energy conservation Flashcards
list some examples where energy can be conserved via transport
1) bulk transport
2) vehicle design
3) embodied energy
4) mode of vehicle use
5) transport infrastructure and management systems
outline different vehicle designs which can conserve energy
1) aerodynamics- reducing friction as a vehicle moves through air or water reduces energy needed to propel it
2) kinetic energy recovery systems- to slow a vehicle down kinetic energy needs to be turned into another energy, usually heat which is then lost, systems which can use this energy by storing it so its not wasted
3) wheel design- the use of solid wheels which reduces the friction between road and tyre surface reducing frictional heat energy loss
4) vehicle design for end of life- design vehicles to minimise environmental impacts of disposing of them such as use of recyclable materials, easy separation and identification of parts, use of compostable materials
outline some transport infrastructure and management systems
1) integrated transport systems- the most energy efficient methods of transport involves using different transports over one journey such as park and ride schemes
2) active traffic management- variable speed limits can be used to prevent the serious congestion caused by delays minimising waste energy
3) driverless cars- development may result in smoother traffic flow and reduced fuel consumption
outline how building design can be modified to conserve energy
1) orientation- passive solar gains can be gained through windows facing the south while losses are greatest on the north side of the building, positioning can reduce overall energy use as rooms which need to be warmer can be on the side with greatest solar gains
2) building surface area- buildings with a low surface area to volume ratio will lose heat less easily
outline how choice of materials in building design can be used to conserve energy
1) high thermal mass materials- using materials with this can help reduce temperature extremes, they can absorb heat to reduce over heating or emit heat to reduce heating requirements eg concrete
2) low embodied energy materials- such as limestone instead of concreate, rammed earth as an alternative to concrete block walls
3) earth sheltered buildings- during cold weather the ground is usually warmer than the air flow which causes heat losses, sinking buildings into the ground can reduce heat loss from air flow
outline some heat conservation methods for insulation
1) low thermal conductivity materials= insulating materials in roof, walls and floor, double glazed windows
2) reduction of convection of warm air against cold eternal surfaces- double glazing windows creates a layer of static air that is too narrow for convection to occur
3) reduce warm air loss- draught proofing seals around doors and windows
what factors affect the rate of heat loss from a building
1) temp gradient
2) thermal conductivity or resistance of materials
3) loss of warm air from inside
4) chilling effect from wind or rain
outline how double glazing reduces heat loss
the gazing has a gap between the middle filled with inert gases with low thermal conductivity, creation of a vacuum prevents convection so warm air isn’t cooled when coming in contact with a cool external surface
eg argon, krypton, xenon
outline a heat recovery system
1) warm stale air from the house enters the heat exchanger
2) cold fresh air enters a coiled pipe from the outside
3) the pipe is made from good conducting materials to increase the rate of heat transfer
4) heat is transferred from the warm stale house air into the coiled pipe, warming the cold outside air
5) the pipe returns the air back into the house but now as warm fresh air not warm stale air
outline automatic ventilation
large glazed areas increase passive solar gains
overheating can be reduced by thermostatically operated automatic screens and self-opening windows
outline how human behaviour can be used to conserve energy
1) turning lights off when not required
2) turning thermostats down to prevent unnecessary overheating
3) turning appliances off rather than on a stand by
4) only heating water when it is needed
list some ways energy can be conserved in industry
1) heat recovery
2) insulation
3) high volume storage
4) combined heat and power
5) integrated manufacture
6) recycling
7) mass reduction
outline combined heat and power
recover as much of the heat lost in electricity generation and use it for space heating in buildings such as homes or fish farms
outline integrated manufacture
1) energy can be saved when material manufacture is located on the same site
2) waste heat from one industry can be used in another
3) reducing energy needed for transport of materials between sites by locating inter-dependant industries near each other
list some examples of electricity infrastructure management
1) peak shaving
2) high voltage grid
3) IT management of electricity supplies
4) location of new generation capacity and distribution
