2. Problem & Opportunity
Several Problems
◦ Air & water pollution
◦ Health effects of pollution
◦ Oil depletion/ imports
◦ Global warming from CO2
One Solution
◦ Renewable energy sources
cause minimal pollution,
don’t cause global warming
and are locally available
3. Pollution
US power plants emit 18 million tons of SO2 per
year + NOx, particulates, carbon monoxide,
mercury and lead
Energy production & use also contribute to Water
pollution
Houston has been in violation of federal air quality
standards since they began in the 1970’s
The Houston/Galveston area must be in
compliance by 2007 because we were designated
as a "severe" ozone area.
4. Some Energy Statistics
The US uses ¼ of
the world’s energy
The US pays more
than
$5 billion for
imported oil
each month
5. Global Warming
Throughout history, the earth has
been much colder, and at times
warmer, than it is now
◦ But climate change is occurring 100’s of
times faster than these natural changes
◦ CO2, CH4, N2O, O3 and soot all cause
warming
Global average air temperature has
risen 1°F in the past 50 years
But, this has already resulted in
melting ice sheets, migration of
animals and more severe weather
6. What’s the Alternative?
And what’s the hold up?
Renewable energy
generally cost more than
conventional fossil fuel
energy systems
• Solar 11 - 40 ¢/kWh
depending on the
technology
• Wind 5 - 15 ¢/kWh from
large wind turbines
But what if you consider the big picture?
7. There are lots of Alternatives
Nuclear
Hydroelectric
Wind
Solar
Wave
Tidal
Geothermal
Bio-mass
Helium 3 (from the
moon)
8. Wind
Wind turbines – modern
windmills have become quite
efficient and cost effective in
windy areas
9. Solar Electric
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
panels generate
electricity directly from
sunlight with special
materials
Solar electricity can
also be generated
from the sun’s heat
instead of burning
fossil fuels
10. ar Thermal
Heat from the sun can
be used to heat water,
houses, pools, in
industry and to
generate electricity
11. Passive Solar
Uses sun angles,
shading and
thermal storage
Daylighting is
using natural
sunlight instead
of electric lights
12. Solar Cookers
Many different
designs
Can improve health
& reduce
deforestation in
developing
countries
16. A Future Hydrogen Economy?
Solar energy can
split water into
hydrogen &
oxygen
A fuel cell can
make electricity
from hydrogen
and oxygen,
making water
A completely
clean, renewable
17. 2 Last Thoughts
ELECTRIC CHOICE
You now have a choice of electric providers
in Texas
Providers must provide an electricity facts
label, so the source is something you can
consider
www.powertochoose.com
It has been
estimated that we
can improve the
way we use energy
by a factor of 4!
