Nonrenewable Energy 17 CHAPTER Placeholder opening page, but maybe we can duplicate the look of the SE chapter opener page by using the same fonts and colors (and maybe that Ch 14 icon?) Oil of Wilderness on Alaskas North Slope?
Oil has been extracted from parts of Alaskas North Slope since 1977. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) contains oil deposits but oil exploration has been forbidden. In 1980, a region called the 1002 Area was designated for future decision making. Today, a debate rages as to whether oil drilling should be allowed. Talk About ItHow might oil exploration in the 1002 Area affect the surrounding people and wilderness? Lesson 17.1 Energy: An Overview
The United States has only 4.5% of the worlds population but uses 21.1% of the worlds energy. What Is Energy? The ability to do work or cause a change
Lesson 17.1 Energy: An Overview What Is Energy? The ability to do work or cause a change Kinetic energy: Due to motion Potential energy: Due to an objects position or shape Lesson 17.1 Energy: An Overview
Forms of Energy I Mechanical: Associated with the motion and position of an object; can be kinetic or potential Electrical: Associated withelectric charges; can be kineticor potential Thermal: Kinetic energy ofatoms and molecules the faster atoms andmolecules move in anobject, the warmer itbecomes Overhead transmission lines carry electrical current. Lesson 17.1 Energy: An Overview
Forms of Energy II Electromagnetic: Kinetic energy that travels as waves Chemical: Potential energy stored in molecular bonds Nuclear: Potential energy stored by forces that hold atomic nuclei together Chemical energy is stored in food. Energy Conversion and Efficiency
Lesson 17.1 Energy: An Overview Energy Conversion and Efficiency Energy cannot be destroyed; it can only be converted, or changed, from one form to another. Energy efficiency is an expression of how much of the energy put into a system actually does useful work. First Flight The combustion of gasoline powered the first airplane as it flew over the beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. Energy Sources and Uses
Lesson 17.1 Energy: An Overview Energy Sources and Uses Energy Sources Renewable: Nearly always available or replaceable in a relatively short time; includes sunlight, wind, flowing water, heat from Earth Nonrenewable: Cannot be replaced in a reasonable time; includes fossil fuels and nuclear energy Energy Use Four uses of energy: Industrial, transportation, residential, commercial Developed nations tend to use more energy than developing nations. Wind power is a renewable energy source. One quarter of global coal reserves are found in the United States.
Lesson Fossil Fuels One quarter of global coal reserves are found in the United States. Fossil Fuels Include coal, oil, and natural gas
Lesson 17.2 Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuels Include coal, oil, and natural gas Formed from the remains of organisms over millions of years Different conditions produce different fossil fuels A front loaderpiles coal at a steam station in Dunkirk, New York. Lesson 17.2 Fossil Fuels Coal Formed from plant remains subjected to high heat and pressures over millions of years Provides 1/4 ofthe worlds energy Compared to otherfossil fuels, coal ischeap, needs littleprocessing, and iseasy to transport. How Coal Forms Did You Know? Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel on Earth. Lesson 17.2 Fossil Fuels Coal Mining Strip mining: Overlying rock and soil are removed to access coal (safer for miners). Subsurface mining: Underground shafts are dug to access coal under Earths surface. Oil Dark, liquid fossil fuel made up mostly of hydrocarbons
Lesson 17.2 Fossil Fuels Oil Dark, liquid fossil fuel made up mostly of hydrocarbons Formed from the remains of ancient marine organismsand found in underground deposits Used in fuel forcars, trucks,planes, ships Used in chemicalcompounds(petrochemicals) Also know aspetroleum Drilling and Refining Oil
Lesson 17.2 Fossil Fuels Drilling and Refining Oil After crude oil is extracted from the ground, it is separated into different fuels in a refinery. Primary extraction:Oil flows out of the well, because it is already under pressure. Secondary extraction: Increased pressure or injections needed to remove oil Lesson 17.2 Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Primarily methane gas with small amounts of other gases mixed in Often found above oil or coaldeposits Much less polluting thancoal or oil and releasesmore energy whencombusted Used for heating,appliances (stoves, dryers),and making electricity Lesson 17.2 Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuel Supply Consumption is still rising, but new fossil fuels do not form on a human timescale. New oil sourcesoil sands, oil shale, methane hydratesare expensive,energy-intensive,and can behazardous to obtain. Coal sources are stillrelatively abundant,but not infinite. Did You Know? Some studies suggest we have extracted nearly half Earths oil, and that U.S. coal supplies may last just 130 years. Lesson 17.3 Consequences of Fossil Fuel Use
The United States imports two thirds of its crude oil. Pollution, Climate Change, and Public Health
