Affordable Heating in China

People need warmth to survive. In China, an estimated 200

million people do not have access to affordable and effective

heating systems (Gliona). In Northern China, where the

temperature can drop to -40 degrees celsius during winter, this is

a pressing problem particularly for China’s poorer residents who

cannot afford to heat their homes. As a result, these people must

rely on coal briquettes or the coal-fired central heating (which are

only operational for certain periods of time) (Geoff). Coal is

currently the cheapest and most locally abundant source of fossil

energy (Green) but with coal prices rising and coal-fired heating

becoming more unreliable, China needs to look to sustainable energy alternatives that will be be

both efficient and affordable for China’s low income citizens.

The chemical reaction for combusting pure coal to produce energy is Carbon (C) + Oxygen (O) -

> Carbon dioxide (CO2) (“Carbon Dioxide Formula”). However not all coal is pure so burning it

often gives off other gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (N2O) among other

gases (“How Coal Works”). If there is not enough oxygen to react with carbon, it can also

produce carbon monoxide (CO), which is highly toxic to humans. The most environmentally

damaging gas (Keep in mind that CO2 is only the most environmentally damaging gas because it

is produced in such abundance. Other gases such as

sulphur dioxides and CO are much more harmful. ,

however, is CO2, a greenhouse gas which is a major

contributor of global warming.

China is currently the world’s largest contributor of

carbon dioxide (“List of Countries by Carbon Dioxide

Emissions”) and this is partially due to the fact that they

also produce the most coal (“List of Countries by Coal

Production”). China’s coal industry is notorious for its filthy work conditions, unregulated

mining practices (“China’s Coal Concerns”) and the health repercussions to citizens in nearby

districts (“Coal in China”) which is why one of the most promising alternatives to coal-fueled

heating is using geothermal energy.

Geothermal energy is produced by harnessing the Earth’s heat and has been around

since ancient times. It is a type of renewable energy but unlike solar or wind energy, geothermal

is more reliable because it doesn’t depend on weather or time (Wang). Geothermal energy

benefits the environment because it doesn’t cause pollution or greenhouse gases. Geothermal

can only be used in areas with geothermal activity. Iceland is the prime example.

The extraction process involves drilling deep into the earth and pumping the water up so it can

flow through the piping of a building (Romankiewicz). When using geothermal energy for

cooling in the summer heat pumps are used

to extract the hotter air from the house so that

it can be cooled in the earth. In the winter the

outside air is colder than the ground

temperature and so the heat exchanger in the

heat pump can move the heat from the ground

into the house or building. Geothermal energy

has high potential in China because the heat

can be extracted from within 3,000 to 10,000

meters under the ground? and China has the

equivalent of 860 trillion tons of coal in

untapped geothermal energy resources (Xinhua). The Ministry of Land and Reosurces claim it

can save 250 millions tons of coal and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 500 million tons

(Yuanyuan). Interesting, there is a article published in Nature that we should get: http://www.

nature.com/nclimate/journal/v2/n8/full/nclimate1598.html.

Another advantage of geothermal energy is that the running costs are generally quite low

(“Advantages of Geothermal Energy”). This makes

geothermal energy cheaper and affordable which is a huge

benefit for low income residents. According to the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal pumps save

people up to 70 percent for heating costs, and up to 50

percent for cooling costs. The pumps also save money

because they work as both a heater and air conditioner and

require much less maintenance. In addition, the pumps are

built to be extremely durable (“Geothermal Heat Pump”).

An economical limitation to geothermal energy is that the capital costs are extremely

high. However, if corporations and the government are willing to subsidize geothermal pumps

in poor areas, this will enable poor families to have access to heating. The efficiency of these

pumps will eventually pay off themselves as well so subsidizing the heating bills for poor

families in China should be considered a worthwhile investment.

A major environmental limitation though is possible hazardous chemicals released

by drilling. It is possible that to release hydrogen sulfide and other dangerous chemicals like

arsenic, mercury, and ammonia. To avoid this, scientists and researchers need to come up

with strategies to avoid these chemicals and implement safety procedures for the construction

workers.

In conclusion, heating through geothermal energy provides us with a viable solution to

China’s coal problems. Though there are some initial environmental and economical limitations,

these problems can be solved through reinforced environmental regulations and government

subsidization. If China continues to use coal as its primary heating fuel, the country will

suffer from respiratory and environmental problems. Geothermal heating is energy efficient,

sustainable, eco-friendly and economically beneficial in the long run, which is why it is ideal for

the Chinese lower and middle class. Geothermal energy may still need more research and the

coal industry isn’t likely to disappear soon, but it certainly has the power and the potential to

ensure the survival of millions of China’s residents.

