Ch. 2 Ch. 2 Renewable/NonreneRenewable/Nonrene

wable Resourceswable ResourcesThe law of conservation The law of conservation of energy tells us that of energy tells us that

we can’t get something we can’t get something for nothing, but we for nothing, but we

refuse to believe it.” refuse to believe it.” Isaac AsimovIsaac Asimov

From Fossil Fuels to From Fossil Fuels to

Electricity Electricity

How does coal form?How does coal form?

Coal FormationCoal Formation

Coal starts out as the remains of Coal starts out as the remains of sea creaturessea creatures decompose and are buried by ocean floor sediments.decompose and are buried by ocean floor sediments.

The first stage of formation is calledThe first stage of formation is called PeatPeat Peat is compressed and squeezed over thousands of Peat is compressed and squeezed over thousands of

years until it becomesyears until it becomes LigniteLignite Lignite becomes Lignite becomes BituminousBituminous Coal Coal Bituminous Coal eventually becomes Bituminous Coal eventually becomes AnthraciteAnthracite

CoalCoal Anthracite Coal is over 90% pure Carbon and burns Anthracite Coal is over 90% pure Carbon and burns

very cleanlyvery cleanly

How do we know Electricity How do we know Electricity is important?is important?

The frustration mounted when we The frustration mounted when we have blackouts is evidence of our have blackouts is evidence of our dependence on electricity. dependence on electricity.

Also confirmed by our lack of Also confirmed by our lack of blackouts.blackouts.

PROBLEM:PROBLEM:

Out-pacing infrastructure.Out-pacing infrastructure.

What do run with What do run with electricity!electricity!

HomeHome

WorkWork

Industry Industry

TransportationTransportation

DeliveryDeliveryEnough electricity to meet the needs Enough electricity to meet the needs of thousands is transported through of thousands is transported through

wires the size of a quarter. wires the size of a quarter.

How is it How is it delivered to your delivered to your

home?home?

Electricity ProductionElectricity Production

Coal Fired PlantCoal Fired Plant Nuclear FiredNuclear Fired Waste IncineratorsWaste Incinerators Wind PowerWind Power HydroelectricHydroelectric

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

In Pennsylvania – Almost all of In Pennsylvania – Almost all of the electricity is produced by the the electricity is produced by the burning of coal and burning of coal and hydroelectric plants.hydroelectric plants.

Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy

What do you know about nuclear What do you know about nuclear energy?energy?

Defined as the energy released when Defined as the energy released when atoms are broken apart.atoms are broken apart.

Two ProcessesTwo Processes

Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission

Nuclear FusionNuclear Fusion

Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission

Nuclear fission occurs when Nuclear fission occurs when subatomic bonds that hold an atom subatomic bonds that hold an atom together are broken.together are broken.

Large amounts of energy are given Large amounts of energy are given off.off.

Think of incision: means to cut.Think of incision: means to cut.

Nuclear Fission Over Nuclear Fission Over HeadHead

Nuclear ProsNuclear Pros

one gram of U235 can deliver as one gram of U235 can deliver as much energy as two tons of coal.much energy as two tons of coal.

Reactors can run for years without Reactors can run for years without refueling and do not produce CO2 or refueling and do not produce CO2 or other greenhouse gases.other greenhouse gases.

Nuclear ConsNuclear Cons

We have no permanent disposal We have no permanent disposal system for the nuclear waste. system for the nuclear waste.

There have been several There have been several “meltdowns” in the industry and they “meltdowns” in the industry and they have taken the lives of many people. have taken the lives of many people.

How does a “meltdown” occur?How does a “meltdown” occur?

Past AccidentsPast Accidents

Three Mile Island 1979 Three Mile Island 1979

Chernobyl 1986 Chernobyl 1986

China 1999 China 1999

ChernobylChernobyl

Nuclear FusionNuclear Fusion

Sustainable FutureSustainable Future

What does sustainable mean?What does sustainable mean?

What is renewable?What is renewable?

What is nonrenewable?What is nonrenewable?

Non RenewableNon Renewable

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels CoalCoal OilOil Nuclear FuelNuclear Fuel LandLand

Renewable ResourcesRenewable Resources

Solar energy Solar energy

Passive Solar Heat Passive Solar Heat Active Solar HeatActive Solar Heat WindWind HydroelectricHydroelectric BiomassBiomass

Turbine

Cooling Tower

Hot Water

Turbine

Generator

Condensation Tank