Petroleum

This passage is about the world's dependence on one fuel source.

Lexile Level: 1310L

Categories: Science & Technology

Most of the fuel used to power engines or heat buildings is derived from petroleum. Since petroleum is a non-renewable fossil fuel, energy experts predict that demand will exceed supply in ten to twenty years. This has prompted a search for alternative fuels that can reduce the world's dependency on petroleum. Like petroleum, most alternative fuels store potential energy in a stable, liquid form that can be transported to a consumer who can then burn the fuel for energy to power a car or provide a heat source. Some alternative fuels are made from agricultural products such as peanut or vegetable oil. Other alternate fuels include hydrogen, ethanol, and butanol. The major benefit of these alternative fuels is that the fuel source can be produced perpetually to meet growing demands. By increasing the availability of alternative fuels, energy experts hope to reduce the world's dependency on the ever-dwindling supply of petroleum.