Sustainable Transport Flashcards

1
Q

What are some future projections that is talked about in this series?

A

The following are future projections made by the international energy agency (IEA).

STEP: known as the stated policy scenarios this is a sum of all implemented national policies.more realistic than APS.
APS : known as the Announced pledge scenario this the sum of all national announcements. This scenario is more optimistic than STEPS.
NZE 2050: this is designed by the IEA in accordance with Paris 1.5.

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2
Q

An overview of the transport sector

A

From time it’s been heavily dominated by oil, with 3.6% of it occupied by biofuels and 0.9% of it occupied by electricity.

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3
Q

What are the global c02 emissions like for the various sub sectors in transport ?

A

The highest is the road sector, then we have the shipping , then aviation, then pipeline transport (the transport is solid,liquids or gaseous products through pies over long distances), then the least emitter rail.

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4
Q

Energy demand in transport by fuel and scenario 2022-2050.road

A

Base in 2022 oil deman is at about 80% with about 5% natural gas , about 10% bioenergy and less than 1% electricity .

Roads 2030
STEPS: oil demand stays pretty much the same , same with natural gas, and increase in bioenergy , and a good increase in electricity .
APS: oil reduces to about 69%, reduction in natural gas, increase in bioenergy to over 10% and increase in electricity and an introduction of hydrogen.
NZE: oil about 58%, natural gas reduction to less than 5% bioenergy increase to over 10%, almost 10% increase for electricity and an introduction of hydrogen.

2050road

STEPS: oil about 65%, a little reduction in natural gas, a bit of an increase in bioenergy compared to 2030,more increase in electricity, and a sliver of increase in hydrogen.
APS: oil about 30%, natural gas about 5%,bioenergy reduces as compared to 2030, heavy increase in electricity and quite an increase in hydrogen use and an introduction of hydrogen based fuels.
NZE: oil less than 10%, natural gas nonexistent, bioenergy reduced to less than 5%, huge increase in electricity an increase in hydrogen and introduction of hydrogen based fuels.

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5
Q

Energy demand in transport by fuel and scenario 2022-2050.non road (shipping,aviation,rails)

A

Base oil almost 25%, gas about 5%, electricity about 1.5%.

2030
STEPS: oil bout 30%, natural gas over 5%, intro bioenergy, 1.5% electricity, intro odiferous hydrogen based fuels.
APS: oil about 26%, natural gas about 4%,bioenergy 1%, electricity about 2%, into of hydrogen based fuels .
NZE: oil reduces a little bit from being almos 25%, gas, reduces as well, bioenergy about 3%,electricity about 3%,intro hydrogen, hydrogen based fuels 1.5%

2050
Step: increase oil, slight reduction in gas , increase in bio energy, slight increase in electricity
APS, reduction of oil to about 22%, natural gas 1%,bioenergy about 10%, electricity 5%,, hydrogen 1%, hydrogen based fuels over 5%.
NZE; oil less than 10%,no natural gas, bioenergy about 10%,hydrogen about 5%, electricity about 5%, hydrogen based fuels opalmost 15%

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6
Q

Why are biofuels in Sweden about 21%

A

This is because it is enforced by laws and legislation.

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7
Q

What percentage of the transport energy did HVO, biodiesel and ethanol take in 2022?

A

4.3%

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8
Q

What sector in the European Union has had a continuous increase in co2 emissions?

A

The transport sector is the only sector in EU that has been increasing in Europe for decades

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9
Q

What is the prognosis for emissions reductions by sector in EU-28?

A

By 2050 all emissions in all sectors should reduce and be below 20%.
However this will be a bit tricky since in co2 agriculture because certain factors are out of control like how much methane a cow emits.

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10
Q

Fuel options
Transport alternative pathways

A

The alternative path ways to fuel are centered around hydrogen and hydrogen based fuels and electricity.
Although they have numerous benefits one noticeable thing about hydrogen is that 30% of its energy is lost during electrolysis. Making it a bit less efficient.

Electricity can lead inductive or conductive roads which will benefit all vehicles including long distance vehicles trains included(because it charges while you drive).

Some may argue that using hydrogen is better than electric vehicles because to store electricity large scale requires production of several batteries (materials to make these batteries are mined).

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11
Q

What are some limiting factors for biomass use for biofuels that prevent them from being the solution to the transport sector?

A

For first generation fuels (fuel from crops): it usually competes with actual food. Causing food insecurity and the increase in food prices.

For second generation fuels( forestry and waste from forests): technological development is still needed .
Competing with the cause to reduce the use of steel and concrete(high carbon emitters) in construction, competition with heat and power production, competition with paper production. These forest residues also release nutrients into tether ground through decomposition.

