Depletion of Energy in the World and Alternative Forms of Energy
In many parts of the US…. A record heat wave in the summer of 2000 sent energy demand soaring. A drought caused the amount of energy from hydroelectric power to dwindle Rolling blackouts were caused by lack of energy sources to the individual states.
1973 Oil Crisis Arab countries decide not to ship oil to countries that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War OPEC decides to quadruple the price of oil
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill March 24, 1989 – oil tanker Exxon Valdez hits a reef and spills between 11 million and 35 million gallons of crude oil 1900 km of coastline affected Thousands of animals perished immediately
Natural Resources A natural resource is a material source of wealth that occurs in a natural state and has economic value. Examples Timber Fresh water Mineral deposits Energy
Energy is a Natural Resource About 80% of all energy consumption comes from non-renewable sources Renewable energy is energy captured from a natural process that can be replaced Example: solar, wind, hydroelectric In theory fossil fuels are renewable energy sources
Mean Global Energy Consumption Rate Mean global energy consumption rate is about 12.8 TW a year Oil, gas, and coal account for 80% Oil is by far the largest source of energy being consumed in the world (4.52 TW a year)
Oil In 2004, the World uses 30 billion barrels per year (1 barrel = 42 gallons) 82 million barrels/day are consumed
Oil Number of barrels of oil used by an average citizen per year: United States Japan Spain Mexico Brazil China India - 0.8
Problems with Oil Hard to estimate how much oil is left in the world’s oil reserves Currently only 30-35% of the oil is extracted from oil wells Oil demand is increasing 1.6%/year Currently, the US produces less than ½ of its peak production of oil in the continuous 48 states which was in 1970
Peak Oil Peak oil is the point where oil production peaks and goes into decline Results in massive economic depression and skyrocketing fuel prices
Energy World Energy demand is growing about 2% per year. Estimated by the year 2040, that energy demand will be 40% more than 2004.
Fossil Fuels It appears that fossil fuels are the answer to energy problems in the United States Cheap Apparently abundant
Fossil Fuels However, there are grave and serious drawbacks Government subsidies depress the costs of fossil fuels The cost of creating fossil fuels is not considered because it is of no cost to mankind Costs do not take into account the societal costs to mankind
Alternate Energy Sources Hydroelectric power Wind power Solar power Nuclear power Hydrogen
Wind Power/Solar Power Practical when wind speed is more than 12.5 miles/hour Only practical in 27% of land on earth Solar has extremely large potential (1.2e5 TW) With existing technology, large land mass needed to be applicable
Hydrogen Fuel Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe Easily stored and clean burning Chemical energy from hydrogen can be obtained without combustion or pollution
Problem with Hydrogen Technology is still rather expensive Most designs are not practical enough to withstand real world problems Hydrogen is not an energy source and still must be produced by another energy source.
The Hydrogen Car Hydrogen reacts with oxygen in fuel cells to produce energy Exhaust is water vapor which is environmentally friendly A different version of hydrogen cars is the hydrogen internal combustion engine car
Ethanol in Transportation Ethanol – Easily renewable and derived from many products Gasohol
Why Should This Matter? Air pollution is the cause of over 3 million deaths yearly (50k-100k in the US) We depend on energy to live Alternative energy sources are currently a great deal more expensive
Reasons why we need to switch to alternative fuels as soon as possible Longer the wait, the harder it will be Large costs to society What can we do? Always drive less Fuel efficient cars Conserve electricity