Workshop Questions

Question 1

How is renewable energy related to sustainability?

Answer 1

Definition of sustainability.

Crude oil and fossil fuels are finite resources. Renewable energy sources won’t run out.

Fossil fuel resources emit CO₂ into the atmosphere. However, renewable resources can require expensive and rare metals.

Question 2

What are the drivers for oil companies to reduce petroleum production and invest in renewable energy?

Answer 2

Paris Climate Agreement.

Legislation and policy, Climate Change act, UK reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100% of 1990 levels by 2050.

Tax-incentives, grants, levies and fines.

Social Pressure / PR.

Question 3

How can we decide if renewable energy production is green or sustainable?

Answer 3

Refer to 12 principles of green chemistry / green engineering

Reference to UN SGDs.

Green metrics

Life cycle analysis.

Question 4

How does BP’s decision to reduce oil production affect chemistry?

Answer 4

Many of the common molecules come from crude oil (solvents, aromatics, monomers)

This is particularly important for synthetic organic chemistry.

Could be a driver for using biomass based feedstocks and utilising carbon dioxide as a feedstock.

Question 5

What other (non crude oil based) solvents can be used?

Answer 5

Water could be used as a solvent. However, water has a high boiling point and is very polar. Clean water is not abundant and so may produce ethical issues.

Bio-derived solvents. Ethical issues of food vs. fuel.

Question 6

What is the list, from worst to best, of the disposal of waste methods?

Answer 6

Incineration

Disposal in landfill (inert material)

Disposal in landfill with landfill gas to energy

Composting

Waste water treatment

Waste-to-energy

Recovery for recycling.

Question 7

What are the problems with electrolysis?

Answer 7

Electrolysis requires an electrolyte and electrodes (often rare/expensive elements are used).

Problems with electrolysis on very large scale.