1- Basics of the energy industry

Question 1

What are the fundamentals of a prosperous economy?

Answer 1

Capital, Resources, People, Energy

Question 2

How much electricity does an average German consume per day?

Answer 2

20 kWh daily

Question 3

How much electricity does a Chinese consume per day?

Answer 3

10 kWh daily

Question 4

and an American consumer?

Answer 4

40 kWh daily

Question 5

What is the share of energy consumption in each sector in Germany?

1. Commerce, Trade, Services
2. Household
3. Transport
4. Industry

Answer 5

1. Commerce, Trade, Services: 15,5%
2. Household 25,1%
3. Transport 29,4%
4. Industry 30%

Question 6

How is the energy consumption of a typical energy household look like?

Answer 6

• 65.8% Heating
• 0.6% Mechanical energy
• 2.1% Lighting
• 4.1% Information and communication
• 15.9% Hot water
• 11.4% Rest

Question 7

Of what elements is a power matrix composed?

Answer 7

1. Power generation
2. Oil & Gas production
3. Power Transmission
4. Energy consumption

Question 8

What are the average annual investment between 2010-2030 in oil & gas production (primary energy)?

Answer 8

600-700 trillion € :

• 50% in oil
• 44% in gas
• 6% in others

Question 9

What are the average annual investment in power generation between 2010-2030 worldwide?

Answer 9

300 trillion € 60% of which are in Renewable Energies and 40% in others

Question 10

What are the average annual investment in transmission& distribution ( power grids) between 2010-2030 worldwide?

Answer 10

200 billion € 30% of which in power transmission and 70% in power distribution

Question 11

What are the conventional power plants?

Answer 11

• Gas power plants
• Combined Cycle
• Steam power plants
• Nuclear power plants
• Hydro power plants

Question 12

What is the cheapest conventional eleclectricity?

Answer 12

1. hydro: 3-4 cens/kWh
2. Steam power plants: 4-8 cents/kWh

Question 13

Compare the conventional energy sources in terms of CO2 emissions!

Answer 13

Question 14

What are the characteristics of combined cycle power plant?

Answer 14

• Typical plant size:400-600 MW
• Efficiency: > 61%
• Lifetime: ~ 25 years
• CO2emissions:340 gCO2/kWh
• Electricity production cost: 3-8€ct/kWh

Question 15

How did the performance of combined cycle power plants evolve in the last 20 years? give example of some projects

Answer 15

Question 16

How does a steam power plant work and what are its characteristics?

Answer 16

• Typical plant size:600-1,100MW
• Efficiency: ~ 46%
• Lifetime: ~ 35 years
• CO2emissions:600-700 gCO2/kWh
• Electricity production cost: 4-8€ct/kWh

Question 17

How did the efficiency of steam power plants evolve over the last 20 years?

Answer 17

Question 18

How does a nuclear power plants work and what is its typical efficiency?

Answer 18

Efficiency 35%

Question 19

How does a hydro power plants work?

Answer 19

• Typical plant size:Small: 5-10 MW Large: > 10,000 MW
• Efficiency: to 90%
• Lifetime: ~60-80years
• CO2 emissions:0gCO2/kWh
• Electricity productioncost: 3-10€ct/kWh

Question 20

What is the cheapest renewable energy source? in terms of both investment and electricity production costs?

Answer 20

Question 21

How did wind power develop over time in the last two decades?

Answer 21

from 30 kW to 7 MW installed capacity for one wind turbine–> Huge development

from 11m to 150m rotor diameter

Question 23

PV Anlage für ein Household, how does it work, and what are its characteristics?

Answer 23

• Typical plant size:> 1 MW
• Efficiency: ~ 17%
• Lifetime: 20-30years
• CO2emissions:0 gCO2/kWh
• Electricity production cost: 6-28€ct/kWh