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Energy Presentation

Energy Presentation. We Need Electricity. Each day we rely on electricity-gobbling gadgets that didn’t exist 10-15 years ago. Americans are devouring much more energy than ever. We need about 10% more electricity every 5 years. Electricity use and the economy grow together

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Energy Presentation

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  1. Energy Presentation

  2. We Need Electricity • Each day we rely on electricity-gobbling gadgets that didn’t exist 10-15 years ago. • Americans are devouring much more energy than ever. • We need about 10% more electricity every 5 years. • Electricity use and the economy grow together • We NEED new power plants • What type?

  3. PEAKING BASELOAD

  4. Oil (<1%) • Advantages: • Easy to use and transport • Emissions less than coal • Mature Technology • Disadvantages: • High fuel cost • Creates environmental pollution (Sox, Nox, CO2,CO) • Imports create dependence on foreign suppliers. • Politically unstable fuel supply • Possibly financing terrorist actions

  5. Coal (43%) • Advantages: • Low generating costs, but cost of “clean coal” is making it too high to use (scrubbers, sequestration, carbon tax) • Plentiful supplies in U.S. • Can run around the clock. • Disadvantages: • Creates air pollution (Sox, Nox, CO2, Hg) • Produces ash that must be disposed of (solid waste) • Substantial mining impacts

  6. Hydropower (8%) • Advantages: • No pollution • Low operating costs • Renewable Resource • Mature Technology • High capacity (seasonal) • Disadvantages: • Large land use • Can require modification or destruction of ecosystems • Limited available locations • Large construction times & capital costs • Weather & seasonal dependent

  7. Nuclear (19%) • Advantages: • Does not produce air or water pollution • Low generating costs (cheap to operate & cheap fuel) • Can run around the clock (great for baseload) • Very small amounts of contained “waste” • U supply is abundant and exists in politically stable nations. • Mature technology • Disadvantages: • High capital costs (~$10 billion) • Public Perception • Long construction times • Produces radioactive waste requiring carefully controlled disposal

  8. Natural Gas (25%) • Advantages: • Lower emissions than coal • Short construction time • Very reliable Mature Technology • Inexpensive (prices are very low now- shale gas) • Disadvantages • Supply and price can fluctuate • Produces air pollution, though less than some other sources • Natural gas is a valuable resource for other applications

  9. Solar • Advantages: • Inexhaustible free fuel supply • Renewable & no emissions • Can be cost – effective way to heat individual buildings • Disadvantages: • Large-scale projects require much land • High capital & maintenance costs. Requires expensive photovoltaic cells • Large land use. Too small-scale for urban areas. • Intermittent availability • Limited suitable locations • Low efficiency • Low capacity • Toxic waste in the manufacture and disposal

  10. Wind • Advantages: • Inexhaustible & free fuel supply • No pollution • Disadvantages: • High capital & infrastructure cost • High land use & Limited suitable locations • Public opposition • Low capacity factors • Migratory bird impact • Wind doesn’t always blow when electricity demands are high • Requires backup power supplies when wind isn’t blowing

  11. Geothermal • Advantages: • Almost a renewable resource • Reliable • High capacity factors • Low operating costs • Very low emissions • Disadvantages: • Moderate capital costs • Can impact seismic activity in the area • Needs to be carefully managed not to exhaust source • Limited suitable locations.

  12. Biofuels/Biomass • Advantages: • Carbon neutral • ? Economics • Fuel can be domestically produced to an extent • Disadvantages: • Potential high cost for food crops • Large land use • Limited by production of crops and competition with food supply

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