Patterns of Energy Consumptions, Alternatives and Conservation

The GMIS

Present Trend

• A direct correlation exists between the amount of energy used and the complexity of civilizations.

• Fossil-fuel consumption in conjunction with the invention of labor-saving machines resulted in the Industrial Revolution, which led to the development of technology-oriented societies today in the developed world.

• The invention of the automobile caused major changes in the lifestyles of people that led to greater consumption of energy.

Present Trend• Because of the high dependence of modern

societies on oil as a source of energy, OPEC countries can set the price of oil through collective action.

• In general, rich countries use large amounts of energy and poor countries use much less.

• Analysts expect the worldwide demand for energy to increase steadily and the growth in energy usage by those countries becoming industrialized to be greater than that of already-industrialized nations.

History of Energy Consumption

• During the Carboniferous period, (286-362 million years ago) conditions were conducive to the formation of large deposits of coal.

• Oil and natural gas formed primarily from one-celled marine organisms.

• During the Industrial Revolution, machines replaced human and animal labor in the manufacture and transportation of goods.– Steam engines converting heat energy into forward motion

were central to this transformation.– Countries or regions without large coal deposits were

consequently left behind.

History of Energy Consumption

Changes in energy sources

How Energy is Used• Industrialized nations use energy roughly

equally for:– Residential / commercial uses– Industrial uses– Transportation

• Less-developed countries use most energy for residential purposes.– Cooking and heating

• Developing countries use much of their energy to develop industry.

How Energy is Used- Example

• In North America, 16% of energy is used for residential and commercial purposes.– 68% used for air conditioning and water and space

heating.• In India, 57% of energy is used for residential

purposes. • The current pattern of residential and commercial

energy use in each region of the world determines what conservation methods will be effective.

Energy Uses in Indonesia

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Energy Uses Periodically

Problems with burning fossil fuels

• Huge amounts of carbon dioxide are given off into the atmosphere

• Carbon dioxide causes global warming or the greenhouse effect

• coal-burning power stations also give off sulphur dioxide gas which leads to acid rain

Greenhouse effect?• Carbon dioxide gas acts

like the glass in a greenhouse

• Infrared radiation from the Sun is usually reflected back into space

• Greenhouse gases stop this, and heat is reflected back to the Earth again

Aspect- The Economics and Politics of Energy Use

• The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) consists of twelve members.

• OPEC nations control over 78% of the world’s estimated oil reserves (1,000 billion barrels).

• Since 2002, OPEC countries have agreed to regulate production to maintain a price greater than $22 per barrel.

• With increased solidarity among OPEC countries, oil prices have continued to rise and reached over $70 per barrel in 2006.

Energy Consumption Trends

• Over half of world energy consumption is by the 25 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the developed nations of the world.– Available Energy Sources

• Oil 37%• Coal 27%• Natural Gas 24%• Nuclear energy and hydropower provide the rest.

Source: EIA, International Energy Outlook 2004

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2001 2010 2025 2001 2010 20250.0

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80.0

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120.0

140.0

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Consumption Production

OPECEE/FSUOther

World Oil Consumption and Production, 2001, 2010, and 2025

Alternative energy sources

• Wind energy• Hydroelectric energy• Solar energy• Tidal energy• Nuclear energy• Geothermal energy• Biomass energy

Producing Energy from BiomassBiofuelsBiomass plantationsCrop residuesAnimal manureBiogas Ethanol Methanol

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal reservoirsDry steamWet steamHot waterMolten rockHot dry-rock zones

Problems with nuclear fuels• Nuclear power stations can produce large

amounts of energy from small amounts of nuclear fuel. (Radioactive materials naturally release heat)

• Nuclear radiation is extremely dangerous• High safety standards are needed• Waste materials stay radioactive for

thousands of years• There have been some disastrous

accidents at nuclear power stations which have affected all living things in the area

Conservation – The Only Alternative

Solutions!!! A Sustainable Energy Strategy

Some TOK----But Can Technology “Save Us”?• This is a belief issue – it is not at all obvious

• Technology = more efficient/innovative machines burning fuels – Could technology exist without fossil fuels– Will it continue when fossil fuels are gone?

• There are high energy and low energy technologies – Cars, planes, power plants– Bypass surgery, most drugs, better golf clubs

• We must consider an intermediate tech – low energy world

• Recent energy technology breakthroughs are not impressive

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