Energy and đ ąď¸ociety Presentations
What was the solution to the near-destruction of the power grid after Hurricane Maria?
split the region into mini-grids; invested in batteries for energy storage; invested into solar energy/prosumerism; formed underground power lines
Creative Destruction
the hypothesis that the creation of new products and production methods simultaneously destroys the market power of existing monopolies
China consumes as much ___ as the rest of the world combined
coal
MGX Minerals
leading producer of lithium from wastewater
What is ITER?
one of the world's largest current energy projects launched in 1985 and located in Southern France. Goal is to build world's largest tokamak (A magnetic fusion device designed to prove that of fusion could be a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy)
Photolysis
process of using light energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. Potential for producing no greenhouse gases but inefficient and expensive
FERC Order 888/889
promoted wholesale competition in the US power grid system
How does climate change threaten the power grid?
rising sea levels; energy demand to cool homes/overloading of the grid; storm surges; wildfires; flooding could damage underground wires
What would a "Modified monopoly market" consist of for the power grid?
1)There is a cap on the number of companies that can enter the GRID per state. 2)Companies chosen to stay are those where the sources come from power producers with highest efficiencies of production. 3)Antitrust measures would still be carefully placed so that there is no abuse of market power for consumers.
IPCC recommends limiting warming to....
1.5°C
Global Fossil Fuel subsidies are ___, or 2.5% of global GDP.
1.9 trillion
3 important factors for PV cells
1.High power conversion efficiency 2.Low materials usage 3.Low manufacturing cost
How does underground mining work
1.Set of entries driven into coal 2.Several machines used to extract coal (Undercutting, drilling, blasting, loading, roof bolting)
How does surface mining work
1.Topsoil Removed 2.Drill/Blast Strata over the coal seam 3.Remove extra material (spoil) 4.Drill/Blast coal seam 5.Refill blasted area with spoil and grading 6.Spread topsoil over the area 7.Plant vegetation to control erosion and water run-off
How much arable land will be lost to climate change?
1/3 of it
â˘Methane has a ___ lifespan in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide which has a 100-year lifespan.
10-year
How many coal miners were there in 2017?
11,600. Lowest # since 1890s
Energy usage of polyester
112MJ/kg
Energy use from drying clothes?
114.23 MJ
Median home size in 1976: Median home size in 2017:
121 square m. 220 square m.
Methane makes up what % of greenhouse gases?
14%
Russia population
144.5 million
China has ___ renewable energy patents
150,000
__% of the world's insecticides are used on cotton
16
Amount of water used per kg of polyester
17.2 kg of water
2012-2017, employment in the Coal, Gas, and Other Mining Sector dropped by ___
17.3%
Regions of Russia and the Arctic are warming up to ___ times faster than the rest of the planet.
2.5
Clothing industry is responsible for ___% of all annual industrial pollution and __% of total carbon emissions
20%; 10%
â˘Germany plans to decommission all nuclear power plants by ___
2022
Coal makes up __ of US electricity
25% (down from 48% in 2008)
In 2016, the transport sector contributed ___ of total EU-28 greenhouse gas emissions.
27%
China produces ___ of the world's carbon emissions
28%
___ states have a renewable portfolio standard
29
How many economists signed the Economists' Statement on Carbon Dividends?
3,558 U.S. economists
Emissions per kg of polyester
3.2 g of water vapor 2.31 kg of CO2 19.4g of NO2 18.2g of carbon monoxide
Dyeing, smoothing, bleaching process requires __ amt of energy
30.8 MJ/kg
Energy breakdown of clothing manufacturing
33% for finishing processes 47% for fiber to fabric construction 20% for fabric manufacturing
____ of all microplastics in the oceans come from the laundry of synthetic textiles
35%
For the clothing industry, setting an industry-wide renewable energy target at 60% by 2030 would yield a __ reduction in climate change and a __ reduction in freshwater consumption
39%; 16.9%
China is home to ___ of the world's largest dams and is the world leader of hydropower in 2014
4/10
SUVs make up how much of cars sold?
40%
European electric grid breakdown
40% FF, 30% Nuclear, 30% Renewable
According to IPCC: Need to reduce CO2 emissions __% from 2010 levels by 2030, reach 'net zero' by ____
45% reduction, reach net zero by 2050
Energy requirements of weaving
45.36 MJ/kg
How much would it cost to upgrade America's grid?
5 trillion
Why did Trump pull us out of the paris accord in 2017?
âMassive Job Loss (Specifically in the Fossil Fuel Industry) âUS is being punished too harshly economically âGiving competitive edge to China and other rivals in terms of fossil fuels
Energy Policy Act of 2005
Directed the Energy Secretary to conduct a research and development programâin consultation with other federal agencies and the private sectorâon technologies related to the production, purification, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and related infrastructure
Who introduced the Green New Deal?
Senator Edward J. Markey and AOC (inspired by the Sunrise Movement)
History of ITER
began during Reagan-Gorbachev meetings. Original members included the EU, Japan, the USSR, and the USA. China and South Korea joined in 2003, followed by India in 2005.
How much has the world already heated?
by 1 degree celsius
China plans to put in a ___ to reduce its reliance on coal
cap and trade system
Clathrate Gun Hypothesis
the popular name for the hypothesis that states that rising seas temperatures and changing sea levels could cause the rapid release of methane from these methane clathrate compounds. Shallow-water clathrates are especially vulnerable
What did the clean air act do?
established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
Impact of climate change in Australia
extreme brushfires; damage to ecosystems (ie coral reefs); rising sea levels; damage to fishing industry in the future
Permian-Triassic Extinction
formed the boundary between the Permian and Triassic geologic periods, was the Earth's largest known mass extinction event. 96% of marine species, 70% of vertebrate species went extinct. 57% of all biological families and 83% of all genera went extinct
Why is carbon burial not economically feasible?
govts aren't investing in it;
Thermolysis
heating water at extremely high temperatures through fossil fuels, nuclear reactors, or solar energy to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. Can produce greenhouse gases but is most common form of production (natural gas reformation)
Impact of climate change in sudan
heavy rains and flooding; severe sandstorms; displacement as a result
Effect of consumer subsidies
lower final price of fossil fuel products below market price
What is the MethaneSAT ?
a satellite that would be able to track methane released by the oil and gas industry.
