ENERGY RESOURCES Chapter 17 18 Evaluating Energy Resources

ENERGY RESOURCES Chapter 17 & 18

Evaluating Energy Resources � Where does our energy come from? � 84% of our energy comes from nonrenewable energy resources � 78% from fossils fuels � 6% nuclear power � And only 16% from renewable energy!!

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Comparison between Canada, the US, and the world with the use of nonrenewable energy sources.

Why is the Energy Future of the United States Important to Canada? Ø US industrial giant and military superpower Ø Canada’s largest trading partner Ø US world’s largest energy user Ø US out of step with rest of world Ø Shift in US energy use would impact Canada Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Limited.

Net Energy � � Net energy is the usable amount of high-quality energy available from a given quantity of a resource. Essentially, it is our spendable income – after taxes, job-related dues, health insurance, etc. we are left with a certain amount of money which we then use!

Example: Nuclear Energy � Nuclear fuel cycle that involves the extraction and processing of uranium ore, creation of nuclear fuel, the building of plants, the dismantling of plants, and the storing of radioactive material produces a very small net energy gain – maybe even a loss! � To make nuclear energy more efficient we need new ways of extraction that use less energy.

Evaluating Alternative Resources Ø Policies developed with future in mind Ø Takes 50 years and huge investments to phase in alternative energy Ø Each country needs to answer several questions Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Limited.

OIL � � Oil (petroleum) is a thick and gooey liquid consisting of hundreds of combustible hydrocarbons along with small amounts of sulphur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Oil is on our planet because of three events: � Sediments buried dead material on seafloor faster than it could decay � The depth and pressure allowed it to cook converting the organic material to oil � Oil was then trapped in limestone/sandstone covered by shale or silt making it part of the carbon cycle.

Finding the Oil � A lot of technology! � Satellites to help find deposits � Computers/software to look at 3 D internal images � Equipment for drilling � Not to mention the equipment used in the discovery, production, marketing, and distribution of oil to billions of people.

What happens to the Environment? � After drilling occurs the transportation of the oil can cause major environmental disasters. � Oil spills: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=OVNd 6 Fa 9 fg

� Who owns all the Oil? OPEC – Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries � 12 countries hold � Saudi Arabia has � Canada does not 60% of the world’s oil supply 22% belong to this organization but we have 14% of the world’s oil reserves. � Analysts believe that the Middle East will eventually have 50% of the oil production; this is why the world’s nations have a vital economic and military security interests in helping preserve political stability in the Middle East.

What are the Advantages of Oil? � � � � Ample supply for 42 -93 years Low cost (huge subsidies) High net energy yield Easily transported from place to place Low land use Technology is all ready there Efficient distribution

What are the disadvantages of Oil? � � � Need to find a substitute when it has run out Low price causes waste and discourages looking for other sources Air pollution when burned Releases CO 2 Moderate water pollution

Oil sands � � Oil sands are a mix of clay, sand, water, and combustible organic material called bitumen – a very thick and heavy oil with a high sulphur content. Oil sands are excavated near the surface and transported to refinery where the mixture is boiled and ‘cooked’ with hot water and steam to extract a lower sulphur content of crude oil.

The reality… � � For this process to occur, two tons of oil sands are needed to create one barrel http: //www. cbc. ca/documentaries/natureoft hings/video. html? ID=1769597772 of oil. On top of that three barrels of water are needed to extra each barrel of the bitumen substance! � We need to find a better source of energy so we do not waste our water supplies.

Environmental Impacts of Mining and Processing Oil Sands � � � Page 383 Read… What are your thoughts on the oil sands? Use points stated throughout the article as well as the information provided in the text. Explain your stance and why you feel we should use the oil sands or avoid them altogether.

Advantages of Oil Sands � � � Moderate cost – get a good dollar from them! Large potential supply in Canada Easily transported Efficient distribution Technology is there to be used

Disadvantages of Oil Sands � � � � Extreme amounts of land (boreal forests) will be clear cut for extraction Low net energy yield HUGE amounts of water that can never be used again Very high cost Water pollution through mining and storage Air pollution when burned C 02 emissions when burned!

Overall… � Do you believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for crude oil? � Please submit your two questions at the end of class.

Natural Gas � What is natural gas? � Mostly methane! � The simplest hydrocarbon. � Other forms underground can include: Ethane (2 carbons) Propane (3 carbons) Butane (4 carbons) � Natural gas lies above crude oil deposits – unless a company is willing to tap into this resource it is burned off at the well site. A complete waste of a natural resource!!!

Another form: Methane Hydrate � � � Methane + Water molecules = methane hydrate Buried deep in the permafrost in the Arctic Essentially, there is twice as much natural gas as there is oil on our planet.

