Unit ED15: Energy Use and Efficiency.

Question 1

What is fossil fuels

Answer 1

Hydrocarbons found in the earths crust, when burned produces heat, heat can be converted to generate energy

Question 2

List the advantages of fossil fuels

Answer 2

• technology & infrastructure for FF is already in place
• as long as there is a continuous supply of FF for power stations they can build whenever needed
• liquified FF are simple to dispense such as LPG or crude oil

Question 3

List the disadvantages of fossil fuels

Answer 3

• burning releases CO2 - GHG
• Non-renewable and will eventually run out
• urban heat islands are contributed to by inefficient burning
• dependence on oil can lead to conflict or war
• damage to environment through extraction
• surface extraction has been depleted having to extract deeper underground which is more dangerous

Question 4

List three types of fossil fuels

Answer 4

• coal
• oil
• natural gas

Question 5

What % of worlds energy supply is coal

Answer 5

28%

Question 6

List advantages of coal

Answer 6

• affordable
• easy to burn
• abundant
• produces high energy upon combustion
• reliable

Question 7

List the disadvantages of coal

Answer 7

• produces GHG when burnt
• non renewable
• depleting rapidly
• mining causes major environmental impacts

Question 8

What % of the worlds energy supply is oil

Answer 8

40%

Question 9

Advantages of oil

Answer 9

• easy to distribute

- superior to other energy sources due to its energy density

Question 10

Disadvantages of oil

Answer 10

• Not present everywhere can lead to conflict
• suppliers can hold political advantage
• emissions can create GHG
• vehicles 15% is used rest is through heat energy

Question 11

What % of the worlds energy supply is natural gas

Answer 11

20%

Question 12

List the advantages of natural gas

Answer 12

• reserves more spread out
• can be used for commercial and domestic purposes
• transportation along pipes is easy
• cleaner fuel produces less pollution
• power stations using gas is very efficient

Question 13

List the disadvantages of natural gas

Answer 13

• still pollutes

- estimated reserves will run out in 120 years

Question 14

List the advantages of nuclear fuel

Answer 14

• sustainable source of energy
• produces less CO2 than other fuel
• safety records better than other energy plants
• risk of waste storage is minor
• reduces dependency on non-renewables
• provides endless supply of clean energy

Question 15

List disadvantages of nuclear energy

Answer 15

• potentially dangerous
• storing of radioactive waste main concern
• decommissioning costs are high

Question 16

List the different types of renewable energy

Answer 16

• biomass
• hydropower
• solar energy
• wave
• wind
• geothermal

Question 17

5 steps of a successful energy management programme

Answer 17

1. Management commitment
2. Understand the issues
3. Plan and organize
4. Implementation
5. Control and monitor energy management and performance

Question 18

What is the definition of a carbon footprint

Answer 18

It is the total emissions of GHG produced both directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product.

Question 19

List the two types of carbon footprints

Answer 19

• product

- organizational

Question 20

List the steps in conducting a carbon footprint

Answer 20

1. Decide on method to follow
2. Define organizational and operational boundaries
3. Collect the data
4. Apply emissions factor
5. Verify results
6. Verify emissions reduction

Question 21

List the energy efficiency requirements for buildings in part L of the building regulations

Answer 21

• limit heat losses through the fabric of buildings
• limiting excessive solar gains and heat gains from pipes, ducts and vessels used for space heating, space cooling, and hot water storage.