Post on 25-Dec-2015
EGR 1301Introduction to Engineering
Alternate Energy Sources
Copyright Baylor University 2010
Introduction
Units Mtoe = Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent Tonne = metric ton = 1000 kg = 1 Megagram (Mg) Mtoe = amount of energy released by burning 1 Mg of oil 1 Mtoe ≈ 41,868 TJ ≈ 11,630 GWh
Scale Typical house uses 800-1000 kWh per month Or approximately 12 MWh per year Equals 0.012 GWh So 1 Mtoe supplies ≈ 970,000 homes for 1 year
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U.S. Residential Energy Consumption by Region
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_the_United_States
2000-2005, per year, in kWh
Global Energy Production by Fuel Type
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2010 Key World Energy Statistics, http://www.iea.org/index_info.asp?id=1507
*Other includes geothermal, solar, wind, heat, etc.
12,267 Mtoe= 142,665 TWh
Global Energy Production by Fuel Type
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2010 Key World Energy Statistics, http://www.iea.org/index_info.asp?id=1507
Global Electricity Generation by Fuel Type
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2010 Key World Energy Statistics, http://www.iea.org/index_info.asp?id=1507
**Other includes geothermal, solar, wind, combustible renewables and waste, and heat.
20,181 TWh= 1,735 Mtoe= 14% of prod.
Renewables= 18.7%
Renewable Energy Electricity Generation
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http://www.ren21.net/Portals/97/documents/GSR/REN21_GSR_2010_full_revised%20Sept2010.pdf
75.0%
13.0%
4.9%
4.4% 1.7%0.9%0.1%0.0%
Renewable Electric Power Capacity, 2009
Large HydroWindSmall HydroBiomassSolar PVGeothermalCSPOcean
Global Electricity Generation by Fuel Type
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2010 Key World Energy Statistics, http://www.iea.org/index_info.asp?id=1507
World Energy Consumption Forecast
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http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/highlights.html
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Hubbert Peak Theory
M. King Hubbert’s 1956 prediction of petroleum production rates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbert_peak_theory
Remaining Oil Breakdown
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ZJ = Zettajoule = 1021 joules
Annual oil consumption was 0.18 ZJ in 2005.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_energy_resources_and_consumption#cite_note-Renewables2006-2
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Alternative Energy Sources
Alternative energy refers to any type of energy which is not derived from fossil fuels.
Significant alternative energy sources: Bioenergy Nuclear Solar Wind Geothermal Hydroelectric Ocean Current H2 Fuel Cells
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Combustible Renewables
Bio-energy refers to any type of energy derived from bio-mass. Bio-energy energy derived from the Sun which is stored within biomass Biomass includes:
Agriculture and forest wastes Public wastes Animal wastes
Bio-energy is considered a renewable energy because its production and use operate in a cycle.
http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/misc/bioenergy_cycle.html
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Energy Crops
Energy crops are bioengineered to grow bigger and faster than regular crops making them useless for any other type of application.
http://www.nrel.gov/data/pix/Jpegs/10470.jpg
http://www.nrel.gov/data/pix/Jpegs/12672.jpg
Energy crops include plants, trees and other vegetation which are processed for energy.
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Other Biomass
Agriculture and forest waste may be used to create fuels instead of allowing to it decompose.
Public wastes that can be used as biomass include paper, trimmed grass, landfill gas, etc.
Animal wastes, obtained mainly from farm animals, can be used for bio-energy production. In some remote locations it is used as a cooking fuel.
All of these different forms of bio-mass may be used for electric energy production.
http://www.repp.org/bioenergy/link4.htm
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Bio-Energy Conversion
Biomass may be used traditionally to produce heat which can provide heating and cooking energy.
Alternatively, biomass can be transformed into liquid fuels such as ethanol, bio-diesel, and methanol.
These liquid fuels may be used in conjunction with other fuels to create a high-energy-content fuels.
These liquid fuels produce lower levels of pollutants than traditional fossil fuels.
http://www.repp.org/bioenergy/link3.htm
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Bio-Energy’s Future
Future plans involving bio-energy include drilling into landfills and capturing methane instead of letting it escape to the atmosphere.
