Overview What are the pros and cons of

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Overview • What are the pros and cons of both renewable and nonrenewable energy?

Overview • What are the pros and cons of both renewable and nonrenewable energy? • Is the implementation of renewable energy in modern society realistic? • Coal as an example of nonrenewable energy; contrasting wind, hydro, nuclear as alternatives.

World Energy Use

World Energy Use

World Energy Use

World Energy Use

PA Energy Use • PA is the 6 th largest consumer of electricity in

PA Energy Use • PA is the 6 th largest consumer of electricity in U. S. (TX, CA, FL, OH, NY) • PA is the 5 th largest producer of electricity in U. S. • Primary energy source is coal

PA Energy Use

PA Energy Use

Coal: Pros • The only thing that keeps some countries, such as China, using

Coal: Pros • The only thing that keeps some countries, such as China, using coal is because it’s • A) Cheap: about 4 cents for every kilowatthour of energy produced, or 3, 600, 000 J • B) Efficient: when coal is burned, about 40% of its energy is converted into electricity

Coal: Cons • Coal’s combustion adds more carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere than

Coal: Cons • Coal’s combustion adds more carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere than any other resource • Coal plants emit toxins such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and others www. ecolo. org

Coal: Health Effects • Coal mining deaths are common, especially in other countries •

Coal: Health Effects • Coal mining deaths are common, especially in other countries • The pollution from nearby factories can enters houses

Pros & Cons • • Pros It’s cheap It’s efficient It’s domestic • •

Pros & Cons • • Pros It’s cheap It’s efficient It’s domestic • • • Cons It pollutes It releases CO 2 Mining is dangerous Strip mining destroys the environment • It’s non-renewable

PA Energy Use

PA Energy Use

Wind Power Pros • 3 -4. 5 cents/kilowatt-hour (k. Wh) – comparable to coal

Wind Power Pros • 3 -4. 5 cents/kilowatt-hour (k. Wh) – comparable to coal (? ) over time • Expensive to install, around $1 M for a big 750 k. W turbine • Over time, costs may be mitigated • No water involved • Potential for new technology to improve

Wind Power issues • Wind power has about 20% conversion efficiency—only about half as

Wind Power issues • Wind power has about 20% conversion efficiency—only about half as much as coal power • There are two factors in determining how much power you’ll get: wind speed, and wind consistency www. bpa. gov

Wind Power drawbacks? • Wind farms take up a lot of space • Can

Wind Power drawbacks? • Wind farms take up a lot of space • Can dominate a landscape that might otherwise have aesthetic value, and can be noisy: “NIMBY. ” • Can kill birds or interfere with television signal • Expensive to start without capital in place • A challenge to generate power to meet demand www. smh. com. au

Wind Power drawbacks? www. smh. com. au

Wind Power drawbacks? www. smh. com. au

Wind Power in PA • PA wind potential is 5, 120 MW (22 nd

Wind Power in PA • PA wind potential is 5, 120 MW (22 nd in US) • 155 MW of generation already • About 99 turbines in 5 locations • Power for ~60, 000 homes • 12 th largest in U. S. – Additional 200 MW proposed • About 100 turbines in about 10 locations

Hydroelectric Power Flowing water turns a turbine, providing the kinetic energy to generate an

Hydroelectric Power Flowing water turns a turbine, providing the kinetic energy to generate an electrical current. Advantages §Economic benefits include: ~No fuel costs ~Low labor §Dams provide recreation and flood protection §Dams have a long life §produces constant power §It conserves fossil fuels §It prevents pollution caused by fossil fuels

Hydroelectric Power Flowing water turns a turbine, providing the kinetic energy to generate an

Hydroelectric Power Flowing water turns a turbine, providing the kinetic energy to generate an electrical current. Disadvantages §Can have an impact on the aquatic environment § Construction costs are high § People can be displaced when artificial lakes are created

Nuclear Energy in PA • 5 facilities • 9 operating reactors, 2 are local

Nuclear Energy in PA • 5 facilities • 9 operating reactors, 2 are local • 18% of PA’s nuclear generated energy is local to Pittsburgh: Beaver Valley

Nuclear Energy in PA Beaver Valley: 2 PWRs (Pure Water Reactors) http: //www. eia.

Nuclear Energy in PA Beaver Valley: 2 PWRs (Pure Water Reactors) http: //www. eia. doe. gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/ nuc_reactors/small_pwr. jpg

Nuclear Energy in PA Most other PA plants: BWRs (Boiling Water Reactors) http: //www.

Nuclear Energy in PA Most other PA plants: BWRs (Boiling Water Reactors) http: //www. eia. doe. gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/ nuc_reactors/small_bwr. jpg

Nuclear Energy Pro & Con • Low CO 2 • Technology exists • High

Nuclear Energy Pro & Con • Low CO 2 • Technology exists • High capacity for electrical generation • Reliable operations under optimal conditions; use small amounts of fuel • Long-lived radioactive waste products (10 K yrs) • Accidents have potential to be devastating • Terrorism target • Fuel may be a limited resource; physical and chemical hazards in mining and processing ore • Long lead time to build new facilities (20 -30 yrs)

An online source • http: //www. eia. doe. gov Energy Information Administration (Official energy

An online source • http: //www. eia. doe. gov Energy Information Administration (Official energy statistics from the US Government) http: //www. eia. doe. gov/oiaf/ieohcon. html

Alternative Energy Sources • It’s not easy to quantify exactly which renewable resource is

Alternative Energy Sources • It’s not easy to quantify exactly which renewable resource is better—each has its pros and its cons • Renewable energy may not replace fossil fuels overnight, but technological advances may close this gap in the future

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