EVM
Chapter 2 – Notes
Combustion produces energy. Combustion of fossil fuels is relatively popular; it
has a lot of stored energy.
Sources such as natural gas, oil, coal are referred to as fossil fuels. They are
carbon-rich sources; hence provide a lot of heat and energy during the process of
combustion.
They are produced by the decay of living matter, i.e. plants and animals. Their
remains are trapped within years of sediments, and hence are found in
sedimentary rocks. As time passes, the amount of sediment above the matter
continually increases. Due to added heat and pressure, this organic matter is
turned into a fossil fuel, mostly coal or natural gas.
Formation of coal: Vegetation and animals thrive – eventually as time passes the
vegetation and animal die – they form peat – This peat is compressed between
layers of sediments, forming lignite – with added pressure and heat, coal is
formed.
Formation of natural gas and oil: Marine organisms and phytoplanktons thrive –
As time passes, they die – they are then trapped between sediments in the ocean
bed – Beneath impermeable rock is where oil is formed, which prevents it from
escaping – natural gas is also formed due to this, in gaps.
Non-renewable sources: They cannot be replaced or replenished – they take
millions of years to form. Renewable: They can be easily replenished and can
easily be formed and used.
Nuclear fuels are non-renewable sources because the metal used to produce it –
uranium – is in low quantity. Even though it can produce high amounts of energy
with its little amount, its still deemed a non-renewable source, as the formation
of uranium is not quick or immediate.
Electricity is mostly generated by electromagnetic induction. It transforms
kinetic energy into a form of electrical energy. A turbine is used to turn the
generator, which generates electricity.
A simple system: A boiler is subjected to high heat. Water in it will quickly turn
into steam. The steam is released in large volumes and at a fast speed towards
the turbines. This makes the turbines rotate, which help the generator turn to
generate electricity. Kinetic energy has been efficiently transformed into a form
of electrical energy. To make it more efficient, more blades can be used in the
turbines, and the speed of the steam can be altered.
Geothermal energy: Cold water is pumped into hot rocks beneath the ground
through pipes. The hot rocks will heat the water through the process of
convection. This hot water is then pumped back up to the surface using pipes. A
heat exchanger is used to heat another stream of water. This water then turns
into steam, which helps turn the turbines, rotating the generator and producing
electrical energy. The steam is then cooled in a specific cooling tower and the
water is reused.
Solar power: Electricity is produced using photovoltaic cells. It is said that when
an object is exposed to light, a small electric charge is produced. Based on this
property, solar power is produced. Banks of cells are organized into a panel, and
multiple of these panels can help generate monumental amounts of electricity.
It’s a relatively expensive method and is still prone to errors, not very efficient.
Tidal power: It uses the natural rise and fall of water levels. When water levels
are high, a tidal barrage holds the water back. Following this, water is released
through the turbines, which turns the generator, generating electricity.
Economic factors: The supply of energy is expensive – Energy is high in demand
in today’s world. Countries need to have a local source of generating energy, as it
is relatively inexpensive compared to importing energy sources. Hence, places
like Iceland, which are gifted with hot volcanoes, can be used to produce
geothermal energy. A country should rely on its local fuel supplies. Some
countries however may not be able to exploit their country’s energy sources. For
ex, a country like Sudan may have an abundance of solar power, but may not
have the economic means or the budget to make it into a form of usable
electricity.
Social factors: Production of energy sources can create local employment and
jobs for people. The local industry needs to support the type of production of
energy. It can create several new employment opportunities. Furthermore, since
energy plants are going to be built, new infrastructure will also be built. For
example, connecting roads, streetlights. This is beneficial to the people residing
in an area. However, sometimes an energy source production can displace a
community. For example, to produce hydroelectric power, a local community
will have to moved or displaced, or the effects of the flooding will threaten them.
New manufacturing opportunities are also built. The relationships between
countries can also be affected.
Environmental factors: Non-renewable sources produce carbon dioxide and
monoxide. This is especially harmful to the environment and contributes to a
phenomenon known as global warming. This leaves a carbon footprint on our
environment. Oil spills are frequent, and can cause marine organisms to suffer
and die. This can especially affect fishing occupations, and if ingested can lead to
severe diseases. Ecosystems are severely affected by the advent of these sources.
Fish populations decrease in areas where hydroelectric power stations are built.
Their breeding is hindered. Acid rain can cause destruction of habitats. Building
of factories, or large-scale projects can be visually damaging to the environment.
Demand for energy
Industrial Demand: The use of energy per head in an industrialized region is
significantly high. In any given industry, large amounts of energy are used in all
different stages of manufacturing. Since the demand for products is so high, the
higher is the energy used. Due to advancement in manufacturing techniques,
products have become more affordable. More demand for products leads to
increased energy production and hence more demand for energy.