Woolen garments produce ___
methane
Biological processes of hydrogen production
microbes (i.e. bacteria) can produce hydrogen through biological reactions using sunlight or organic matter. Abundant domestic resource but rates of hydrogen productions needs to be improved
The california electrical crisis caused
a suspension of US energy restructuring (happened in the middle of a switch away from regulation)
Nord Stream 2
natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany
LEED qualifications
small home size, sustainable location, building orientation, passive solar energy-wide eves, white roofs, stormwater runoff reduction, water usage reduction, rainwater capture, LED lights, renewable energy systems
Methods of hydrogen production
thermolysis, hydrolysis, photolysis, biological processes
Energy to produce 1 kg of knitted fabric?
2.56MJ of energy
European grid connectivity issues
-Smart grid/appliances needed (so far more proactive than USA) -Kosovo/Serbia demonstrate fault of interconnectedness -Cyber security (again much more proactive than USA)
___ individual fibres can be rinsed off a single synthetic garment when washed once
1,900
Russia GDP
1.578 trillion USD (1.8% of World GDP)
____ states have net metering rules
39
Where is solar most popular?
California
Which country produces the most wind energy?
China
2019 Puerto Rico energy use
â˘40% petroleum â˘39% natural gas â˘18% coal â˘2.3% renewables
Estimated cost of constructing hydrogen fuel station may vary from ____
$1 million-$3 million
âUS spent ___ on fossil fuel subsidies in 2015 when taking into account environmental and health impacts (Coady)
$649 billion
âNigeria exports the vast majority of its natural gas in the form of
LNG.
How much would it cost NOT to upgrade America's grid?
-Currently 2 trillion/20 years to maintain at old condition -35 billion per year and rising of economic costs of having old grid
Summer 2019 Siberian fires
-Caused by unusually hot weather, dry thunderstorms, and strong winds -Since July, over 3 million hectares of forest have burned: an area approximately the size of Belgium -The fires are estimated to have produced 100 megatons of CO2 in just under two months.
Advantages of hydrogen economy
-Clean source of renewable and sustainable energy -Does not produce harmf ul emissions -Immensely reduces pollution -Can be produced from numerous sources -Efficient energy source
How does the US use energy?
-101.3 quadrillion Btu in 2018 -11.5 quadrillion Btu in renewable sources -8% of renewable energy consumption came from solar power
In 2018, US department of energy announced:
-39 million in funding for hydrogen research -Improve Storage, Electrolyzer Technology, Cost, Performance, Durability -Looking to use hydrogen gas as a storage solution for excess wind and solar energy
Solar plus storage
-A solar-plus-storage system is essentially a battery that is charged by the solar energy, rather than putting the electricity directly back onto the grid. -As of 2017, the only utility-scale solar-plus-storage system was a 13 MW PV plant with 52MWh of storage (located in Hawaii) -To implement this storage technique on a large scale would cost millions -According to a December 2016 report, capital costs per MW installed of battery storage are between $3.5 million and $7.5 million, but costs are decreasing rapidly as lithium ion battery costs decrease
Adsorption method of lithium extraction
-Adhesion of atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a surface -This process creates a thin film of the adsorbate on the surface -Lithium-selective ion exchange sorbents placed in a brine containing lithium -Lithium ions rise to the surface and can be condensed and collected -Downside: Sorbents are very expensive
CSP (concentrated solar power) storage
-An easier solution to storage is a hybrid configuration that features mainly solar power with a fossil fuel backup -CSP plants can store thermal energy in the same fluid they use to produce electricity; the heated fluid goes to either energy generation or storage tanks. One example is molten salt. -This provides benefits similar to pumped hydroelectric storage's ability to only generate electricity in periods of high demand. -Current solution to storage, but has heat transfer inefficiencies
Heliogen
-Bill Gates invested in a project involving CSP and artificial intelligence. -Uses AI to focus hundreds of mirrors to one single point, enabling it to reach the temperatures necessary for industry -The challenge is getting companies currently using fossil fuels to make the investment... but in the long run this process will be cheaper and cleaner because the fuel would be free
Evidence of conflict resolution in ITER?
-Broader Approach Agreement (2005) -agreed to norms of intl collaboration
How to forestall sea level rise through technology?
-Building sea walls and drainage systems can help communities continue to function (Costly to build and maintain; Can disrupt natural motion of the sand and waves) -Create natural infrastructure -Natural structures such as barrier islands, oyster and coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, and salt -Move populations inland
Sudan's initiatives to stop impact of climate change
-Drought-resistant crop varieties -More efficient irrigation technologies -Improved crop-storage -Construction of more wells and water reservoirs. -Education of communities concerning the planting of trees and effects of desertification (i.e. The Great Green Wall)
Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act
-Ends PREPA's energy monopoly and decentralize the control of energy -Set limits on the cost of energy (no more than $0.20 per kWh) -Pave the way for prosumers to join the energy economy -Phase out coal plants by 2028, transition to using renewables exclusively by 2050 -Joins Atlanta, DC, Chicago, Hawaii and California
2019 US power grid attack
-Firewalls accessible from the internet were rebooting and going offline -Another attack could cause massive power outages
Disadvantages of hydrogen economy
-Hydrogen is not naturally occurring on Earth -Fuel Cells Output-input cannot be much above 30% vs. advanced batteries have cycle efficiency above 80% -Low density and low boiling point increase energy and storage costs -Expensive to produce and difficult to transport -Fossil fuels are most common way of producing hydrogen
âPublic Utility Commission (PUC) & Public Service Commission (PSC)
-Independent regulatory agencies appointed by the state legislature -manage generators and transmission lines
Problems with the grid in other countries
-India: Voltage trips link in Northern Grid â 680 million lose power -China: Grid underconnected, enough power but cannot reach coast efficiently -Japan: Two separate grids with different frequencies
What has germany done to create a hydrogen economy?
