In-Depth Notes on Nonrenewable Energy Sources and Fracking

Nonrenewable Energy Sources

• Key Learning Objectives:
  • Identify energy sources we use.
  • Understand EROI (Energy Return on Investment) concept.
  • Describe formation and extraction processes of fossil fuels: coal, natural gas, crude oil.
  • Assess concerns regarding conventional oil supply decline.
  • Explore unconventional new fossil fuel sources.
  • Examine environmental, social, political, and economic impacts of fossil fuel use.
  • Discuss strategies for enhancing energy efficiency and conservation.
  • Describe nuclear energy, its harnessing, and assess its pros and cons.

Fracking the Marcellus Shale

• Case Study: Dimock, Pennsylvania
  • Fracking and horizontal drilling enhance energy security and job creation.
  • Local economic impact: gas royalties for landowners, economic activity, community disruption.
  • Negative effects include air quality issues, water contamination, explosions (e.g., Norma Fiorentino's well explosion).
• Process of Hydraulic Fracturing:
  • Involves deep drilling, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing to release trapped gas.
  • Hydrofracturing uses high-pressure water mixed with sand and chemicals to create fractures in rocks, allowing gas to flow to the surface.

Energy Sources Overview

• Types of Energy:
  • Nonrenewable: fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear.
  • Renewable sources emerging: solar, wind, geothermal, tidal.
• Fossil Fuels:
  • Formed from ancient organic materials under specific geological conditions.
  • Coal: compacted organic plant material from ancient swamps.
  • Oil & Natural Gas: derive from marine organisms through heat and pressure over millions of years.

Current and Future Energy Use

• Predominance of fossil fuels:
  • Over 80% of energy derived from fossil fuels; offers high energy content suitable for various uses.
• Declining EROI Ratios:
  • EROI has decreased (e.g., from 24:1 in the 1950s to 11:1 currently for conventional oil).
  • Highlighting the efficiency loss as more complex extraction methods are required.

Strategies for Energy Conservation

• Energy Efficiency vs. Energy Conservation:
  • Efficiency: technological improvements (better appliances, industries).
  • Conservation: practices to reduce unnecessary use (turning off lights, lowering thermostats).
• Personal and Societal Actions:
  • Individuals adopting energy-saving practices, and industries improving production efficiency.

Nuclear Power Overview

• Nuclear Energy:
  • Generated through nuclear fission in reactors; significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Concerns about Nuclear Power:
  • Risks of catastrophic accidents (Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima) and radioactive waste management challenges.
  • Public anxiety surrounding safety and waste storage hinders expansion of nuclear facilities.

Environmental and Societal Impacts of Fossil Fuels

• Health Risks from Fossil Fuel Use:
  • Airborne pollutants from combustion cause health issues (mercury, nitrogen oxides).
  • Methane leaks lead to groundwater contamination.
• Pollution from Extraction Activities:
  • Fracking wastewater mismanaged; risk to drinking water sources.
  • Land and habitat degradation from mining operations.

Regulation and Future Directions

• Regulatory Landscape:
  • Debate over regulation’s effectiveness and future of fossil fuel extraction methods (fracking, offshore drilling).
• Alternatives and the Renewables Transition:
  • Society looking toward renewable sources but must also evaluate the current impact of fossil fuels early in the transition period.

Conclusion

• The dual challenge of fossil fuel reliance and climate change necessitates policies prioritizing energy efficiency, exploration of renewables, and restructuring current energy consumption paradigms. Efforts must balance economic benefits with maintaining public health and safety standards across all energy sectors.