alternative energy sources. oil oil fuels the modern world (gasoline, natural gas, diesel) easily...
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Alternative Energy SourcesAlternative Energy Sources
OilOil Oil fuels the modern
world (gasoline, natural gas, diesel)
Easily transported, relatively safe, and versatile.
Finite resource: cost to recover will eventually exceed its value
Non-Renewable: will not replenish within our lifetime
Oil fuels the modern world (gasoline, natural gas, diesel)
Easily transported, relatively safe, and versatile.
Finite resource: cost to recover will eventually exceed its value
Non-Renewable: will not replenish within our lifetime
SustainabilitySustainability
Resources “needed” = resources available An increase in population impacts sustainability Growth cannot be sustained indefinitely Consider “standard of living” A sustainable society must balance resources
available with “needs” or “standard of living”
Resources “needed” = resources available An increase in population impacts sustainability Growth cannot be sustained indefinitely Consider “standard of living” A sustainable society must balance resources
available with “needs” or “standard of living”
Alternative SourcesAlternative Sources
Alternative sources are not as convenient as oil; they require additional investment and often are not as versatile as oil
They have both advantages and limitations
Some are renewable (replenish within our lifetime) and some are not.
Alternative sources are not as convenient as oil; they require additional investment and often are not as versatile as oil
They have both advantages and limitations
Some are renewable (replenish within our lifetime) and some are not.
GeothermalGeothermal
Driven by heat from within the Earth
Water heated from the Earth’s interior can turn a turbine and generate electricity
Renewable Limited accessibility
Driven by heat from within the Earth
Water heated from the Earth’s interior can turn a turbine and generate electricity
Renewable Limited accessibility
SolarSolar
Sun will exist for a long time Promising technology (solar
to electric- solar panels) Renewable Sunlight received is limited
(related to latitude) How store for the longterm
when sun not available?
Sun will exist for a long time Promising technology (solar
to electric- solar panels) Renewable Sunlight received is limited
(related to latitude) How store for the longterm
when sun not available?
WindWind
Wind (mechanical) to electricity
Clean and renewable Not reliable End product is electricity
(not a significant oil replacement)
Bird migration impacted
Wind (mechanical) to electricity
Clean and renewable Not reliable End product is electricity
(not a significant oil replacement)
Bird migration impacted
Hydro-ElectricHydro-Electric Stored water (potential)
converted to electricity (kinetic)
Non-polluting Dams increase sediment
deposition, so not truly renewable
Lowlands filled (decrease in diversity)
“Run of the river” facilities are renewable and minimize environmental degradation
Stored water (potential) converted to electricity (kinetic)
Non-polluting Dams increase sediment
deposition, so not truly renewable
Lowlands filled (decrease in diversity)
“Run of the river” facilities are renewable and minimize environmental degradation
TidalTidal
Changes in water elevation used to generate electricity
Renewable High tides and special
shaped coastlines needed Only nine sites worldwide Considerable environmental
impacts on estuaries (fisheries, migration routes, etc.)
Limited final product (electricity)
Changes in water elevation used to generate electricity
Renewable High tides and special
shaped coastlines needed Only nine sites worldwide Considerable environmental
impacts on estuaries (fisheries, migration routes, etc.)
Limited final product (electricity)
BiofuelsBiofuels
Conversion of organic material to energy
Wood = liquid fuel, but net energy low and large environmental impact
Corn = ethanol, but negative energy gain (more energy to produce), detracts from food supplies and has a significant impact on land
Renewable
Conversion of organic material to energy
Wood = liquid fuel, but net energy low and large environmental impact
Corn = ethanol, but negative energy gain (more energy to produce), detracts from food supplies and has a significant impact on land
Renewable
Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission
Splitting a nucleus yields immense energy
U-235 (.7% of all U) U-238 used to create Pl-239
(larger source), but very toxic
Nonrenewable as Uranium reserves are limited
“Clean” fuel source Electricity is end product Must deal with waste
products
Splitting a nucleus yields immense energy
U-235 (.7% of all U) U-238 used to create Pl-239
(larger source), but very toxic
Nonrenewable as Uranium reserves are limited
“Clean” fuel source Electricity is end product Must deal with waste
products
Living off our Capital and Technology Limitation
Living off our Capital and Technology Limitation
*Living in a petroleum fueled economy means living off our capital
*C.G. Darwin (1952): “The fifth revolution will come when we have spent the stores of coal and oil…it is obvious that there will be a very great difference in ways of life…a man has to alter his way of life considerable, when, after living for years on his capital, he suddenly finds he has to earn any money he wants to spend…”
*Technology cannot rescue us indefinitely, as natural resources will always be necessary (food, forests, land, etc.)
*Living in a petroleum fueled economy means living off our capital
*C.G. Darwin (1952): “The fifth revolution will come when we have spent the stores of coal and oil…it is obvious that there will be a very great difference in ways of life…a man has to alter his way of life considerable, when, after living for years on his capital, he suddenly finds he has to earn any money he wants to spend…”
*Technology cannot rescue us indefinitely, as natural resources will always be necessary (food, forests, land, etc.)
Technology vs. ResourcesTechnology vs. Resources
Technology cannot create without resources, and our resources are finite.
How many people can a renewable energy resource support?
What will be the resources we will use to do this?
Given our current standard of living, how many people can the Earth support?
Technology cannot create without resources, and our resources are finite.
How many people can a renewable energy resource support?
What will be the resources we will use to do this?
Given our current standard of living, how many people can the Earth support?