-Invest $110 million per year to test new hydrogen technologies on industrial scale applications -Pledged to cut CO2 levels in half by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels)- influenced by Paris Agreement -Hydrogen demand expected to increase by 37% in 2030 in transportation and industry sector
Drawbacks of the EU
-Limited span of power and control -Can only pass laws only if the treaties allow it -Member states can veto taxations
Solvent method of lithium extraction
-Lithium is a very soluble element. -In solvent extraction, a lithium brine is dissolved into a solution of kerosene and an extractant. -This separates all of the ions in the brine. -The extractant is much more selective to the lithium than the sodium and magnesium ions. -The lithium bonds to the extractant and is able to be removed pure of the other molecules in wastewater -Downsides: very corrosive and damages expensive equipment.
Relationship between methane clathrates and deepwater drilling
-Methane hydrates are very commonly formed during deep water drilling operations -Reservoir gas can flow into the well bore and form the hydrate when coming in contact with the water -These hydrates can block the pipeline and other equipment -They can also rise with the mud or other discharged fluids -Pressure decreases as ocean depth decreases, so the crystal structure can dissociate back into methane gas and water -The rapid gas release causes a large increase in pressure, which can cause a pipe blowout
Challenges of Puerto Rico energy going forward
-Money: Solar panels on at-risk homes would cost $1.4 billion -Redesigning the entire grid is estimated to cost $26 billion -Policy: Puerto Rico would need to redefine the role of energy in its economy -PREPA may become privatized, potentially causing rising energy prices -Time: The plan to rebuild the grid could take up to 10 years. There may need to be a bridge energy source in the meantime -Government: US territory, under control of Congress, lacks representation in federal government
Why do 27% of Russians support climate change melting the arctic?
-More hospitable climate and land for agriculture. -Reduction of sea ice will create new arctic sea lanes for trade between East Asia and Europe, significantly decreasing travel time. -An estimated that 13% of the world's conventional oil reserves and 30% of natural gas reserves are stored beneath arctic ice. Continued melting of arctic ice would grant access to these reserves.
Job outlook in Appalachia now
-Natural gas production increasing despite low prices -Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio are among the top 7 reserves of natural gas -industry has shifted to professional services over manufacturing
Ice loss in Russia
-Near the Russian-Mongolian border, researchers monitoring melting ice patches have discovered artifacts dating back 3,000 years, indicating the length of time since the ice last melted. -Beginning in 1990 and as of 2016, the nearby Altai Mountain Range had lost 35% of its persistent snow and glaciers. -This October, the Russian Navy confirmed the discovery of five new arctic islands, revealed by melting glaciers.
What is Tuvalu's response to environmental crisis?
-Official programs with countries such as FIji, Australia and New Zealand have been established to help relocate Tuvaluans in case of emergency. -Plant-a-tree programme established by government -Community water tank projects and seawall construction. .
USA power grid issues
-Old -Above ground -Weather/Solar Flares -Analog -Too interconnected? -Jurisdiction distribution may impede development
Australian govt's 2017 plans for reducing climate change impact
-Reducing emissions by 5% below 2000 levels by 2020. -Reducing emissions by 26 to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030. -Doubling Australia's renewable energy capacity to be achieved in 2020 which is driving innovation, creating jobs and providing a cleaner future -Encouraging the uptake of renewables through the Renewable Energy Target to deliver over 23% of Australia's electricity supply in 2020. -Helping improve energy productivity by 40%, by 2030.
How much renewable energy does Puerto Rico use?
-Renewables only account for about 2.4% of energy; 2 power plants on the island (oil and coal)
Membrane technologies extraction of lithium
-Reverse Osmosis -Water molecules naturally travel across certain membranes. -These membranes are chemically designed to "filter out" certain molecules as the water carries them through the membrane. -Reverse osmosis carries the brine through the membrane, separating the lithium ions. -Nanofiltration (bonding) -Reactive chemicals in filters are designed to bond with lithium molecules or non lithium molecules when passed through thus separating lithium ions. -The most successful method today for extracting lithium from wastewater.
Issues with current PV panels
-Silicon has inherently poor light absorption and complex processing -Shavings of silicon called kerf are produced when creating the ideal shape of PV cells, and this wasted material increases cost -Efficiencies only into 15 - 25% have been reached -Some newer alternatives rely on rare earth metals -Once photovoltaics reach a certain saturation in the market, it becomes unprofitable to invest in more of them
Statistics about solar energy and jobs
-Solar Energy currently accounts for about 1.5% of US electricity production -In the US, Solar Energy generation is estimated to be about 62.5 Gigawatts (about 12 million average households worth) -Jobs have grown 160% in the last decade
Chemical precipitation extraction of lithium
-Subject Brine to series of solar pond evaporations -Concentrates the lithium -Remove salts (NaCl, KCl, Sulfate, etc) and other solids (Mg, Ca, etc) -React the lithium with sodium carbonate at 80-90° C to produce Lithium Carbonate -Redissolve Lithium Carbonate and use an ion-exchange process to remove impurities -End result: battery-grade lithium -Downside: Process is very time-consuming
What is the solar resource?
-The energy density of solar radiation is approximately 1368 W/m2 at the earth's surface -The amount of collectible solar radiation depends on time of day, geographic location, season, weather, and local landscape -Example (according to calculations made by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture): the sunlight falling on Texas at noon is equivalent to 301 times the output of all the power plants in the world
Regarding solar power, where should the US invest?
