Chapter 9 Flashcards
What factors can influence energy consumption?
Affluence Relative cost of energy Type of industry Social and environmental awareness Climate
What are features of energy resources?
Renewable/non-renewable Depletable/non-depletable Abundance Locational constraints Intermittency Predictability Energy density Resource availability Ease of storage Ease or transportation Environmental impacts Technological developments
What are the political influence on energy resources?
- Government may provide assistance to sections of the energy industry
- E.g. grants, market price, financial support for affected communities
What are the economic influences on energy resources?
Isn’t easy to calculate the full energy cost
Price paid doesn’t always cover all associated costs
What factors affect the sustainability of current energy use?
Resource depletion
Economic sustainability
Environmental impacts
What are some ways the energy supplied in the future will change?
Some resources may be depleted
Concerns about the environmental damage
Current supplies can’t meet the growth
New technologies are becoming more available
What are the 2 new technologies for coal
Coal gasification
Coal liquefaction
What are the 5 ways that oil can be extracted?
Primary oil recovery Secondary oil recovery Tertiary oil recovery Directional drilling Subsea production wells
What does primary oil recovery involve?
Use of pump jacks
What does secondary oil recovery involve?
Pumping water/natural gas down an injection well to maintain the pressure and the flow of oil
What does tertiary oil recovery involve?
Pumping steam to heat the oil
Controlled underground combustion to heat the oil and reduce viscosity
What does directional drilling involve?
Allows wells to be drilled that aren’t vertical which allows for access to more remote locations
What are subsea production wells?
Located on the seabed and have no platforms at the surface.
What is fracking?
Use of high pressure to open fissures which allows for the extraction of the natural gas
What are 5 examples of potential environmental impacts of fracking?
Natural gas may enter aquifer water Chemicals may enter aquifers Toxic metals could become mobile Large volumes of water is needed Earthquakes
What are the 2 ways tar sands are extracted?
Quarried using large excavators
In-situ production which uses steam injection
What are the 3 new technologies for natural gas?
Enhanced natural gas recovery
Methane hydrate
Carbon capture and storage
How can methane hydrate be extracted?
Water heating
Depressurisation
Carbon Dioxide injection
What are the 10 properties of renewable energy resources?
Intermittency Predictability Energy density Ease of storage Application to current uses of energy Environmental impacts Geographical constraints Size of available resource Level of technological development Economic issue
Define secondary fuels.
Primary fuels come directly from the environment but may not be in a form that can be used so they are converted to a useable source.
What 2 main methods are used to release the chemical energy from hydrogen?
Combustion
Fuel cells
What problem does energy storage address?
Helps to address the disadvantages of energy resources which are only available intermittently.
What are the 4 ways hydrogen can be stored.
Compressed gas
Liquid
Metal hybride systems
Ammonia
What are the benefits of energy storage?
Large quantity of fuel can be accumulated for more economic transportation
Energy production rates can be kept constant
Surplus energy can be stored until required
What are the causes of fluctuations in energy supply?
Use of intermittent energy resources
Bulk delivery of transported energy resources
What are the causes of fluctuations in energy demand?
Short term weather related fluctuations Seasonal fluctuations Weekday/weekend fluctuations in use 24hr day/night fluctuations Short term behaviour related fluctuations Fluctuations in demand
What are 4 developments in energy storage technology?
Peak shaving using pumped storage HEP
Compressed gas
Chemical energy
Rechargeable batteries
What are the 8 types of storage systems?
Vehicle to grid Power to gas Heat energy High volume storage Molten salt High thermal mass building materials Kinetic energy Electricity supercapacitors
How can vehicle design be changed to improve efficiency?
Aerodynamics Regenerative breaking Reduced mass Wheel design Efficient exhaust gas removal Engine temperature control Ignition and control servicing
How can a vehicle be designed for end of life?
Use of recyclable materials Easy identification of components Easy dismantling and separation Use of reusable components Use of compostable materials
What are some examples of transport infrastructure and management systems?
Integrated transport systems
Smart motorways
Driverless cars
What are 6 ways building conservation can be achieved?
Orientation Building surface area High thermal mass materials Low embodied energy materials Earth Sheltered buildings Use of insulating materials
How can heat loss be minimised in buildings?
Improved insulating materials
Window energy conservation
What factors affect the rate of heat loss from buildings?
Temperature gradient
Thermal conductivity/resistance of materials
Loss of warm air from inside
Chilling effect cause by wind and rain
What are the two types of ventilation?
heat recovery during ventilation
Automatic ventilation
What are 3 energy management techniques?
Occupancy sensors
Programmable thermostats
Water heating
How can energy be conserved in industry?
Heat recovery Insulation High volume storage Combined heat and power Integrated manufacture Recycling Mass reduction
What are the 4 points to electricity infrastructure management?
Peak shaving/pumped storage HEP
High voltage grid
IT management of electricity supplies
Location of new generation capacity and distribution infrastructure
