Energy

Alternative

Renewable

Sustainable

Generating Costs of Electric Power Plants

Energy Source 2002 * Cents/kWh

2008 ** Cents/kWh

2009 *** Cents/kWh

Hydropower 4-10 10.5 Biomass 6-8 16.5 6.5-11.3

Geothermal 3-8 10.1 5.8-9.3 Wind 4-5 8.9 5.7-11.3

Solar Thermal 10-15 12.7 12.9-20.6 Photovoltaics 15-25 13.1-18.2 Natural Gas 3-4 9.3 7.4-10.2

Coal 4-5 10.5 7.8 Coal integrated gasification 11.5 11.0-14.1 Coal IG and carbon capture 17.3 14.4

Nuclear 10-15 15.3 10.7-13.8 Biogas 8.5

Energy efficiency 0 – 5.0 * Table 12.2 Raven & Berg Environment **California Regulatory Agencies *** Lazard Investment Banking

A. An Electricity Primer

2 Types

1. Static• A non-moving e- gradient is produced.• A discharge relieves the gradient.

2. Current

2. Current electricity = a constant flow of electrons.

Two types of Current Electricity:

a. Direct Current (DC)

b. Alternating Current (AC)

a. Direct Current (DC)

• Battery= bucket full of chemicals that causes electrons to move.

• Cathode gains electrons

• Anode loses electrons

• Electrolyte = chemical

that allows the

electrons to move

b. Alternating Current

Voltage – number of electrons (volts)

Current = pressure of the electrons (amps)

Current –

World Electric Generation (IEA 2009)

US Electric Generation (EPA 2005)

A. Wind

B. Solar1. Direct Solar vs

Uses solar energy for heating or electricity without a naturally occurring conversion.

Ex: passive and active solar

Indirect Solar

Solar converted to another form of energy in nature.

Ex: fossil fuels

wind

biomass

hydroelectric

2. Passive Solar Heat vs

Construction designs for collecting heat. No fans or collection devises are used.

http://www.susdesign.com/sunangle/

Active Solar Heat

Fans, pumps, or collection devises are used.

3. Solar Thermal Commercial Generators

• 10-15¢/kWh

• Oil filled parabolic collectors concentrate heat. An exchanger creates steam that in-turn moves a turbine.

• Adv/Dis

4. Photovoltaic

• 15-25¢ / kWh

• Based on the diode properties of silicon.

• Million Solar Roof Initiative– DOE– Solar America Initiative

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/02/07/fox_news_expert_on_solar_energy_germany_gets_a_lot_more_sun_than_we_do_video.html?fb_ref=sm_fb_share_blogpost

C. Biomass

C. Biomass1. Traditional Biomass

2. New Fangled Biomassa. Biogasb. Bioliquid

adv/disc.Fuel Crops/Crop Residued. Biomass to Electricity

adv/dis

D. Hydroelectric

1. Types

a. Large scale

b. Small scale

c. Pumped-Storage System

2. adv/dis

E. Waves And Tides

1. Differences!

2. Osprey

3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

4. Tides

F. Geothermal

1. Geothermal Reservoirs

The Geysers

adv/dis

2. Geothermal Heat Pumps

G. Hydrogen

1. Electrolysis

2. Combustion of Hydrogen

3. Hydrogen Fuel Cells