Nonrenewable Energy Resources G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 14 th Edition Chapter 17...

Nonrenewable Energy ResourcesNonrenewable Energy Resources

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

14th Edition

Chapter 17

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

14th Edition

Chapter 17

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

Available energy alternatives Available energy alternatives

Oil resources Oil resources

Natural gas resources Natural gas resources

Coal resources Coal resources

Nuclear fission and fusion Nuclear fission and fusion

Section 1: Evaluating Energy ResourcesSection 1: Evaluating Energy Resources

• What types of energy do we use? • What types of commercial energy does

the world depend on?• What is the energy future of the United

States?• How can we evaluate which energy

resources to use?• What is “net energy?”

What type of energy do we use?What type of energy do we use?

About 99% of the energy that heats the earth and our homes comes from the sun, and the remaining 1% comes mostly from fossil fuels. (old solar energy)

• Without sun -2400C

What type of energy do we use?What type of energy do we use?

Sun’s Energy

• Nuclear Fusion

• 93 million miles away

• “Average” Star

• 99% Hydrogen

Evaluating Energy ResourcesEvaluating Energy Resources

Non-renewable energy: 84% of world

commercial energy (78% from fossil fuels, 6% nuclear)

Oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear

Non-renewable energy: 84% of world

commercial energy (78% from fossil fuels, 6% nuclear)

Oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear


Renewable Energy Sources:

• 16% of world’s commercial energy resources.

• 10% biomass, 5% hydro, and 1% combo of geothermal, wind and solar.

Commercial Energy Use By Source 2002

Important Nonrenewable Energy SourcesImportant Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Fig. 17-2 p. 351Fig. 17-2 p. 351


Future Energy Availability: the U.S. is the world’s largest energy user.

• In 2004, 4.6% of world population, yet 24% of world’s energy consumption

Future Energy in U.S.Future Energy in U.S.

U.S. debate: should we continue our dependence on oil and coal or shift to natural gas, hydrogen, solar cells, and wind.

• Political, Economic, Energy Companies, Societal Debate

Global Energy Consumption

U.S. Energy Consumption

Shifts in U.S. Commercial Energy Resources

Evaluating Energy ChoicesEvaluating Energy Choices

1. Costs

2. Environmental Impacts

3. Availability in near future and long term

4. Governmental Incentives

5. National and Global Security

6. Terrorism

What is Net Energy?What is Net Energy?NET ENEGY: is the

amount of high-quality usable energy available from a resource after subtracting out what is needed to make it usable.

• Second law of thermodynamics: some energy will be wasted and degraded.

Net Energy Ratios For U.S.

Review Section 1Review Section 1

• What types of energy do we use? • What types of commercial energy does

the world depend on?• What is the energy future of the United

States?• How can we evaluate which energy

resources to use?• What is “net energy?”

Section 2: Oil Key IdeasSection 2: Oil Key Ideas

• What is crude oil? How does crude oil turn into usable products?

• Where does oil come from? Who has oil?

• How is oil used?

• What are problems associated with oil usage?

• How much longer will we have oil?

Oil Rules!!! What is crude oil?Oil Rules!!! What is crude oil?Petroleum, or crude oil is

a thick, gooey liquid consisting of many combustible hydrocarbons.

• Formed over millions of year from decaying organic materials buried under the seafloor and subjected to extreme temperatures and pressure.

Oil Rules!!! What is crude oil?Oil Rules!!! What is crude oil?Crude oil and natural gas often found together in

deep deposits in pores and cracks.

• Found using sophisticated equipment.

• Usually only 30-35% is extractable

• Higher prices mean more can be extracted.

Oil Rules!!! TransportationOil Rules!!! Transportation

How crude oil is transported:

• Pipelines

• Trucks

• Oil Tankers

Refining crude oil. Based upon their boiling points, components are removed in giant distillation column.

In US refining accounts for 8% of our energy consumption

1 barrel is 42 gallons

Oil, Who Has It?Oil, Who Has It?Eleven OPEC countries

contain 78% of world’s proven oil reserves

Oil is the world’s

largest business.

