Canadians are the highestper-capita energy userson planet Earth !

•Hydrocarbons•Found in sedimentary rock•Remains of prehistoric animals, forestsand sea floor life (FOSSIL FUELS)

•Toxic to wildlife (spills)•Climate change•Air pollution and acid Rain

•Clay, sand, water and bitumen•Black oil rich in sulphur•Oil sands must be heated and treatedwith steam to separate bitumen•Energy intensive•Sulphur dioxide emissions•Huge waste disposal ponds•Habitat fragmentation•Greenhouse gas emissions

Photos: Syncrude

                     

Illustration: Brooks Johnson,Ontario Clean Air Alliance

•Most CO2 andair pollution perunit energy•Sydney tar ponds- the most contaminated sitein Canada

* New technologymay present cleanercoal burning options(eg. improved boilerefficiency)

•Gaseous hydrocarbon mixture Primarily methane – CH4

Also C3H8 and C4H10

•Now 45% of Canada’s energy production•Much cleaner and more efficient

Problems: potent greenhouse gas,wildlife disruption, flaring & H2S

Biomass•Wood, agricultural wastes, garbage

15% of world’s energy6% of Canada’s energyMainly in developing nations

•Less emission of greenhouse gases ifforest replacement exceeds removal•Biofuels for cars (ethanol - Brazil)Problems: land clearing and associated

problems

Hydro power•12% of Canada’s energy•No air pollution•Downstream irrigation regulationProblems: Displaced wildlife/people,flooded ecosystems,

                                                             

15% of Canada’s electricity>50% of Ontario’s electricity

•No greenhouse gas emissions/airpollution (except mining)•Minimal land disturbance•High energy output with minimal environmental impact

Problems:•Storage of nuclear waste(DGD in Canadian shield proposed)•Expensive•Public trust / meltdown risk (older systems)

                                                                                                                          

                                    

                                                                                                                  

                              

                                                                                                                          

                                    

Source: DOE, USA

•Photovoltaic cells convert sunlightdirectly to electricity•Energy of absorbed light transferred toa semiconductor (silicon)•Electrons knocked loose and flow freelyin a direction determined by the cell’s electric fields•The current (flow) of electrons is collectedby metal contacts at the two ends of thecell•Expensive? (consider environmental/healthbenefit)

•Near zero environmental impact•Potential exists to reverse currentlevel of impact from other sources•Each turbine powers at least 250Alberta homes!•It’s windy here!

Photo: WIRED

•75% of the universe’s mass !•Fuel cells convert hydrogen toelectricity•Combustion engines can be fuelledby hydrogen (Ballard Power – Canadian company and leader in thisfield)•H + H + O converted to H2O – electricity is produced

2H2 => 4H+ + 4e

O2 + 4H+ + 4e- => 2H2O

NET REACTION: 2H2 + O2 => 2H2O

1985 - Canada 1990 - Canada 1991 - Japan 1992 - Canada 1993 - Japan 1994 - Canada 1995 - Norway 1996 - Canada 1997 - Canada 1998 - Canada 1999 - Canada 2000 - Norway 2001 - Norway 2002 - Norway 2003 - Norway

2004 - Norway

http://142.206.72.67/02/02b/img/extra/zoom/02b_007f_1.htm

2NO + O2 2NO2

NO2 + sunlight NO + OO + O2 O3

CH4 + OH CH3 + H2OCH3 + O2 CH3O2

CH3O2 + NO CH3O + NO2

CH3O + O2 H2CO + HO2

H2CO HCO + HHCO + O2 CO + HO2

H + O2 HO2

CO + OH H + CO2

H + O2 HO2Peroxy radicals can re-oxidizeNO to NO2

NO2

-decreased visibility-heart and lung problems -suppressed plantgrowth -decreased infection resistance -may encourage cancer spread

VOCs- eye irritation -respiratory irritation-some are natural (terpenes)-some are carcinogenic

O3

-bronchial constriction -respiratory irritation -eye irritation -decreased crop yields -retards plant growth -damages plastics, rubber -odour

NO2 + R peroxyacetyl nitrates

-high toxicity to plants -respiratory irritation -damaging to proteins-eye irritation

1. Walk, ride or use public transportation(buses are far more efficient than cars)

2. Choose a fuel-efficient car3. Consider car-pooling for long commutes4. Don’t idle. It’s no longer necessary5. Test your older car’s emissions system6. Don’t air condition unless necessary7. Lower the thermostat in the winter8. Use a pushmower. It’s easier anyway!

9. Are snowblowers and powerboats(for recreation) necessary?

10. Properly insulate your home11. Choose cleaner fuels12. Choose low-solvent cleaners and

paints13. Live near to the workplace.14. Choose local products whenever

possible

Increases energy demand in summer Air-conditioning also releases CFCs!Heat related issues in summer (elderly death rate)Decreases energy demand in winter

http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/essd01jul98_1.htm

Source: NASA

•Drinking water generally very good•Contamination of water courses,and groundwater in some areas•Contamination affects the shellfish and to some extent, the fishing industries•E coli (Walkerton) & Salmonella

http://www.batteryrecycling.com/household.html

CALGARY

1990Yellow

2000Yellow + Orange

Image: A. Schneider, NASA Earth Observatory