1. Alternate Energy Sources for the 21st Century
Mike Ewert
Houston Renewable Energy Group

2. Problem & Opportunity Several Problems One Solution
Air & water pollution
Health effects of pollution
Oil depletion/ imports
Global warming from CO2
One Solution
Renewable energy sources cause minimal pollution, don’t cause global warming and are locally available

3. Pollution
US power plants emit 18 million tons of SO2 per year + NOx, particulates, carbon monoxide, mercury and lead
Energy production & use also contribute to Water pollution
Houston has been in violation of federal air quality standards since they began in the 1970’s
The Houston/Galveston area must be in compliance by 2007 because we were designated as a "severe" ozone area.
JSC only used 177 million kWh in 2001 * 0.95 due to 5% from wind power
177M * 0.95 * g/kWh for SO2 * (lb/454g) * (ton/2000lb) = 373 tons/yr
177M * 0.95 * 2.31 g/kWh for NOx * (lb/454g) * (ton/2000lb) = 428 tons/yr
Factors from Kirk’s source.

4. Some Energy Statistics
The US uses ¼ of the world’s energy
The US pays more than $5 billion for imported oil each month

5. Global Warming
Throughout history, the earth has been much colder, and at times warmer, than it is now
But climate change is occurring 100’s of times faster than these natural changes
CO2, CH4, N2O, O3 and soot all cause warming
Global average air temperature has risen 1°F in the past 50 years
But, this has already resulted in melting ice sheets, migration of animals and more severe weather

6. What’s the Alternative? And what’s the hold up?
Renewable energy generally cost more than conventional fossil fuel energy systems
Solar ¢/kWh depending on the technology
Wind ¢/kWh from large wind turbines
But what if you consider the big picture?

7. There are lots of Alternatives
Nuclear
Hydroelectric
Wind
Solar
Wave
Tidal
Geothermal
Bio-mass
Helium 3 (from the moon)
RENEWABLE

8. Wind
Wind turbines – modern windmills have become quite efficient and cost effective in windy areas

9. Solar Electric
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electricity directly from sunlight with special materials
Solar electricity can also be generated from the sun’s heat instead of burning fossil fuels

10. Solar Thermal
Heat from the sun can be used to heat water, houses, pools, in industry and to generate electricity

11. Passive Solar Uses sun angles, shading and thermal storage
Daylighting is using natural sunlight instead of electric lights

12. Solar Cookers Many different designs
Can improve health & reduce deforestation in developing countries

13. Solar Cars? Hybrid and Electric cars are coming
Why not solar charge them?

14. Water Energy Hydro-electric, wave, tide

15. Geothermal & Bio-mass

16. A Future Hydrogen Economy?
Solar energy can split water into hydrogen & oxygen
A fuel cell can make electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, making water
A completely clean, renewable cycle

17. 2 Last Thoughts Don't forget about energy efficiency and conservation!
It has been estimated that we can improve the way we use energy by a factor of 4!
ELECTRIC CHOICE
You now have a choice of electric providers in Texas
Providers must provide an electricity facts label, so the source is something you can consider