Saudi Arabia 25%

Canada 15%

Iraq 11%, UAE 9.3%

Oil, Who Has It?Oil, Who Has It?

U.S.:

• Uses 26%

• Produces 2.9%

• Import 60% (36% in 1973)

2003 $99 billion import bill.

2/3 for transportation

North American Energy ResourcesNorth American Energy Resources

Fig. 17-9 p. 357

Offshore oil accounts for 1/4th of U.S. Oil Production. 9 of 10 barrels come from the Gulf.

Oil, Who Has It?Oil, Who Has It?ANWR:

Best Estimates:• Would meet world’ energy

demands for 1-5 months• Would meet US energy

needs for 7-24 months.

Saudi Arabia:• Could only supply world

for about 10 years.

OilOil

Petroleum (crude oil)Petroleum (crude oil)

RecoveryRecovery

Refining Refining

TransportingTransporting

Fig. 17-8 p. 356Fig. 17-8 p. 356

Today oil is trading about $58/barrel

US Oil Supply and Consumption.

Global Oil Consumption: US, China Japan largest oil consumers.

Conventional Oil: AdvantagesConventional Oil: Advantages

Relatively low cost Relatively low cost

High net energy yield High net energy yield

Efficient distribution system Efficient distribution system

Conventional Oil: DisadvantagesConventional Oil: Disadvantages

Running out Running out

Low prices encourage waste Low prices encourage waste

Air pollution and Greenhouse gases Air pollution and Greenhouse gases

Water pollution Water pollution

World Politics and Trade Imbalances

Oil, What Is Left?Oil, What Is Left?Most energy expert believe

there are about 1,050 billion barrels left.

Peak Production This Decade

Rising Demand, Dwindling Supply = Higher Prices

Oil, What Is Left?Oil, What Is Left?Ways of extending oil

supplies:

• Increase CAFÉ

• Find new reserves

• Taxing

• Conservation

• Increased use of other sources.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Controversy: Trade-offsArctic National Wildlife Refuge Controversy: Trade-offs

Would create jobs Would create jobs

Oil resources are uncertain Oil resources are uncertain

Uncertain environmental impacts Uncertain environmental impacts

Drilling controversies Drilling controversies

Oil Shale and Tar SandsOil Shale and Tar Sands

Oil shale Oil shale

Tar sand Tar sand

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Per Unit of Energy

Oil ReviewOil Review

• What is crude oil? How does crude oil turn into usable products?

• Where does oil come from? Who has oil?

• How is oil used?

• What are problems associated with oil usage?

• How much longer will we have oil?

Natural Gas Key IdeasNatural Gas Key Ideas

• What is natural gas? Where is it found?

• How is natural gas used?

• Who has the world's natural gas supplies?

• What is the future for natural gas?

What is natural gas?What is natural gas?

Mainly methane CH4

Also• Ethane C2H6

• Propane C3H8

• Butane C4H10

Formed like oil from buried animals and plants millions of years ago.

Where is it found?Where is it found?Deposits usually found above oil deposits.

In past was seen as unwanted waste and burnt off.

Who has natural gas?Who has natural gas?

Russia (31%) and Iran (15%) have almost ½ of world’s reserves.

Reserves could last 62-125 years worldwide.

Geologist expect to find more.

U.S. Natural GasU.S. Natural Gas

U.S. supplies should last 55-80 years depending upon demand.

Supplies have been declining for years.

Canada???

How is it used?How is it used?

• 53% of heat in U.S. homes

• 16% of electricity and growing quickly

• Hot water heaters• Can be used in vehicles

Advantages of GasAdvantages of Gas

• Cleaner burning than coal or oil.

• Emits far fewer CO2 per energy units

• More efficient energy producer and plants are cheaper to build

What is gases future?What is gases future?

• Conventional and Unconventional sources may last up to 200 years.

• Prices bound to rise

• Best transition fuel into solar etc.?

What is LNG?What is LNG?

• At low temperatures natural gas can be shipped around the world as liquid natural gas.

• Requires very low temperatures and building special infrastructure.

Natural GasNatural Gas

Natural Gas ReviewNatural Gas Review

• What is natural gas? Where is it found?

