Unit 7: Climate Change & Energy Production
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What are 6 ways a person can reduce their energy consumption?
• using mass transit/carpool • turning off unused lights • reducing packaging • turning down the thermostat in the winter, up in the summer • purchasing only needed products • recycle
energy efficiency
the use of less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result (save energy, waste less)
life cycle cost
initial cost + lifetime operating cost
1st Law of Thermodynamics
energy cannot be created/destroyed
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
as energy is transferred/transformed, more and more of it is wasted
What are 4 examples of widely used devices that waste large amounts of energy?
• incandescent light bulb • internal combustion engine • nuclear power plant • coal burning power plant
What percent efficiency is an incandescent light bulb?
5% (95% is lost as heat)
What percent efficiency is an internal combustion engine?
25-30%
What percent efficiency is a nuclear power plant?
8%
What percent efficiency is a coal burning power plant?
35-40%
How is 92% of energy wasted in a nuclear power plant?
92% of energy is wasted through nuclear fuel and energy needed for waste management
What are 5 ways industries can save energy and money?
• cogeneration • more energy-efficient electric motors • more energy-efficient lighting • increasing fuel efficiency • making vehicles from lighter, stronger materials
cogeneration
producing both heat and electricity from one energy source
What is the most inexpensive way to heat up a space?
passive solar
What is the most expensive way to heat up a space?
electricity
What is the “best” way to heat up water?
tankless instant water heater fired by natural gas
What are 5 ways we can save energy in buildings?
• getting heat from the Sun • super insulating • fixing leaks • energy efficient appliances • energy efficient lighting
What are 2 examples of ways to save energy in buildings by super insulating?
• strawbale houses • living roofs
What type of lightbulb uses 75-80% less electricity than incandescent?
compact fluorescent light bulbs
What are 3 reasons for why we are still wasting so much energy?
• low-priced fossil fuels • few government tax breaks • few financial incentives for saving energy
true cost
takes into account tax breaks for oil companies, road builders, military protection, time in traffic, death from pollution, cost to clean up pollution, etc.
passive solar
heating buildings by orienting them towards the Sun
active solar
pumping a liquid such as water through rooftop collectors
What are 2 advantages of passive or active solar heating?
• energy is free • No CO2 emissions