2. Background Information The United States uses a lot of energy – nearly a million dollars worth of energy every minute, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. With less than 5% of the worlds population, we consume almost one quarter of the worlds energy resources. We are not alone among industrialized nations; 16% of the worlds population consumes 80% of its natural resources.

3. Energy is more than just numbers on a utility bill; it is a foundation of everything we do Transportation Cooking Heating & cooling Manufacturing Lighting Water use Entertainment We rely on energy to make our lives comfortable, productive, and enjoyable

4. To sustain the quality of life we desire, we must use our energy resources wisely. Reduce energy use Use energy more efficiently Home Energy Usage Heating 34% Water Heating 13% Cooling 11% Refrigeration 8% Lighting/Appliances 34%

5. Energy conservation includes any behavior that results in the use of less energy Decision to replace an incandescent for a CFL Energy efficiency involves the use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function CFL vs and incandescent

6. School Energy Consumption A school buildings energy system includes these components: Building shell – walls, floors, roofs, windows, and doors Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning – includes equipment and devices Lighting – fixtures inside and out Electrical Appliances – everything plugged into electrical outlets

7. Electrical Appliances A school building contains many electrical devices (plug loads) that contribute to the learning process and help occupants stay comfortable and safe. It is estimated that up to 20% of the total electricity consumed by a school is used to power these devices

8. Desk and table lamps Televisions Vending machines Copiers Computers/monitors VCR’s Microwaves Fans Refrigerators Fax machines Fish tanks Printers/scanners

9. Many computers, TV’s, VCR’s and other electrical devices use electricity even when they are turned off. Phantom load (standby power) Electronic clocks, timers, remote controls Can consume 3-20 watts when turned off

10. Electricity from Coal Coal is a fossil fuel Formed from the remains of plants that were buried beneath the earth millions of years ago Coal is important for generating electricity because more than half of the electric power generated in the US comes from it.

11. How Step 1 – A pulverizer grinds the coal As it passes to the furnace, the powder is mixed with hot air to help it burn more efficiently Step 2 – A boiler is heated by the burning coal Creates steam Step 3 – A turbine is turned by the steam as it is released from the boiler Heat energy to mechanical energy

12. How Step 4 – A generator is powered by the spinning turbine Magnets spinning inside a wire coil turn the mechanical energy of the turbine into electricity Step 5 – A condenser cools the steam that has passed through the turbine, changing it back to water

13. Challenges with Coal Air pollution Coal generating plants produce byproducts such as sulfur dioxide and “fly ash”. These byproducts can affect the environment Sludge Several processes are used to remove sulfur from the combustion products of coal. Some of these processes yield huge amounts of sludge, a muddy waste that must be disposed of.