ESCI Exam 3

Question 1

Since 1850, the energy consumption patterns in the US have changed dramatically. Briefly describe
these changes (from both technical and societal perspectives).

Answer 1

shift from wood to natural gas, oil, coal, nuclear

population growth and industrialization led to increase in energy

Question 2

How has the percentage of renewable energy production changed over the past two decades?

Answer 2

a trend of increase- wind went from 1% to 9% in 20 years

Question 3

What are Renewable Portfolio Standards and why are they important?

Answer 3

regulations that require utilities to obtain a specified percentage of their energy from renewable sources by a certain date
reduces greenhouse emissions

Question 4

What is ‘peak load’ and what challenges does it pose for renewable technologies? How might
renewables be used to reduce ‘peak load’?

Answer 4

the maximum amount of electricity demand experienced by an electrical grid within a specific period, typically a day
challenges: intermittency, storage, capacity
diversifies energy sources

Question 5

How is coal formed? Be specific. Draw a diagram.

Answer 5

coal is formed by plants and anaerobic conditions, burial, pressure, heat, and time add to it to make coal

Question 6

What is non-conventional oil, give three examples?

Answer 6

oil that is obtained through methods other than traditional vertical well extraction
oil shale, tar sands, and ultra deep water

Question 7

What is a potential use of methane hydrates?

Answer 7

Use methane hydrates to burn which is a source of potential energy and heat

Question 8

What are “tar sands”? What is the major policy decision currently facing the U.S. related to tar sands?

Answer 8

a type of unconventional oil deposit, an accumulation of a tary substance in a sand deposit
Keystone Pipeline project approve/disapprove

Question 9

Why is the coal production expected to peak later than oil? What impact is projected coal production
likely to have on climate?

Answer 9

coal will last longer because of its abundance, we will also find more to use, it will have a huge negative impact on the environment

Question 10

What is Carbon Capture and Sequestration? What are the benefits of this technology and some of the
remaining challenges?

Answer 10

capturing carbon as we emit it and storing it underground, it is expensive, potentially hard to trap, and we don’t know the outcomes

Question 11

How do we harness energy from nuclear plants?

Answer 11

DIAGRAM

Question 12

What is the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant?

Answer 12

a repository in New Mexico designed for the permanent disposal of radioactive waste. It is located 2,150 feet underground in a stable salt bed formation.

Question 13

What is Yucca Mountain and when is it expected to begin receiving nuclear waste?

Answer 13

potential nuclear waste site, it was removed from the list in 2012

Question 14

Briefly describe some of the environmental conditions discovered at Yucca Mountain that raised
concerns about safety?

Answer 14

perched water table which is bad for nuclear waste, faulting so potential for earth quake

Question 15

Until a permanent high-level nuclear waste repository is established, what is the preferred method to
handle nuclear waste from power plants?

Answer 15

on site storage

Question 16

What areas tend to have the greatest potential for generation of electricity from wind?

Answer 16

the great plains and offshore winds

Question 17

What were the advantages and disadvantages of the Cape Wind Project’s location?

Answer 17

pros: strong and consistent wind resources, close to major population centers, reduced transmission costs
cons: visual impact, wildlife, navigation, and fishing

Question 18

Describe one of the main obstacles to the development of the Cape Wind Project?

Answer 18

location, the Kennedy’s didn’t want to look at it, no investors

Question 19

What are some strategies being used to develop offshore wind, following the failure of the Cape Wind
Project?

Answer 19

move location into federal waters where it’s deep enough to avoid most concerns

Question 20

Describe the two primary uses of geothermal energy?

Answer 20

heating and cooling: ground heat pumps used for heating and cooling homes
electricity generation: used to power turbines and produce electricity

Question 21

Briefly describe how heat flows relative to differences in temperature.

Answer 21

heat flows from hot to cold

Question 22

What is the main technical challenge facing the production of electricity from geothermal in the
Northeast US?

Answer 22

drilling 30,000 feet, water flow, inter-connection

Question 23

What is the main technical challenge that Solar and Wind must overcome before being able to replace
the use the natural gas and goal?

Answer 23

price point, location, intermittency, aesthetics

Question 24

Describe one way in which Hydropower may be able to help address the challenge described above.
What are some limitations in this strategy?

Answer 24

providing a reliable source of renewable energy
cons: environmental impacts

Question 25

With regard to Hydroelectric energy, what is the difference between High Head/High Power and Low
Head/Low Power?

Answer 25

High head/high power: vertical drop and high pressure water flow - mountains/waterfalls

Low Head/Low Power: low vertical drop, lower pressure and slower water flow - rivers, streams

Question 26

What conditions are most favorable for the generation of electricity from a geothermal resource?

Answer 26

high temperatures, permeable rock formations, water availability, and stable geological conditions

Question 27

What are the pros and cons of installing a geothermal heating system in your home?

Answer 27

pros: energy efficiency, cost savings, environmental benefits, and durability.
cons: high initial costs, site limitations, and complexity of installation

Question 28

What are some of the sources of revenue that can help to finance a renewable energy system?

Answer 28

government incentives, green bonds (funds for sustainable projects), sell extra electricity produced

Question 29

Briefly describe one way that tidal energy can be captured.

Answer 29

tidal power energy generation: flowing water to generate electricity with the change in water level due to tides

Question 30

What are the main obstacles to increasing the use of hydroelectric power in New England?

Answer 30

environmental concerns around dams
hydropower in Canada but no transportation
intersection of policy and advocacy

Question 31

What is Concentrated Solar Power and how does it avoid the main problem of Solar Photovoltaic Cells?

Answer 31

mirrors pointed to a small area, generating heat that is used to produce electricity

CPS can store heat for later

Question 32

What is the main driver behind the increased capacity in Wind and Solar PV over the past decade

Answer 32

falling technology costs, government incentives, and awareness of climate change.

Question 33

What benefits might hydrogen provide for the transition to renewable energy?

Answer 33

store excess energy generated from renewable sources, leads to grid stability