Energy Resources:
Overview & Non-Renewable
An overview on energy for
Introduction to Environmental
Science
Energy Basics
A kilowatt-hour means one kilowatt (1,000
watts) of electricity produced or consumed
for one hour.
A Megawatt is (1,000,000 watts)
A Gigawatt is (1,000,000,000 watts)
An average U.S. household uses about
10,655 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity
each year.
American Wind Energy Association
Energy Consumption Facts
About 94% of the commercial energy used
in the US comes from non-renewable
resources
The US is the largest energy consumer in
the world
In developing countries, approximately
50% use wood and/or charcoal
Fossil fuels contribute more air pollution
than any other fuel source
World Vie
Chart of regional consumption patterns of primary energy 2009
www.eia.doe.gov
Non-Renewable Energy Types
Coal
Oil
Natural Gas
Nuclear Energy
About 78% of the commercial energy used
worldwide comes from non-renewable
sources
World Vie
www.worldofenergy.com
Coal
“An old and reliable fuel source”
Coal Facts
One-quarter of the world’s coal supply is
found within the United States.
“Coal is the work horse of the nation’s energy
supply, supplying more than half of the
United States’ electric supply” (US DOE).
27.4% of the energy generated worldwide is
produced from coal (Energy Information
Administration).
Developing countries' demand for coal will
double through 2020 (EIA).
Coal Types
Anthracite- Highest carbon content and
used more in residential
Bituminous- Most plentiful in the US used
in electricity
Sub-Bituminous- It has a lower sulfur
content, but a lower carbon than the two
listed above
Lignite- A very young coal with the lowest
carbon content
Bituminous Coal
Anthracite Coal
Lignite Coal
2005 U.S. Coal Production by Region
Sources: Energy Information Administration, Annual Coal Report, 2005,
DOE/EIA-0584(2005) (Washington, DC, October 2006).
Coal reserves in
Colorado in
surface mines
Coal Mining Comparison in the United States
Petroleum - Oil
“It powers transportation in the United States”
Production
Consumption
Solutions
TOP 5 CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES
Saudi Arabia
Canada
Russia
United States
Iran
China
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
OPEC
“An intergovernmental coalition of oil exporting nations
created at a conference in Baghdad in 1960.”
Picture: Phillips Petroleum
© Tammy Sharp
International Crude Oil Production
Millions of Barrels per Day
One Barrel =
42 gallons
Source: American Petroleum Institute (www.api.org). Figures are
based on 1995 average yields for U.S. refineries. One barrel
contains 42 gallons of crude oil. The total volume of products made
is 44.2 GALLONS - 2.2 gallons greater than the original 42 gallons
of crude oil. This is called "processing gain," where other chemicals
are added to the refining process to create the products.
Increasing Oil Production
Could negatively impact the environment
despite new technologies
Too little potential for oil despite the effort
the that is put into it
There is always a chance for a major oil
spill like those in Alaska and off the coast
of Spain
Increasing carbon dioxide levels and
reliance on fossil fuels
www.eia.doe.gov
Oil Usage Tradeoffs
Advantages
 High net energy
yield
 Better technology
 Decent supply
 Is part of the
culture
Disadvantages




