Water has Potential Energy at elevation because of gravity. A flowing mountain stream demonstates Kinetic Mechanical Energy. The food you eat also demonstrates both types. Chemical Energy in food is stored as Potential Energy, and released as Kinetic Energy for work or play.

• Thermal (heat)
• Radiant (light)
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Chemical
• Nuclear

The energy that we use every day is stored in many different ways. Some energy sources are Renewable and can be used over and over again. For example, the mechanical energy in a waterfall is renewable because rainfall replenishes the source. Solar power from the sun, wind, geothermal energy from inside the earth, biomass from plants, and hydropower from water can all be used to make electricity and are all renewable energy sources.

Fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas, and coal, and uranium, used in nuclear fission to create heat and electricity, are currently our primary energy sources. Since they can not be replaced, they are Nonrenewable.

With consumption rates constantly increasing, as the developing world uses more and more energy to raise their standard of living, mankind will eventually run out of fossil fuels. Internationally, the demand for energy is expected to increase by 50% over the next ten years. How do we avoid the turmoil that would surround ever-increasing fuel prices as demand outstrips supply? The answer is hydrogen, and fuel cells are the first step in a smooth transition to a hydrogen-based economy.

The universe uses Hydrogen as it's primary energy source. It is renewable, non-poluting, and readily available. We can only hope mankind also learns to use Hydrogen as his primary energy source before he kills the Earth.