Lecture 1 Flashcards
What is Energy?
Energy is the capacity to carry out work.
Give an example of Energy
Chemical energy contained in fuel
electrochemical energy contained in batteries
What is power
The rate at which energy is transformed.
e.g. determined by the size of an engine.
bigger engine = greater rate of transformation of energy = greater power
What is Primary Energy
Energy that is embodied in resources as they exist in nature, without human transformation
What are 6 examples of Primary Energy?
Chemical energy in fossil fuels, crude oil and NG
Potential kinetic energy i.e. kinetic energy of water drawn from a reservoir/waterfall
Electromagnetic energy i.e. solar radiation
Nuclear reactions
Gravitation energy that is exerted on earth by the moon (causes tides to ebb and flow)
Wind energy
What is Secondary Energy? with an example
These are energy carriers/vectors. It is primary energy that have been subject to human transformation
e.g. Refining of crude oil to petrol/diesel
Give two examples of energy carriers
Electricity as it derived from different sources of primary energy
Hydrogen: i.e. hydrogen fuel cells
What can fossil fuels be seen as?
A store of nuclear energy from the sun over eons of time. it could be seen to be subject to several transformation, but none a human one. therefore, it is termed as primary energy
What is the convention for renewable sources?
Primary energy going into the renewable generator is equal to the secondary energy coming out
How much fuel is inputted into a thermal power station and converted into electrical output?
38%
How is the notional primary energy input calculated?
By dividing the electrical output by 0.38
Define Final Energy
Amount of energy that is delivered/sold to end users. Labelled as consumption or energy demand
Define Energy Demand
Energy you want to use
Define Energy Consumption
Energy you want to convert/transform
What are the problems with fossil fuels?
They are finite, we will run out. they are non-sustainable.
Their extraction and combustion are causing ongoing damage to a planetary ecosystem which itself is finite.
Our growth in demand for energy has driven more and more fossil fuel use; this is driving more emissions.
This is causing climate change.
