Summary of the course:
* US primary energy issues:
1) Carbon emissions;
China and US are the top 2 carbon emission countries: in 2010, China ~ 8000 million metric tons; US ~ 6000 million metric tons (annual emissions).
2) Oil dependence
By 2010, ~60% US oil consumption is imported. US is energy-independent for coal and gas (used for electricity power generation).
* How to solve?
Understand US energy details -> Develop energy technology -> Deploy solutions
Energy flow: Natural fuel -> Conversion process -> Society use
First law of thermodynamics: Energy is conserved. Total energy cannot be created or destroyed.
Second law of thermodynamics: All forms of energy do Not have equal value ("energy quality").
* US energy use
Total energy consumption: Buildings 41%; Manufacturing 31%; Transportation 28%
(US) Energy consumption and GDP are highly correlated.
US oil price is set by world supply and demand.
US Oil Trend
US oil consumption by sector: Transportation 72%; Manufacturing 23%
Oil vs Petroleum: petroleum includes oil, natural gas liquids and ethanol
- Solar / Wind / Nuclear electric power generation
- High MPH vehicles
- Ethanol fuel for transportation
- Higher efficiency electric heating / air conditioning
In US, wind power density variation from region to region: a factor of 10
For solar, it is only a factor of 2 (more uniform nationwide)
US total energy source:
Coal > Natural Gas > Oil > Nuclear > Biomass > Hydro > Wind > Geothermal > Solar
Energy policy should be based on fact, not industry lobby.
