steam, flash steam, binary cycle), locations, and sustainability.
    • Biomass and Bioenergy
      • Sources (waste, algae, crops), conversion processes, carbon neutrality.
    • Fossil Fuels
      • Overview of coal, oil, natural gas, environmental impacts, and transition strategies.

  3. Energy Storage Solutions

    • Battery Storage
      • Types (lithium-ion, solid-state, flow batteries), energy density, cycle life, and disposal.
    • Thermal Storage
      • Methods (molten salt, hot water tanks), applications in solar and industrial processes.
    • Mechanical Storage
      • Flywheels, compressed air energy storage, and pumped hydro.
    • Chemical Storage
      • Hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, and ammonia as energy carriers.

  4. Energy Transmission and Distribution

    • Power Grids
      • Structure, high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and rural vs. urban challenges.
    • Smart Grids
      • Overview, benefits, integration with renewable energy, and cybersecurity.
    • Wireless Power Transmission
      • Inductive coupling, microwave, and laser transmission, applications, and limitations.

  5. Energy Efficiency

    • Techniques for improving energy efficiency in production, transmission, and storage.
    • Comparison of efficiencies among different energy systems.

  6. Sustainable and Future Energy Technologies

    • Innovations in renewable energy, advanced materials for storage, artificial photosynthesis, and tidal/wave power.

  7. Environmental and Social Impact of Energy

    • Emissions and Pollution
      • Greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, and waste management.
    • Land and Water Use
      • Impacts of various energy systems on land and water resources.
    • Health and Safety
      • Worker and community health impacts of energy production, particularly in fossil fuel and nuclear sectors.

  8. Glossary of Key Energy Terms

    • Definitions of technical terms and key concepts for quick reference.