APES 16(Net energy/Tradeoffs)

What net energy does nuclear energy have?

low ($$)

What net energy does solar energy have?

high net energy

Chemical Compound for Methane

C6H12O6

What amount of net energy does biomass have?

Carbon 0 (negative net energy) || low-medium energy

What net energy does coal have?

Low net energy

What amount of net energy does wind energy have?

High net energy

What is energy conservation?

Reducing or eliminating unnecessary energy waste (EX: turning off lights, unplugging outlets, turn off water when brushing teeth)

What is Energy Efficiency?

How much useful work we can extract from each unit. (EX: LED Lights v Luminescent)

Cogeneration

2 forms of energy from the same fuel source — heat + power

Smart grid

Ultra, high voltage voltage; super efficient transmission lines; Digitally controlled (WE DO NOT HAVE A SMART GRID IN US, OUR GRID IS OUTDATED)

Passive Solar Energy

Absorbs and stores heat from the sun directly. (EX: South facing windows, Roof overhang)

Active Solar energy

Captures energy from the system. (EX: solar panel, pump system to move heated liquid)

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Clouds, Trees, Rainy days, Can be expensive; must have atleast 60% usage

Is wind a form of direct solar energy

Yes: Coriolous Effect

Is Geothermal energy a form of Solar energy

No

Is Biomass/Biofuel a source of solar energy

Indirectly! (also oldest form)

Liquid Biofuels

Fuels from renewable biological resources(biomass).

Biomass

Plant materials & agriculture waste burned for fuel

Disadvantages of Biomass Energy

Land use, Enviormental impacts, Ecosystem long-term damage, Deforestation, Air pollution (burning), Cost(kinda..)

Advantages of Biomass Energy

Widely available, Medium net energy, Moderate costs, No net CO2 increase if harvested sustainably , burned & replanted sustainably, Plantations can restore degraded land.

Biogass

(mostly methane)

Biogas Digesters

produce gas for cooking & lighting by microbal decomposition (solid=fertilizer)

WHO uses Biodiseal more?

Europe

WHO uses ethanol more?

USA [corn] + Brazil[sugarcane/MNE]

What energy type are biofuels?

Low net energy (tons of water + land)

What’s a major disadvantage of Biofuels?

Ethanol distilleries produce large volumes of waste water. + Producing & burning corn-based ethanol adds 20% more greenhouse gases then burning gasoline.

Are biofuels cheaper then Gasoline?

Yes!!

disadvantages of hydropower?

High costs, Few sustainable cites, Equipment damage from storms & saltwater corrosion.

How old is hydropower

most efficient & 2nd oldest.