Advantages• Good way of recycling
waste.• May be less expensive than
energy derived from fossil fuels.
• Positive impact on environment.
Disadvantages• Hard to keep a huge
amount of waste at all time.• Release and burning of
methane causes greenhouse gases.
• Without proper management bio-energy plants can pollute the environment.
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Nuclear Energy Production
http://www.greendiary.com/images/nuclear_power_plant5.jpg
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Nuclear Power Plants Worldwide
From: http://www.solcomhouse.com/nuclear.htm
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Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)
http://www.solcomhouse.com/nuclear.htm
The primary-loop water passed through heat exchangers which transfers heat from the water in the primary loop to the water in the secondary loop which boils creating steam which powers turbine generators.
Nuclear Fusion
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http://www.pppl.gov/news/pics/tftr_1989_print.jpg
Experimental Tokamak Fusion Reactor
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Nuclear Power’s Future
Future development of nuclear technology will involve releasing energy through fusion instead of fission.
In fusion two nuclei would be joined to create a heavier one. Although it is already possible, it takes more energy than is released.
Advantages
1. More efficient than traditional fossil fuels.
2. Does not contribute to greenhouse effect.
3. Produces a small amount of waste.
Disadvantages
1. Waste is extremely dangerous.
2. Accidents can be catastrophic
3. Can be used to create nuclear weapons.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectric power is obtained from the potential energy of water turning a turbine which in turn powers a generator.
In order to construct a hydroelectric plant a large dam with a big change of elevation must first be constructed on a large river.
http://newenergydirection.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/three_gorges_dam.jpg
Hydroelectric Power Generation
Hydroelectric power is the most widely used form of renewable energy providing close to 10% of the U.S. energy needs.
The basic function of a hydroelectric power is to build enough water pressure in a water dam and then release it into turbine chambers
which would then power electric generators.
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html
Hydroelectric Power Generation
Future developments using hydropower involve using the ocean’s currents to power underwater turbines.
Strangford Lough axial turbine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rance_tidal_power_plant.JPG
Hydroelectric Power’s Future
Advantages
1. Water is free whereas fossil fuels are costly
2. It produces a minimal amount of pollution
3. Dams can be additionally used to store water for irrigation and flood prevention
Disadvantages
1. In times of draught electricity production is limited
2. Plant construction usually requires the relocation of many people
3. Fish ecosystems are affected at times preventing their reproduction
Thermal Energy Production
Geothermal Power Plant
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/images/geothermal.jpg
Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy may be acquired for either direct use such as
heating buildings or for indirect use such as electricity generation Geothermal power plants gather the energy by tapping into geothermal
reservoirs which are basically underground pressurized water reservoirs heated by the earth’s heat
http://geothermal.marin.org/GEOpresentation/sld037.htm
•Currently there are three methods of obtaining energy from the geothermal reservoirs: Dry Steam, Flash Steam, and Binary Cycle.
•Geothermal power plants produce a little over 2,800 MW.
Geothermal Energy’s Future
Future developments in geothermal energy involve drilling as near as possible to the earth’s core and running man-made water ducts to produce a regenerative steam cycle
Pros and cons of geothermal energy
Advantages• Virtually pollution free• Power plants are small and so
cause little environment changes• It can operate reliably at all times
unless heat runs out
Disadvantages• Only available in locations
with geothermal reservoirs• In one case, cool water
injection into a reservoir has caused a small earthquake
• Poisonous gases may be released into the air
Solar Energy
This type of energy is derived from the sun’s rays and used either directly or indirectly
An example of an indirect way of using solar energy is through a reflective mirror used to boil water such as the one in California’s Mojave desert.
An example of a direct way of using solar energy is through the use of solar cells which collect solar energy and convert it to electrical energy.
Solar Energy
Most of the work done with solar energies involves powering households but experimentation with it involves solar powered cars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Solar_land_area.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Nuna3atZandvoort1.JPG
Solar energy is usually reserved for areas of high concentration of sunlight specifically for those along the equator.