Domestic demand: It is created by affordability. A few years ago, cells were a
luxury, but due to advancement in manufacturing techniques, we have seen them
become necessities. Due to this, people want to keep up with their neighbors and
buy the latest and greatest pieces of technology. This increased demand leads to
higher production, which Is leading to higher waste of energy. Due to the
changes in consumer demands, energy production is on the high.
Transport demand: Many modes of transport require fossil fuels or energy
sources to operate. Trucks and cars require petroleum to operate, so do ships
and planes. Since, demand is not only local and is global, firms have to spend
more on transport costs, which uses up more energy resources.
Economic factors: A richer more affluent country will see its population spend a
higher proportion of their income on luxury goods. The demand for goods and
energy in such a situation is incredibly high, as there are high living standards. In
retrospect, a poor country, will have lower demand for energy, because there
will be less manufacturing in the country and less employment. All these factors
contribute to the demand for energy.
Climate: Demand for energy in places with extreme climates is high. In cold
countries, a lot of energy is used for insulation and heating. This is produced by
combustion of fossil fuels. During summers in hot countries, air conditioning
units use a lot of electricity and energy. These are more prevalent in urban areas.
Strategies for effective energy use
Reducing consumption: Energy should be used more efficiently. In houses, for
insulation, instead of using energy, other tactics can be adopted. Heat losses in
the house take place through everywhere; form the roofs to the windows. The
highest loss is usually from the roofs. Putting foam or an insulation material can
help prevent heat loss and reduce energy consumption. Windows can be double
or triple glazed to prevent any sort of heat loss. Furthermore, air can be filled in
the pocket between the window panes, to prevent heat loss. Insulating materials
can be placed between the walls, to prevent heat loss. Lagging is an effective
method.
Standby mode: Energy devices should be turned off when not in use. They can
use a significant amount of energy. Some televisions and computers operate on
standby mode. This is to ensure easy accessibility for the user. This can use 15
watts per hour, and can increase energy consumption. Devices should be entirely
switched off.
Energy-efficient devices: More energy-efficient devices should replace inefficient
ones. Inefficient ones tend to use a lot of power and energy. Replacing them can
be beneficial in reducing bills and increasing energy efficiency.
‘Scrappage schemes”: Schemes like these take inefficient devices from the user,
and pay them a sum of money for it. This can encourage users to buy more
energy-efficient devices, which can help reduce energy consumption.
Household rubbish: Household rubbish can be incinerated to produce heat,
which can be used to produce electricity. This method is mostly unfavorable, due
to the harmful gas that is released during combustion.
Food industry oils: The food industry uses a lot of cooking oil as expected. Most
of this usually goes for waste. Instead, they can be recycled and used as biofuels
to power different things.
Anaerobic digestion: This helps breakdown organic matter. This produces heat
energy, which can be used to produce electricity.
Education: Governments should educated people on the usage of energy sources.
Many people will be reluctant to switch from their inefficient sources to more
efficient ones, because of their initial expense. They need to be educated on their
long-term benefits, and how they can help the environment. If this does not
work, governments can intervene in markets, and stop the sale of energy
inefficient devices and promote the sale of efficient ones. Furthermore, subsidies
can be handed out to producers to produce more energy efficient ones. Strict
regulations can also be implemented. Grants can be provided to make energy
inefficient devices into more efficient ones.
Exploiting existing energy sources: A mixed generation of energy can be
implemented. Since people in a country demand for uninterrupted energy, both
renewable and non-renewable energy can be implemented. Firstly, a source of
renewable energy can be used to source out the energy. Whenever the
conditions are not apt for energy production, It can switch to producing energy
by the combustion of fossil fuels. By this, both the consumer and producer
benefit. This can also be more beneficial for the environment.
Transport policies: Governments should encourage car-sharing schemes.
Furthermore, they should encourage the usage of more energy-efficient cars.
Taxation on fuels can also be added.
Development of new sources
Hydraulic fracking: Hydraulic fracking involves blasting huge volumes of water,
sand and chemicals deep underground to extract oil and natural gas from shale
rock reserves. Water, chemicals and sand are pumped down to the shale
reserves with high pressure. This causes the rock to crack, and release the oil
within it. This oil is then pumped up again and collected. Water is used to pump
under pressure to help crack open the rock. Sand acts as a proppant, which is
used to keep the crackers in the rock to be open, so that the oil or gas within
them can be collected. Chemicals are used to help the process and to prevent the
blockage of any of the pipes.
Advantages: Allows access to more oil and gas, which are limited. Provides new
employment opportunities and local jobs. It reduces import of oil or gas from
other countries, hence reducing expenses for imports. Its below the ground, so
poses little to no threat.
Disadvantages: It can be visually damaging to the environment. Toxic particles or
chemicals can be mixed with local water bodies or can be ingested by residents
in nearby towns. Noise pollution is also imminent. Natural areas and habitats
will also be destroyed. Chemicals may mix with the water table.