Nonrenewable Energy Resources Miller, Chapter 16

1
Nonrenewable Energy Resources(Miller, Chapter 16)
Environmental Studies 001 with Dr. Trulio
2
Key Concepts

• Renewable vs. non-renewable
• Net energy and Laws of Thermodynamics (remember
  those?)
• Types of fuel we use
• Pros and cons of main energy resources
• Solutions??

3
Renewable vs. Non-renewable

• Non-renewable resource
• Exists in finite supply
• Is used faster than it can replenish
• Ex oil, coal, nuclear fuels
• Renewable or perpetual
• Replenishes very rapidly
• Inexhaustible supply
• Ex solar, wind, hydropower

4
Key Concepts

• Net energy (usable amount of high- quality
  energy) Total energy available -amount used
  (1st Law of Thermodynamics) - amount lost (2nd
  Law of Thermodynamics) - amount unnecessarily
  wasted
• Net energy ratios (useful energy/useful energy
  used to produce it) of key energy resources
• Solar (photovoltaic) 2-10
• Solar (passive) 5.4
• Natural gas 4.9
• Oil 4.5-4.7
• Coal 28.2-1.4

5
Evaluating Energy Resources

• US Energy Resources
• Renewable energy 8

• Non-renewable energy 92

• Considerations for Resources
• Future availability

• Net energy yield

• Cost

• Environmental effects

6
Oil 39 of US Energy

• The refining process
• US uses 26 of oil
• extracted worldwide
• we have 2.9 of worlds oil reserves
• Depletion of our reserves
• means more oil imported
• World oil reserves 80
• depleted in 42-93 years
• Oil is a finite resource!

7
Oil 39 of US Energy

• Pros of Oil
• High net energy
• Easily transported
• Strong infrastructure
• Cons of Oil
• Requires subsidies
• Air pollution
• Global warming
• Limited supplies

8
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Is this the
answer?

• Would meet US needs for 7-24 months
• 1 mpg increase for new cars ANWR

9
Natural Gas 23 of US Energy

• Mostly methane other gases
• LNG-versatile and high net energy
• Cleaner burning than oil or coal
• But, US has only 3 of world supply

10
Coal 23 of US Energy
11
Coal 23 of US Energy

• Produces 62 of worlds electricity and 52 of US
  electricity
• Most abundant fossil fuel and could easily last
  at least 200 years
• US has 25 of worlds reserves, Russia 16,
  China 12
• High net energy yield, but

12
Coal 23 of US Energy

• Accounts for 36 CO2 released
• Severely degrades land causing land, air and
  water pollution
• Severe human health threat
• Air pollution and acid rain

13
Mining Waste Impacts on Surface and Groundwater
14
235 92
U
n
92 36
Kr
235 92
n
U
n
235 92
U
n
141 56
Ba
92 36
Kr
n
92 36
Kr
n
n
n
n
235 92
n
U
141 56
Ba
92 36
Kr
n
141 56
Ba
235 92
U
n
235 92
U
n
141 56
Ba
235 92
U
15
Nuclear 8 of US Energy
Miller, 13th edition Fig. 15-36 p. 367
16
Nuclear 8 of US Energy

• Expensive--subsidies needed
• Catastrophic accidents possible
• No solution to nuclear waste disposal
• Subject to terrorist attack

• Significant fuel supply
• Low CO2 output
• Moderate land disruption and pollution but

17
SolutionsWe have the answers!

• Energy Efficiency! (Miller Ch. 17)
• 43 of energy in the US is wasted unnecessarily
• Incandescent bulb5 efficient
• Fluorescent bulb20 efficient
• Auto fleet standards CAFE Standards (Corporate
  Average Fuel Economy)
• 12.9 mpg in 1974
• 27.9 mpg today
• 40 mpg CAFE standard would cut gas use by 50

18
Efficiencies
19
Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency

• Insulation

• Eliminate air leaks

• Air to air heat exchangers

• Efficient appliances

• Efficient electric motors

• High-efficiency lighting

• Increasing fuel economy

20
SolutionsWe have the answers!

• Renewable Energy Resources! (Miller Ch. 18)
• Biomass
• Hydroelectric power
• Solarpassive and active
• Wind generation
• Hydrogen power

21
Toward a Sustainable Energy Future

• Increase fuel efficiency standards for vehicle,
  appliances, buildings
• Tax and other financial incentives for energy
  efficiency
• Subsidize renewable energy use, research and
  development
• By 2050
• renewable energy50
• cut coal use by 50
• phase out nuclear altogether