Principal Sources Of Energy Renewable Energy Vs. Fossil Fuels & Sustainability Issues

ACX Executive Climate Change & Carbon Trading Course

KEFRI, Nairobi

12-16 November, 2012

Abbas S. Kitogo

1. What is Energy?

2. Types of Energy Sources

3. Renewable Energy/Alternative Energy

4. Non-renewable Energy

5. Energy and Sustainability/MDGs

Outline

The different forms of energy

(1) Chemical energy - due to chemical reaction(2) Electrical energy - due to flow of electron(3) Heat energy - due to thermal vibration(4) Light energy - due to radiation of light(5) Mechanical energy - due to moving parts(6) Nuclear energy - due to nuclear reaction

The SI unit of energy is Joule

Definition of Energy: Energy is the ability (or) capacity to do work

1. What is energy?

Renewable Fossil

Can be replaced

Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Hydro, Tidal, Biomass

Cannot replaced

Nuclear, Oil, Natural gas,

Coal

Courtesy of NEED

2. Types of Energy

• Solar

• Wind

• Hydropower

• Tidal Power

• Biomass

• Geothermal

Renewable Energy

Solar Power

Active Passive

Types of Solar Power

• Works on the principle that hot air rises and cool air sinks (convection)

• Solar heats air and it moves through convection through the structure or to thermal mass

Passive Solar Power

• Energy from sun is stored in a “thermal mass”

• When needed, heat from thermal mass is then pumped throughout structure

• This also refers to electrical generation using solar power

• Two ways to do this are photovoltaic cells and huge commercial electric facilities

Active Solar Power

• These facilities use solar power to heat water to form steam. The steam goes to generate electricity just as in fossil fuel or nuclear electric plants.

• No release of air pollutants

• No electricity generated at night

• They do work on cloudy days, though

Large-scale Solar Electric Site

Wind Power

• Can be used for mechanical tasks, e.g. pumping water

• Can be used for generation of electricity for direct use or storage in batteries

• High torque, low-speed to pump water, grind grain, saw wood

Mechanical Power Windmills

• High speed, low torque machines

• Will turn themselves off if wind speed exceeds their limits

Electrical Power Windmills

Electric Mechanical

Hydropower

How hydropower works?

• Essentially entails placing a dam across an ocean inlet and harnessing the energy as water moves in and out with the tides

• Positive & negative effects are same as hydropower

Tidal Power

Biomass Energy

Rice husks

Bagasse

Coffee husks

Animal waste Bamboo charcoal Landfill

Fuel plants Coconut husks

Biomass resources

• Drill to deep, hot rock

– Either wet system where heated water belowground is used

– Dry system sends aboveground water belowground to get heated

• Resulting steam can be used for a number of purposes

Geothermal Energy - How does it work?

• Using more than one form of energy to meet needs is an important way to ensure long-term energy needs will be met

• Just as in ecosystem ecology, we find that Diversity = Stability

• Depending on only one form of energy leaves nation vulnerable to all sorts of problems

An Energy Mix

• Coal

• Petroleum and Gas

• Nuclear Energy

Fossil Fuel

• Coal has the longest life expectancy

• Emit CO2

• Unless cheap alternatives to burning coal are found there is likely to be an increase in its use

Coal

• Nuclear fission uses uranium to create energy

• Nuclear energy is a nonrenewable resource because once the uranium is used, it is gone!

Nuclear Energy

• petroleum, and natural gas are considered nonrenewable because they can not be replenished in a short period of time. These are called fossil fuels.

• Widely used in power generation and in our cars

Petroleum and Gas

Energy and the MDGs

• The Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) are a series of quantified development targets agreed at the UN General Assembly in 2000.

• There is no MDG on energy

• Access to energy is fundamental to all of the MDGs

• The quality, reliability and affordability of energy services are what matter from a human development point of view

What are the MDGs?

Energy

MDG 1: Eradicateextreme poverty

and hunger

MDG 2: Achieve universal primary

education

MDG 3: Promote gender equality and

empower women

MDG 4: Reducechild mortality

MDG 5: Improvematernal health

MDG 6: CombatHIV/AIDS, malaria

and other diseases

MDG 7: Ensureenvironmentalsustainability

MDG 8: Develop global

partnership

Energy and the MDGs

• Most staple foods must be cooked and processed before being eaten

• Transport of goods to market requires motive power

• Productive activities, jobs, agriculture and commercial trade all require energy (i.e. electricity & fuels)

MDG 1: Poverty and Hunger

• Many girls do not go to school in order to support family energy and water needs (carrying, grinding, pumping)

• Rural areas find it hard to attract teachers to unelectrified communities

• It is hard for children to study in the evening without lights

• Lack of energy services constrain women’s economic opportunities

MDGs 2&3: Education and Gender Equality

• Indoor air pollution from unvented cooking with solid fuels is the fourth largest cause of death for people in developing countries

• Physical burden of wood & water carrying causes exhaustion and undermines the health of child bearing women

• Lack of electricity limits healthcare services (i.e. night time deliveries, sterilization, etc)

• Lack of ITC limits people’s capacity to learn about healthcare and disease prevention

MDGs 4,5&6: Health and Disease

• National MDG reports treat energy mainly within the context of MDG 7

• Cleaner energy services can encourage a better management of natural resources, including better water quality

• Climate mitigation & adaptation

MDG 7: Environmental sustainability

Oil pressSaw

Grinding millDe-husker

Battery charging

Engine

The Multifunctional Platform supports a simple dieselengine that can power different tools : cereal grinding mills,de-huskers, oil presses, joinery and carpentry tools

Example: Multifunctional Platform

• Provides reliable, affordable energy services

• Fee for Service

• Reduces women’s/girls’ workload

• Frees up women’s/girls’ time

• Creates opportunities for income generating activities

Benefits

The Multifunctional Platform also provides water distribution

and lighting.

The advantages of the engine are its simplicity, sturdiness and

multiple uses - a perfect example of appropriate RE technology.

Benefits

Abbas S. KitogoMobile: +254 700 58 18 26Email: abbasum@yahoo.comURL: www.cdminafrica.ning.comNairobi, Kenya