Energy

Energy Consumption Wood served as the predominant energy source until the Industrial Revolution, when coal usage surpassed wood.During the 20th century, petroleum

surpassed coal.

Most energy in the US is used by industries, followed by transportation, residential, and commercial.

In the 1950’s, energy consumption in the US

outpaced domestic production, leading to oil

imports. By 1998, net imports of oil surpassed the domestic

supply of oil.

Global Energy UseIn the US, most of the

energy comes from nonrenewable energy

sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, and

uranium.

Renewable energy resources include

biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar energy, and wind

energy.

CoalCoal is a fossil fuel produced by the burial and compaction of ancient organic matter under high temperature and pressure.

Sulfur is produced from the decomposition of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by anaerobic

bacteria trapped in the coal.

CoalCoal is obtained through surface or

underground mining

CoalCoal supplies 25% of the world ’s energy.

In the USA, 87% of the coal is used for power plants to produce electricity.

Coal is burned to turn water into steam which turns giant turbines inside electrical

generators.

Advantages of Coal•Abundant world and US reserves that will last hundreds of years•Unidentified reserves that are estimated to last thousands of years•Relatively high net-energy yield•US government subsidies keep prices low•Stable, non-explosive, not harmful if spilled•Can be turned on and off easily to control energy output

Disadvantages of Coal•Mining for coal is destructive on

the environment, decrease biodiversity, and increase pollution runoff•Burning coal releases mercury and sulfur into the air.•35% of all CO2 emitted into the air is due to the burning of coal•30% of all nitrogen oxide related pollution•Coal cannot be used effectively for transportation needs

Clean CoalClean coal technology refers to the processes that reduce the negative environmental effects of burning

coal such as washing coal to remove minerals and impurities and capturing sulfur dioxide and

carbon dioxide gases.

PeatPeat forms from the compaction of

partially decayed plant material. (looks like soil)

-Peat is the 1st step in coal formation

PeatPeat is mainly used in Europe.

(Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Russia)

Peat is harvested from bogs.

Peat AdvantagesPeat is abundant in NW Europe

and cheapPeat burning gives off less air

pollutants like sulfur oxide than coal and oil

Peat DisadvantagesPeat harvesting can completely

destroy bogs which are complex and important ecosystems

Oil is another fossil fuel

produced by the decomposition of

deeply buried organic material (plants) under

high temperatures and

pressures for millions of years.

Oil

OilOil is released by drilling a well and

puncturing thelimestone layer.

Since the oil is already under great pressure, the oil flows naturally from the well.

OilOnce the crude oil is collected it is

sent to a refinery where it is “cracked” or separated into

different types of oil by boiling.

Advantages of Oil•Inexpensive but prices are increases•Easily transported through established pipelines•High net-energy yield•Ample supply for the immediate future•Versatile – used to make many products (paints, plastics, medicines)

Disadvantages of Oil•World reserves are limited and declining•Produces pollution (SO2, Nox, and CO2)•Causes land disturbances during drilling process•History of oil spills both on land and in ocean from platforms and tankers•Disruption to wildlife habitats•Supplies are politically volatile

Oil Spills on Land

800,000 gallons into Kalamazoo River in

Michigan from Canadian pipeline (2010)

Oil Spills on Land420,000 gallons of oil spilled into

Mississippi Riverwhen two barges collided. (2008)

Oil Spills on Land30,000 liters from

pipeline into the Red Deer River in Alberta

Canada (2008)

4.5 millionliters of oil spilled into the Peace River in Canada

(2011)

Oil Spills on WaterDeepwater Horizon Oil Spill into the Gulf of

Mexico (April, 2010)Released 4.9 million barrels of oil

Oil Spills on Water•1967 – United Kingdom – Tanker accident - 919,000 gallons•1970’s – 6 ocean oil spills•1983 – South Africa – Tanker Fire – 1.8 million barrels•1989 – Alaska, USA – Exxon Valdez – Tanker accident – 240,000 barrels•1990 – California, USA – Tanker Leak – 300,000 gallons into reserve•1991 – Kuwait – Iraq invasion - 240 million gallons•1990’s – 25 other ocean oil spills•2000 –2005 – 24 ocean oil spills•2005 – 9 incidents – Hurricane Katrina•2006 – 2010 – 15 ocean oil spills•2010 – 13 incidents – Deepwater Horizon•2011 – 10 ocean oil spills

Energy CrisisThe price of energy is driven by supply and demand. In some cases, and energy crisis is

brought on by the failure of world markets to adjust prices in response to shortages.

OPECOrganization of Petroleum Exporting

Countries. Association of nations with large oil reserves

that control oil supply

OPECWhen OPEC reduces

the output quotas of its member countries, the price of oil increases as the supply decreases.

When OPEC boosts oil production to

increase supplies, the price of oil

decreases.

Nuclear EnergyNuclear fission occurs when an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei along with byproducts of neutrons, photons, gamma

rays, beta rays, and alpha particles.

Nuclear EnergyNuclear fission is an exothermic reaction

producing heat. Under controlled conditions, the heat is used to produce

steam that turns a turbine to generate electricity at nuclear power plants.