Works Cited: "Advantages Of Geothermal Energy." Advantages Of Geothermal Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_GeothermalEnergy.php>. "Carbon Dioxide Formula." Newton. Argonne National Laboratory, 2000. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem00/chem00120.htm>. "China Environmental Law." China Environmental Law. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.chinaenvironmentallaw.com/?p=350>. "Coal in China." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China>. "Coal-fired Heating in Northern China Blamed for Worsening Pollution." What's On Ningbo. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.whatsonningbo.com/news-765-coal-fired-heating-in-northern-china-blamed-for-worsening-pollution.html>. "Five Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy." Yahoo! Contributor Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://voices.yahoo.com/five-disadvantages-geothermal-energy-407841.html>. Geoff. "Heating in China: Inefficiency and Opportunity." China Green Buildings. China Green Buildings, 20 Feb. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://chinagreenbuildings.blogspot.com/2009/02/heating-in-china-inefficiency-and.html>.

"Geothermal Heat Pump." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_heat_pump>. Geothermal Heat Pump Diagram. Digital image. Synergy Bore Holes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.synergyboreholes.co.uk/geothermal_boreholes/related_page.php?id=40>. Geothermal Heat Pump House. Digital image. Synergy Bore Holes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.synergyboreholes.co.uk/geothermal_boreholes/related_page.php?id=40>. Gliona, John M. "Their Pre-winter of Discontent." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/15/world/fg-chinaheat15>. Green, Jimmy. "How Cheap Is Coal?" Clean Energy. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, 4 Sept. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2012/09/04/how-cheap-is-coal/>. "How Coal Works." Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/brief_coal.html>. "How Geothermal Energy Works." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/geothermal-energy1.htm>. "List of Countries by Carbon Dioxide Emissions." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions>. "List of Countries by Coal Production." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 July 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_coal_production>. Siegal, RP. "Geothermal Energy: Pros and Cons." Triple Pundit. Triple Pundit, 15 June 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/06/geothermal-energy-pros-cons/>. Romankiewicz, John. "Geothermal Energy in Beijing." Vimeo. Vimeo, 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://vimeo.com/5148921>. Yuanyuan, Liu. "China on Track to Increase Geothermal Energy Development and Utilization." Renewable Energy World. Renewable Energy World, 19 May 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/05/china-on-track-to-increase-geothermal-energy-development-and-utilization>. Wang, Ucilia. "Money Remains the Barrier to Geothermal Power." Greentech Media. Greentech Media, 25 Mar. 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/money-remains-the-barrier-to-geothermal-power-5952/>.

Xinhua. "China's Geothermal Equal to 860 Trillion Tonnes of Coal Equivalent." China Daily. China Daily, 4 Oct. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-10/04/content_15796961.htm>. ______________________________________________________________________________ Science 10 - Criterion A - One World Essay

Self AssessmentUnderline the descriptor you think you achieved for each section.

Teacher AssessmentRed highlights indicate that you partially fulfilled the lower level for the descriptor.For example, if for A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 3 for that task specificclarification. Purple highlights indicate that your reach/fulfilled the upper level for the descriptor.For example, if for A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 4 for that task specificclarification.

Criterion A: Knowledge and Understanding

Objective & Task Specific Clarification

1-2 3-4 5-6

Introduction

A1 Explain how science is applied and how it may be used to address a specific problem or issue in a local or global context.A1a. _____ the specific problem or issue.A1b. _____ the basic science related to the problem and solving the problem including any main chemical reactions.

State

State

Describe

Describe

Explain

Explain

Body

A2 Discuss the effectiveness of science and its application in solving

omits

omits

outline

outline

discuss

discuss

the problem or issue.A2a. _____ the benefits of the science in solving the problem and gives example(s).A2b. _____ the limitations of the science in solving the problem and gives example(s).

A3 Discuss and evaluate the implications of the use and application of science interacting with two of the following factors: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural & environmental.A3a. _____ interactions between science and the world.A3b. Addresses _____ of the above factors.

outlines

none

describes

one

discuss and evaluates

two

Assessment Level

Overall A Level 6

Science 10 - Criterion B - One World Essay

Self AssessmentUnderline the descriptor you think you achieved for each section. Teacher AssessmentRed highlights indicate that you partially fulfilled the lower level for the descriptor.For example, if for A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 3 for that task specificclarification. Purple highlights indicate that your reach/fulfilled the upper level for the descriptor.For example, if A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 4 for that task specificclarification.

Criterion B: Communication in Science

Objective & Task Specific Clarification

1-2 3-4 5-6

B1 Uses _____ scientific language correctly.B1a. Use relevant scientific vocabulary and concepts.B1b. Use scientific words in context.

a limited range of

some

sufficient

B2 Communicates scientific information (with) _____. B2a. Write succinctly. B2b. Do NOT write in the first person. B2c. Write in complete sentences and paragraphs. B2d. Write with few grammar and spelling mistakes.

limited effectiveness

some effectiveness

effectively

B3 Fully documents sources of informationB3a. _____ use(s) MLA format to reference sources in text (author/title, page).B3b. In the Works Cited section cites _____ and only sources used in text using MLA format.

doesn’t

some

partially

most

correctly

all

Overall B Level 6