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Energy Use and Options:
This is a rather long subject, and I have broken it into 4 parts. This post is Part 1. Parts 2-4 will follow over the next week or so.
Part 1: US Energy usage and the effects on the environment and us.
Part 2: Current Electrical Generation.
Part 3: Future Electrical Generation.
Part 4: Transportation Fuel Options for the future.
The following is an outline of the energy use situation and discusses the consequences of our current energy use patterns, which much of the rest of the world is trying to duplicate. Future sections will deal with realistic options for conversion to different energy strategies in order to maintain our current standard of living and allow the rest of the world to develop into sustainable forms of energy development.
I have assemble the best numbers I can without turning this into a formal research document to put things in perspective. My experience is that there is a lot of hyperbole about different energy options – and only by understanding the basic numbers can we realistically discuss the options ahead.
I will use the US numbers, knowing that the US uses approximately 25% of the world energy usage and knowing that in general that the main US trends are repeated in the rest of the world. Also, US numbers are most readily available.
There are two main concerns that prompt me to write this:
First, the long term concern is global warming and other forms of air pollution, and I will cite a recent article here: “Nov 24, 2005: Levels of carbon dioxide, the principal gas that drives global warming, are now 27 percent higher than at any point in the last 650,000 years, according to research into Antarctic ice cores published on Thursday.”
( www.spacedaily.com/2005/051124190041.hvwykqt9.html ).
Now is global warming being caused by CO2? I believe it likely is, and by other gasses the world has dumped into the atmosphere (all forms of Freon – including the consumer goods replacements, etc), possibly.
My view is: If you think you have seen technological disasters (Bhopal, Chernobyl, etc); significant global warming will make everything else combined look absolutely insignificant in comparison.
Along with global warming is the general problem with air pollution: smog, acid rain, particulate emissions, mercury emissions, and others. How many respiratory health problems are caused by – or significantly affected by poor quality air.
Second, the immediate concern is the effect on me due to increases in energy prices: One of the dilemmas that people in the US woke to this year – is the cost of gasoline, diesel, and heating fuel: One example here will suffice: I have two vehicles; a smaller car that gets and annual average of about 34 Miles per gallon; a custom van that gets an annual average of about 12 miles per gallon. At $2.25 per gallon, driving 25,000 miles per year – If I only drive the car I would spend $2022 a year (about $39 per week) for gas. If I only drive the van I would spend $5729 (about $110 per week). Thus the car has a $3707 per year fuel cost advantage. Gas reached about $3.00 per gallon this fall – which significantly changes how much more the van cost to operate ($4044 if that price held all year). Thus, I drive my car a lot more than the van, using the van only when I need the room or have to carry extra people. Yet most people do not have the option I have with 2 very different vehicles.
Heating cost has skyrocketed for those of us in the northern portions of the US. I’m told to expect a 40% increase. Maybe I need to type faster so that I can feel warm while I turn the heat down.
This prompts me to ask: What can “we” as people, and “we” as a nation, do to significantly improve things? My thought is to start the discussion here, and hope that it helps.
For starters, what is the energy usage and sources of CO2 within the US, so we know what to focus on? I will note that wherever you see CO2 emissions you may also see other forms of air pollution that depends on the fuel being used.
The Energy Information Administration tracks the US by these 5 main categories with a simple explanation of what goes into each category: Residential (Home use), Commercial (Office/ Store / Small factory), Industrial (Factory – production of goods), Transportation (fuel for all sectors), Electrical Generation (electricity for all sectors):
The fuel energy used (not counting electricity), and CO2 production is (2003 Data):
% Fuel Used %CO2 Emissions
Residential: 7.3% 6.6%
Commercial: 4.3% 3.9%
Industrial: 21.9% 17.7%
Transportation: 27.5% 32.4%
Electrical Gen: 39.0% 39.4%
Residential & Commercial sectors are dominated by natural gas usage (approximately 3/4 gas), industrial is mostly a mix of natural gas and petroleum with 10% as coal, Transportation is petroleum, and electrical generation is a mix of fuel sources.
Note that “renewable” energy sources are about 2% of all sectors except transportation. Biomass (wood/plant waste burning) dominates this 2% (even in electrical generation). All other forms of renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, etc) are a very – very small part of the energy mix (for reasons discussed in Part 2).
It is obvious that to make a significant difference in CO2 emissions that Transportation and Electrical Generation are the main things to focus on.
However, we all should be asking: “What can we do to help?”
My initial suggestions are to reduce you use of electricity (more efficiency, conversation – turn things off, can you get by with smaller appliances, etc). Contact your local utility for an energy survey. Here’s a neat goal. With a flashlight in hand run around the house and turn things off until the electric meter stops turning (you will be amazed at how many things are using electricity – do they need to be on or plugged in?). Can you also reduce heating and cooling cost (close doors on unused rooms, etc).
You should also work to reduce your automotive fuel use. Do you need that big vehicle; or like me do you need a big vehicle at times but can get by most of the time with a smaller one? Can you schedule your trips better and reduce mileage that way. Is it really worth your time and gas money to run across town to save 50 cents on an item (I see people spending gallons of gas all the time to save a dollar on an item: false economics and not energy smart).
Any other ideas?
Perry
Next up: Part 2
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