EnergyTopics of Global Significance

Why Energy?

Energy comes from a resource, those

resources are either renewable or non-

renewable.As populations grow

the demand for resources increasesAs consumption

increases non-renewable resources are depleted and the

dependence on renewable resources will continue to grow

California Institute of Technology

Current Global Resource Consumption

Problems with non-renewable

resources Dependence onnon-renewables such as oilcauses a number of problems.

#1 It gives power to the nations who have the majority of the resources over those who do not. The most obvious effect being a increase in the cost of these resources, i.e. oil.

Problems with non-

renewable resources

#2 Most countries are past their “oil peak”, meaning

most countries will now need alterative

resources for energy more than

ever.

Problems with non-

renewable resources

#3 Energy production is also the highest contributor to the

production of green house gases.

#4 Coal power plants are an example of how harmful non-renewable

resource production can be. Coal power

plant emissions have been linked to the harmful mercury

concentrations in fish.

Rock Island Market

Wikimedia Commons

Energy is not available to everyone

Number of people without access to electricity (millions)

Energy PovertyEnergy Poverty is a term for a lack of access to electricity,

heat, or other forms of Power. Often referring to the situation of peoples in the developing world, the term

also implies any quality of life issues relating to this lack of access.- Wikipedia Web Definitions

Photo courtesy of World Bank, IFC and Lighting Africa

This is why the world needs renewable energy and lots of it!

Paul Cherfurka’s projections of global energy use

What is considered Renewable energy?Renewable energy is defined differently

depending on area or group being asked. In general terms renewable energy is that which is naturally occurring and can replenish itself.

tli.umn.edu

Renewable energy in Texas

Texas Definition of Renewable Energy: ”Any energy resource that is naturally regenerated over a short time scale and derived directly from the sun (such as thermal, photochemical, and photoelectric), indirectly from the sun (such as wind, hydropower, and photosynthetic energy stored in biomass), or from other natural movements and mechanisms of the environment (such as geothermal and tidal energy). Renewable energy does not include energy resources derived from fossil fuels, waste products from fossil sources, or waste products from inorganic sources.”-Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) 

Renewable Resources Available

The main Five:

HydropowerSolar PowerGeothermal PowerBiomass Wind Power

theecocorp.net

HydropowerHydropower is generated using the mechanical energy of flowing water by forcing it through piping called a penstock, which then turns a generator in order to produce electricity.GreenEnergyChoice

Image by Ontario Power Generation

Solar PowerSolar cells made from silicon absorb the sun's radiation, also called photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic process involves the movement and displacement of electrons to absorb the sun's radiation and create electricity, but there are also solar systems that use large-scale mirrors to heat water, or produce high temperatures and generate steam, which is used to turn a generator.GreenEnergyChoice

Instructables.com

Example of Other Solar Power uses:

The Japanese energy firm Eco

Marine Power has developed rigid

sails that are installed with solar

models and the system, called The Aquarius is able to collect both solar

and wind energy to power ships.http://inhabitat.com/eco-marine-power-developing-solar-sails-to-

power-ships/

Geothermal PowerThe process involves trapping heat underground, then building energy that rises near the surface in the form of heat. When this heat naturally creates hot water or steam, it is harnessed and then used to turn a steam turbine to generate electricity.GreenEnergyChoice

AboutMyPlanet.com

BiomassBiomass power plants burn biomass fuel in boilers to heat water and turn a steam turbine to create electricity. Biomass fuel is everything from wood to landfill trash, which is currently being used to convert into methane for the production of dry natural gas.

GreenEnergyChoice

Wind PowerA wind turbine converts the kinetic energy (motion) of wind into mechanical energy that is used to generate electricity. The energy is fed through a generator, converted a second time into electrical energy, then fed into the grid to be transmitted to a power station.

GreenEnergyChoice

openeuropeblog.blogspot.com

Pros and Cons of Wind Energy

ProsNo pollution or

Global Warming effects

Big industry base

No fuel cost

Offshore advantage

Self Sufficient

ConsLow persistent noise

Land usage

Harm to bird and bat populations

Low Persistent

NoiseAll industrial wind

farms are located in high wind zones. Wind

is noisy, and anyone who spends time on

wind farms will tell you that high wind is much nosier than the wind

turbines themselves. It has also be pointed out

that if low persistent noise was harmful how would cities like New

York, Chicago, or Boston continue to house millions of people in their

downtown areas.

Land UsageThe majority of the land

used to build wind farms is ranching land. As this photo shows the

animals are not bothered at all by the wind turbines and the ranchers are making more money off their land, while saving on

their electric bills. The other major home to wind turbines is the open ocean, another

location providing great wind movement and

unused space.

Bird and Bat Mortalities

From the beginning the major worry was about

bird populations, and their collisions with the wind

turbines. However research has shown that

for the most part birds are not harmed in great numbers by the wind

farms. On the other hand, bats that were not

thought of as being in danger have shown to be killed in great numbers by barotraumas during their

migrations.

Texas Renewable FactsIn 2010 Texas was rated the largest producer of cumulative wind energy in the United StatesTexas now produces 7.8% of its electricity with wind  -Global Wind Energy Council  The energy from sunshine falling on a single acre of land in West Texas is capable of producing the energy equivalent of 800 barrels of oil each year. –State Energy Conservation OfficeSMU's Geothermal Laboratory estimates that within ten years, Texas could have 2,000 to 10,000 MW in generating capacity from geothermal resources accessed through oil and gas wells.

What you can do to help!

Buy energy efficient products

-Cars with good gas mileage

-Energy efficient home appliances

-Avoid products with excess packaging

Change the way you travel

-Walk or ride a bicycle

-Use public transportation

-Carpool

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

-By recycling half your household waste you can save 2,400 pounds of CO2 annually

Educate Future Generations

-The best way to help the global energy crisis to educate future generations of a better way to live