13: Energy
- Page ID
- 32443
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 13.1: What is Energy?
- Energy is the ability of a system to do work. A system has done work if it has exerted a force on another system over some distance. When this happens, energy is transferred from one system to another
- 13.2: Challenges and Impacts of Energy Use
- This page examines natural energy sources for various applications, distinguishing between renewable (solar, wind) and non-renewable (fossil fuels) types. It highlights the environmental and health impacts of energy use, particularly from fossil fuels, and discusses geopolitical issues related to foreign oil dependence, especially regarding OPEC's control over reserves. The text advocates for the U.S.
- 13.3: Non-Renewable Energy Sources
- This page discusses fossil fuels—oil, coal, and natural gas—highlighting their significant roles and environmental impacts. Oil accounts for 37% of global energy and is crucial for transport, but extraction harms the environment. Coal, mainly used in the U.S., emits pollutants harmful to health. Natural gas, cleaner than coal and oil, still poses risks like fracking and contaminated water. While nuclear power offers carbon-free energy, it faces challenges with waste and safety.
- 13.4: Coal
- This page discusses coal as a combustible rock with four ranks and its environmental impacts due to mining and combustion, including habitat destruction and harmful emissions. It outlines methods to mitigate these effects, such as clean coal technologies, CO2 capture, land reclamation for alternative uses, and repurposing coal waste into materials like cement and gypsum. Efforts to regulate and minimize pollution are also highlighted.
- 13.5: Oil
- Petroleum Oil is currently the most widely used fossil fuel and accounts for about one third of global energy consumption. Unlike coal, which is primarily used as a fuel for electricity generation, oil is primarily used as a fuel for transportation. Oil is also used to manufacture plastics and other synthetic compounds ubiquitous to our everyday life.
- 13.6: Natural Gas
- Technology has been developed to capture the natural gas and either reinject it into the well or compress it into liquid natural gas (LNG). Natural gas is predominately composed of methane (CH4).
- 13.7: Energy from Fossil Fuels
- We are heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which comprise 62.6% of electricity generation in the United States and 84.3% of global energy consumption. Coal reserves are abundant in the United States, but globally, proven oil and natural gas reserves are projected to last another 50 years.
- 13.8: Nuclear Energy
- The nuclear fuel cycle describes the mining, milling, and enrichment of uranium ore to produce nuclear fuel as well as disposal of wastes. Nuclear reactors contain reactor cores, where nuclear fission takes place, and the machinery needed to generate electricity. Nuclear fission releases heat, which produces high-pressure steam to turn a turbine and power a generator.
- 13.9: Renewable Energy Sources
- This page discusses various renewable energy sources, including hydropower, municipal solid waste, biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind energy. Hydropower is significant but can disrupt ecosystems, while small-scale projects mitigate this. Biomass has carbon-neutral benefits but competes with food production. Geothermal energy has low emissions, and solar power is growing but poses manufacturing waste issues. Wind energy has minimal challenges but impacts wildlife.
- 13.10: Solar Energy
- Solar energy comes from the sun and can be used for lighting, heating, and electricity. Advantages of using solar energy are that it generates few air pollutants and contributes little to climate change; however, cost and limitations in battery capacity are disadvantages.
- 13.11: Wind Energy
- Wind energy is harnessed into electricity when wind spins the blades of a wind turbine, powering a generator. While wind energy creates jobs, is relatively inexpensive, and generates minimal pollution, it is intermittent. Additionally, some find the the sight and sound of them off-putting.
- 13.12: The Electrical Grid, Battery Challenges, and Energy Conservation
- Energy conservation refers to reducing energy waste and increasing efficiency. This can involve behaviors or technologies. Some have no cost, but others require financial investment.
- 13.13: Biofuels (Biomass Energy)
- Biofuels contain energy from organisms. There are many forms of biofuels, including trash, animal waste, plants and their products, and wood. Some biofuel uses are more sustainable than others, particularly those that use materials that would otherwise be discarded. Biofuels are carbon neutral, but burning them does pollute the air.
- 13.14: Hydropower
- Hydropower (hydroelectric energy) is the energy of movement in water. Dams and reservoirs are a common use of hydropower. The filling of reservoirs destroys terrestrial habitat, which decompose to release methane. However, the operation of hydroelectric power plants does not release air pollutants. Smaller run-of-the-river hydroelectric plants have minimal environmental impact.
- 13.15: Geothermal Energy
- Geothermal energy refers to heat from deep within the Earth. It can be used to generate electricity. Additionally, cool temperatures underground (close to the surface) can directly to heat or cool buildings. While it is reliable and generates minimal air pollution, building geothermal power plants is costly and limited to specific locations.
- 13.16: Other Alternative Renewable Energy Sources
- This page discusses hydrogen gas as a promising clean fuel and energy carrier, highlighting its production methods like electrolysis, hydrocarbons, and fermentation. Iceland is leading the way toward a hydrogen-based energy economy utilizing geothermal energy. Hydrogen fuel cells are noted for their efficient conversion of gas to electricity, though challenges include lacking infrastructure and environmental impacts.
- 13.17: Policy and Conservation
- Conservation has to do with seeking to decrease the amount of energy used by an individual or a group through (1) reduced consumption (e.g., turning down thermostats, driving fewer kilometers) and/or (2) increasing conversion efficiencies in the performance of a particular task
- 13.18: Chapter Resources
- This page highlights the U.S. energy landscape, focusing on the environmental issues tied to fossil fuels like coal and oil, which contribute significantly to carbon emissions. It notes a shift toward natural gas amid regulatory pressures and discusses the growth potential of renewable energy driven by climate concerns, despite current efficiency challenges. The text also touches on the distinctive features of nuclear energy and the possibilities of renewable sources for future energy solutions.