Energy Presentation

We Need Electricity

Each day we rely on electricity-gobbling gadgets that didn’t exist 10-15 years ago.

Americans are devouring much more energy than ever.

We need about 10% more electricity every 5 years.

Electricity use and the economy grow together

We NEED new power plants What type?

Typical Weekly Load ForecastJuly 2007

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0 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18

BASELOAD

PEAKING

Oil (<1%)

Advantages:◦Easy to use and transport◦Emissions less than coal◦Mature Technology

Disadvantages:◦High fuel cost◦Creates environmental pollution (Sox, Nox,

CO2, CO)◦ Imports create dependence on foreign

suppliers. ◦Politically unstable fuel supply◦Possibly financing terrorist actions

Coal (43%) Advantages:◦Low generating costs, but cost of “clean coal” is making it too high to use (scrubbers, sequestration, carbon tax)

◦Plentiful supplies in U.S.◦Can run around the clock.

Disadvantages:◦Creates air pollution (Sox, Nox,

CO2, Hg)

◦Produces ash that must be disposed of (solid waste)

◦Substantial mining impacts

Hydropower (8%)

Advantages:◦ No pollution◦ Low operating costs◦ Renewable Resource◦ Mature Technology◦ High capacity (seasonal)

Disadvantages:◦ Large land use◦ Can require modification or destruction of

ecosystems◦ Limited available locations◦ Large construction times & capital costs◦ Weather & seasonal dependent

Nuclear (19%)

Advantages:◦ Does not produce air or water pollution◦ Low generating costs (cheap to operate & cheap fuel)◦ Can run around the clock (great for baseload)◦ Very small amounts of contained “waste”◦ U supply is abundant and exists in politically stable

nations.◦ Mature technology

Disadvantages:◦ High capital costs (~$10 billion)◦ Public Perception◦ Long construction times◦ Produces radioactive waste requiring carefully controlled

disposal

Advantages:◦ Lower emissions than coal◦Short construction time◦Very reliable Mature Technology◦ Inexpensive (prices are very low now- shale

gas)

Disadvantages◦Supply and price can fluctuate◦Produces air pollution, though less than

some other sources◦Natural gas is a valuable resource for other

applications

Natural Gas (25%)

Solar

Advantages:◦ Inexhaustible free fuel supply◦ Renewable & no emissions◦ Can be cost – effective way to heat individual

buildings

Disadvantages:◦ Large-scale projects require much land◦ High capital & maintenance costs. Requires

expensive photovoltaic cells◦ Large land use. Too small-scale for urban areas. ◦ Intermittent availability◦ Limited suitable locations◦ Low efficiency◦ Low capacity◦ Toxic waste in the manufacture and disposal

Wind

Advantages:◦ Inexhaustible & free fuel supply◦No pollution

Disadvantages:◦High capital & infrastructure cost◦High land use & Limited suitable locations◦ Public opposition◦ Low capacity factors◦Migratory bird impact◦Wind doesn’t always blow when electricity demands

are high◦Requires backup power supplies when wind isn’t

blowing

Geothermal Advantages:◦Almost a renewable resource◦Reliable ◦High capacity factors◦ Low operating costs◦Very low emissions

Disadvantages:◦Moderate capital costs◦Can impact seismic activity in the area◦Needs to be carefully managed not to

exhaust source◦ Limited suitable locations.

Advantages:◦Carbon neutral◦ ? Economics◦Fuel can be domestically produced

to an extent

Disadvantages:◦Potential high cost for food crops◦ Large land use◦ Limited by production of crops and

competition with food supply

Biofuels/Biomass