U.S. Energy Information Administration logo
Skip to sub-navigation

Glossary

This page has no sub-navigation. Skip to page content.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ

Browse terms related to these fuel groups:alternative fuels|coal|electricity|natural gas|nuclear|petroleum|renewable

Fossil fuel

Fossil fuel:  An energy source formed in the Earth's crust from decayed organic material. The common fossil fuels are petroleum, coal, and natural gas.

Fossil fuel electric generation:  Electric generation in which the prime mover is an internal combustion engine or a turbine rotated by high-pressure steam produced in a boiler or by a hot exhaust gas produced from the burning of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuel plant:  A plant using coal, petroleum, or gas as its source of energy.

Fossil fuel steam-electric power plant:  An electricity generation plant in which the prime mover is a turbine rotated by high-pressure steam produced in a boiler by heat from burning fossil fuels.

Top