Nuclear Energy•The amount of potential energy contained in nuclear energy is 10 million times more than that of fossil fuels.•The downside is that the nuclear wastes remain highly reactive for thousands of years.

Nuclear FuelsThe most common nuclear fuels

are Uranium and Plutonium

Little Boy - Hiroshima

Uranium Nuclear Weapons

Plutonium Nuclear Weapons

Fat Man - Nagasaki

Nuclear FuelsNuclear power plant use began in the USA

duringthe 1960’s and increased until the late

1980’s.Decline in the building of new plants was

due to cost overruns, high operating costs, safety issues, and nuclear wastes.

Nuclear Power Plants1) The reaction takes place in the

reactor core with fuel rods2) Control rods slow down the

reaction.3) Water coolant removes the heat

and produces steam to generate electricity.

Coolant WaterLight water reactors use lake or river

water as coolants. The radioactive water does not come in contact with

the water used as condenser that comes from a nearby river or lake.

Advantages of Nuclear Power•No air pollutants

•Disruption of land is low to moderate•Water pollution is low

Disadvantages of NuclearPower•Nuclear wastes take millions of

years to degrade•Storage problem – safety and terrorists•Safety issues

Three Mile IslandThree mile island was a partial nuclear

meltdown in Pennsylvania in 1979 when a relief valve was stuck open, allowing the

nuclear reactant coolant to escape.

ChernobylIn 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power

plant in the former Soviet Union experienced an explosion and fire that released large amounts of radioactive

particles into the atmosphere.

ChernobylThere were 28 deaths due to acute

radiation syndrome, mostly among the firemen, 15 deaths from thyroid cancer already, and a projected total of 4,000

future deaths from cancer.

Adults Teenagers Children

Abandoned city of Pripyat with Chernobyl in the distance

JapanThe Fukushima Daiichi plant, 240 km (150 miles) northeast of Tokyo, was wrecked by a huge earthquake and a towering tsunami

which knocked out its cooling systems, triggering meltdowns, radiation leaks and

mass evacuations. (2011)

Natural GasNatural gas, or methane, is produced by the

decomposition of buried organic matter under high pressure and temperatures.

Natural GasNatural gas is usually present

immediately above the oil.

Advantages of Natural Gas•Pipelines in place

•Relative inexpensive, but prices are increasing•High net energy yield•Produces less pollution than other fossil fuels

Disadvantages of Natural Gas

•Pollution is released during processing•Leakage of methane has a greater impact on global warming than CO2

•Extraction releases contaminated wastewater and saltwater

Hydroelectric PowerHydroelectric power uses dams to trap

water which is used to turn turbines that generate electricity.

Hydroelectric Power Pros•Dams control f looding

•Low operating and maintenance costs•No waste product•Long life span•High energy yield•Creates areas for water recreation

Hydroelectric Power Cons•Create large flooded areas,

displacing people•Expensive to build•Destroys wildlife habitats•Interrupt fish migration•Sediment builds up•Subject to earthquakes

Colorado RiverThe Hoover Dam, built

in the 1930’s, has reduced the amount of water reaching Mexico by way of the Colorado

River to 1/10 that it used to be before the

dam.

Colorado River in Mexico

Burst Dam – Johnstown, P.A.

Alternative EnergyAlternative energy sources include:

solar, wind,biomass, geothermal, and wave energy.

Solar EnergySolar energy consists of collecting and

harnessing radiant energy from the sun to provide heat and/or electricity. Solar panels are used to generate electricity.

Solar EnergySolar energy Advantages:•Supply of solar energy is limitless•Little environmental impact•Low pollution•Can store energy during day for use at night

Solar energy Disadvantages:•Inefficient where sunlight is limited•Maintenance costs are high•Low efficiency

Hydrogen FuelCells

Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to

produce electricity

Hydrogen Fuel

CellsFuel Cells Advantages:•Waste product is pure water•Does not destroy wildlife habitat

Fuel Cell Disadvantages:•Takes energy to produce hydrogen•Hydrogen gas is very explosive

Biomass EnergyBiomass is any carbon-based, biologically derived fuel source grown specifically for

bio-fuel.

•Corn•Sugar cane•Hemp

Biomass EnergyBiomass Advantages:•Renewable energy sources (sustainable)Biomass Disadvantages:•Requires land, water , fertilizer, and herbicides•Air pollution•Expensive to transport due to weight•Not efficient

WindEnergyWind turns giant turbine blades that

then power generators.All of USA’s demand could be met by

wind in the Dakotas and Texas

WindEnergyWind Advantages:

•Quickly built•Low maintenance•High energy yield•No physical pollution•Multiple use of landWind Disadvantages:

•Few suitable places

•Visual and noise pollution•Interferes with bird migration

Wave and Tidal Energy

• Natural movement of waves and tides turn turbines that generate electricity.

• France and Bay of Fundy contain the only operating plants so far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EnDJ6_XpGfo

Wave and Tidal EnergyWave and Tidal Advantages:

•No pollution•Minimal environmental impact

Wave and Tidal Disadvantages:•Construction is expensive•Few suitable sites•Equipment can be damaged by storms and corrosion

Geothermal Energy•Heat contained in underground rocks from magma produce pockets of underground steam and hot water.•Geothermal energy uses this steam to generate electricity.•Currently used in Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and California.