Production of energy is very closely related to chemistry. All of the processes mentioned on this page involve chemistry, particularly solar power, alternative fuels, and fuel cells. These produce power through chemical reactions, so chemistry is intimately involved. Special materials are needed for the reactions to work properly, and the reactions must be understood well in order to produce the maximum amount of energy.
Geothermal power uses thermal energy, but chemistry is important here too, because to optimize power production, it is important to know which materials have the highest heat capacities. Heat capacity, and many other important properties are related to chemistry.
Wind power requires special materials that are both light and inexspensive to contrust. Likewise, hydro power requires materials that are strong and will not corode. Understanding how materials interact and what properties they have is determined by a material's chemistry, so understanding chemsitry is crucial to wind power and hydro power.
Fuel cells, regarded by some as the most promising future energy source for cars, uses a special reaction to produce energy. During the processes of a fuel cell hydrogen and oxygen are encouraged by a catalyst (usually a heavy metal) so that the hydrogen splits into a proton and an electron which take different paths to the cathode that is part of the cell. The protons pass through the electrolyte while the electrons create another current that can be utilized before returning to the cathode where they rejoin to a hydrogen and oxygen making water.
Understanding of chemistry is cleary an integral part in understanding and utilizing alternative energy sources, without which sustainable development is impossible.
