each day we rely on electricity-gobbling gadgets that didn’t exist 10-15 years ago. americans are...
TRANSCRIPT
We Need Electricity
Each day we rely on electricity-gobbling gadgets that didn’t exist 10-15 years ago.
Americans are devouring much more energy than ever.
We need about 10% more electricity every 5 years.
Electricity use and the economy grow together
We NEED new power plants What type?
Typical Weekly Load ForecastJuly 2007
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0 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18 24 6 12 18
BASELOAD
PEAKING
Oil (<1%)
Advantages:◦Easy to use and transport◦Emissions less than coal◦Mature Technology
Disadvantages:◦High fuel cost◦Creates environmental pollution (Sox, Nox,
CO2, CO)◦ Imports create dependence on foreign
suppliers. ◦Politically unstable fuel supply◦Possibly financing terrorist actions
Coal (43%) Advantages:◦Low generating costs, but cost of “clean coal” is making it too high to use (scrubbers, sequestration, carbon tax)
◦Plentiful supplies in U.S.◦Can run around the clock.
Disadvantages:◦Creates air pollution (Sox, Nox,
CO2, Hg)
◦Produces ash that must be disposed of (solid waste)
◦Substantial mining impacts
Hydropower (8%)
Advantages:◦ No pollution◦ Low operating costs◦ Renewable Resource◦ Mature Technology◦ High capacity (seasonal)
Disadvantages:◦ Large land use◦ Can require modification or destruction of
ecosystems◦ Limited available locations◦ Large construction times & capital costs◦ Weather & seasonal dependent
Nuclear (19%)
Advantages:◦ Does not produce air or water pollution◦ Low generating costs (cheap to operate & cheap fuel)◦ Can run around the clock (great for baseload)◦ Very small amounts of contained “waste”◦ U supply is abundant and exists in politically stable
nations.◦ Mature technology
Disadvantages:◦ High capital costs (~$10 billion)◦ Public Perception◦ Long construction times◦ Produces radioactive waste requiring carefully controlled
disposal
Advantages:◦ Lower emissions than coal◦Short construction time◦Very reliable Mature Technology◦ Inexpensive (prices are very low now- shale
gas)
Disadvantages◦Supply and price can fluctuate◦Produces air pollution, though less than
some other sources◦Natural gas is a valuable resource for other
applications
Natural Gas (25%)
Solar
Advantages:◦ Inexhaustible free fuel supply◦ Renewable & no emissions◦ Can be cost – effective way to heat individual
buildings
Disadvantages:◦ Large-scale projects require much land◦ High capital & maintenance costs. Requires
expensive photovoltaic cells◦ Large land use. Too small-scale for urban areas. ◦ Intermittent availability◦ Limited suitable locations◦ Low efficiency◦ Low capacity◦ Toxic waste in the manufacture and disposal
Wind
Advantages:◦ Inexhaustible & free fuel supply◦No pollution
Disadvantages:◦High capital & infrastructure cost◦High land use & Limited suitable locations◦ Public opposition◦ Low capacity factors◦Migratory bird impact◦Wind doesn’t always blow when electricity demands
are high◦Requires backup power supplies when wind isn’t
blowing
Geothermal Advantages:◦Almost a renewable resource◦Reliable ◦High capacity factors◦ Low operating costs◦Very low emissions
Disadvantages:◦Moderate capital costs◦Can impact seismic activity in the area◦Needs to be carefully managed not to
exhaust source◦ Limited suitable locations.