Energy Flashcards
1
Q
what are the major fuels burned
A
coal, oil, gas
2
Q
what are the biggest sources of emissions in california
A
- transportation (cars) (39%)
- industrial (23%)
- electricity generation (11%)
3
Q
what countries emit the most CO2
A
- China
- US
- EU
- India
4
Q
trend in carbon emission by country
A
in the last few years, carbon emissions have not grown substantially despite economic growth, could signal a new trend
5
Q
what countries emit the most per capita
A
- US (over double China)
- China
- EU
- over the past decade, US per capita emissions have been decreasing & China’s has been increasing
6
Q
reasons for energy loss
A
- loss of electricity along transmission lines
- loss of ambient heat from buildings
- heat from fossil fuel combustion in factories, automobiles, machines, and appliances
7
Q
describe energy efficiency efforts in CA
A
- was among first states to set mandatory energy efficiency standards for appliances and buildings
- in early 1980s, CA tied utilities’ financial incentives to energy savings rather than energy consumption
- 2006, passed the CA Global Warming Solutions Act, a state law aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- 2008, CA Public Utilities Commission developed a long term energy efficiency strategic plan with goals to decrease purchased energy in existing homes by 40% relative to 2008 levels, retrofit 50% of commercial buildings to achieve zero net energy use; ensure all new construction is zero net energy by 2020 (residential) or 2030 (commercial)
8
Q
describe carbon capture and storage
A
- capture carbon before it is released into the atmosphere
- captured carbon would then be compressed & injected deep underground, into saline aquifers, depleted oil and gas fields, or active oil and gas fields to help extract these fuels
- not yet in wide use, but being studied extensively
9
Q
pros & cons of wind energy
A
PROS
- free & plentiful resource
- power can be generated on the utility scale, or on a distributed scale (one or more small turbines to power a home)
CONS
- winds blow intermittently, so wind turbines are not constantly generating power
- windmills are ugly
- concerns about negative impacts on wildlife, especially on migratory birds
10
Q
Pros & cons of Solar energy
A
PROS
- free & plentiful
- solar panels are particularly suited to small-scale installations (rooftops)
CONS
- photovaltic solar panels are made with “rare earth” metals, whose extraction can be environmentally damaging
- utility-scale solar installations have a large footprint on the land and are often sited within sensitive desert ecosystems
- concentrating solar systems use large amounts of water for cooling, despite typically being located in arid places
- output is proportional to the strength of sunshine, and the best solar resources may not be located near the regions of greatest consumption
11
Q
what is geothermal power
A
- harnesses thermal energy from the earth’s interior via wells that tap underground reservoirs of heated water
12
Q
pros and cons of geothermal
A
PROS
- CO2 emissions are typically negligible
- can generate power constantly
CONS
- production is geographically restricted to areas over geothermal fields
- enhanced geothermal systems inject water into dry hot rock to extract heat, concerns this causes earthquakes
- hot water and steam can contain pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide and lead
- areas are often located on land important for ecosystems or tourism
13
Q
pros and cons of liquid biofuels
A
PROS
- can be produced relatively cheaply
- don’t require major changes to existing vehicle-fueling infrastructure
CONS
- land has been deforested to grow biofuel crops, offsetting the greenhouse gas reduction
- crops used for biofuels are not being used to feed people or agricultural animals
- growing crops is water-intensive
14
Q
what are some challenges with renewable energy
A
- storage; currently the energy has to be used as its produced
- distribution; electric grid is not well set-up to enable distribution of energy from renewables; the most plentiful renewable resources, suited for utility-scale production are not located near transmission lines or near major populated areas