-Thin film photovoltaics that use earth-abundant materials -Government investment in small scale experimental plants focusing on solar power -High temperature and experimental concentrated solar power -Improving the systems of solar power to make solar more competitive to fossil fuels -Carbon Tax- an incentive to switch to solar power
How do pv cells work?
-Use semiconductors to transfer the energy from a photon into electricity -Each PV cell has electrons that are discharged from their orbitals upon exposure to light -The semiconductor, usually silicon, is doped with other elements (often phosphorous and boron) to create an energy gap that allows the electrons to produce energy.
pumped hydroelectric storage
-Water is pumped up into the basin behind a dam to generate electricity at a later time, about 80% efficient -Currently the most popular energy storage method in the US -It's another method of storing that is less costly up front than batteries -Capital costs for pumped storage projects are $1.5 - 2.5 million per MW, a third of battery solutions -As of 2017, there were 43 pumped hydroelectric storage projects providing some 23 gigawatts
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
-delegates authority to 8 regional reliability councils -ensures companies adhere to standards
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
-oversees electrical grid -Resolve disputes among different market participants on the grid
How can clothing corporations lessen environmental impact?
-produce less clothing -use sustainable materials (Citric acid, Dextrose from corn, Recycled synthetic, Organic cotton) -use renewable resources for energy
How can governments regulate the clothing industry?
-reform taxation to reward fashion companies that design products with lower environmental impacts -stimulate markets for more sustainable resources like recycled and organic fabrics -facilitate collaboration between fashion retailers, water companies, and washing machine manufacturers to improve the issue of microfibre pollution
What environmental issues are facing Tuvalu?
-saltwater intrusion that has destroyed crops -cyclones/drought -coastal erosion and sea level rise
Sea level rise in Miami
-sea levels have risen 4 inches since 1994 -sea levels expected to be 14-26 inches higher from 1992 by 2060 -leads to erosion, saltwater intrusion, storm surge; impacts Everglades
Emissions from 1 kg of knitted fabric?
0.64kg of CO2 1.84g of particulate matter, 3.84 g of NO2 3.96 g of SO2
Sea level on average has risen ____ in the past 100 years
5-8 inches (13-20 cm)
CO2 emissions per ton of spun cotton fiber
5.89 kg
Energy use of cotton?
55 MJ/kg of fibre
âoil and natural gas export revenue, accounted for ____ of Nigeria's total government revenue in the year of 2014.
58%
Energy use from washing clothes?
62.16 MJ
Germany is __ largest consumer of energy in the world
6th; 5th in oil and 4th in coal
World population?
7.590 billion
âAccording to the China National Petroleum, more than ___ of China's crude oil supply in 2018 came from imports.
70 percent
Solar prices have dropped by ___ in the last decade
70%
Breakdown of US electricity grids
70% FF, 20% Nuclear, 10% Renewable
About ___ of U.S. coal mines are in KY, WV, and PA, but they are relatively small. Over ___ of coal production is west of the Mississippi River
70%; 55%
___ metric tons of methane are released into the atmosphere from the oil and gas industry.
75 million
____ of Democrats are totally in favor of proposals to reduce use of fossil fuels as opposed to __ of Republicans (McCarthy)
80% of dems 37% of republicans
the "use" phase of clothing is responsible for __
80% of the carbon footprint
Typical family uses ___ gallons of water per day
80-100
Total industrial waste in clothing manufacturing
809.4 pounds
World GDP?
85.8 trillion USD
Germany has ___ out of 705 of the seats in the EU Parliament
96
Copenhagen accord
A 2009 agreement between the United States, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa to cut emissions (though not to legally binding amounts). The agreement also promises aid to developing countries to support green development. Emissions goals for China: Decrease carbon intensity 40% to 45% by 2020 (compared to 2005) Add 40 million hectares of forest cover, and add stock up 1.3 billion cubic meters by 2020 (compared to 2005)
Nikola Tesla & George Westinghouse power grid
AC based; voltage can be stepped up or down by transformers
Impact reductions per 100 shirts entering the used clothes business
Acidification: 28% Nutrient enrichment: 25% Natural gas consumption: 15% Crude oil consumption: 15% Waste: 30%
False ceiling
An additional suspended ceiling below the true original ceiling forming a concealed space. reduces the volume of space needing cooling
Impacts of climate change in America
CA wildfires; rise in precipitation and warming across the country; future floods and droughts
Energy Policy Act of 1992
Calls for Development and implementation of a comprehensive research, development, and demonstration program for fuel cells
Which country is the world's leading producer and consumer of solar pv?
China
What will be ITER's next milestone?
December 2025: First Plasma
How has hydrogen policy changed under Trump?
Energy efficiency and renewable energy has had its funding slashed dramatically (63.3% cut for hydrogen and 69.0% for renewables overall) â Despite these significant cuts in funding, the Department of Energy remains outwardly supportive of hydrogen based technologies
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Expanded incentives to encourage the installation of fuel cells and hydrogen fueling infrastructure
California's hydrogen initiatives
Former California Governor Jerry Brown funded renewable energy initiative â $ 900 million zero-emission vehicle plan â Funding for 200 hydrogen stations by 2025 â Automaker-subsidized fuel is a way to transition to hydrogen fuel â California provides prepaid cards for 3 years of fueling, up to 15,000 miles â Goal is subsidies will lead to hydrogen becoming a financially viable fuel source
Ukraine cyber attack, 2015
Hackers compromised systems of 3 companies and disrupted energy supply to end users
How many miles of high voltage power lines are there in America?
Nearly 160,000 miles
Is it true that the Paris Accords caused job loss?
