EVR 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Energy Star, Renewable Energy, Green Building Council
24 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Nonrenewable energy accounts for most of our energy use. Fossil fuels derived from biological materials (coals, peat, oil, natural gas). Commercial energy sources: are bought and sold; e. g. , coal, oil, and natural gas. Subsistence energy sources: gathered by individuals for their own use, e. g. , wood, charcoal, and animal waste. 2nd law of thermodynamics: losses will always occur when energy is extracted or used. Energy is always needed to obtain additional energy. ~ 40% of u. s energy use is to generate electricity. Only 13% of that 40% is available, due to conversion losses. Most coal-burning power plants are about 35% efficient. Combined cycle natural gas plants can achieve 60% efficiency. 1000 x 24 x 0. 9 = 21,600 mwh. Fossil fuels are formed by geologic processes acting on biologically-derived materials. Largest coal reserves are in the united states, russia, china and india. Petroleum: mixture of hydrocarbons, water, and sulfur in underground deposits.
