Quest exam 3 review

Energy Storage Examples

• Pumped Hydro Storage

  • Original and most used energy storage method.

  • Uses excess energy to pump water uphill; released downhill through turbines when needed.

  • Typically released at night when energy demand increases.

  • Limitations:

    • Requires high elevation for storage.

    • Construction displaces animals and people due to the need for two reservoirs.

• Lithium-Ion Batteries

  • Degrade over time, posing longevity issues.

  • Reliant on specific countries for materials (e.g., mining in Nevada, Colombia, Chile).

  • Environmental concerns: lithium mining leads to unsafe practices and overheating issues.

• Hydrogen Storage

  • Significant energy loss during transportation.

  • Less efficient than some alternatives.

• Kinetic Energy Storage

  • Storage utilizes concrete blocks and cranes; requires large space and investment.

  • Generally has longer service life.

• Flow Batteries

  • Associated with high costs for implementation.

• Salt and Sand Storage

  • Alternative materials for energy storage.

New Technology - Energy Production

• Pumped Hydro Storage

  • Most common form of energy storage.

  • Operates similarly as above, using excess energy for water pumping.

• Hydrogen as an Energy Source

  • Considered a potential replacement for fossil fuels:

    • Recognized for versatility, but often expensive and not always eco-friendly.

  • Various types identified by color coding:

    • Grey: Fossil fuels (natural gas without carbon).

    • Blue: Fossil fuels with carbon capture.

    • Green: Renewable energy (most environmentally friendly).

    • Yellow: Solar power.

    • Pink: Nuclear energy.

• Wave Power

  • First implemented in Portugal.

  • Challenges include:

    • Low funding and harmful impact on oceanic wildlife.

    • Infrastructure vulnerabilities due to harsh environments.

  • So far, mostly pilot projects rather than large-scale developments.

• Tidal Power

  • Noted for predictability with few larger projects.

  • Examples include Bay of Fundy, Canada and Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station, South Korea.

• Geothermal Energy

  • Provides 24/7 energy availability but is geographically limited.

  • Notable locations include Iceland and parts of the USA.

  • Expansion challenges related to drilling costs and efficiency improvements.

Differences between Nuclear Fission and Fusion

• Nuclear Fission

  • Process involves splitting atoms to release energy.

• Nuclear Fusion

  • Combines atoms to produce energy.

  • Considered cleaner and safer, but faces technological challenges:

    • Requires super-hot plasma conditions.

    • Difficult to contain and inefficient in energy output.

    • High costs involved in research and implementation.

Energy Conservation

• Importance

  • Companies prioritize conservation due to higher costs associated with energy generation and infrastructure.

• Methods to Save Energy

  • Solar Tempering: Designing homes to utilize solar energy for heating in winter.

    • Characteristics of effective designs include small size and compact shapes (domes/cubes).

    • Landscaping choices can enhance energy efficiency (e.g., strategically planted trees).

Current and Historic Energy Conflicts

• Current Conflict

  • Ukraine/Russia Crisis:

    • Nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia (largest in Europe) is malfunctioning and under Russian control.

    • Nord Stream natural gas pipelines have been sabotaged.

• Mekong River Conflict

  • Involvement of China and Laos:

    • Laos aims to harness water flow through dams.

    • Increasing dam construction by China adversely affects Laos’ agricultural economy.

• Past Conflict

  • 1970s Oil Crisis:

    • Related to Yom Kippur War and resulting OPEC oil embargo.

    • Prompted the creation of the Federal Energy Office.

Energy Policy and Economics

• Net Zero Goals

  • Aim to minimize greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero.

• Fit for 55 Initiative (EU)

  • Targets a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 and aims for climate neutrality by 2050.

• Climate Change Bill (Australia)

  • Targets a 40% reduction in emissions.

• GX Green Transformation (Japan)

  • Focused on energy security and transition to nuclear and renewable sources.

• Inflation Reduction Act (U.S.)

  • Aims to boost domestic clean energy production with subsidies and tax credits.

Field Trip Insights

• Biodigester

  • Process involves breaking down organic materials (food waste, manure) using bacteria, releasing methane gas as a byproduct.

  • The methane is captured for use in cooking or heating.

• Biomass Energy Production

  • Involves converting biomass sources (energy cane, elephant grass, sugar cane) into liquid fuel or gas.

• Guest Lecturers Highlights

  • Discussions on resource-efficient communities, particularly from South Africa.