Week 4 Lab on Sustainable Energy

Sep 9, 2024

Lecture Notes: Week 4 Lab - Sustainable Energy

Introduction

  • Focus on sustainable energy and future energy sufficiency.
  • Types of energy discussed:
    • Non-renewable: fossil fuels, nuclear
    • Renewable/Alternative: biofuels, solar, wind, hydroelectric
  • Importance of lab: historically challenging for students.

Lab Overview

  • Objective: Conduct a predictive energy demand study to reach at least the year 2060 without energy shortages.
  • Penalty: Failure to reach 2060 results in point deduction.

Lab Instructions

  1. Downloading Materials:

    • Access the lab via a Word document with an embedded link.
    • Note: The lab uses an archived simulator starting from 2010.

  2. Lab Structure:

    • Two main lessons:
      • Managing Energy Resources
      • Energy Efficiency
    • Skip certain steps to simplify:
      • Skip Step 1 in Managing Resources, proceed to Step 2.
      • Do Step 1 in Energy Efficiency, skip Step 2.

Lesson 1: Managing Energy Resources

  • Context:

    • Rising energy demand due to population growth and reliance on non-renewable resources.
    • Fossil fuel combustion issues: CO2 emissions, ecological impacts.

  • Simulator Usage:

    • Adjust energy source sliders to create a sustainable energy future, aiming to reach the year 2110.
    • Key strategy: Maximize fossil fuels initially, especially coal, to meet early energy demands.

  • Recording Data:

    • Record energy supply in joules for each decade.
    • Meet a minimum requirement of reaching 2060.

Tips for Managing Energy Resources

  • Prioritize fossil fuels initially.
  • Transition towards alternative energy as non-renewables deplete.
  • Aim for two attempts:
    • First attempt: Focus on maximizing fossil fuels.
    • Second attempt: Experiment with different strategies.

Lesson 2: Energy Efficiency

  • Purpose:

    • Understand how to increase energy efficiency and its impact on energy demand.

  • Experiment Variables:

    • Energy demand change
    • Energy efficiency change
    • Net carbon capture

  • Procedure:

    • Conduct three separate experiments, adjusting variables to see effects on energy demand.
    • Record efficiency, carbon capture, and year predictions in a data table.

Experiment Tips

  • Begin with zero efficiency change and no carbon capture.
  • Gradually increase efficiency and carbon capture in subsequent attempts.
  • Consider impacts of population growth and technological changes on energy demand.

Key Insights

  • Switching energy sources (e.g., from oil to coal) might still rely on fossil fuels.
  • Electric vehicles, while reducing oil dependency, may increase coal consumption.

Conclusion

  • The lab provides awareness on energy needs and challenges in sustaining a growing population.
  • Encourage exploration and understanding of energy sustainability issues.

Note: Always refer back to the simulator instructions and the help section for any clarifications needed during the lab.