Energy Charts

Non-Renewable Energy Chart Energy TypeHow Extracted… By the Numbers AdvantagesDisadvantages Light Oil Heavy Oil Natural Gas Coal Nuclear

Energy Reflection Questions 1)What source of energy did you know the most about? Of this energy source, what category were you most accurate about? Explain WHY (ie where did your background knowledge come from?) 2)In what area did your knowledge grow the most from your initial brainstorm to your final chart? What was most interesting and/or surprising to you about what you learned about this energy source?

Energy Reflection Questions 3) Russia drills a gas well in Siberia and ends up shipping the natural gas from a port on the Pacific to Japan. Follow the steps of natural gas production, from 1) original drilling (i.e. where is it found in the ground) to 2) transportation within Russia to 3) Transportation across the ocean to 4) How it is utilized from the ship to Japanese homes. Describe some of the benefits and drawbacks of natural gas.

4) A prominent politician from Wyoming wants to promote “America First” energy independence by processing the oil shales of the Green River formation. This politician states that we have oil reserves 5 times greater than Saudi Arabia, if only we have the courage to drill. Explain how oil is produced from oil shale, and describe the benefits and drawbacks of the “America First” energy plan.

Renewable Energy Chart Energy TypeBy the Numbers Area of U.S. and World Used Most Effectively AdvantagesDisadvantages Energy Efficiency Solar Energy Wind Energy Biomass Geothermal Hydroelectric

Trade-Offs for Conventional (Light) Oil AdvantagesDisadvantages Ample supply for yearsNeed to find permanent substitute within 50 years Low costLarge government subsidies, environmental cost not included in market price High net energy yieldArtificially low price encourages waste and discourages search for alternatives Easily transported within and between countries Pollutes air when produced and burned Low land useReleases CO 2 when burned (43% of global CO 2 emissions) Technology is well developed, with efficient distribution system Can case water pollution (Exxon Valdez oil spill ect.)

Trade-Offs for Heavy Oil AdvantagesDisadvantages Moderate cost (oil sands)High cost (oil shale) Large potential supplies, especially in the Canadian oil sands Low net energy yield Easily transported within and between countries Environmental costs not included in market price Efficient distribution system in placeLarge amounts of water needed for processing Technology well developed (oil sands)Severe land disruption Severe water pollution Air pollution and CO 2 emissions when burned (at about 3x the rate as light oil)

Trade-Offs for Natural Gas AdvantagesDisadvantages Ample supplyNonrenewable resource High net energy yieldReleases CO 2 when burned Low costGovernment subsidies Less air pollution than other fossil fuelsEnvironmental costs not included in market price Lower CO 2 emissions than other fossil fuels Methane (potent greenhouse gas) can leak from pipelines Easily transported by pipelineDifficult to transfer from one country to another Low land useCan be shipped across ocean only as highly explosive LNG Good fuel for fuel cells, gas turbines, and motor vehicles

Trade-Offs for Coal AdvantagesDisadvantages Ample supplies (225 – 900 years)Severe land disturbance, air pollution, and water pollution High net energy yieldSevere threat to human health when burned Low costEnvironmental costs not included in market price Well-developed technologyLarge government subsidies Air pollution can be reduced with improved technology High carbon dioxide emissions when produced and burned Radioactive particles and toxic mercury emissions