Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Ch.16

Why is energy efficiency an important energy resource? Improving energy efficiency can save the world at least a 1/3 rd of the energy it uses, and it can save the U.S. up to 43% of the energy it uses.

Why is energy efficiency an important energy resource? How is energy efficiency a resource? Why is it important?

How do we get our power? CURRENT MEANS: via centralized power system and existing grid

FUTURE MEANS: via decentralized power systems and grid revision - need gov’t aid in upstarting - Advantages - Low emissions - Use local available renewable energy sources - Reliable How do we get our power?*

Doing more with less Energy Efficiency – Percentage of total energy input into an energy conversion device or system that 1)Does useful work and 2)Is not converted into low-quality heat

Fig. 16-2, p. 399 Energy InputsSystemOutputs 9% 7% 41% 85% U. S. economy 43% 8% 4% Nonrenewable fossil fuels Useful energy Hydropower, geothermal, wind, solar Unnecessary energy waste 3% Petrochemicals Unavoidable energy waste Nonrenewable nuclear Biomass Importance of Improving Energy Efficiency 84% of energy in US is wasted!

43% unnecessarily wasted Four widely used devices that waste energy 1. Incandescent light bulb 2. Motor vehicle with internal combustion engine 3. Nuclear power plant 4. Coal-fired power plant Also: houses & cars

Energy use of various types of transportation

The Importance of Improving Energy Efficiency Lower Life Cycle Costs –Initial cost plus lifetime operating cost Net Energy Efficiency –Total amount of useful energy available minus the amount of energy used/wasted Used (1 st Law of Thermodynamics) Automatically Wasted (2 nd Law of Thermodynamics Unnecessarily wasted (this is what needs to be conserved)

Efficiencies (fig p. 382)

Uranium 100% Electricity from Nuclear Power Plant 14% Resistance heating (100%) 90% Waste heat Passive Solar Sunlight 100% Waste heat 14% Transmission of electricity (85%) 17% Waste heat Power plant (31%) 54% Waste heat Uranium processing and transportation (57%) 95% Waste heat Uranium mining (95%) Energy Efficiency

Could we save energy by recycling energy? NO! - 2 nd Law of Thermodynamics

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? In Our Homes Insulation Eliminate Air Leaks Clean Air-to-Air Heat Exchangers Industry Cogeneration Efficient Electric Motors Recycling Materials High Efficiency Lighting (LEDs) Increased Fuel Economy

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? Utility Companies: Switch from promote use to promote energy efficiency - spurred by state utility commissions

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? Smarter Electrical Grid Ultra-high-voltage Super-efficient transmission lines Controlled digitally Responds to local changes in demand/supply Two-way flow of energy & info Smart meters show consumers how much energy each appliance uses U.S cost -- $200-$800 billion; save $100 billion/year

Proposed U.S. Smart Grid Figure 20, Supplement 8

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? Saving energy in existing buildings About one-third of the heated air in typical U.S. homes and buildings escapes through closed windows and holes and cracks.

A Green Roof in Chicago Fig. 16-8, p. 405

Outside Plant deciduous trees to block summer sun and let in winter sunlight. Other rooms Use compact fluorescent lightbulbs or LEDs and avoid using incandescent bulbs wherever possible. Turn off lights, computers, TV, and other electronic devices when they are not in use. Use high efficiency windows; use insulating window covers and close them at night and on sunny, hot days. Set thermostat as low as you can in winter and as high as you can in summer. Weather-strip and caulk doors, windows, light fixtures, and wall sockets. Keep heating and cooling vents free of obstructions. Keep fireplace damper closed when not in use. Use fans instead of, or along with, air conditioning. Bathroom Install water-saving toilets, faucets, and shower heads. Repair water leaks promptly. Stepped Art Attic Hang reflective foil near roof to reflect heat. Use house fan. Be sure attic insulation is at least 30 centimeters (12 inches). Kitchen Use microwave rather than stove or oven as much as possible. Run only full loads in dishwasher and use low- or no-heat drying. Clean refrigerator coils regularly. Basement or utility room Use front-loading clothes washer. If possible run only full loads with warm or cold water. Hang clothes on racks for drying. Run only full loads in clothes dryer and use lower heat setting. Set water heater at 140° if dishwasher is used and 120° or lower if no dishwasher is used. Use water heater thermal blanket. Insulate exposed hot water pipes. Regularly clean or replace furnace filters. Fig , p. 407

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? Transportation – 28% energy consumption CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? Give consumers tax breaks & economic incentives for more fuel efficient vehicles Example: Feebate

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? Types of More Energy-Efficient Vehicles Superefficient & ultra light cars Gasoline-electric hybrid car Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle Energy-efficient diesel car Electric vehicle with a fuel cell

Fig. 16-6, p. 403 Conventional hybrid Fuel tank Battery Internal combustion engine TransmissionElectric motor

Fig. 16-6, p. 403 Plug-in hybrid Fuel tank Battery Internal combustion engine TransmissionElectric motor

Light-Weight Carbon Composite Concept Car Fig. 16-7, p. 405

How Can We Reduce Energy Waste? Transportation Usable & Convenient Mass Transit Electric Rail Systems Biking

Why are we still wasting so much energy & money? * Energy remains artificially cheap –Government subsidies –Tax breaks –Prices don’t include true cost

Why are we still wasting so much energy & money? Few large and long-lasting incentives –Tax breaks –Rebates –Low-interest loans

We Can Use Renewable Energy to Provide Heat and Electricity Renewable energy –Solar energy: direct or indirect –Geothermal energy Benefits of shifting toward renewable energy Renewable energy cheaper if we eliminate –Inequitable subsidies –Inaccurate prices –Artificially low pricing of nonrenewable energy

What Are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Different Renewable Energy Options? That’s for you to tell us!

Shifting to Alternative Energies 1.Decreases reliance on foreign oil 2.Increases autonomy 3.Relies on economic and political shift

Strategies to Assist the Shift 1.Competition in free market without government interference 2.Keeping prices artificially LOW to encourage use of selected energy resources 3.Keeping prices artificially HIGH to discourage use of selected energy resources.