Freshman Seminar: Renewable Energy Energy Sustainability

Mayda M. VelascoSept. 24, 2013

Why this seminar topic is relevant?

What is energy?

Some of the known sources of energy

More important… What is energy sustainability?

UN Definition…

Why should we be concern about our ability to have enough energy for the future?

Some comments on population growth … not fully up to date

Can energy sustainability (ES) be achieved?

• ES is the starting point of a better future • How we will achieve ES and if we can do it at

all is a complex question that depends on:– Investment and progress on research and

development– New industry and training of workforce – Government involvement and new policies – Change in the attitude of our society…

Energy issues affects every aspect

• There are some that are obvious to you related to transportation and electricity needs

• But also– Politics/International Relations– Economy– Society– Environment– Etc…

Example: World events versus the price of oil

United States (USA) needs to take the lead on achieving ES for many reasons

Source: Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006

US ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

We are not self sufficient today, and it is probably going to get worst

USA: SURPLUS AND SHORTFALL

Source: Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006

USA: ENERGY CONSUMPTION ACCORDING TO SOURCE AND SECTOR

Source: Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006

USA: ENERGY PRODUCTION BY SOURCE

Source: Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS: POPULATION

Population

USAChinaIndiaPakistanAfghanistanIraqUgandaVenezuelaChile

Source: Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006

Needs to be checked

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS: ENERGY PRODUCED

Energy produced

USA

China

India

Pakistan

Afghanistan

Iraq

Uganda

Venezuela

Chile

Other countries

Source: Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006

Needs to be checked

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS: ENERGY CONSUMEDEnergy consumed

USAChinaIndiaPakistanAfghanistanIraqUgandaVenezuelaChileOther countries

Source: Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006

Needs to be checked

Future World energy demand

Economy closely related to energy consumption

ENVIRONMENT – Affected in many ways…

Rest of World29%

U.S.22%

FSU9%

Japan5%

Europe17%

Natural GasOil Coal

Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Energy Ac-tivites, 2004

Source: EIA International Energy Annual

Total Emissions China: 4.7 billion metric tons World: 27 billion metric tons

•China is world’s second largest source of carbon emissions after USA.•Many of China’s cities are amongst the most polluted in the world.

Example

USA CO2 emissions

USA improved cars, but numbers of cars went up even more…

Where should we put more effort?

Reduce OilDependence