ENERGY RESOURCES AND

CONSUMPTION UNIT

Chapter 15: Nonrenewable Energy (Pgs 370-396)

Where does our energy come from?

We Depend Heavily on Oil

Petroleum (crude oil) contains hundreds of hydrocarbons (petrochemicals)as well as sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen.

We Depend Heavily on Oil World oil consumption has been growing

since 1950. (U.S. 24%, China 8%, Japan 7%)

OPEC – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Companies (middle east) – have >60% of the worlds oil reserves (we think). Control the amount and price of oil production.

OPEC companies make $1.3 million / minute.

We Depend Heavily on Oil Produces 9% of the world’s oil

Imports 60% of its oil

About One-fourth of the world’s conventional oil is controlled by countries that sponsor or condone terrorism

Possible effects of steeply rising oil prices

Reduce energy wasteShift to non-carbon energy sourcesHigher prices for products made with

petrochemicalsHigher food prices; buy locally-produced

foodAirfares higherSmaller more fuel-efficient vehiclesUpgrade of public transportation

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Oil

Other Options

Oil sand – clay, sand, water and bitumen (heavy oil that makes up 10% of mixture)

Shale oil – hydrocarbons from heating shale – green river formation

Low net energy

Natural Gas

-50-90% methane, also contains ethane propane, butane and H2S.

Often burned off in conventional oil drilling.

Liquefied petroleum gas – propane and butane from natural gas fields.

Russia has 27% of the world’s natural gas reserves (we have 3% but use 27% of annual production)

Natural gas – more advantages than disadvantages

Coal A solid fossil fuel that was formed in

several stages out of the remains of land plants that were buried 300-400 million years ago.

Generates 40% of the worlds electricity. (49% in the U.S.)

Coal-burning power plants Inefficient

and complicated

Coal – advantages vs. disadvantages

The U.S. has 25% of the world’s coal.

Nuclear Energy Nuclear power has a low environmental impact and

a very low accident risk, but high costs, a low net energy yield, long-lived radioactive wastes, vulnerability to sabotage, and the potential for spreading nuclear weapons technology have limited its use.

In the 1950’s researchers predicted that by the year 2000 most of the worlds electricity would be supplied by at least 1,800 plants.

In 2007 439 reactors provided 16% of the world’s electricity.

Nuclear advantages and disadvantages

Nuclear Power

Deep burial or radioactive waste is required. ($58-100 billion – Yucca Mountain)

Recycling could make plutonium rich products.

Decommissioning old power plants

ENERGY RESOURCES AND

CONSUMPTION UNIT

Chapter 16: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Pgs 399-434)

Energy Efficiency

Energy conservation – decrease in energy used based on reducing unnecessary waste of energy.

Energy efficiency – measure of how much work we can get from each unit of energy we use.

How can energy waste be reduced?

Incandescent light bulbs (90-95% heat) Internal combustion engines (94%

wasted) Nuclear and Coal Power plants (66-92%)

Saving Energy in Industry 38% of the U.S. energy consumption is for

industry. Cogeneration or combined heat and

power (CHP) – two useful forms of energy are produced at the same time.

Replace energy –wasting electric motors. Recycle materials. Switch to fluorescent and LED lighting.

Saving Energy in Transportation Accounts for 66% of oil consumption and is

a major source of air pollution.

Saving Energy in Transportation Options:

Super efficient and ultralight cars (80-300 mpg)Hybrid cars (invented in 1900) (46 mpg)Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (100-1000 mpg)Energy efficient diesel car (coal, plant material or

cooking oil)

Saving Energy in Building Design

UN – better architecture could save 30-40% of energy used globally.

Sunlight orientation Green architecture (roofs, passive solar

heating, natural lighting, cogeneration, energy efficient appliances, recycled building materials etc.)

Superinsulation (straw bale houses)

Saving Energy in Building Design

- Insulate and plug leaks- Energy efficient windows- Leaky attics- Heat houses more

efficiently- Heat water more

efficiently- Energy efficient

appliances- Energy efficient lighting

Why don’t we use Renewable Energy? Benefits: save money, less vulnerable,

creates jobs, reduce CO2 emissions, reduce trade deficits, improve national security

So we does only 7% of our energy comes from renewable resources?

Government spends money on fossil fuel research, fossil fuel prices or deceivable low.

Solar Energy

Passive solar heating system – absorbs and stores heat from the sun directly within a well insulated structure without the need for pumps or fans.

Solar Energy

Solar thermal systems – concentrate and transform energy from the sun into high-temperature thermal energy (heat).Used for heatElectricity production

Solar Energy Photovoltaic cells (PV cells) –

converts solar energy to electrical energy, thin wafers made of silicon and trace amounts of metals.

Solar Energy Solar cells supply less than 0.2% of the

worlds electricity, though annual solar cell production has been growing rapidly.

Hydropower

Dams usually harness energy from falling or flowing water.

Supplies 16% of the world’s power (Norway, New Zealand and China)

In the U.S. it only supplies 7% (50% on the west coast)

Hydropower

The moving water from ocean tides and waves can be harnessed by building dams across bays. (France and Nova Scotia)

Or using underwater turbines (East River in NY)

Disadvantages: few suitable sites, high costs, storm damage and……

Wind Energy

World’s 2nd fastest growing source of energy. (led by Europe)

Wind Energy:The

advantages and

disadvantages

Biomass Energy

Biomass consists of plant materials and animal wastes that can be burned directly or turned into biofuel.

Supplies 10% of the worlds energy and 35% of the energy in developing countries.

Biodiesel and ethanol can be used in place of petroleum based fuels.

Geothermal Energy Heat stored in soil, underground rocks,

and fluids in the earth’s mantle. (there is a lot of it!)

Geothermal heat pump systems can heat and cool a house by exploiting the temperature differences between the earth’s surface and underground.

Geothermal Enrgy

Hydrothermal reservoirs – deeper pockets of steam and hot water.

Hot, dry rock – 3 or more miles underground.

Geothermal energy is cheaper, produces much less CO2, but the reservoirs could be depleted and start up costs are expensive.

Hydrogen Energy

The fuel of the future Eliminate air pollution, high

energy per gram. It takes energy to get the

hydrogen (could be polluting), fuel cells are expensive

Sustainable Energy Future New Energy Policies should consider:

AvailabilityNet energy yieldCost of development and useGovernment subsidies and tax breaksNational security issuesEnvironmental, human health and climate

affects due to extracting, transporting, and using resource.

Sustainable Energy FutureWhat will the energy future look like? A gradual shift from large centralized

macropower systems to smaller systems.

Transition to a diverse mix of locally available renewable energy resources Improved energy efficiency

Fossil fuels will still be used in large amounts

Sustainable Energy FutureGovernments can:

- offer subsidies for renewable resources, to keep prices low.

- discourage use of selected resources by keeping prices high.

- emphasize consumer education