ENVR 200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Renewable Energy
28 Aug 2016
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Document Summary
We are currently at ~390ppm (820b tons) of co2 in the atmosphere. 560ppm is one suggested maximum for atmospheric co2. 20-40% of global emissions are suitable for capture. Reduces 80-90% of the emission from these sources. Energy must be used and infrastructure built up for transport to storage reservoirs. Wind, small hydroelectric, biomass and geothermal are competitive with fossil fuels. 40-80 tw of wind is readily available, but only 1. 9 tw are currently used. 3. 8 million wind turbines would take up less than 50km2. Wind turbines can be spaced to take up only 1% of land surface. 650 tw of wind is readily available, but only 0. 008 tw are currently used. Spain and germany are world leaders in solar. Ground photovoltaics would take up 0. 33% of land surface. Issues include disposal and risk of accidents (though less than coal) Could produce up to 1 million mw by 2050. Only about 80y of reserves exist and building nuclear plants is expensive.