Not really, because: âCurrently there are twice as many solar power jobs as coal jobs. âAccording to Abigail Hess of CNBC, two of the fastest growing jobs in America right now are solar PV installers and wind turbine service technicians âBy committing to Paris Agreement, American jobs would gain a major boost
How does fusion work?
Nuclear Fusion produces energy by joining two lighter nuclei, releasing binding energy in the process. In principle, any nuclei lighter than iron can be fused and release energy. Requires energy to push nuclei close enough together to fuse: high temp, confinement thru gravitational, inertial, or magnetic
Spectrum of grid connectivity
Overconnected: US/EU/India Underconnected: China/Japan Solution: Split the middle (Texas interconnection, maybe microgrids for cities)
Russia CO2 emissions
Per Capita: 11.9 metric tons (240% of Global Average) -- 1,700,000 kt, aka 4.7% of Global Emissions
Annual CO2 emissions of world?
Per Capita: 4.98 metric tons -- 36,100,000 kt total (2014)
Why is polyester bad?
Polyester production emits volatile organic compounds such as acetaldehyde and dioxins. threat to ozone and human health
potential causes of Permian Triassic extinction
Possible causes include one or more meteor impacts, large volcanic eruptions, and huge releases of underwater methane (methane clathrates)
The Global Climate Risk Index 2019 revealed that ___ has been the country/territory most affected by impacts of weather related events such as storms, floods, and heatwaves.
Puerto Rico
Logistics of Puerto Rico's energy transformation
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority released plans to add over 2,220 MW of solar and 1,080 MW of battery storage to meet goals. This will phase out the coal and oil imports the island currently uses. Liquified natural gas will be used during the transition.
China's energy efficiency policies reduced how much CO2?
Reduced 3.5 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (GtCO2)
Energy and water required for non-wovens?
Requires 611 cubic meters of water and 111.7 MJ of energy
Solutions for PV problems
Research is being done to produce thinner silicon wafers, which will increase light absorption. "half cut cells" improve solar performance. This can be done with laser cutting, rather than traditional wire cutting. "half cut cells" are more efficient by a few percentage points: More physically durable (crack resistant) Half cut cells are wired in series like normal PV cells, so if one cell in a row is shaded, there is a significant reduction in the current that is run through by the entire panel (watts = current x volts). However, because there are twice the number of rows, less power will be lost when a single cell is shaded. More efficient laser cutting also reduces kerf, which can lower the cost due to better material use
Russia's paris agreement stipulations
Russia pledged to reduce emissions to 25-30% below 1990 levels by 2030.
President of the European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen
Heat island statistics
White surfaces reflect 90% of sunlight Fresh asphalt reflects only 4% White surfaces can reduce heat island effects of buildings by a third.
microgrid
a grid for a village (or other small community), not connected to the main grid. Application: in PR after hurricane maria
Eco-friendly ways to improve corporations
change to LED, digitize, allow work from home; this improves productivity and saves money too
2 types of solar energy in US
commercial and residential
Why is drycleaning bad?
contains halogenated compounds such as tetrachloroethylene (TCE), which have relatively high toxicity and are persistent pollutants when released
Impacts of climate change in Brazil
desertification; loss of forest; temperature extremes; heavy rains and drought
How can govt intervention help the planet?
land use (conserving forests); subsidies for sustainable production; gas taxes
Methane clathrate
large amount of methane trapped within a crystal structure of water, similar to ice; 1 mole of methane for every 5.75 moles of water
Edison's power grid
original power grid for the US; DC based
Brazil generates how much energy from hydropower?
over 70%
Polyester is made as a byproduct of __
petroleum products
No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge (No More)
pledge that politicians can take saying they won't take over $200 from fossil fuel PACs or lobbyists
Effect of producer subsidies
preferential treatment for fossil fuel exploration/extraction. âExplicit subsidies - direct payments, tax exemptions, low-interest loans âImplicit subsidies - government guarantees for procurement contracts, research subsidies
Electrolysis
process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and then collecting the hydrogen and oxygen gases at two separate electrodes. Produces zero greenhouse gases if produced from renewable source of E but requires a lot of energy
aldicarb
toxic pesticide strong enough to kill a human
How have politics affected Brazil's environmental concerns?
turbulent political events such as a presidential impeachment, widespread economic crisis and a major political corruption scandal, have led to concerns that progress on climate and energy policy is slowing
Reverse Stack Effect
using insulation to Block the thermal transfer of solar radiation from entering into the Cool Room from above. Heavy cold air leaks out of the building, pulling in warm air
Current environmental issues in Puerto Rico?
water warming and ocean acidity; dry soils and less freshwater; future sea level rise and increased natural disasters/mosquito-borne illness
Three Gorges Dam
world's largest dam in China
Fracking financial concerns
§Dependency on oil price §100 fracking firms went bankrupt after 2014 price crash, defaulting on >$70b of debt §Fracking cost-per-barrel $40-90, higher than traditional oil drilling §Uncertainty about profitability §From 2007-2017, frackers spent $280 billion more than the value of the oil & gas they sold §Largest 29 overspent by $6.7 billion in 2018 §Corporate compensation isn't tied closely to profits (weakens profit incentive) §Firms valued on multiple of acreage owned (rather than multiple of profits) §High decline rates §Fracking well production falls by as much as 70% after the first year (~5% for conventional wells) §New drilling (and thus capital) constantly needed §Declining tier 1 acreage; depletion
Environmental concerns of fracking
§Depends upon use of fossil fuels, stigmatized and movement away is possible in near future §Resource useâwater and sand §Groundwater contamination §From hydrocarbons and hazardous chemicals (linked to cancers & nervous, endocrine, immune system problems) §340 leaks & spills in CO have reached groundwater; 161 instances of drinking water well contamination in PA (2008-2012) §Natural resource damage §Converts natural land to industrial areas, damage to waterways & fish, wastewater ponds §Infrastructure strain §Roads, public services like housing §Earthquake concerns §Wastewater injection wells are known to increase risk of earthquakes due to pressure on faults
Fracking's rise
§Fracking technology around since 1940s, George Mitchell pioneered modern method in late 90s §Took off in mid-late 2000s due to high oil prices and then low interest rates §2015 industry net debt of $300 billionâquadrupled over 10 years §Borrowing money was cheap
Oil Shale vs Shale Oil
§Oil shale: Rock with kerogen stored inside it. Requires heat (>780K) in oxygen-free environment to convert to oil ("retorting"). Not economically feasible §Shale oil ("tight oil"): Rock with refinery-ready oil stored inside it. Permian, Bakken, etc. are shale oil plays. More expensive to produce than conventional oil. Important use of fracking
Chesapeake Energy
§One of the first big fracking companies, once second largest producer of natural gas in the US §CEO Aubrey McClendon was highest paid Fortune 500 CEO in 2008 §Made a lot of money flipping acreage §Currently has $10 billion of debt
Shale gas
§Similar to shale oil §Natural gas trapped in rock that's difficult to access §Wet or dry: mostly methane (dry) or including natural gas liquids (NGLs; wet) §More expensive to produce than conventional natural gas §Another important use of fracking
How does directional drilling work?
