SUSTAINABLE ENERGY!!!!

Asking the big energy questions:  How do we live sustainably on our planet?  What tradeoffs must be considered if our society gets serious about making the transition from a consumptive society to a sustainable society?

A proposition:  We NEED energy. The FORM of energy and the FUELS we use to create convenient energy are a matter of choice.  (Electricity for buildings/Vehicles)

 So what will take the place of fossil fuels?

Every power system has pros and cons

Solar power must be stored for nights and cloudy days

Are we asking the wrong question? Should we be looking for a one-to- one substitution solution?

Distributed power vs centralized power Creating a paradigm shift

Current electricity grid  One major regional power plant, usually coal, natural gas or nuclear supplies area’s needs  Same plan throughout US

Our electric “grid” = power plants connected to consumers

A new energy concept  Distributed Power = dispersed, small-scale power systems customized to geographic region combine to meet a region’s needs

The mix that works for Houston would be different than the mix for Detroit.

A Smarter grid – (how is it smarter? Compare to centralized)

Solar Leasing Program announced 2/10/15! (San Antonio) CPS receives surplus kW to distribute on grid to other customers Installation companies own and install solar panels on homes; rent the roof space from homeowners Get electricity; surplus sold to CPS; rent check from installation companies grid

CPS avoiding another centralized power plant!  “CPS Energy is our utility, it’s owned by us, the people of San Antonio. And the idea of our utility putting solar on our people’s rooftops, instead of building another centralized power plant – it’s a very exciting thing, and Solar San Antonio (SSA) is very supportive,” stated SSA Interim Executive Director Anita Ledbetter in a news release. Ledbetter is also executive director of Build Green San Antonio, the nonprofit sustainable building resource and third-party green building certification program.Solar San AntonioBuild Green San Antonio

Smart grid and smart meters  Information allows for smart decision making  Expected connectivity with major appliances

Decentralized power  Advantages  Greater reliance on renewables  Decreased climate change  Protection from centralized power outages (storms, malfunction, terrorism)  New jobs/new industries  Promote more community  Disadvantages  Change is difficult  Need for new infrastructure which may be costly  Requires more cooperation  Some jobs will be lost  Shift in local economies

Process it!  Describe centralized power  Describe decentralized power  Explain how geography would impact decentralized power

ENERGY EFFICIENCY!! !

Energy Efficiency  The easiest “alternative” energy “source” is the energy we don’t use  $ Savings drives innovation  Starting with increased efficiency makes meeting demand with sustainables much easier.

Name the city....  Switched 2,450 incandescent traffic signals to LED to save $3.6 million/yr  Has the third biggest fleet of hybrid vehicles in the nation  Has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 26% since 2007  Ranks first in the nation for purchasing green electricity

Hometown H-town!

250+ Charging stations in Houston  2009: Reliant Energy sponsored the conversion of ten City of Houston Prius vehicles to plug-in-hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).  2011: the City received its first two all electric passenger vehicles. The all electric Nissan Leafs have zero tailpipe emissions, and it is estimated that each vehicle will save $7-$8 K in fuel and maintenance costs over a three year period. In 2011 the City will continue to grow the electric vehicle fleet by adding an additional 23 electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles – Chevy Volt, Nissan leaf, BMW i3

Tesla – 3.7 sec to 60mph; 245 mi/charge; 0 tailpipe emissions

3 most inefficient devices  Incandescent lights  Internal combustion engine  Nuclear electrical generation  5% efficient “heat bulb”  Less than 5% of fuel moves the driver! Energy lost in propulsion system, idling, running AC, conversion to heat, moving vehicle. Vehicle weight is responsible for more than 2/3 of energy needed to move it.  Consider entire life cycle of production: mining, refining, transportation of fuel, waste heat of steam

3 most inefficient devices – solutions!  Incandescent lights  Internal combustion engine  Nuclear electrical generation  Transition to LEDs  CAFÉ standard currently 27mpg; New law – 54.5 mpg by 2025 (changes start in 2017 models)  Consider entire life cycle of production

Efficiency of a device  Energy in – energy out as a percentage

Net energy of a fuel or energy source  Total power provided by source – total energy required to produce power  Extraction  transportation  processing  transportation to power plant  electrical generation  transmission  end use  Compare net energy of our options (trade off!)

What’s the difference?  Energy efficiency  Net energy

25% OF ENERGY IS USED IN BUILDINGS, SO.....

Field trip!  Green Resource Building Center  Last Organic Outpost  Kendall Library

Home Energy Audit -  Create a plan to reduce your electrical use at home.  What if you changed all your light bulbs to LEDs?  How much power do your computers use?  How might turning off your game system when you’re done change your electric bill?