UCSF 137 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Microorganism, Bioenergy, Wind Turbine
Document Summary
Discuss the challenges that renewable enegy faces: new technology - uncertainty and risk, economies of scale. It becomes less expensive per unit in larger scale operation. Eroi = energy return on investment -- more energy efficiency per unit in large scale operations: externalized costs that favor fossil fuels (hidden cost to consumer) Health costs and env. impacts are not reflected in cost of fossil fuels: consumer familiarity. Having solar panels on roof: variability/ reliability (esp. wind, solar) Energy storage (e. 3. b. 1) batteries that can store electricity (e. 3. b. 2) convert kinetic energy into potential energy. Recognize how different renewable energy technologies fit into enery use frameworks: wind. Kinetic energy of wind turbine generator electricity: solar. Using natural materials to absorb solar energy as heat. Solar collectors with a fluid medium to absorb and pump/circulate through building. Enhance solar collection to generate enough heat (steam) to power turbine generator electricity.