§Two techniques: Point drill bit in desired direction and drill in a straight line, Or use a bend at the drill bit to manipulate the angle. §This involves advanced tech (mud motors, whipstocks, bottomhole assembly, 3D measuring tech, special drillbits). §Horizontal wells increase well production by as much as 20x. Often overlooked as a major catalyst of the shale revolution
Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act
â˘40% renewable 2025 â˘60% renewable 2040 â˘100% renewable 2050
European Union goals for 2050
â˘80% of electricity generation to come from renewables â˘Energy import dependency to fall from 55% to 20% â˘Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90% â˘Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 60%
Hurricane Maria's effects
â˘Hit Puerto Rico as Category 4 with 155-mph winds â˘Damage to infrastructure â˘FEMA failures in response â˘Official death toll 64; study estimates 4,600 deaths resulted from the hurricane
Concentrated solar power
â˘Involves the concentration of sunlight to a point, commonly with the use of mirrors â˘In a solar power system, the concentrated light heats a substance used to run an engine and generator â˘For industry, the energy does not need to be converted to electricity, but cement, glass, steel, etc. require incredibly high temperatures that were unsustainable in common models. Currently only supports 10% of solar energy production
â˘Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)
â˘Public monopoly â˘Filed for bankruptcy July 2017 (hurricane, poor rate collection, heavy management turnover, lack of maintenance) â˘Relies on fuel imports for most of electrical needs
Germany's Green Initiative
â˘Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% â˘Reduce energy consumption by 50% â˘Produce 100% of electricity from renewables â˘Reduce primary energy consumption in buildings by 80% â˘Reduce final energy consumption from transport by 40%
Germany's energy goals as of 2010
â˘Reducing CO2 emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 â˘Increasing the relative share of renewable energy in gross energy consumption to 18% by 2020 and 30% by 2030 â˘Increasing the relative share of renewable energy in gross electrical consumption to 35% by 2020 ⢠Germany is also trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector through a ban on the landfilling of untreated waste which helps to reduce methane emissions
Jones Act
â˘Requires all goods ferried between US ports be carried on ships built, owned, and operated by Americans â˘Island loses $537 million per year
How many times to u need to use a cotton bag worth it?
â 7,100 uses
Corporations' responses to US pulling out of climate accord
â Walmart - Project Gigaton initiative that aims to reduce CO2 emissions globally by one billion metric tons before 2050 â General Motors' purchased 200 megawatts of wind energy for its Ohio and Illinois plants, achieving 20% of its target to use only renewable energy sources by 2050 â Mars has launched a $1 billion sustainability plan, targeting a 70% reduction in greenhouse gases.
How do renewable portfolio standards work?
âşDirected toward renewable energy as a whole usually âşSome specify solar energy in particular âşConsists of a goal, either a production total (in MW or GW) or % of total energy production, by a certain year âşPuts pressure on utility companies (either all utilities or only investor-owned) to look into increasing their green energy output
How does net metering for solar work?
âşEvery home has a power meter reflecting how much energy they use âşMoves in a certain direction when the home uses grid energy âşWhen that home has its own source of generation (e.g. solar), the meter moves the other way if they are producing more than using âşHomes with solar energy can make profits! âşCan also use "virtual net metering" âşPolicy Variance: âşMandates allowing net metering âş$ rates given for excess energy
How much energy did solar comprise in the US in 2018?
âşMade up only 1.5% of total Electricity generation in 2018 âşMakes up over 2% of new added capacity in the past year, from 0.1% in 2010
Most important solar policies
âşNet Metering âşRenewable Portfolio Standards âşTax Credits
How do tax credits work?
âşThere are tax credits that help owners of solar energy on both federal and state levels âşTens to hundreds of varied types of incentives that exist in each state (California alone has 218) âşMain focus: Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) âşResidential and commercial âşCurrent administration is rolling it back
What are the 3 power grids?
â The Western Interconnection â The Eastern Interconnection o The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
Global economic effects of efficient fossil fuel pricing
â28% fewer carbon emissions â46% fewer deaths due to air pollution âIncrease government revenue by 3.8% of GDP
What is a tokamak?
âAn experimental machine designed to harness the energy produced during the fusion of atoms âLike other power plants, heat produced in the fusion reaction will produce steam and then electricity âFirst developed in the 1960s âITER will be the world's largest tokamak
How to extract lithium from brines?
âChemical precipitation âSolvent extraction âAdsorption with inorganic ion exchange sorbents âConcentration with membrane technologies
Underground mining harm to communities
âDangerous profession (explosions, Black Lung) âAbandoned mines harm water sources âMine fires; methane released
What is FERC?