G. Tyler Miller 2008
Environmental
problems for burning
this fuel
Contributes to Global
Warming
Not an unlimited
supply
Destroys the
environment when
obtained
Natural Gas Facts
It is the nation's fastest-growing energy
source, with demand forecast to increase
by about 22 percent between now and
2030 (EIA Annual Energy outlook 2006),
including a more than 62 percent increase
for electric power generation (EIA Annual
Energy outlook 2006).
History
First Recorded Use of Natural Gas (600
B.C.) by the Chinese using hollow bamboo
poles to collect it.
Used in Persia in 100 A.D. after lightening
hit a natural gas seepage from the ground
causing an everlasting flame.
In the 1600’s it was lighted from a ground
seepage around Lake Erie.
Source: Culverco.com
Natural Gas Supply Worldwide
United States
22.5 %
Canada
7.0 %
Mexico
1.4 %
Central and South America
4.0 %
Europe
11.9 %
Former Soviet Union
27.5 %
Middle East
9.3 %
Africa
5.0 %
Asian and Pacific Countries
11.4 %
(Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2002 http://www.bp.com/centres/energy2002/downloads/index.asp)
www.ngsa.org
Natural Gas
“NATURAL GAS is used in over 60 million
homes. In addition, natural gas is used in
78 percent of restaurants, 73 percent of
lodging facilities, 51 percent of hospitals, 59
percent of offices, and 58 percent of retail
buildings” (American Petroleum Institute)
It meets 23 percent of U.S. energy
requirements
It accounts for more than 90 percent of new
electricity capacity built in last 5 years
Natural Gas Demand Worldwide
United States
25.6 %
Canada
3.0 %
Mexico
1.4 %
Central and South America
4.0 %
Europe
19.5 %
Former Soviet Union
22.8 %
Middle East
8.4 %
Africa
2.5 %
Asian and Pacific Countries
12.7 %
(Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2002 http://www.bp.com/centres/energy2002/downloads/index.asp)
Natural Gas Usage Tradeoffs
Advantages




High Net Energy
Yield
Not as high a
carbon dioxide
emission as other
fossil fuels
Can be used in
many scenarios
Greater supply
than crude oil
G. Tyler Miller 2005
Disadvantages




Produces
environmental
pollution including
Carbon monoxide
Contributes to
Global Warming
Not an unlimited
supply
Can be more
dangerous than
other fuels to
handle
Nuclear Energy
“It was supposed to be the fuel source to
end all energy problems and power our
future.”
How a Nuclear Reactor Works
The nucleus of a heavy element, such as
uranium, splits when bombarded by a free
neutron in a nuclear reactor.(1) The fission
process for uranium atoms yields two
smaller atoms, one to three free neutrons,
plus an amount of energy.
This leads to a continuous reaction which
is considered a chain reaction.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Uranium vs. Plutonium
Uranium has a half-life of 10,000 years
Plutonium has a half-life of 240,000 years
Boiling Water
Reactor
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Pressurized
Water Reactor
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Plant
Began operating in 1969 as the first largescale commercial nuclear power plant in
the United States.
Single boiling water reactor produces 636
net megawatts*.
It serves 600,000 homes
Located at Forked River, Ocean County,
N.J. on the Jersey Shore
* A megawatt-hour equals one million watts produced or used for one hour
Aerial View of Oyster Creek – Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Electricity Market in New Jersey (Percent Generated
by Fuel)
Year
Coal
Natural
Gas
Hydro
Nuclear
Other
2004
18
30
0
48
4
2003
16
26
*
53
5
2002
16
31
0
50
3
Source: Form EIA-860, "Annual Electric Generator"
*Less than one percent
The Future of Nuclear
Currently it is supplying 19% of the world’s
energy supply
It is forecast to drop to only 12% of the
world’s energy supply within the next 40
years
The NRC reports that there will be a 1545% chance of a complete core meltdown
within the next 20 years.
At least 228 reactors worldwide are
scheduled for retirement
Japan: Nuclear Meltdown
Retiring of a Reactor
1) Totally dismantle the reactor and plant
and contain the waste in a high-level
storage facility.
2) Place a barrier around the plant and deal
with it decades from closing.
3) Another option is to totally seal off the
reactor and entomb it.
Renewable Energy
Sources
Solar
Wind
Hydroelectric
Geothermal
Biomass
Hydrogen
www.wvic.com
Sunlight Facts
Sunlight travels to the earth in
approximately 8 minutes from 93 million
miles away, at 186,282 miles per second.
In one hour, more sunlight falls on the
earth than what is used by the entire
population in one year.
The earth’s greatest source of energy is
the sun and it maintain heat balance. The
sun provides 1370 W/m2 of energy
www.fplenergy.com
Solar Energy
Photovoltaic (PV) generating
electricity from the sun
Photovoltaic Cells involve silicon coated plates
Silicon crystal lattice structure
Solar Energy
Solar Thermal Energy
Most solar water-heating systems for
buildings have two main parts:
(1) a solar collector
(2) a storage tank. The most common
collector used in solar hot water
systems is the flat-plate collector.
www1.eere.energy.gov
Solar Energy
www1.eere.energy.gov
Solar benefits
Reduction in carbon dioxide and other
emissions of gases
Use of the sun’s energy which is
considered renewable
Better technology and advancements to
increase efficiency
Lower costs for installation today than in
the past
Moderate net energy returns
www.eia.doe.gov
Wind Energy
Can generate energy for thousands of
homes
The U.S. can generate > 10,000
megawatts (MW) and may be able to
support 20% of the electric needs of the
U.S.
Costly to install wind generators.
Some environmental resistance
Potential U.S. wind energy production by
2020: enough power for 25 million homes
yearly
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
These wind turbines near Lamar,
Colorado, are part of the 162-MW
Colorado Green Wind Farm. Each
turbine produces 1.5 megawatts of
electricity.
www.awea.org
Wind Energy Projects Throughout the
United States of America
U.S. WIND ENERGY CAPACITY: US Department of Energy 2011
New Jersey
Wind Energy Development
Total installed = 7.5*
Planned MW = 0*
Wind Energy
Potential:
Average Power
Output (MW): 1,200
Annual kWh: 10
Billion
Rank in US: 29th **
Project or Area
Owner
Atlantic
City Wind
Farm
Jersey
America
n Wind
LLC
Date Online
2005
MW
Power Purchaser/
User
Turbines /
Units
7.5
Atlantic
County
Utilities
Authority
Wastewater
Treatment
Plant
GE
Energ
y 1.5
MW
(5)
Hydroelectric
It accounts for 7 to 9% of the U.S. electrical
production
According to 2004 statistics, it was number
one in renewable energy production
accounting for over 75% of our renewable
sources
Small scale projects can be advantageous
and less impacting on the environment
Ice Harbor Dam – eia.doe.gov
www.eia.doe.gov
Hydroelectric
Advantages