The use of pesticides and fertilizers and water on a large scale is also a bit problematic

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12
Q

Where do cereals needs for biofuel (ethanol) production come from?

A

About 66% of it comes from additional/increased production.
10% comes from change consumption patterns (less cereals consumed)
24% of it comes from reduction of cereal in animal feeding.

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13
Q

Is this statement true or false when food prices go up riots increase.

A

True .

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14
Q

Why is it not so feasible to grow energy crops on land meant for food production?

A

It competes with and food prices increase causing a snowball effect of negative consequences eg riots.

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15
Q

Biofuel and EU

A

The EU target has been to 10% of transport being renewable by 2020.

Out this biofuels contributed 4.5% of the transport energy sectors needs in 2011. In 2012 there was cap set of the use of first generation fuels for biofuels, this was because it was competing with food market . This limited biofuels share of the market to 5% and in the long run 7%.
As at 2021 biofuels share of the market is 6.8% with 4% being from crop land.

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16
Q

GWP of first generation fuels

A

Good
Sugar cane (top performer because of high yield to ferment able sugar which is key for bio ethanol production)
Sugar beet ( also good but used less because of less availability)
Corn
They all have their CO2 emissions quite low . However it is important note that corn is the worst because it is not as efficient as the other two.

Bad
Palm oil
Rapeseed
Soya beans
wheat (4th)
sunflowers
Molasses

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17
Q

Global warming potential of 2nd generation fuels

A

Forest residue
Bagasse
Short rotation coppice
Miscanthus
Corn stover
Switch grass
Straw/husk

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18
Q

What are the system effects for tall oil?

A

They were being used more than once in multiple procedures (heating and production), this required fore electricity sourced from external sources who might have produced electricity using fossils.

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19
Q

What cuts down preem’s diesel climate emissions to 90% as compared to fossil diesel?

A

Preem is using HVO (biofuel that come from slaughters,animal and plant fat) and from tall oil, and blends different diesel ratios all the way up to 100% . This is what cuts down emissions for preem.

Ratio of diesel in these fuels is set to reduce because it makes the fuel more expensive.

So mixing a small percent of fossil fuels with various biofuels is bound to cut emissions down and reduce prices of diesel and petrol.

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20
Q

What generation fuels are acceptable

A

2nd generation fuels are much better because there is less competition for food , however these also conform forests and there are lots of uses .

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21
Q

If second generation is the main solution for biofuels which areas should be prirotised?

A

Long distance flights should be prioritized because they s major contributor to green house gases , and have no means of charging or refueling like road vehicles.

Although this feasible it requires serious technological advancements because it is important to address the issues of scaling up biofuel use and addressing availability of feedstock.

International shipping would be a second area of prioritization , also green house gas emitters

Balancing intermittent energy sources in the electricity sectors: intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar face challenges because of how variable they . 2G fuels can be used to supplement these energy sources to produce electricity when these variable renewables are not. However it involves successful integration into grid lines and storage capacity.

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22
Q

Which of the two areas should be prioritized?

A

Long distance flights and Balancing intermittent energy sources in the electricity sectors

Reason:long distance flights emit so many green houses because of the jet engine so channeling limited bioenergy resources in that direction would be ideal. Also there can be many other ways to curb the emissions that shipping makes like improving vessel efficiency,adopting wind assisting systems.

The second to prioritize is balancing of intermittent energy sources in the electricity sector. This will ensure that electricity demand and supply is met in a low carbon way when other renewable energy sources are unable to meet demands

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23
Q

Efficiency of transport solutions

A

What this is showing is that electric vehicles seem to be the solution
Diesel+petrol = 20% efficiency Need 85twh of fuel to cover Swede transport for a year.
Electro fuels (combination of hydrogen and co2)= 17% efficiency due to several losses in energy in manufacturing, need 164twh of electricity for transport in Sweden for a year.
Hydrogen = efficiency 24% (looses energy in electrolysis) needs 116twh of electricity for transport in Sweden for a year.
Electric vehicles only passenger cars = 73% efficiency 15twh of electricity for transport in Sweden for a year.
Electric vehicles and electric road system (all road traffic)= efficiency 77% needsv36 Twh of electricity for transport in Sweden for a year.

Keep in mind current electricity demand is 140twh

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24
Q

How many types of electric cars are there ? Name them

A

Three types :
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV)
Plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV)
Battery Electric vehicles (BEV)

25
Q

What do you know about hybrid electric vehicles (HEV)

A

These vehicles have two engines electric and petroleum engines.
The combustion engine works in optimal conditions
The electric engine does not need to be plugged in because it has a battery charged by the combustion engine.
Very low consumption of fuel , electric engine handles acceleration.

