Man and Energy

Man and Energy Pongthep Suwanwaree, Ph.D. School of Biology Institute of Science Suranaree University of

Technology 18 January 2005

What is the meaning of Energy?

Potential Energy Kinetic Energy

Energy in sun light

Quality of energy

Energy evolution 1

Late 1700s

Energy evolution 2

Late 1800s

Industrial Revolution

1940s 1960s

Types of Energy

Nonrenewable Renewable

Important nonrenewable energy resources

Shifts in the use of commecial energy resources in the U.S.

World commercial energy use 1999

Thai commercial energy use 2000

1. Crude oil (Petroleum)

Proven world oil reserves (billions of barrels) in 1997

Oil drilling 1

Cook Inlet ofSouthern Alaska

Oil drilling 2

Sahara Desert of Algeria

Refining crude oil

Major trade routes for the world’s oil

Advantages of using conventional oil as an energy resource

Ample supply for 42-93 years Low cost (with huge subsidies) High net energy yield Easily transported within and

between countries Low land use

Disadvantages of using conventional oil as an energy resource

Need to find substitute within 50 years

Artificially low price encourages waste and discourages search for alternatives

Air pollution when burned Releases CO2 when burned Moderate water pollution

2. Natural gas

Natural gas deposite

Advantages of using conventional natural gas as an energy resourse

Ample supplies (125 years) High net energy yield Low cost (with huge subsidies) Less air pollution than other fossil

fuels Lower CO2 emissions than other fossil

fuels Moderate environmental impact

Advantages of using conventional natural gas as an energy resource

Easily transported by pipeline Low land use Good fuel for fuel cells and gas

turbines

Disadvantages of using conventional natural gas as an energy resource

Releases CO2 when burned Methane (a greenhouse gas) can

leak from pipelines Shipped across ocean as highly

explosive LNG Sometimes burned off and wasted

at wells because of low price

3. Coal

World coal reserves (billions of tons) in 1997 (antracite+bituminous)

Types of coal

Coal formation 1

Coal formation 2

Coal formation 3

Strip mining of coal

Open-pit mine

Advantages of using coal as an energy resource

Ample supply for 225-900 years Low cost (with huge subsidies) High net energy yield

Disadvantages of using coal as an energy resource

Very high environmental impact Severe land disturbance, air pollution

and water pollution High land use (including mining) Severe threat to human health High CO2 emission when burned Releases radioactive particles and

mercury into air

4.Nuclear Power

Fission

Fusion

Nuclear reactor

Control rods

Advantages of using nuclear power to produce electricity

Large fuel supply Low environmental impact (without

accidents) Emits 1/6 as much CO2 as coal Moderate land disruption and

water pollution (without accidents) Moderate land use

Low risk of accidents because of multiple safety systems (except in 35 poorly designed and run reactors in former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe)

Disadvantages of using nuclear power to produce electricity

High cost (even with large subsidies)

Low net energy yield High environmental impact (with

major accidents) Catastrophic accidents can happen

(Chernobyl)

No acceptable solution for long-term storage of radioactive wastes and decommissioning worn-out plants

Spreads knowledge for building nuclear weapons

Three Miles Island March 28, 1979

Chernobyl

April 26, 1986

Coal Nuclear

Ample supply High net energy yield Very high air

pollution High CO2 emissions 65,000 to 200,000

deaths per year in U.S.

High land disruption from surface mining

High land use Low cost

Ample supply of uranium

Low net energy yield

Low air pollution Low CO2 emissions About 6,000 deaths

per year in U.S. Much lower land

disruption High cost