Lesson 17.3 Consequences of Fossil Fuel Use Pollution, Climate Change, and Public Health Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global climate change. When coal and oil burn, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released, which contribute to smog and acid deposition. Oil spills, equipment ruptures, and oil in runoff pollute waterways, oceans, and coastal areas. Coal-fired power plants releasemercury, which harms humanhealth. Crude oil contains traceamounts of lead and arsenic. Did You Know? Coal-burning power plants cause 40% of mercury emissions due to human activity in the United States. Gulf of Mexico Oil Well Explosions
Lesson 17.3 Consequences of Fossil Fuel Use Gulf of Mexico Oil Well Explosions 1979: Ixtoc I exploratory oil well 50 m below surface Released 126 million gal oil; containmentefforts took 9 months What didnt work:cap, siphoning,controlled burn, top kill What did work: relief wells 2010: Deepwater Horizon oil well 1500 m below surface Largest U.S. offshore oil breach as of 201021.233.5 million gal oil released during first 6 weeks, based on USGS rough estimates Hundreds of miles of coastal habitats threatened Methods tried:dome, cap, siphoning, controlled burns, top kill, junk shot, and relief wells Controlled burns attempt to contain oil pumping into the Gulf, one month after the 2010 well blow-out. Damage Caused by Extracting Fuels
Lesson 17.3 Consequences of Fossil Fuel Use Damage Caused by Extracting Fuels Mining: Humans risk lives and respiratory health. Ecosystems are damaged by habitat destruction, extensive erosion, acid drainage, and heavy metal contamination downslopeof mines. Oil and gas extraction: Roads and structures built to support drilling break up habitats and harm ecosystems. The longterm consequences of accidents can be uncertain or unpredictable Acid drainage from a coal mine Dependence on Foreign Sources
Lesson 17.3 Consequences of Fossil Fuel Use Dependence on Foreign Sources Fossil fuels are not evenly distributed over the globe, so some countries must import fuel sources. Nations that import fuel may bevulnerable to changes in fuel pricesset by suppliers. Nations can import less fuel bydeveloping domestic oil sourcesand renewable energy sources. Lesson 17.3 Consequences of Fossil Fuel Use
Energy Conservation Practice of reducing energy use to make fossil fuels last and to prevent environmental damage Transportation: Gas-efficient cars and higher gas prices could help conserve energy in the U.S. Personal choices: Individuals can save energy by turning off lights, taking public transit, and buying energy-efficient appliances. Did You Know? Transportation accounts for 2/3 of U.S. oil consumption. Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Scientists estimate that nuclear power helps us avoid emitting 600 million metric tons of carbon each year worldwide. Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Structure of the atom Nucleus contains protons (+) and neutrons (no charge) Electron Cloud contains electrons (-) in energy levels Nuclear energy:the energy that holds the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus Nuclear Fission Splits an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei
Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Nuclear Fission Splits an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei Releases neutrons and large amounts of energy. If enough unstable nuclei (uranium, plutonium) are present, a nuclear chain reaction can occur. Did You Know? About 20% of electricity produced in the United States comes from nuclear power. Generating Electricity Using Nuclear Energy
Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Generating Electricity Using Nuclear Energy In a nuclear power plant, nuclear fission is used to generate electricity Nuclear Reactor: a facility within a nuclear power plant that generates electricity through controlled nuclear fission Uncontrolled nuclear fission = nuclear bomb Generating Electricity Using Nuclear Energy
Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Generating Electricity Using Nuclear Energy Benefits and Costs of Nuclear Power
Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Benefits and Costs of Nuclear Power Benefits Costs No air pollution - Expensive to build and maintain Requires little uranium fuel and little mining Catastrophic accidents are possible. Ex: Chernobyl in 1986 Under normal conditions, nuclear power plants are safer for workers than coal-burning power plants. Nuclear waste must be stored for thousands of years. Chernobyl Meltdown:accidental melting of the uranium fuel rods inside the core of a nuclear reactor, causing the release of radiation Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Nuclear Waste Nuclear waste:radioactive material left over from the production of energy and other processes Waste - held at power plant, butlong-term storage is needed Long-term storage sites must be distant from population centers, protected from sabotage, have a deep water table, and be geologically stable. Yucca Mountain, Nevada, chosen by the U.S. government in the 1980s, and a storage site constructed there. As of 2010, the Yucca Mountain project is no longer under development argued to be geologically unstable. Yucca Mountain storage site Lesson 17.4 Nuclear Power Nuclear Fusion Nuclear fusion: Joining two atomic nuclei to form one nucleus Releases much more energy than fission Currently impractical because very high temperatures are needed, but scientists continue exploring fusion for our future energy needs