I. I.Energy A. A.Conventional 1. 1.Fossil Fuels b. b.Coal Electricity generation (60% of global coal use, 2008) Main fuel source in China for industry Use expected to grow, mostly fueled by Asia, especially China (78% of global growth) and India Benefits Inexpensive Abundant, easy to recover Requires minimal processing Existing technology & infrastructure Concerns Environmental degradation from mining Requires extensive transportation system (rail) Combustion  pollutants (CO 2, PM, Hg, NOx, SOx) Counter: “Clean coal” (requires more processing)

US EIA

I. I.Energy A. A.Conventional 1. 1.Fossil Fuels c. c.Natural gas (methane) Use predicted to grow almost as fast as coal Equaled coal (BTU basis) in 1999 Increase fueled by price, environmental concerns, energy security issues, market deregulation Benefits Inexpensive Abundant, easy to recover Existing technology & infrastructure Burns relatively cleanly (little PM, etc.), almost no solid waste High efficiency (90% vs. 27% for electricity) Energy security – US produces 85% of demand vs. 40% for oil Concerns Greenhouse gas Adequate long-term supply

I. I.Energy A. A.Conventional 1. 1.Fossil Fuels d. d.Gas (methane) hydrates Worldwide reserves estimated at up to 100,000 trillion cubic feet of gas (10,000 Gt carbon), twice the carbon in all other fossil fuel reserves on earth Located beneath marine sediments at m depth Common off SE US, Siberia, Alaska Benefits Extremely abundant Existing infrastructure for distribution Burns relatively cleanly (little PM, etc.), almost no solid waste High efficiency (90% vs. 27% for electricity) Energy security – US has extensive reserves Concerns Greenhouse gas Damage to sea floor Catastrophic effects of massive release

I. I.Energy A. A.Conventional 2. 2.Nuclear Derived from splitting ("fissioning“) of uranium atoms Uranium mined, processed to increase fissionable material, made into fuel rods Uranium atoms split inside reactor, generate heat  steam  electricity World capacity projected to rise from 379 GW in 2007 to 592 GW in 2035 Highest growth projected for developing world, especially Asia Benefits Clean (few pollutants or GHGs) Relatively inexpensive Existing technology & infrastructure Compact fuel & waste (high energy density – 1 lb of U = 3.5 million lbs of coal) Energy security – US has extensive reserves Concerns Safety – Possibility of accidents Strategic risks – Material stolen and used to create weapon Waste disposal – Contamination of ground water, soil, animals, plants, people GHG production from mining & transportation of uranium

US EIA

I. I.Energy B. B.Renewable Sources either can’t be used up or are replenished quickly through natural processes In CA, eligible renewable energy sources include 1) 1)Biomass and waste 2) 2)Geothermal 3) 3)Solar 4) 4)Small hydroelectric 5) 5)Wind energy Use for electricity generation expected to increase by 128.5% (3%/year) worldwide between 2007 and % of total electricity generation in 2007  23% in 2035 Growth in renewable energy resources expected to be constrained by moderate fossil fuel prices Renewable energy development expected to be increases in hydroelectric (54%), esp. in non-OECD Asia & Brazil, and wind (26%), esp. in China

I. I.Energy B. B.Renewable 1. 1.Hydroelectric Currently supplies ~20% of electricity production worldwide a. a.Small (<30 MW) Less impact but less power than large facilities b. b.Large (>30 MW) Includes immense dams with potentially large impacts Ex – Itaipu Dam (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina) = 12,600 MW Ex – Three Gorges Dam (China) = 18,200 MW Benefits Inexpensive, once facility exists Minimal environmental impact – Little pollution, no GHGs Many facilities already in place May permit flood control Relatively efficient and nondestructive Concerns Limited use geographically Environmental degradation in flooded areas Environmental degradation downstream Detrimental to some aquatic animals (Ex – salmon) Tropical dams trap organic material  methane Rainfall variation can reduce reliability

I. I.Energy B. B.Renewable 2. 2.Wind Power captured with wind turbines The Dakotas and Texas have sufficient wind capacity to supply energy needs of entire United States Benefits “Free” Minimal environmental impact – Little pollution, no GHGs Can produce electricity without being connected to power grid Multiple uses of land Concerns Limited use geographically Inconsistent energy source Expensive to maintain May be dangerous to birds/bats Low power density Eyesores (offshore?) Weather effects? Skegness

I. I.Energy B. B.Renewable 3. 3.Solar Can be generated by a. a.Focusing heat of sun on central point that heats up; heat used to produce steam, which turns turbine b. b.Photovoltaic (PV) cells – Convert energy from sun directly to electricity; each PV panel typically produces small amount of electricity, but panels can be grouped Benefits Abundant – “The amount of solar radiation striking the earth over a three-day period is equivalent to the energy stored in all fossil energy sources.” “Free” Minimal environmental impact – Little pollution, no GHGs PV systems have no moving parts, need little maintenance Can produce electricity without being connected to power grid Concerns Limited use geographically Inconsistent energy source Expensive: $ /kWh vs. $ /kWh on latest bill Requires special materials to harvest energy Low power density; long-term storage of energy