Problem � The Cost � Too much money to get the natural gas from the hydrates. � However, Japan is working hard at developing a new technology to reduce the costs and to reduce the methane gas that is released when it reaches the surface.

Great Versatility � Natural gas is a versatile fuel. � It can be burned to heat water and buildings, and to run vehicles. � It can be used to run medium-sized turbines to produce electricity. a. They are clean-burning and more energy efficient than coal-burning power plants. b. They are cheaper to build, require less time to install, and easier and cheaper to maintain than coal and nuclear power plants.

Natural Gas Production Plant

Who has all the Natural Gas? � Russia and Iran have about 50% of the world’s reserves of conventional natural gas, and global reserves are expected to last 62 to 125 years. � The long-term outlook for natural gas supplies is better than for conventional oil. � Natural gas use should increase because it is fairly abundant and has lower pollution and CO 2 rates per unit of energy compared to other fossil fuels.

Global Deposits and Usage

Canada? � Canada has surplus natural gas, while gas production in the U. S. is declining. � Canada exports 51% of its annual natural gas production to the U. S. � The U. S. produces 16% of its electricity from burning natural gas. � Canadian natural gas production is expected to peak between 2020 and 2030. � More LNG (liquefied natural gas) could be imported, but shipping is very expensive which reduces the net energy yield. It is also very flammable and could lead to large-scale fires at receiving terminals.

Coal � Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed in several stages as buried remains of plants from 300 -400 million years ago were subjected to intense heat and pressure over millions of years. � Made of carbon with small amounts of sulphur (released as sulphuric acid when burned) � It also releases traces of mercury and radioactive materials…… ?

Extraction of Coal � One of the world’s most dangerous occupations is underground mining of coal. � Accidents underground � Black lung disease from coal particles � � Area strip mining – flat land with coal near the surface Contour strip mining – hills or mountains � Sometimes mountain tops will be removed to expose coal and the rock will be dumped in nearby areas ruining the environment.

What is it used for? � � � Coal is used to generate 40% of the world’s electricity and 75% of the steel It is the most abundant fossil fuel 10 times more energy in coal than in oil or natural gas Coal resources could last 2001000 years (depending on rates of usage) Around the world large deposits are being depleted and if the consumption rate goes up then the resources will run out a faster rate.

Advantages of coal � � � AMAZING supply… 200 -1000 years!!! Very high net energy… we get a lot of energy from coal. Low cost – cheap fuel source Mining and combustion of coal is very technologically advanced – from years of coal burning Air pollution can be reduced with new technology (buffers in the smokestacks)

Disadvantages � � � A VERY high environmental impact Severe land disturbance, air and water pollution Very high land use – need to mess around a lot with land to extract resources Severe threat to human health through the burning of fossil fuels High CO 2 emissions when we burn it – greenhouse gas, global warming Releases toxic mercury and radioactive particles

Tradeoffs

Future of Coal � Converting to Synthetic fuels � (liquid fuel such as methanol or synthetic gasoline) � This involves less CO 2 emissions when burned, higher cost (less wasting), vehicle fuel, and a large supply again. � However, CO 2 emissions are greater compared to coal if you included the amount of energy it takes to process the synthetic fuels, lower net energy yield, higher cost to produce, high environmental impact, and required 50% more coal for processing than just burning coal.

Future of Synthetic Coal � � Researchers are looking at ways to reduce CO 2 emissions Chambers to trap the CO 2 in the smokestacks The CO 2 would be stored to not harm environment If this works, the liquefied coal would be a much cleaner way to produce electricity than burning coal, oil, or natural gas.

Tradeoffs

Nuclear Energy � http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=VJf. Ib. BDR 3 e 8

Nuclear Fission Reactors � � Neutrons split the nuclei of atoms such as uranium and plutonium and release energy as high temperature heat. In the reactor, the rate of fission is controlled and the heat produces high pressure steam which spins turbines and generates electricity.

See it in Action!!

CANDU � � � Stands for Canada and uranium – nuclear reactor. The reactor is shielded inside with a concrete containment vessel and then further isolated in the reactor building. There are multiple safety features to reduce serious nuclear accidents.

Fuels - Uranium � Used for 12 -18 months then moved to wet storage in pools of water on site. � After 6 -7 years enough heat and radiation has subsided to allow for handling of the fuel cells. � They are then moved to dry storage.

Nuclear Fuel Cycle � The entire fuel cycle includes: � The mining of uranium � Processing to make fuel � Using it in a reactor � Storing the radioactive wastes (1000’s of years!!) � And decommissioning of the radioactive reactor after its useful life. � In evaluating the safety, economic gains, and environmental impact, energy experts and economists caution us to look at this entire cycle, not just the nuclear plant – we may not be getting enough energy to make it ‘worthwhile’!

Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Tradeoffs