Lecture 1 - Energy Consumption

Primary Energy

Raw, unprocessed energy inputs into the energy system

ex: coal, wood, oil

Secondary Energy

Primary energy converted into a transportable form

Losses from transformation of raw resources into energy

ex: electricity from a power plant, charcoal from a charcoal kiln, gasoline from an oil refinery

Final Energy

Secondary energy delivered to the consumer

Losses from transmission & distribution (ex: electricity through an energy grid)

ex: electricity for the home, charcoal sold at the market, gasoline at a fuel pump

Useful energy

Energy put to the desired output of the application

Losses from inefficient applications

ex: light from a lightbulb, heat from burning charcoal, movement of a car

Efficiency

Reducing energy lost as waste

per unit input

Conservation

Reducing demand for energy

Cogeneration

converts waste heat emitted during electricity production into useful heat

Risk

probability of a hazard causing harm, accounting for likelihood of occurrence and vulnerability of subject

Risk = Probability of Hazard x Vulnerability

High capacity factor,

it operates at maximum capacity most of the time