Solar Energy
The average solar panel is about 15% efficient. In the U.S, the average power of the sun’s rays lies
between 125 W/m2 to 375 W/m2. About 90% of the consumed solar energy was used for
heating while the remaining 10% was used for electricity production in 2004.
In 2004, solar energy contributed 0.018% of the total electric energy production.
The world’s largest solar power plant is in the Mojave desert. By using 1000 acres of solar reflectors it is able to produce 90% of the world’s commercial solar power.
Space Solar Power
One alternative for solar power production is to launch the solar power arrays into space, where the Sun’s rays are not diminished by the atmosphere. The energy produced by the arrays can be transmitted back to Earth in the form of microwaves.
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Solar Energy’s Future
Advantages• Pollution free• Requires little maintenance• Technology is becoming
relatively cheap
Disadvantages• Can only be used in some
areas• Can not be used at night or on
very cloudy days• Energy is dissipated through
conversion by solar panels
Ongoing experimentation with solar energy involves setting up solar panels in orbit and then beaming down the energy into a receiver on the ground
Wind Energy
Wind can be harnessed to provide either electrical or mechanical energy.
Mechanically it may be used to sail a sailboat, to pump water, or to power a mill.
Recently the goal has been to harness electrical energy from the wind via fans that drive generators.
1. from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Windpump8414.JPG
2. From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Freiheitu.jpg
Wind Power Generation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DanishWindTurbines.jpg
Wind energy is among the most environmentally safe alternative energy sources with virtually no pollution.
Decreasing costs of maintenance have made wind power more affordable and new fan shapes have increased efficiency.
Wind Energy’s Future
Advantages• Pollution free and
environmentally safe.• Wind is not a resource that
will run out.• Wind energy is one of the
lowest priced technologies• Receives many government
incentives.
Disadvantages• Can only be used in windy
areas.• Require a big initial
investment.• Wind farms are located in very
remote areas.• To provide equal amount of
power as a hydroelectric plant would require a 200 mile wind farm.
http://www.skywindpower.com/ww/index.htm
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen fuel cells are a modern alternative to combustion and fossil fuels.
In this type of alternative energy, electricity is produced through the chemical energy of hydrogen.
Although it may be used as stationary power, hydrogen fuel cell technology is geared more towards portable and transportation technologies .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fuel_cell_NASA_p48600ac.jpg
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Toyota_FCHV.jpg
Hydrogen Powered Car
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Both hydrogen and oxygen are inserted into a fuel cell which produces an electric current. If pure hydrogen is used only heat and water will be dissipated from the fuel cell, thus eliminating the concern of any
harmful pollutants.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
The required components of the common hydrogen fuel cell are: Hydrogen – Most abundant
element in the universe Oxygen Polymer Electrolyte
Membrane (PEM) Positive and negative
electrode catalysts Flow Plates
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fc_animation_text.html
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fc_animation_components.html
Fuel Cell Technology’s Future
Each individual fuel cell is able to produce about 1.16V. In order for this technology to be of use fuel cells are
connected in series to form a fuel cell stack.
Advantages• More efficient than gas
combustion• Produce virtually no pollution• Reduced greenhouse gas
emissions• Hydrogen is the most abundant
element in the universe
Disadvantages• Current H2 extraction causes
too much pollution• Hydrogen extraction is very
expensive• Hydrogen is extremely
volatile
Other Energy Technologies
LEDs Require very little power Expensive Very directional
Uses: Lighting
Industrial Residential
Infrared
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LED,_5mm,_green_(en).svg
Other Energy Technologies
Superconductors Essentially zero electrical resistance Can act like electromagnet with no voltage supply Requires lots of energy to cool
Uses: Electric power transmission
Zero resistance -> zero energy loss Medical imaging (MRI) Transportation (magnetic levitation) Energy storage Particle accelerators Quantum computing
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Material Type Tc(K)
Zinc metal 0.88
Aluminum metal 1.19
Tin metal 3.72
Mercury metal 4.15
YBa2Cu3O7 ceramic 90
TlBaCaCuO ceramic 125