AP Environmental Science Unit 6 - Energy Resources and Consumption

AP Environmental Science Unit 6 - Energy Resources and Consumption

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable Energy Sources

Energy sources that can be replenished naturally at or near the rate of consumption and can be reused, such as biomass, solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy.

Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Energy sources that exist in fixed amounts on Earth and cannot easily be replaced or regenerated, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear energy.

Rate of Consumption

The rate at which energy is used or consumed. For renewable energy sources, the rate of consumption must be at or below the rate of regeneration to ensure sustainability.

Depletable Renewables

Renewable energy sources that can run out if overused, such as biomass (wood, charcoal, ethanol).

Nondepletable Renewables

Renewable energy sources that do not run out if overused, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy.

Fossil Fuels

Fossilized remains of ancient biomass that take millions of years to form, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

Nuclear Energy

Energy generated from uranium or other radioactive fuels through nuclear fission.

Fracking

A method of natural gas extraction that involves cracking the rock layers containing gas by injecting pressurized water, extending access to natural gas.

Shale Gas

Natural gas trapped in semi-permeable, sedimentary rock layers, such as shale, released through fracking, which increases and extends the supply of natural gas.

Tar/Oil Sands

Bitumen deposits where crude oil can be recovered, often requiring higher water and energy inputs, such as the Alberta region in Canada.

Crude Oil (Petroleum)

Decaying organic matter trapped under rock layers, extracted by drilling wells and often recovered from tar sands, with extraction being energy and water-intensive.

Fossil Fuel Products

Crude oil (petroleum) converted into various products through fractional distillation, including petroleum gas, gasoline, naphtha, jet fuel, diesel fuel, motor oil, and bitumen.

Subsistence Fuels

Biomass fuel sources easily accessible and often used in developing countries for home heating or cooking, such as wood, charcoal, and peat.

Coal Formation

Peat compressed by pressure from overlying rock and sediment layers over time, forming different types of coal with varying energy density and quality (lignite, bituminous, anthracite).

Natural Gas

Decaying remains of plants and animals converted into natural gas (mostly methane) over time, found on top of trapped oil deposits and considered a cleaner fossil fuel.

Fossil Fuel Combustion

The reaction between oxygen and fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) that releases energy as heat and produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) as products.

Nuclear Fission

The process in which a neutron is fired into the nucleus of a radioactive element (e.g., uranium), causing the nucleus to break apart and release energy, leading to a chain reaction.

Radioactivity

The energy given off by the nucleus of a radioactive isotope, which can occur through decay or fission, releasing radiation.

Radioactive Half-Life

The amount of time it takes for 50% of a radioactive substance to decay, indicating the stability and longevity of the radioactive isotope.

Spent Fuel Rods

Used fuel rods from nuclear power plants that remain radioactive for millions of years and require proper storage in lead containers on-site.

Leftover rock & soil from mining may have radioactive elements that can contaminate water or soil nearby

Radioactive contamination can occur when mining activities leave behind rock and soil containing radioactive elements, which can then contaminate nearby water or soil.

Nuclear power plants require lots of water and can deplete local surface or groundwater sources

Nuclear power plants consume large amounts of water for cooling purposes, which can lead to the depletion of local surface or groundwater sources.

Hot water from power plants released back into surface waters can cause thermal shock, leading to decreased oxygen levels and suffocation

The release of hot water from power plants into surface waters can cause thermal shock, resulting in decreased oxygen levels and suffocation of aquatic organisms.

Three Mile Island (US), Fukushima Japan, and Chernobyl Ukraine are the three most famous nuclear meltdowns

Three Mile Island, Fukushima, and Chernobyl are the three most well-known incidents of nuclear meltdowns, each with its own unique causes and consequences.

Partial meltdown at Three Mile Island due to testing error, resulting in radiation release but no deaths or residual cancer cases

The partial meltdown at Three Mile Island was caused by a testing error, leading to the release of radiation, but fortunately, there were no deaths or long-term cancer cases as a result.

Meltdown at Fukushima triggered by an earthquake and tsunami, resulting in widespread radiation release

The meltdown at Fukushima was triggered by an earthquake and tsunami, leading to a failure of cooling pumps and a subsequent meltdown of the reactor core, resulting in widespread radiation release.

Meltdown at Chernobyl caused by a stuck cooling valve during a test, resulting in several deaths and widespread radiation release

The meltdown at Chernobyl was caused by a stuck cooling valve during a test, leading to a complete meltdown of the reactor core, several deaths, and the release of a large amount of radiation.

Genetic mutations and cancer in surrounding organisms are environmental consequences of nuclear meltdowns

Nuclear meltdowns can lead to genetic mutations and an increased risk of cancer in surrounding organisms due to the release of radiation from the reactor core.

Radiation can remain in soil and harm plants and animals in the future

Radiation released during a nuclear meltdown can persist in the soil, posing a long-term threat to plants and animals through genetic mutations and other harmful effects.

