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Conservation. December 3, 2013. Announcements. Due next class (12/5) Technology Paper Article Log (14 articles) Alternate HW assignment due Friday Final Exam 12/16 2pm. Seminars. Tariq Samad , Honeywell Today, right after class in this room Topic: Smart Grids
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Conservation December 3, 2013
Announcements • Due next class (12/5) • Technology Paper • Article Log (14 articles) • Alternate HW assignment due Friday • Final Exam 12/16 2pm
Seminars • Tariq Samad, Honeywell • Today, right after class in this room • Topic: Smart Grids • Stu Van Scoyoc, Van Scoyoc & Associates • Thursday (12/5), right after class in this room • Topic: Engineering roles in policy making
Last Year’s Test Question • The fraction of U.S. electricity produced from nuclear power is approximately the same as it was 30 years ago even though overall electricity consumption has grown considerably. Explain why this fraction has remained unchanged.
U.S. Nuclear Industry Capacity Factors1971 – 2011, Percent Source: Energy Information Administration Updated: 3/12
Energy Conservation • The Department of Energy has an Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy • Usage of “Energy Conservation” over time
Energy Conservation Measures • homeowner spends $1400/yr on energy - 45% heating and cooling - 11% hot water - 10% washer/dryer - 7% lighting • fluorescent light bulbs • tankless hot water heater (gas vs. electric) • front loading washing machine • improved, more efficient refrigerator • energy efficient A/C (78oF in summer, 68oF in winter) • digital thermostat use (internet-enabled) • www.austinenergy.com energy calculator • shade trees reduce A/C use 2-8% • see also www.eere.energy.gov/consumer and http://energystar.gov
Vending Machines • power down lights and motors using activity sensors • save 40% of energy in soft drink machines ($100 per year per machine)
Walmart Energy Measures (McKinney, TX) • photovoltaic solar panels over the length of storefront • 120 ft tall wind turbine (5% of store’s energy) • rainwater harvesting system • tubing around frozen food section recycles the hot air generated by refrigerants
Walmart Energy Measures (McKinney, TX) • low hanging ductwork cuts electricity costs by cooling bottom half of store • cooking oil (deli) and engine oil are recycled to heat the building • store lighting uses LED bulbs rather than fluorescent strips
Energy and Food Source: New York Times, January 27, 2008
How to make a zero energy house? Turn off electric power and gas
2001 Energy Conservation Policy (Negawatts vs. Megawatts) Vice-President Dick Cheney (April, 2001) previewed the Bush Administration’s energy policy and rejected conservation as a major part of the solution to the current energy crisis. His plans focused almost exclusively on boosting domestic oil sources, building refineries, and laying natural gas pipelines. Conservation, Cheney said, “is not a sufficient basis all by itself, for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.” Moreover, he added, “the government shouldn’t step in to force Americans to consume less energy.”
Conservation Questions • Why do we use energy? • Why should we conserve energy? • What is energy conservation? • How should energy conservation happen?
Life cycle assessment (LCA) • Broad class of methods that aim to quantify the direct and indirect effects of a process or a product • The goal is to gain insight into important processes that go into a product or process that would otherwise be ignored by focusing on the product or process itself
LCA Example: Electric vs. Gasoline Cars Emissions Emissions Emissions Electric car No emissions Coal mining Coal fired electricity Electricity distribution Emissions Emissions Emissions Gasoline car CO2,NOx,PM Crude oil extraction Crude oil refining Fuel transportation Life cycle or “indirect” scale Process or “direct” scale
Energy Saving Suggestions (from An Inconvenient Truth)
Interactions of Conservation Measures • What is the impact of switching light bulbs from incandescent to LED? • What is the impact of planting a shade tree? • What is the impact of switching to a more fuel efficient vehicle? • What is the impact of telecommuting?