Energy in Green Building:The Carbon Imperative and

the Ruby Slippers 

Dr. Alexandra “Sascha” von MeierProfessor, Dept. of Environmental Studies & Planning

Sonoma State Universitywww.sonoma.edu/ensp

CO2 emissions≈ 7 GtC/y

Natural carbon cycle≈ 50 GtC/y

1 GtC/y = 1 billion tons of carbon per year, which may be bound in CO2 or other compounds

CO2 emissions≈ 7 GtC/y

CO2 removal from atmosphere ≈ 3 GtC/y

Car

Burning fossil fuel means combustion of hydrocarbons:

   CXHY    +     O2    →    CO2    +    H2Ohydrocarbon + oxygen   →  carbon dioxide + water

where the proportions of CO2 and H2O depend on X and Y

GISS analysis of global surface temperature; 2008 point is 11-month mean.

Source: Jim Hansen, 2008

Five Stages of Receiving Catastrophic News

DenialAnger BargainingDepressionAcceptance

Source: Arctic Council and International Arctic Science Committee, www.acia.uaf.edu

California’s Big Step Forward:Assembly Bill 32

2050 Target (EO 03-05)

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2008 Estimate

2020 Goal under AB32

2050 GoalExecutive order

HistoricalEmissionsInventory

Electricity

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Slide:Snuller Price

American Heritage Dictionary, 10th ed.

Physical Meaning of Energy:  

Energy = the ability to do work

Force

distance

Work = Force · distance

Energy = the ability to do work

Potential energy = mgh(mass, gravitational acceleration, height)

Kinetic energy = ½ mv2

(mass, velocity)

velocity

Examples of Energy

Natural gas in the pipeline  (chemical)

Gas flame on my kitchen stove  (chemical to thermal)

Hot water in the kettle (thermal)

Electricity in the wall outlet (electrical)

Spinning blade of the coffee grinder  (mechanical kinetic)

Pancakes & maple syrup  (chemical)

Vase sitting on top shelf (mechanical potential)

Vase falling down to floor  (mechanical kinetic)

Radioactivity (nuclear to radiant)

Sunshine  (radiant to thermal)

Wind  (mechanical kinetic)

Matter and Energy Resources

“High Quality” means

concentrated

pure

easy to use

in an orderly state

“Low Quality” means

dispersed

impure

more difficult to use

disordered

High quality energy:

mechanical, electrical, radiant

Medium quality energy:

nuclear, chemical

Low quality energy:

thermal (heat)

2nd Law requires:Some of the chemical fuel energy will be degraded into heat.The amount of mechanical work or electricity produced will be less than the fuel input.

Basic lesson:

Use energy sources matched in quality with end use needs.