• How is natural gas used?

• Who has the world's natural gas supplies?

• What is the future for natural gas?

Old King Coal Key IdeasOld King Coal Key Ideas

• History of coal use.

• What is coal? How is it extracted from the ground?

• How is coal used? How long will it last?

• What are advantages and disadvantages of using coal?

History of Old King CoalHistory of Old King Coal

After firewood, coal was the major source of energy.

End of 1800s coal is the worlds dominant fuel.

• Steam Engines

• Heating

• Cooking

• Industry

History of Old King CoalHistory of Old King Coal

By 1920s, coal provided 80% of US energy.

Powered the industrial revolution

Caused a great deal of air pollution.

What is coal?What is coal?

Coal is a solid fuel formed in several stages from remains of buried plants and animals.

Consists mostly of carbon and trace amounts of sulfur, mercury and radioactive materials.

What is coal?What is coal?

Anthracite is the most desirable form of coal (98% carbon)

Takes longer to form

More expensive.

Coal Formation and TypesCoal Formation and Types

How is coal extracted? How is coal extracted? Surface Mining:• Area Strip Mining• Contour Strip Mining• Mountaintop Removal

Underground Mining

Large environmental impact from different mining techniques.

How is coal used?How is coal used?

Coal provides 51% of current U.S. electricity. (62% worldwide)

Used to make ¾ of worlds steel.

A typical 1,000 Megawatt power plant uses 8,000 tons of coal every day…1 mile long train worth of coal every day.

How is coal used?How is coal used?

91% of coal in U.S. is used for power production.

Not useful for transportation energy needs.

Where in the world is coal found?Where in the world is coal found?

U.S. has 1/4th of the world proven reserves. (16% Russia, 12% China)

U.S. and China are 2 largest users.

U.S. is able to export about 4% a year.

Where is the coal?Where is the coal?

How long will coal last?How long will coal last?

According to USGS…

U.S. reserves could last 300 years at current rate of consumption…or 64 years if consumption grows by 4% a year.

World’s most abundant fossil fuel.

U.S. Energy Projections

Coal AdvantagesCoal Advantages

• Most abundant fossil fuel.

• High “Net Energy”

• Relatively inexpensive.

• U.S. has plenty of it for a while.

• Power Plants relatively cheap to build.

Coal Disadvantages Coal Disadvantages

• High environmental impact (air, water, land, acid rain)

• Global Warming, high CO2 emissions

• Toxic Mercury and radioactivity

• Dangerous to mine

Coal: Trade-offsCoal: Trade-offs

“Clean Coal Technology???”

Coal ReviewCoal Review

Stages of coal formation Stages of coal formation

Primarily strip-mined Primarily strip-mined

Used mostly for generating electricity Used mostly for generating electricity

Enough coal for about 1000 years Enough coal for about 1000 years

High environmental impact High environmental impact

Coal gasification and liquefaction Coal gasification and liquefaction

Coal Review Coal Review

• History of coal use.

• What is coal? How is it extracted from the ground?

• How is coal used? How long will it last?

• What are advantages and disadvantages of using coal?

Nuclear Energy Key IdeasNuclear Energy Key Ideas• How does a nuclear fission reactor work?

• What is the nuclear fuel cycle?

• What is the history of nuclear technology? Where is it used today?

• What are advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear power?

• What are the disposal issues for high-level and low level nuclear waste?

• What is the future for nuclear power?

How does a nuclear fission reactor work?How does a nuclear fission reactor work?Isotopes of uranium and

plutonium undergo controlled nuclear fission.

U235 and Pt239

(U contains 92 Protons, how many

neutrons???)

Fission Chain Reaction, splitting the nucleus, releasing heat to produce steam

How does a nuclear fission reactor work?How does a nuclear fission reactor work?

Core Reactor: 35,000 to 70,000 fuel rods

• Fuel pellets of 97% non-fissionable U238 and 3% fissionable U235

• Control rods of Boron and Cadmium

• Coolant: water• Containment vessel


“Spent” fuel rods usually stored onsite in huge pools of water

Must be stored safely for 10,000 to 24,000 years

Multiple safety layers at plants.


