Energy Valuation test prep chapter 4

What is conventional energy?

sources include oil, natural gas, nuclear, and coal

What are sources of renewable energy?

energy sources that resotre themselves such as the sun, wind, moving water, organic plant and waste material (biomass), the earth's heat (geothermal).

Energy myths

US gets most of its oil from the Middle East, our air is becoming more polluted and US forests and landfills are shinking, offshore drilling causes significant environmental damage, earth is warming at a steady rate, humans are he main drivers behind the earth warming

Exhibits 4.1-4.3 page 82-83

Exhibits 4.1-4.3 page 82-83

Halo effect

respondents had a highly positive view of solar and wind as energy sources from the myths

Solar Energy, hydroelectric

is actually the most expensive form of energy, costing 22 cents/kwh.Hydroelectric is the cheapest form, costing about 3 cents/kwh

indepednet energy

the main route to energy independence is actually to minimze the importation of petroleum products from foreign countries because they are used predominaly for transporation

Exhibit 4.5 page 85

Exhibit 4.5 page 85

Challenges with wind

very expensive due to cost of manufacturing, installing, and shipping of wind turbines, and most of the technology and equipment is imported, and also inconsistent wind speed. Second issue is transmission costs and road costs

Whats wrong with solar?

capital investment is very expensive due to cost nature of semiconductors used in manufacuting the panels

exhibit 4.6 page 87

exhibit 4.6 page 87

exhibit 4.7 page 87

exhibit 4.7 page 87

Exhibit 4.10 page 91

Exhibit 4.10 page 91

exhibit 4.11 page 92

exhibit 4.11 page 92

exhibit 4.17 page 97

exhibit 4.17 page 97