âFERC = principal economic and policy regulator within DoE
How has the rate of sea level rise accelerated in recent years?
âFrom 1900-1990, rate rose from 1.2-1.7 mm per year âIn 2000, rate rose to 3.2mm/year, and it is currently 3.4mm/year
What's the problem with france's nuclear energy?
âMany nuclear reactors reaching end of lifetime
2 main causes of sea level rise?
âMelting glaciers and ice caps: â Melt due to warming air, warming water, and from breaking off into ocean â Warm water from below thins ice, leaving it more prone to breakage â Mountain glaciers âPhysical expansion of water â As global temps rise, so does the temperature of the ocean â Warmer water causes seawater to expand--simple chemistry â Responsible for â sea level rise to date
What will happen if we hit 2 degrees?
âNumber of people facing water scarcity doubled â30% loss to coral reefs â50% loss to fisheries â10 million more people affected by sea level rise
Paris agreement expectations vs reality
âPledged: $100 Billion annually âReality: $48 Billion annually
What are ITER's specific project goals?
âProduce 500 MW of fusion power âDemonstrate the operation of the integrated technologies of a fusion power plant âAchieve a deuterium-tritium plasma in which the reaction is sustained through internal heating âTest tritium breeding âTest the safety of a fusion device
North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards
âProtection against cyber attacks âAudited by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Surface mining harm to communities
âThe EPA has found that surface mining runoff contaminates and depletes water sources âSpoil is often disposed of in surrounding valleys; methane released
Timeline of Appalachian coal
â1700s â Appalachian coal mining is officially recognized â1870s â commercial coal production begins "in earnest" â1910s â 100,000 West Virginian miners produce 90 million tons of coal per year â1940 â 140,000 (~â of WV's workforce) = employed as miners
Energy stats of France
â2nd largest energy consumer in Europe â2nd largest producer of nuclear power âLargest net exporter of electricity âLow cost of generation âMakes 3 billion euros (3.3 billion USD) per year âLow domestic energy resources âDepends on imports for fossil fuels â Oil = primary import â major refining industry
How do renewable energy portfolio standards work?
âA portion of electricity sold or capacity installed must be renewable âRPS usually go hand in hand with tax breaks âBest practices âSteady ramp up âLong duration âEnforceable âGrid integration and transmission capacity are still problems
How are china and india countering climate change?
âAccording to the World Resources Institute, China, one of our biggest rivals, is actually investing more into renewable resources âCurrently spending around $32 billion on renewable research, almost double what the US is currently spending âAnother major emitter and competitor, India, is investing billions of dollars into booming solar and wind industries, according to the Climate Action Tracker
Goals of Green New Deal
âAchieve net-zero greenhouse emissions in the United States âCreate millions of high wage jobs âUpdate United States infrastructure to the 21st Century âSecure appropriate living conditions for all United States citizens âPromote justice and equality, especially for indigenous people âProposes to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 60 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 as well as net-zero global emissions by 2050
Economics of carbon capture tech
âCarbon Engineering is currently pursuing enhanced oil recovery projects and production of synthetic fuels from the captured CO2 âThe viability of these projects will be determined by the price of carbon, government policy, and the price of electrolysis âGovernment regulation such as California's low carbon fuel standards causes oil companies to pursue carbon efficient methods of production therefore enhanced fuel recovery is a promising way to meet these new standards âFurthermore 70% of the cost of the AIR TO FUELS process is from electrolysis which currently costs $25/GJ of hydrogen âHowever current estimates suggest that this number could fall below $15 by 2025 âIn addition to this plant Carbon Engineering also plans on starting projects in British Columbia and California âAs this technology improves and more government environmental standards are put into place this technology will become more economically competitive providing the opportunity for these direct air capture plants to be built around the world
Air to fuel technology
âCarbon Engineering's AIR TO FUELS technology takes the captured CO2 and uses it to produce clean synthetic fuels that can be used in transportation âFirst renewable energy is used to split hydrogen from water through electrolysis, this hydrogen is then combined with the captured CO2 to produce synthetic crude oil âThis oil is then processed to produce synthetic gasoline, diesel, and other fuels which can be used, without modification, by existing car, truck, and airplane engines âThis synthetic fuel is cleaner than fossil fuels therefore burning it results in less carbon emissions âThese fuels can be produced with 100 times less land than biofuels âSince the CO2 being released was captured from the atmosphere, use of this synthetic fuels is a carbon neutral system with no net carbon emissions
Cons of cap and trade
âCentral planning would likely lead to economic inefficiency âDifficulties associated with allowance allocation
How does the US protect its water supply?
âClean Water Act (CWA) âMarine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) âSafe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) âShore Protection Act (SPA)
Obama's cafe policy
âCorporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program âStrict guidelines on auto manufacturers in terms of fuel mileage âRequired automotive makers to make their vehicles with the "highest feasible mileage" for the next 10 years âObama made mileage requirements mandatory in January 2017, towards the end of his tenure
Cons of carbon capture policies
âDoes not directly get rid of fossil fuels âFaces many technology challenges
Economic opportunities created by the paris accords
âEconomists in association with the NYU School of Law estimate that there are $49 billion in benefits associated with the Clean Power Plan, Obama's contribution to the Paris Agreement âBy 2030, it is estimated that the Paris Agreement will garner $29 trillion in global economic benefits âUS would miss out on major opportunities if they were to leave
What are recent energy regulations in France?
âEnergy and Climate Change Law 2019 âTransition to renewables âWaste disposal âWaste Management Act (1991/2006) âNational Radioactive Waste Management Agency â Bure underground rock laboratory âEmissions: Kyoto Protocol âEnergy usage âNational Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) â Consumption targets: Energy Transition Act of 2015 â Building laws/Low-emission cars
Cons of carbon tax
âFaces substantial political opposition âDoes not guarantee a certain level of reduction
What does energy star do?