Has emissions because both engines work simultaneously.

26
Q

What do you know about plug in hybrid electric vehicles (phev)

A

Two engines (electric and combustion),
The electric needs to be charged with regular electricity from the grid.
The electric engine is very energy efficient
Expensive to buy but cheap to drive.
Can go 30 to 40 miles an battery power alone after which combustion engine takes over.
Low noise and no emissions if only electric engine is used.

27
Q

What do you know about battery electric vehicles (BEV)

A

These have only one electric engine
Battery charged with grid electricity (need bigger battery)
Full charge requires 4 -8h but fast charge takes 20 -30 mins and works at a 80% capacity.
Expensive to buy but cheap to use.
Can drive between 150 to 600 km with no speed issues.

Low noise no emissions

28
Q

What are the newly registered passenger cars in Sweden?

A

BEV has risen tremendously and is currently the highest.
PHEV
Petrol vehicle use has reduced drastically but is still the most registered type of vehicle in Sweden
HEV
Diesel
Ethanol( no increase no decline)

29
Q

Is this statement true or false : global plug in EV sales have risen tremendously over the years .

A

True
China being a major part of this increase
Germany also has tremendously improved

30
Q

Trucks and buses emissions?

A

The largest emitters in category are heavy freight trucks , then medium freight trucks then buses. It is largely dominated by diesel, then gasoline, natural gas and bioenergy.

31
Q

Is this statement true or false: globally there are as many electric buses and electric trucks produced yearly (60k/66k)

A

True

32
Q

What is the ratio of electric buses that exist ?

A

Buses : global 4.5%, Sweden 20%, china 18%
Trucks : global 1.2% globally , Sweden 3%, china 4%.
China has about 90% of the worlds no emissions buses and trucks

33
Q

Electric bus and truck sales

A

China accounts for 80% bus sales and 85% truck sales.
Europe accounts for secon most bus sales, and truck sales
USA no bus sales but some trucks sales (for postal service)

34
Q

International shipping

A

Only fossil fuel used.

35
Q

Manupy fuels are being tested for international shipping eg. Methanol, electricity, hydrogen, biofuels, ammonia what will be the winner ?

A

This is dependent on a few factors : environmental impacts, availability and if it can be used on a large scale , storage capacity , technological feasibility, cost effectiveness

36
Q

Can biofuels be considered winner ?

A

It can because , it has high energy density , can fit into existing combustion engines with minimum moderation. However the issue o f availability and scalability need to be addressed with technological advancements. As well as sustainable sourcing of biomass resources

37
Q

Future of rail transport is hydrogen fuels why ?

A

Yes , because the environmentally friendly because zero emissions, hydrogen can be produced by sustainable means. Already gaining tract (Alstom’ hydrogen locomotives have been tested and approved and many countries have placed orders

NZE predicts a further of high electricity, minimize diesel and some hydrogen.

38
Q

Aviation

A

There are already tests for electric vehicles for short distances and for longer distances the option for fuel can be biofuels or electro fuels , because if electricity is considered more batteries may be need to store and provide the energy needed for flight time and that may add additional weight .
However there have been positive efficiency developments as some airlines are gradually adopting these suggestions and ideas for certain routes, reducing emission, research also continues to improve for biofuel production efficiency and sustainability.

39
Q

What is marginal electricity ?

A

Marginal electricity is electricity produced from a plant that at a point is the most expensive to use and produce. the concept or marginal electricity helps to understand the the environment impacts from using electricity from various sources.

40
Q

How does marginal electricity vary?

A

Between season : colder season high demand in electricity
Bewtween years: energy mix changes to fuel availability and technological advancements.
Between time of the day : demand for electricity fluctuates through out the day and during peak certain plants with higher costs may be more equipped to handle load.
Between. Different plants of the same type: influenced by fuel quality and maintenance costs

41
Q

What is retrospective perspective ?

A

This is calculation of average emissions from a power system back in time using the statistics of todays emissions.

Advantages
It is simple method and requires no advanced tolls

Disadvantages
May be affected by system boundaries
Does not account for future changes of emissions.

42
Q

Why is this perspective not appropriate as a decision basis for the introduction of EVs on a large scale ?

A

Because to create a more sustainable transition to electric vehicles we need to make informed decisions considering future trends , uncertainties and possible emerging challenges .
It does not provide key thinks like risk assessment of scaling up ,emerging challenges, ehaviorial shifts etc.

43
Q

What do you know about forward looking perspectives?

