1. Environmental Education
Energy Conservation

2. Content What is “energy”? Types of “energy resources”
Non-renewable
Renewable
Energy conservation

3. What is “energy”? “Energy is used for doing work” Energy is everywhere
e.g. provides warmth, ability to move and think
Energy is everywhere
Usable free energy is limited
e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear power and hydropower
Need conservation of energy
limited reserve
overexploitation

4. Types of energy resources
Non-renewabe
Cannot be replenished or renewable
Fossil fuels
Nuclear energy
Renewable
Can be replenished or renewed
Geothermal
Hydropower
Ocean energy
Solar energy
Wind energy
Biomass energy

5. Non-renewable: Fossil fuels[1]
Widely used
Three kinds:
coals: hard, black and rock-like substance
oil/petroleum: thick liquid layer
natural gas: found near oil underground, mixture of flammable gases, main component is methane (CH4)
Made up of decomposed plant and animal many millions years ago
decomposed and buried layer upon layer
under high temperature and high pressure
If they are used up, they will be gone!!!
Need to save

6. Non-renewable: fossils fuels[2]
Grasshopper is used for extracting fossils fuels underground
Sources:

7. Non-renewable: nuclear energy[1]
Energy is released when nuclear fission or nuclear fusion
Nuclear fission:
use a neutron to bump a large nuclei
the nuclei splits into several smaller fragments and releases energy
Nuclear fusion:
release of energy when small nuclei are fused together
Energy (from nuclear fission and fusion)
boil water and turn generators for electricity

8. Non-renewable: nuclear energy[2]
Nuclear fission:
A large nucleus splits into several small nuclei when bumped by a neutron and energy is released in this process.
Nuclear fission
Sources:
Nuclear fusion:
Several small nuclei fuse together and release energy.
Nuclear fusion
Sources:

9. Renewable: Geothermal energy
“Geo” -- earth ; “thermal” -- heat
The steam can be used to turn generator for electricity.
Sources:
Hot spring
When the underground water is heated by magma, hot spring is formed.
Sources:
Cool
Hot
Very hot

10. Renewable: hydropower
“Hydro” -- water; “hydropower” -- power of water
Used for grinding flour or corn and generation of electricity
reservoir
dam
dam is built to stop water flow of a river
reservoir is formed behind dam
the water is controlled to pass via turbine at the dam
generators is then driven to produce electricity
Dam built for generating electricity
Sources:

11. Renewable: ocean energy
Still in experimental stage, not common
Three types:
Waves energy
Tidal energy
Ocean thermal energy

12. Sources: http://www.energy.ca.gov/education
Ocean energy: waves
When the air flows, turbine is turned and it would drive the generator.
Electricity is produced.
Sources:

13. Ocean energy: tidal and thermal
Tidal energy
similar to hydropower plant
dam traps the sea water when high tide
when tide drops, water flow turns the turbine and drives the production of electricity of generator
Ocean thermal energy
application of the temperature difference of sea water

14. Renewable: solar energy[1]
Solar energy can be converted to electricity in 2 ways:
Solar thermal electricity
Solar cell (Photovoltaic energy)
use heat energy from the sun to boil water
the stream formed then turn the turbine
convert radiation energy to electricity directly

15. Renewable: solar energy[2]
The thermal energy of sun is converged by parabolic trough and used for boiling water. The steam is then used to push electricity generators.
Sources:
Parabolic trough
(curve mirrors)
In solar cells, solar radiation energy is converted to electricity directly. Electrons are stroked out under sunlight and attracted to the other pole, so electricity occurs.
Sources:
Solar cell e-

16. Renewable: wind energy[1]
Used for grinding grains, pumping water, and generating electricity
pushed by wind
Wind push the blade
Turn the turbine
Electricity generated by generators
Sources:
Produce electricity

17. Renewable: wind energy[2]
Group of wind turbine
Increase electricity generation efficiency
Sources:

18. Renewable: biomass energy
paper waste, trash, dead body, food waste, bark, sawdust and housing rubber, etc
Production of fuel during biological processes
e.g. fermentation
targets products: e.g. hydrogen and ethanol
they can be used for cars or generation of electricity

19. Energy conservation[1]
Most of the energy resources we use now is NON-RENEWABLE.
If they are used up, they will be gone!!!
We can:
Save energy
Develop new energy resources

20. Energy conservation[2]
Recycle and reuse
Save water
Turning off electrical appliances when not use
Suitable management and application of electrical appliances
e.g. lighting, water heater, washing machine and dry machine, refrigerator and air conditioner
Save energy in cooking
Save energy in cars

21. Discussion Compare nuclear power and fossil fuel.
Discuss the relationship between living quality and energy conservation. (Degradation of living quality?)
Are there any environmental destruction of using renewable energy resources? (e.g.hydropower & geothermal)
What kind of activities in our daily life are wasting energy resources?
Does recycling really save energy?

22. Relevant Websites
1. Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, the Chinese Academy Of Sciences
2. The Consumer Council—How to conserve energy?
3. Press release: Government and Hongkong Electric Sign Demand Side Management Agreement
4. Economic Services Bureau—Energy Supplies
5. Daily Information Bulletin -- Energy efficiency measures improve business competitiveness
6. Daily Information Bulletin-- Energy Efficiency Labels for Electric Clothes Dryers
7. Press release-- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Initiatives for 2000/01
8. The Environmental Protection Department – Saving energy in your home