âGovernment backed symbol for energy efficiency âInform consumers and businesses on energy efficiency âPromote energy efficient buildings, products âReduce consumption and environmental effects
Pros of cap and trade
âHigh popularity âReduces carbon emissions to a predetermined level
Projections for future sea level rise
âIf we continue current greenhouse gas emissions, expected to rise 2-3 feet by the year 2100 âMost conservative estimates say 1ft, most aggressive estimates say 6 ft
Future of carbon capture tech
âIn May Carbon Engineering announced plans to partner with Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, a subsidiary of Occidental to build a direct air capture plant âThis plant will be located in the Permian basin in Texas and is expected to capture 1,000,000 tonnes of CO2 per year to be used in enhanced oil recovery projects âConstruction of this plant is set to begin in 2021
How does carbon capture technology work?
âIn post-combustion carbon capture, CO2 is removed from flue gases after the fuel is burned to produce energy âCO2 is absorbed by the solvent monoethanolamine (MEA) âSome of the plant's steam is used to provide energy to break the bonds between the CO2 and the amine âCO2 is now available for sequestration âOverall 24% parasitic energy loss at 90% capture âSteam to stripper reboiler âElectricity to compressors and blowers
For the Malaysia presentation, what were the three ways of cooling the room that didn't work? (because costs were too high)
âInsulating the ceiling. âPainting the factory roof white. âInstalling a suspended drop ceiling.
Effect of monopoly on Mexico's energy grid
âIntroduction of Monopoly facilitated the reach of electricity to more remote areas in the country and increased the affordability of the commodity since its creation on 1937. âCitizens are limited on the sources they can buy from in terms of clean materials (i.e. hydroelectric, solar,etc). âInternationally, Mexico is not up to date with technological and efficiency standards.
Wastewater from fracking
âLargest volume byproduct: 21 Billion barrels in the US per year âNaturally Occurring water comes out of the ground along with the extracted oil and gas. âCombined with frac fluid, salt, industrial chemicals, hydrocarbons, radioactive material, and other heavy metals. âDisposal: Evaporation ponds, direct injection, or re-use
Why are cyber attacks becoming more common?
âLess workers for manual operation, resulting in more computer based systems âOperating systems are becoming more common, facilitating access for hackers âIndustrial control systems in power plants which monitor and control sensitive processes have also changed âIn the past the systems were "air gapped" or closed off from one another âNow, they are often connected via the internet âIt is cheaper and more efficient but renders the systems more vulnerable to cyber attacks
What is lithium used for?
âLubricating Greases âMetallurgy âCeramics and Glass âAir Purification âOptics âNuclear âMedical Uses (mood stabilizer) âBatteries and Electronics
"Conclusion" of the boot experiment
âMy idea would very slightly warm up the boot, but this heat would be basically nothing and definitely would not be noticable. âThe boot would not be useful at all.
How does geological storage of carbon work?
âOnce the CO2 has been captured from the air it can be pumped and stored deep underground in geological formations called saline aquifers âThis storage process is low risk and can successfully sequester carbon for millions of years âCarbon dioxide can also be injected into existing oil reservoirs to significantly increase the amount of oil that can be extracted âBoth these processes result in "negative emissions" as they are able to permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere
Pros of carbon capture policies
âPolitically palatable âSmaller threat to special interests (coal miners, etc.) âMitch McConnell backed a Democrat CCS bill
How did Trump reverse the cafe policy?
âPresident Trump in April 2018 dismantled restrictions set by Obama, leading to a lawsuit from several state attorney generals âInstead proposes Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rules, similar to Obama's rules but less stringent on automotive manufactures âBelieves new rules can save US economy $500 billion
Pros of Carbon Tax
âPrice mechanism leads to low potential economic inefficiency âDirectly attacks fossil fuels
Clean Power Act
âProposed by President Obama as the United States's national contribution to the Paris Agreement âDirectly targeted the emissions of fossil fuel plants rather than targeting state's emission in general âAttempt to direct efforts of companies towards renewable solutions âStalled in the Supreme Court in 2016, says all legal issues need to be resolved before Act can be enacted
Green New Deal
âProposed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts âSeeks to eliminate all emissions in the US by 2050 âDeal is non-binding, even if passed âLacks bipartisan support
How the magnet shoe was supposed to work
âPut a small coil of wire in a shoe and connect it to a circuit âHave a small magnet ball in the copper coil that is free to move from side to side. âIf the magnetic flux is changing electricity will be induced which will cause the wire to slowly heat up. 1.A ball moving inside the magnet would have to create a change in the magnetic flux. 2.The current produced would have to be enough to actually heat up the boot.
Specific solutions proposed as part of the GND
âThe United States Government must evaluate and take into account the environmental costs of current laws, new policies, and ensuring that frontline communities are not directly affected. âResearch and Development for renewable energy sources âProtecting public lands, waters, and oceans âRepairing the United States Infrastructure while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions âBuilding and upgrading the power grid to a "smart" grid âFixing both the agricultural and transportation sector to eliminate as much greenhouse gas emission as possible âSuggestion of low-tech soil carbon storage
What happened when we JOINED the paris agreement?
âUS joins Paris Agreement in November of 2016. âMain Goal: Keep the temperature rise to under 2 degrees. âRequires nations to put forward best efforts through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) âThis includes reporting emissions frequently.
Describe America's transmission lines
âUSA power transmission grid consists of approximately 300,000 km of lines âOverhead and Underground âAluminum alloy and reinforced with steel âNetworked so any particular node in this system (known as a "bus") will have at least two incident lines
Stage 1 cyberattack
âdesigned to gain information âInformation may be stolen or deleted
Significance of Nigeria?
âlargest economy and the richest oil resource centre of the African continent.
Stage 2 cyberattack
âmay result in temporary loss of power or physical damage to equipment