Climate and Energy Systems Flashcards
The troposphere is how high above the Earth’s surface?
0-10km
What lies between the troposphere and the Stratosphere?
The Ozone layer
How high above the Earth’s surface is the stratosphere?
10-50km
How do zones of temperature inversion put people at risk?
emissions cannot rise into the atmosphere, instead the build up and cause congestion
How does a zone of temperature inversion form?
radiative cooling of the ground or when a warmer layer is created by a warm front
ground cools, outer band of warmth traps emissions
What is ozone gas important for?
screening the sun’s UV radiation
Which GHG has contributed most to the depletion of stratospheric ozone?
CFCs
Why is ozone unwanted in the Troposhpere?
near the ground it is a pollutant and the primary component of summertime smog
How is ozone harmful to humans?
it is a powerful oxidant which can be harmful when in high concentrations in the air
How might we respond to air pollution?
disperse industry from urban centres
Generate power at remote large power stations
Improve domestic fireplaces and fuel
Distribute wasteful heat via district heating
Describe district heating
distributing heat through a centralized location
What is the benefit of district heating?
higher efficiency
better pollution control
Where does photochemical pollution occur?
around areas of high traffic density
the climate conditions increase the concentration of polluting gases
What are the four phases of acid rain formation and damage?
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released in the air
pollutants transform into acid particles
particles fall to earth during rainfall events
causes direct harm to nature
What is the world’s average GHG emission per person per year?
5.5T of CO2 (scary)
How much energy is in 1kWh?
1000W x 1h
1000W x 3600s = 3.6e+6 Joules
What are the three largest energy markets?
NA, Europe, Asia Pacific
Compared to the rest of the world, do the big 3 energy markets consume or reserve more energy?
consume?
The big 3 consume and reserve what % of oil?
consume 80%
reserve 15%
The big 3 consume and reserve what % of gas?
consume 61%
reserve 32%
The big 3 consume and reserve what % of coal?
consume 89%
reserve 69%
industrialisation of emerging economies and subsequent GDP growth will cause an increase in
consumption per capita
what will decrease if production declines and local consumption increases?
exports from fuel producing nations will decrease
What is the estimated energy consumption of a person per day in the UK?
190kWh
How much of the daily 190kWh is used on heating/cooling?
around 36kWh
How much of the daily 190kWh is used on transport?
around 40kWh
How much of the daily 190kWh is used on the consumption of goods and products
48kWh
What is peak oil defined as?
the point in time where oil production reached its peak value, after which enters a terminable decline
What are the consequences of the aftermath of peak oil?
high fuel prices, shortages and conflict breaking out over the two above points
The peak in global conventional oil is unlikely to occur after [], and therefore happen sooner
2030
The demand for fossil fuels will likely continue and grow, why is this?
We are reliant on it, it is hard to change once established
When will we NEED an alternative to fuel to oil?
When this projected peak has passed
What is the 450 stabilisation pathway?
a plan to reduce 17.9Gt of CO2 emissions per year from current levels
How can we reach the 450 stabilisation pathway?
cleaner technologies need to be deployed faster than is currently the case
Technologies which aren’t yet financially viable need to be deployed
Need to begin ASAP, each passing year reduces the chance of success
Developing renewable energies and more efficient energy systems is not enough, this is because of the energy trilema
What three requirements does the energy trilemma demand of our energy systems?
sustainability
security
equity
What do we mean we we talk about energy sustainability?
Energy solutions must:
mitigate climate change
minimise other environmental impacts
not be resource hungry
(essentially future proof)
What do we mean when we talk about energy security?
the ability to meet demand in any situation, a secure, reliable source
the system must have:
sufficient capacity
built in resilience (withstand shock loads, have reserves ready)
manage demand(efficiency of delivery etc.)
What do we mean when we talk about energy equity?
have energy be available to all, ensuring:
standard of living and good welfare
affordable energy
