Nonrenewable Energy Resources AP Environmental Science.

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

AP Environmental Science

Key Ideas for Chapter 12

• Describe how energy use has varied over time in the US and worldwide

• Compare energy efficiencies of the extraction and conversion of different fuels

• Explain various means of generating electricity• Discuss the uses and consequences of using

coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuels• Describe projections of future supplies of our

conventional energy resources

Before we begin…

• Nonrenewable: resources that cannot be replenished

• Fossil fuels: are derived from biological material that became fossilized millions of years ago (coal, oil, natural gas)

• Nuclear fuels: are derived from radioactive materials that give off energy (uranium)

#1 Describe how energy use has varied over time in the US and worldwide

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13

Current Worldwide Consumption Percentages

OilNatural GasCoal/PeatNuclear fuelsRenewable energy

#1 Describe how energy use has varied over time in the US and worldwide

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24

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97

Current United States Consumption Percentages

OilNatural GasCoal/PeatNuclear fuelsRenewable energy

#1 Describe how energy use has varied over time in the US and worldwide

#2 Compare energy efficiencies of the extraction and conversion of different fuels

• How much energy we get out of an energy source compared to what we put in to obtain it. This is known as Energy Return on Energy Investment (EROEI)

• EROEI = Energy obtained / Energy invested• EROEI = 100J / 5J = 20• Higher EROEI values indicate greater

efficiencies

#3 Explain various means of generating electricity

#3 Explain various means of generating electricity

#4 Discuss the uses and consequences of using coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuels

• Coal: – Pros: energy dense, plentiful, easily obtained, easy

to handle, needs little refinement– Cons: numerous impurities, most of the C in coal is

released as CO2, burning produces ash (storage is problematic)

#4 Discuss the uses and consequences of using coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuels

• Oil:– Pros: fluid nature makes it ideal for mobile

combustion applications, can be made into a variety of compounds, energy dense, cleaner burning than coal

– Cons: contains impurities such as sulfur, releases more CO2 than coal, oil spills have major environmental impacts

#4 Discuss the uses and consequences of using coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuels

• Natural Gas:– Pros: contains fewer impurities, less CO2 produced

when burned– Cons: obtainment may pollute groundwater via

“fracking,” unburned natural gas contributes methane into the atmosphere

#4 Discuss the uses and consequences of using coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuels

• Nuclear Fuels– Pros: do not produce air pollution – Cons: accidents, radioactive waste

#5 Describe projections of future supplies of our conventional energy resources

• Fossil fuels are a finite resource