Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources

Solutions:We have the answers!Solutions:We have the answers!

Energy Efficiency! 43% of energy in the US is wasted

unnecessarily• Incandescent bulb=5% efficient

Fluorescent bulb=20% efficient• Auto fleet standards = CAFE Standards

(Corporate Average Fuel Economy) – 12.9 mpg in 1974– 27.9 mpg today– 40 mpg CAFE standard would cut gas use by

50%

Efficiencies Efficiencies

Ways to Improve Energy EfficiencyWays to Improve Energy Efficiency

InsulationInsulationEliminate air leaksEliminate air leaksAir to air heat exchangersAir to air heat exchangersEfficient appliancesEfficient appliancesEfficient electric motorsEfficient electric motorsHigh-efficiency lightingHigh-efficiency lightingIncreasing fuel economyIncreasing fuel economy

Solutions:We have the answers!Solutions:We have the answers!

Renewable Energy Resources! • Biomass• Hydroelectric power• Geothermal• Solar—passive and active• Wind generation• Hydrogen power

Using Solar Energy to Provide Heat and ElectricityUsing Solar Energy to Provide Heat and Electricity

Passive solar heatingPassive solar heatingActive solar heatingActive solar heating

Using Solar Energy to Provide High-Temperature Heat and Electricity

Using Solar Energy to Provide High-Temperature Heat and Electricity

Solar thermal systems Solar thermal systems

Photovoltaic (PV) cells Photovoltaic (PV) cells

Solar Cell Trade-OffsSolar Cell Trade-Offs

Producing Electricity from Moving WaterProducing Electricity from Moving Water

Large-scale hydropower Large-scale hydropower

Small-scale hydropower Small-scale hydropower

50% of West Coast electricity50% of West Coast electricity7% of US electricity7% of US electricity20% of World’s electricity20% of World’s electricity

Major environmental impactsMajor environmental impactsHigh construction costsHigh construction costs

Impacts of hydropower on salmon and other riverine spp. Impacts of hydropower on salmon and other riverine spp.

Pollution Pollution

Disruption of water flow

Disruption of water flow

Loss of biodiversity

Loss of biodiversity

Invasive species Invasive species

Impacts of hydropower on Species and People_______________Impacts of hydropower on Species and People_______________

Dams can provide many human benefits but:

• Disrupts ecological services rivers provide; e.g. 119 dams on Columbia River have caused a 94% drop in wild salmon; removing hydroelectric dams will restore native spawning grounds

• Displaces millions of people worldwide as reservoirs flood traditional homelands

• No room for expansion in the US

Producing Electricity from WindProducing Electricity from Wind

Producing Energy from BiomassProducing Energy from BiomassBiofuelsBiofuels

Biomass plantationsBiomass plantations

Crop residuesCrop residues

Animal manureAnimal manure

Biogas Biogas

Ethanol Ethanol

MethanolMethanol

The Solar-Hydrogen RevolutionThe Solar-Hydrogen Revolution

Extracting hydrogen efficientlyExtracting hydrogen efficientlyStoring hydrogenStoring hydrogenFuel cellsFuel cells

Geothermal EnergyGeothermal Energy

Geothermal reservoirsGeothermal reservoirs

Dry steamDry steam

Wet steamWet steam

Hot waterHot water

Molten rockMolten rock

Hot dry-rock zonesHot dry-rock zones

Geothermal ReservoirsGeothermal Reservoirs

Entering the Age of Decentralized MicropowerEntering the Age of Decentralized Micropower

Centralized power systemsCentralized power systems

Decentralized power systemsDecentralized power systems

Micropower systemsMicropower systems

Fig. 16-39p. 411

Creating a Sustainable Energy FutureCreating a Sustainable Energy Future

• Increase fuel efficiency standards for vehicle, appliances, buildings

• Tax and other financial incentives for energy efficiency

• Subsidize renewable energy use, research and development

• Internalize externalities for fossil fuels

• By 2050: – Increase renewable energy to 50%– cut coal use by 50%– phase out nuclear altogether

Solutions: A Sustainable Energy StrategySolutions: A Sustainable Energy Strategy