The heat produced by the splitting of uranium is used to generate electricity by spinning turbines.

Plants must be in continual operation

Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy

Fission reactors

Fission reactors

Uranium-235 Uranium-235

Potentially dangerous

Potentially dangerous

Radioactive wastes

Radioactive wastes

What is the nuclear fuel cycle?What is the nuclear fuel cycle?

Fuel Cycle Includes:

• Mining uranium

• Processing fuel “enrichment”

• Using fuel in reactor

• Storing highly radioactive waste for thousands of years


After 15-60 years reactors become contaminated with radioactive materials and parts become worn out.

Transporting nuclear waste for storage 10,000 years or more

What is the history of nuclear technology?What is the history of nuclear technology?Following WW II great

interest in showing how atomic age could benefit humankind

Tremendous government subsidies and research

Government paid ¼ of cost of building first reactors.

Government paid insurance

What is the history of nuclear technology?What is the history of nuclear technology?

1960s and 70s plans for many U.S. plants

1975 – 53 plants operating (9% of U.S. electricity) another 170 plants planned

1978 last plant to be built was ordered – great unease about plants

What is the history of nuclear technology?What is the history of nuclear technology?

1979 Three-Mile Island, PA

1986 Chernobyl (still a problem today)

Globally plants continue to be built (441 in operation, 23 being built)

Where is it used today?Where is it used today?

U.S.

In 2004:

• 103 in operation

• 21% of countries electricity (huge plants)

US Energy Information Agency predicts 27% fewer plants in 2020

Where is it used today?Where is it used today?Globally:• 441 plants (32

under construction)• 17% of world’s

electricity• Growing 2.5%

yearlyLeading countries:• Lithuania 80%• France 78%

Locations of U.S. Nuclear Power PlantsLocations of U.S. Nuclear Power Plants

NJ (1) --- PA (3)

Advantages of Nuclear PowerAdvantages of Nuclear Power

• Large Fuel Supply

• Little Air Pollution and CO2 emissions

• Moderate to low water and land environmental impact

• Low risk of accidents (multiple safety levels – except in old Soviet reactors)

Disadvantages of Nuclear PowerDisadvantages of Nuclear Power

• High cost of building and operating plants

• Possibility of catastrophic accidents

• No long-term solutions for waste

• Spreads knowledge of nuclear weapon technology

• Terrorist Attacks

Conventional Nuclear Power: Trade-offsConventional Nuclear Power: Trade-offs

Dealing with Nuclear WasteDealing with Nuclear Waste

High- and low-level wastesHigh- and low-level wastesTerrorist threatsTerrorist threatsUnderground burialUnderground burialDisposal in spaceDisposal in spaceBurial in ice sheetsBurial in ice sheetsDumping into subduction zonesDumping into subduction zonesBurial in ocean mudBurial in ocean mudConversion into harmless materialsConversion into harmless materials

Yucca Mountain ControversyYucca Mountain Controversy

Wastes stored and guarded in one place

Possible long-term groundwater contamination

Security and safety concerns during waste transport to the site

Permanent Underground Disposal of Nuclear WastesPermanent Underground Disposal of Nuclear Wastes

Storage Containers

Fuel rod

Primary canister

Overpackcontainersealed

Underground

Buried and capped

Ground Level

Unloaded from train

Lowered down shaft

Personnel elevator

Air shaft

Nuclear waste shaft

Fig. 17-28 p. 373

Nuclear Alternatives – Future?Nuclear Alternatives – Future?

Breeder nuclear fission reactorsBreeder nuclear fission reactors

Nuclear fusionNuclear fusion

New reactor designsNew reactor designs

Nuclear ReviewNuclear Review• How does a nuclear fission reactor work?

• What is the nuclear fuel cycle?

• What is the history of nuclear technology? Where is it used today?

• What are advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear power?

• What are the disposal issues for high-level and low level nuclear waste?

• What is the future for nuclear power?

Nonrenewable Energy Resources G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 14 th Edition Chapter 17...

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