Turning the Lights On Where does our energy come from? Tyler Josephson Graduate Student at University of Delaware Chemical Engineering Presentation at Newark High School February 9, 2012
What do we use energy for? Where does it come from?
The Big 3 • >80% of our energy comes from fossil fuels: – Coal – Petroleum – Natural Gas
Coal
Electricity Coal Petroleum Renewable Energy Nuclear Natural gas Hydroelectric Wind Geothermal Solar
Inside a Coal Power Plant • http://www.tva.gov/power/coalart.htm
Coal Use in the USA • Math Problem – unit conversions • The United States used 3.6 billion MW-hrs of electricity in 2009 • 50% of this electricity comes from coal • Coal has 6.67 kW-hrs of energy per kg • A coal power plant is typically 30% efficient • You can fit 120,000 kg of coal in a railcar • How many railcars of coal are used in 1 day? Sources: eia.gov for energy use, coal and railroad numbers from Wikipedia
Coal Use in the USA • 20,000 railcars of coal per day • Coal is 10% ash by weight • 2,000 railcars of ash per day • 750,000 railcars of ash per year
Coal Pros and Cons • Cons: – Ash – SO 3 → Acid rain – Mercury emissions – CO 2 → most emissions/energy produced • Pros: – Abundant supply – $$ - Cheapest energy source for electricity
Petroleum
Transportation Natural Gas Petroleum Renewable Energy Corn Ethanol Biodiesel
Petroleum Sources Land Drilling Tar Sands Ocean Drilling
A Petroleum Refinery http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-refining5.htm
Where Do We Get It?
Peak Oil? World Crude Oil Production The U.S. is running out, and eventually, the world will run out, too! Data from U.S. Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov
Petroleum Pros and Cons • Pros – Highest energy density – Most suitable fuel for transportation – Chemical feedstock • Cons – Expensive – Limited supply – CO 2 → 2 nd in emissions after coal – Oil spills
Global Warming Images created by Robert A. Rohde / Global Warming Art
The Big 3 • Coal • Petroleum • Natural Gas
What does the future look like?
Future of Energy • By 2050, global energy demand is expected to increase 40% from what it is today • We are going to live in a world that uses energy in a very different way than we do today Today 2050
Future of Energy Transportation - Today Transportation – 2050? Natural Gas Natural Gas Petroleum Petroleum Renewable Energy Renewable Energy • Something big is going to happen in transportation fuels in the next 40 years
Future of Energy Transportation - Today Transportation – 2050? Natural Gas Natural Gas Petroleum Petroleum Renewable Energy Renewable Energy • Fuel-efficient cars • More public transit • Expensive fuel means people drive less • More biomass-derived fuels • Electric cars or plug-in hybrids powered by electricity from natural gas or nuclear power
What alternatives do we have? Alternative Electricity Heating Fuels/Chemicals Solar X X Nuclear X Biomass X X X Wind X Hydroelectric X Geothermal X Improvements X X X in Efficiency • Others?
Future of Energy Electricity - Today Electricity – 2050? Coal Coal Petroleum Petroleum Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Nuclear Nuclear Natural gas Natural gas Coal Coal Petroleum Petroleum Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Nuclear Nuclear Natural gas Natural gas
Future of Energy • To reduce pollution from coal and oil, reduce impact of global warming, create local, secure, stable sources of energy, we will need to: • Improve efficiency of alternatives • Reduce costs • Discover new alternatives • Advancements in science and engineering are critical for shaping the future of energy • YOU could be a part of the future of energy
Questions?
Image Credits • Lightbulb: http://dsmy2muqb7t4m.cloudfront.net/tuts/118_Lightbulb_Icon/32.jpg • Coal Train: http://transitionlummiisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/buffettt-coal-train.jpg • Gas burner flame: http://www.livetradingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/natural-gas_43.jpg • Oil Drums: http://www.amoilresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Oil-drums-Company.jpg • Coal Power Plant: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Coal_power_plant_Datteln_2_Crop1.png • Petroleum Refinery: http://www.elpower.net/samson/images/refinery.jpg • World Oil Map: http://tkcollier.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/world-oil_31948a.jpg • Land Drilling: http://www.horizontaldrilling.org/horizontal-drilling.jpg • Ocean Drilling: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/guardian/About/General/2011/7/13/1310579782034/Offshore-drilling- rig-wit-007.jpg • Tar Sands: http://www.myessentia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/TarSands.jpg • Refinery: http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/oil-refining-diagram.gif • Peak Oil: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/US_Oil_Production_and_Imports_1920_to_2005.png/250px- US_Oil_Production_and_Imports_1920_to_2005.png • Grand Prix: http://cdn.getauto.com/photos/2/156022/1c/1G2WP1213VF305423-1c.jpg • Gas Can: http://www.blitzusa.com/products/fuel/Containment/images/50805%201%20plus%20Self- %20Venting%20Gas%20Can.jpg • Graduated Cyliners: http://www.benmeadows.com/images/xl/KIMAX-Graduated-Cylinders-BEN-_i_LBD48808.jpg • Ruler: http://static.www.odcdn.com/pictures/us/od/sk/lg/279944_sk_lg.jpg • Natural Gas Drilling: http://geology.com/articles/oil-and-gas-investments/natural-gas-and-oil-drawing.jpg
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