Small scale does not
impact the
environment as much
as large scale impacts
Does not produce air
pollutants
Year-round water
supplies to areas
Disadvantages



Major source of dams
which disrupt water
flow patterns
Affect spawning
migration routes
Affect precipitation
patterns regionally
Geothermal
Using below ground temperature and core
temperatures of the earth to maintain a
certain temperature thus less energy is
needed to heat water.
It is a secondary source, thus another
active source of energy is needed to run
pumps
Geothermal
The upper 10 feet of Earth's surface
maintains a nearly constant temperature
between 50 and 60°F
Technology is being developed to drill into
this rock, inject cold water down one well,
circulate it through the hot, fractured rock,
and draw off the heated water from
another well.
www1.eere.energy.gov
Geothermal
www.wvic.com
Biomass
The largest U.S. renewable energy source
every year since 2000, it also provides the
only renewable alternative for liquid
transportation fuel (US EPA).
Biomass power boilers are typically in the
20-50 MW range, compared to coal-fired
plants in the 100-1500 MW range (US
EPA).
Biomass
Biomass
Advantages



Good use of materials
that we would consider
secondary
An alternative fuel
source that is a good
secondary source
Relatively low cost of
production
Disadvantages


Not a primary source
of energy
Must include vast
amounts of growth to
include a
supplemental source
of energy
www.wvic.com
Hydrogen fuel
“The goal of the U.S.
Department of
Energy’s Hydrogen
Program is for
hydrogen to
produce ten
percent of our
energy by the year
2030”
Hydrogen Technologies
"National Hydrogen Storage Project"
Hydrogen is expensive fuel if converted
per gallon gasoline. Estimates to balance
at 2015
Hydrogen cuts back on air pollution
emissions
There are promising new advancements in
storage and supply.
www1.eere.energy.gov
Carbon Sequestration
Forest Lands
Agricultural Lands
Biomass Croplands
Deserts and Degraded Soils
Boreal Wetlands and Peatlands
Oceanic Absorption
Direct Ocean Injection
Oil and Gas Reservoirs
Coal Bed Methane
www.fossil.energy.gov