An energy education presentation from EORenew Energy: the challenges the opportunities

Scientific Definition: Energy is the

Who Needs Energy?

Where Do We Get Energy? List different sources of energy

Why should we care about how much energy we use?

We’ve all got “Energy Slaves”

“Peak energy” theory: Peak oil Peak Coal Peak energy per capita Hubbert’s curve

75 years 19 years 12.5 years 5 years ,000 Terawatt-hours Annually 4,000 X

How Much Energy is in a Gallon of Gasoline? It’s as much energy as a farm worker can produce in hour days (if a farm worker is worth 1/10 of a horsepower). It’s as much energy as you could burn in 680 miles of bicycling (assuming you burn 700 calories per hour bicycling 13 mph). It’s as much energy as there is in twenty-three weeks worth of food (if you eat 3,000 calories per day).

Going over the peak can mean: You keep using energy inefficiently (deprivation) You change your habits to match the supply (keeping pace) You develop a new way of thinking about energy, and find ways to develop and use renewable energy sources (plenty)

So, how do I take control of my personal energy future??

It’s About Working Smart!

Some New Ways to Think About Energy: Passive Solar direct use of the sun, no moving parts Most cost-effective use of solar energy Heat your home, hot water, or cook with passive solar

The first step is to know how to quantify energy. Lord Kelvin quoted by Google (promoting PowerMeter)

Where Does Your Home’s Energy Go?

Average home uses nearly 1000 kWh each month, almost 11,000 kWh annually 2.5 kW If you were to install: 4 hours each day x10kWh= 365 daysx3650kWh= 1/3 of annual electricity consumption Home Energy Consumption

Home-scale Solar or Wind Electricity Takes a lot more solar or wind than you think to make as much electricity as you are used to using. Needs to be used or stored.

Utility-scale Solar or Wind Electricity Feeds into existing grid. Intermittent supply depends on sun and wind. Must be interfaced with conventional energy sources.

When you fill the tank in a big pickup or SUV, for every gallon you put in, you’ll be using less than half a cup to move yourself, and the rest of the gallon is to move the vehicle. Is there a smarter way to get where you need to go, do what you need to do, and haul what you need to move? –bicycle –walk –public transit –tele-commuting –small, efficient vehicles –combine trips Transportation

Be More Efficient! Energy Star appliances Use energy in its raw form (fewer conversions, sunlight for warmth). Turn off energy-consuming devices when not in use (plug strips, switches). Conserving habits (smaller motors and lights, turn down thermostats).

Take a field trip:

Build a Solar Cooker…

… or a Renewably Powered Engine!

Do a Science Project

Build a Solar Car (or even a boat!)

Do a Site Survey…

… or an Energy Audit

Build a Project for Your School