The Future of Energy

Fred Loxsom

Eastern Connecticut State University

Atmospheric CO2 is rising.GHG concentration is rising

Environmental changes have been observed

Global Climate is Changing

Impacts may be severe

Fossil Fuels are the main cause

C + O2 CO2

We have choices to make

How do we reduce our carbon footprint?

Current Situation

85% of US primary energy is from fossil fuel

US Energy and CO2

Coal Consumption & Resources

Coal : 23% energy and 38% CO2

Oil: 38% energy and 41% CO2

NG: 23% energy and 21% CO2

US Energy End Use

Coal Consumption & Resources

40% energy electricity33% energy transportationRemainder heating & industry

Coal

Coal Consumption & Resources

About 50% of US electricity is generated by coal-burning power plants.

Future Coal Consumption

Because coal is cheap and plentiful, coal consumption is projected to increase rapidly.

Coal-Burning Power Plant

600 plants330 GW capacityBaseline power50% of US electricity typical plant500 MW capacity3.4 billion kWh annually3.4 MtCO2 annually SOx, NOx, Hg, particulatesMining and solid waste

Alternatives?

o Nuclearo Shale gaso Energy Efficiency and Conservationo Sequestrationo Distributed Solaro Central Solaro Windo Geothermalo Other

Nuclear Power after Fukushima

Nuclear Power

o 104 reactorso 100 GW capacityo Baseline powero 20% electricityo High capital costo Minimal CO2

Nuclear Power in the US

Nuclear Reactors:Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Indian Point

Unit 2 and Unit 3 were commissioned in 1974 and 1976.

Onsite Pool Storage

The spent fuel rod pool inside the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant in Clinton, Ill., is shown on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996. The water in the pool acts as a shield against radiation from the used uranium rods. The reactor was shut down due to an equipment malfunction Sept. 5, 1996. (AP Photo/Mark Cowan)

Dry Cask Storage

In this photo released by Holtec International, dry cask storage units are seen at the James A. Fitzpatrick nuclear power plant in Scriba, N.Y., in this undated photo. The Vermont Public Service Board approved "dry cask storage," of spent nuclear fuel at Vermont Yankee, lifting the threat that running out of room in its existing spent fuel storage pool would cause the plant to close by 2008.(AP Photo/Holtec International)

Long-Term Storage

Nuclear Accidents

Three Mile Island (1979)

Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is pictured in Jan. 21, 1996. This is the site of the 1979 partial core melt. (AP Photo/Tim Shaffer, files)

Chernobyl (1986)

Japan (2011)

Nuclear Future?

Shale Gas

Horizontal Drilling

Hydrofracturing

Efficiency and conservation

High Performance Buildings

Efficient Power Plants

Economic Incentives

Cap and Trade

Carbon Tax

Tax Credits

Rebates

Carbon Sequestration

Rooftop PV

PV: Denver Airport 4 MW

CSP: Parabolic Trough

CSP: Dish Engines

CSP: Power Tower

GE 3.6 MW Wind Turbines

Wind Resources

http://attra.ncat.org/images/renewables/windResourceMap2.jpg,,Retrieved on 2/11/2009

Geothermal Power Plant

Electricity Generation

Geothermal Energy Distribution

Selection Parameters

• Environmental Impact

• Cost

• Safety

• Footprint

• Reliability

• Acceptability

Summary: Future of Energy

• Must replace coal.

• Natural gas, but not as clean as it seems.

• Solar and Wind could supply 20%-50%, but better grid needed.

• Efficiency has great potential.

• Clean Coal & Geothermal -- ?

• Tar sands & other fossil fuel – high environmental price