Radiation can be carried by the wind over long distances, affecting ecosystems far from the meltdown site

Radiation released during a nuclear meltdown can be transported by wind over long distances, potentially impacting ecosystems far away from the actual meltdown site.

Biomass

Organic matter burned to release heat, primarily used for heating homes and cooking:Biomass refers to organic matter, such as wood, charcoal, dried animal waste, or dead leaves and brush, that is burned to release heat, primarily for heating homes and cooking.

Biofuels

Liquid fuels created from biomass, used as replacement fuel sources for gasoline, primarily in vehicles:Biofuels are liquid fuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel, that are produced from biomass, such as corn, sugar cane, or palm oil, and are used as alternative fuel sources for gasoline, primarily in vehicles.

Biomass burning releases modern carbon, while fossil fuel burning releases fossil carbon

When biomass is burned, it releases modern carbon, which is carbon that was recently sequestered from the atmosphere. In contrast, burning fossil fuels releases fossil carbon, which has been stored for millions of years.

Biomass burning is considered "carbon neutral"

Biomass burning is often considered "carbon neutral" because the carbon released during burning is offset by the carbon that was recently sequestered from the atmosphere. It is akin to spending a dollar someone just gave you, rather than withdrawing from your long-term savings account.

Biomass burning releases CO, NOx, PM, and VOCs, which are all respiratory irritants

Biomass burning releases carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), all of which are respiratory irritants and can have negative health effects.

Biomass burning indoors for heat and cooking worsens the effects of pollutants

Burning biomass indoors for heat and cooking exacerbates the effects of pollutants, as the pollutants become trapped and concentrated in the indoor environment, leading to worsened respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, and eye irritation.

Deforestation and air pollutants are environmental consequences of biomass burning

Biomass burning, particularly in developing nations where it is a primary source of fuel, can contribute to deforestation and the release of air pollutants, further exacerbating environmental issues.

Ethanol and biodiesel are biofuels created from corn, sugar cane, and palm oil

Ethanol and biodiesel are biofuels that are produced from crops such as corn,

Geothermal Heating

The process of using heat from the ground to warm or cool a building using a ground source heat pump.

Ground Source Heat Pump

A system that pumps a heat-absorbing fluid into the ground to either take on heat from the ground or give off heat to the ground, providing heating or cooling for a building.

True Geothermal Heating

Involves piping water deep into the ground to be heated by magma and then transferring the heat from the water to the building.

Geothermal Pros

Potentially renewable, emits less CO2 than fossil fuel electricity, no release of pollutants like PM, SOx, NOx, or CO.

Geothermal Cons

Not accessible everywhere, hydrogen sulfide can be released, high initial drilling costs.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

A device that uses hydrogen as a renewable fuel source to generate electricity.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Basics

H2 gas and O2 are used to generate electricity, with H2O given off as a waste product. Protons pass through an electrolyte membrane, while electrons generate an electrical current.

Creating H2 Gas

The challenge of obtaining pure hydrogen gas, which can be done through steam reforming or electrolysis.

Steam Reforming

The process of burning natural gas and using steam to separate the hydrogen gas from methane, emitting CO2 and requiring natural gas input.

Electrolysis

The process of applying an electrical current to water to break it into oxygen and hydrogen gas, emitting no CO2 but requiring electricity.

Hydrogen As an Energy Carrier (Pros)

Can be stored and transported for later use, emits no air pollutants when used as a fuel, can be used in various industries.

Drawbacks of H Fuel Cells

Reliance on non-renewable methane for H2 production, sustainability depends on electricity source, requires a widespread distribution network, larger tanks needed for gas storage.

Wind Turbine Electricity Generation

The process of converting the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using a turbine and generator.

Wind Turbine Location

Wind turbines are clustered in flat, open areas, often in rural locations, and can also be located offshore in oceans or lakes.

Wind Energy Benefits

Non-depletable, no GHG emissions or air pollutants, can share land uses, no habitat destruction or soil/water contamination.

Wind Energy Drawbacks

Intermittency, potential harm to birds and bats, can be considered visually unappealing or noisy.

Small Scale Energy Conservation

Actions taken at an individual level to conserve energy, such as lowering thermostat, using energy-efficient appliances, and conserving water.

Large Scale Energy Conservation

Actions taken at a larger scale, such as improving fuel efficiency standards, subsidizing electric vehicles, and increasing public transportation.

Sustainable Home Design

Design strategies to decrease energy requirements in homes, such as using passive solar design, insulation, and water conservation measures.

Energy Conservation - Transportation

Strategies to conserve energy in transportation, including improving fuel economy, using hybrids or electric vehicles, and promoting public transit and carpooling.

Sustainable Building Design

Design strategies to decrease energy requirements in larger buildings, such as green roofs or walls, natural lighting, and the use of recycled materials.

Managing Peak Demand and Smart Grid Tech

Strategies to manage peak electricity demand, such as variable pricing models and the use of smart meters and renewable energy sources.