sustainable energy
TRANSCRIPT
Tammy & Thierry Present...
Outline
What are we (and you) going to do Introduction about energy What are the problems we are facing? What is sustainable energy?
What will you learn? Gain basic knowledge about different energy
sources Understanding opportunities for sustainable
energy research Discussing different options for the future
What is energy?
Energy is everywhere and is needed to do any work, make any sound, work, movements, light.....
Energy can be stored chemically (fuel, wood, food) Energy cannot be lost but it can be converted into
another form We can make use of that for our industries or daily lives
Dutch Windmill Woodfire
Energy
Energy is usually produced by the sun
Energy
Power of sun can be used Power of sun can be used directly by usdirectly by us
But most of the time it is first But most of the time it is first stored by plantsstored by plants
This energy can be used by your This energy can be used by your body, when we eat plants......body, when we eat plants......
Energy
Stored energy can be used later when we burn fuel derived from plants
Energy
‘Mother earth’ already stored lots of plants for us They have been converted to so-called ‘fossil fuels’
Advantages: easy to carry, highly concentrated With new technologies, more fossil fuels become accessible
Easy access made us dependent Our economy became highly dependent
upon fossil fuels
Problems with fossil fuels
Problem with fossil fuels: supply is limited We started using fossil fuels about 150 years ago In the current pace, we will be out of business within
the next century(!) It takes hundreds of millions of years to regenerate
this supply
Fossil fuels and Global Warming
More problems: burning fossil fuels causes CO2 levels to rise This causes greenhouse effect, thus global warming
Another reason to look for alternatives very fast!
Sustainable energy
“Sustainable energy is the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”
So: use energy sources that are directly at hand in order to stop our dependency on fossil fuels
Use these at a rate so that the earth can sustain our consumption
Group Assignment 1
Please mention at least three types of fossil fuels
Try to mention as many sources of sustainable energy as possible
We will discuss this in 10 minutes Good Luck!
Answer to assignment 1
Fossil fuels are oil, coal and gas Sources of Sustainable Energy There are 5 main sources of sustainable energy:
Water(Watermills, but also [tidal] waves) Wind (Windmills, windturbines) Sun (heating water or solar panels) Biomass (fuels eventually derived from plants) Earth (earth produces heat within, e.g. geisers,
volcanoes, but we can also build power plants that make use of this)
[Nuclear power is sometimes considered as sustainable] However: opinions divide about this
Improving sustainable energy sources We used those sources for hundreds of years However, our energy consumption has increased
dramatically (!) New technologies enable us to improve efficiency Time is running out! We should act fast!
Sustainable energy: which one to choose? Many sources of sustainable energy Choice can depend on
Application Fuel for moving vehicles
Climate and circumstances in the country Sun Wind Water
Group assignment 2
Each group gets a country factsheet Discuss in your group (and decide)
which source of sustainable energy you are going to develop for electricity production within the next decade
You must be able to explain why you chose this source!
Disadvantages of sustainable energy: applications Much energy is used as liquid fuel Not every type of sustainable energy can be put
into liquid form
Solutions Make electric-powered cars
-heavy batteries needed! Store energy as liquid hydrogen
-dangerous! Use biomass in liquid form (bio-ehtanol or palm oil)
-hugh land areas needed in order to produce enough for our demand!
Disadvantages of sustainable energy: reliability Many types of renewable energy are
dependent on natural resources that are unpredictable
For instance: Wind Sun Waves Water
Group assignment 3
Every group is assigned to one type of sustainable energy
Think of any undesired (negative) effect your type of sustainable energy can cause.
Do you still think there is enough reason to regard your type of energy as ‘sustainable’?
Quiz: Question 1
The Itaipu Dam is the biggest dam in the world. It is located on the border of Paraquay and Brazil. It generates 14000 MW(!)
How many square kilometers are flooded by this dam?
A: 13.5 B: 135 C: 1,350 D: 13,500
Quiz: Question 1
The Itaipu Dam is the biggest dam in the world. It is located on the border of Paraquay and Brazil. It generates 14000 MW(!)
How many square kilometers are flooded by this dam?
A: 13.5 B: 135 C: 1,350 D: 13,500
Quiz: Question 2
The three Gorges Dam China is building an even bigger dam. How many
persons will be forced to move due to this dam?
A: 1,200 B: 12,000 C: 120,000 D: 1,200,000
Quiz: Question 2
The three Gorges Dam China is building an even bigger dam. How many
persons will be forced to move due to this dam?
A: 1,200 B: 12,000 C: 120,000 D: 1,200,000
Quiz: Question 3
Wind power in history. In the Netherlands, wind power has been used for centuries in order to supply the industry with power. Which of the following purposes has not been a purpose of wind power?
A: Powering water pumps B: Ventilation of buildings C: Making paper D: Sawing of wood
Quiz: Question 3
Wind power in history. In the Netherlands, wind power has been used for centuries in order to supply the industry with power. Which of the following purposes has not been a purpose of wind power?
A: Powering water pumps B: Ventilation of buildings C: Making paper D: Sawing of wood
Quiz: Question 4
Solar power. In deserts, there is a lot of sun. In order to supply the total world’s energy
demand, we will need to fill ....% of the world’s desert with solar panels.
A: 4% B: 40 % C: 90 % D: Even filling all of the world’s deserts with
solar panels will not satisfy our energy demand.
Quiz: Question 4
Solar power. In deserts, there is a lot of sun. In order to supply the total world’s energy
demand, we will need to fill ....% of the world’s desert with solar panels.
A: 4% B: 40 % C: 90 % D: Even filling all of the world’s deserts with
solar panels will not satisfy our energy demand.
Quiz: Question 5
Tidal power Tidal power, sometimes called tidal energy, is a form of
hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity or other useful forms of power.
Tidal power has been in use since.... A: Stone age B: Roman age C: Middle ages D: 19th century
Quiz: Question 5
Tidal power Tidal power, sometimes called tidal energy, is a form of
hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity or other useful forms of power.
Tidal power has been in use since.... A: Stone age B: Roman age C: Middle ages D: 19th century
Quiz: Question 6
Geothermal power Which country is known for its Geothermal
Power?
A: Greenland B: USA C: Norway D: Iceland
Quiz: Question 6
Geothermal power Which country is known for its Geothermal
Power?
A: Greenland B: USA C: Norway D: Iceland
Final Discussion
Sustainable energy: will it be able to satisfy our energy needs in the near future?
Will humanity be able to keep our living standards or do we need to cut down?
Shoot-out question
What is the total capacity of wind power in the world (2008), measured in Gigawatt?
(1 GW = 1,000,000,000 watt; 1 big vacuumcleaner or laundry machine uses 1,000 watt)
Answer
121.2 GW