A

This involves considering furtive scenarios and planning ahead.
This perspective determines the environmental consequences of different long term options such EV.
It uses models (ELIN/EPOD) to create models of future electricity systems to help us understand how it evolves .
It takes into account system boundaries.

44
Q

The emission trading scheme perspective

A

When vehicles get changed to electric vehicles more and more of the transport sector gets included in the Emissions trading scheme ,. This is because part of the electricity is generated from power plants that are already in the trading scheme.

45
Q

Are emissions from EV in Europe really zero?

A

Expansion of ev will result in the expansion of wind,solar cells and emissions are not exactly zero for those, emissions from production of equipment is spread out on produced KWH.

So you can say it is really low

46
Q

To determine how environmental friendly calculate.

A

Revisit slide 48 &49

47
Q

What are some of the main drivers for rApid expansion of EV’s

A

EU has strict policies on average emissions of cars sold forcing manufacturers to produce and sell more electric vehicles.
Many countries promote EV using incentives like subsidies ,tax exemptions , free from parking and congestion etc,
The prices for EV are going down and will soon become competitive with traditional combustion engines.
China’s interest in the manufacturing of EV and batteries has moved the industry forward.
Some customers want to make a difference.
Many countries are making investments into battery production plans , these plans seem to meet the future energy demand

48
Q

What are some barriers for rapid expansion of EV

A

Increased electricity demand
Availability of raw materials some raw materials are really important to EV production eg lithium,cobalt and mica(used to prevent fires)
Battery endurance
Rebound effect : lower cost per km may lead to more driving
Problems with fire
Some countries may have a harder time transition to EV since they are heavily dependent on fossils

49
Q

Shortage of raw materials linked to demand

A

EV expansion will lead to demand of materials , eg it is predicted that in 2050 we need 42 times more lithium than we need now.
Cobalt demand along other elements demands are bound to go up.

50
Q

Cobalt

A

Cobalt is being mined in Congo
Their economy is poor and fragile which leads to foreign mining companies taking advantage.
About 40000 children work in cobalt mines in Congo
About 15-20% of cobalt from Congo comes from informal diggers

51
Q

Mica (essential in batteries to prevent fires)

A

Madagascar is the largest exporter of mica , about 100000 , Madagascan children some as young as 4 work in these mines alongside their families in order to survive.

Most of Madagascar export is going to china

52
Q

Interactions of EV with energy system

EV demand per year

A

EV use will impact household electricity consumption substantially

An EV is estimated to use 3400kw/h of electricity yearly

An average house hold uses 5000kw/h and an apartment 2500kw/h

It shows that adding EV almost double the electricity demand

53
Q

Charging strategies for EV owners .

A

3main discussed

  1. Most owners prefer to charge their EV in a parking lot with grid connection , this simple and convenient but does noT really consider the grid demand and optimization.
  2. Optimidpzed charging for electricity system: here the electricity system is mor considered . The owners only charge vehicles in response to peak demand ,renewables availability and grid stability. This is an optimal method but would require good communication between owners , grid and charging stations.
  3. Optimized charging + Vehicle to grid : this takes optimization a step further . Here vehicles give back energy to the grid to help with grid stability , peak demand etc. this however would require advanced technology to achieve while still meeting driving needs.
54
Q

What is optimized charging of EV ?

A

This is the charging of the EV at time when it is optimal for electricity grid / system

55
Q

Benefits of Vehicle to grid system

A

Help to meet demand during peak hours when grid cannot meet demand
Charging EV during peak electricity production helps to prevent curtailment (waste of electricity)
There is a total reduction in overall cost like fewer investments in peak power solutions and the need to set up thermal plants .
This method can increase variability of renewables in energy grid, storing energy low net load hours allows the use of other renewables like solar and wind (because they may not be able to produce all the time)

56
Q

What determines the flexibility of the EV?

A

Amount of EV (share of vehicles and electricity demand)
Charging strategy (direct,optimal, optimal+ V2G)
Battery size
Behavior of people
Infrastructure availability ( home chargers, work charging, everywhere charging)

57
Q

How can hydrogen help with transportation sector
Eu has invested a lot of money for H2, what are some of the ideas ?

A

H2 only produced with surplus electricity and used when renewable energy is down
H2 used instead of coke for steel production.
Use H2 in cars , buses , trucks as an alternative to batteries, used as fuel cells or directly in the combustion engines
H2 to be used to produce electro fuels for aviation/shipping

58
Q

Why electric roads?

A

One of the main ideas is to reduce the need for bigger batteries hence why the car can charge as you go., mainly for heavy trucks that expend more energy.

However interest has decline due to high investment costs