Module 5.1 Pollution Prevention

Transcription

1 Module 5.1 Pollution Prevention Prevention of Pollution from Energy Production and Use Prevention of Air Pollution from Energy Production and Use Reducing pollution from energy production and use is closely linked to air pollution Most plants that produce energy as electricity emit air pollution since they involve the combustion of fossil fuels Most energy that is produced for transportation also involves air pollution through the combustion of fossil fuels However, energy production and use can also involve water pollution, thermal pollution, generate solid waste, etc. Prevention of Air Pollution from Energy Production and Use Considering P2 for energy can be split into parts: Heat generation Electricity generation Electricity use Transportation There has been a progression over time in what we heat our buildings with Bioproducts: Wood, dung, peat, wood pellets, Coal Fuel oil Natural gas Electricity 1

2 Each of these carries with it some environmental issues/concerns Air pollution Solid waste Water use Depletion of the resource Disruption of the natural environment Heat Generation Wood Gives off a variety of air pollutants CO 2 (all organic matter/fossil fuels give off CO 2 ) Particulates in smoke Others Coal Gives off a variety of air pollutants, both inside and outside of building Few use coal for direct heating in the U.S. anymore Fuel oil Used extensively in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. Heat Generation Natural gas/propane Generally thought of as clean Still gives off CO 2 Electricity Environmental impacts depend on source of electricity Loses efficiency during the transmission from source to endpoint Electricity is generated using various types of power plants Coal (45%) Natural gas (23%) Nuclear (20%) Hydropower (6%) Other renewables (municipal waste, bioproducts, wind, solar, other (4%) Oil (1%) Other(0.6%) 2

3 Coal Abundant, cheap supply Requires large supply of fresh water Burns dirty air pollution is a real concern CO 2, SO 2, NO x, particulates, etc. Pollution control is possible but expensive Natural gas Much cleaner than coal but still gives off CO 2 Requires a supply of fresh water Nuclear Does not give off CO 2 Generates radioactive solid waste (both highly radioactive spent fuel and low level waste) which is hard to dispose of Typically requires large supply of water Some people have safety concerns Some people have proliferation of nuclear weapons concerns Hydropower Requires dams which disrupt the natural ecosystem Most think no more large dams will be built but small projects may be viable Municipal waste, bioproducts, Concern about air pollutants given off in incineration, particularly dioxins and furans Wind Growing rapidly Takes up space and is not particularly attractive Economics are not as favorable as fossil fuels right now Solar Economics are not as favorable as fossil fuels right now More effective if distributed than centralized 3

4 Transportation Air Pollution CO 2 NO x, SO 2, VOC, etc leading to smog Particulates, Odor, etc Depleting a natural resource that won t last forever Distribution network (pipelines, tankers, trucks, underground storage tanks) has its own set of environmental issues The Pollution Prevention Hierarchy As always, the pollution prevention hierarchy gives a rank ordered list of activities from most desirable to least: Reduce at the source Reuse whenever possible Recycle Treat Dispose Reduce at the source CONSERVE ENERGY Keep thermostats down in winter and up in summer Minimize or eliminate air conditioning Use landscaping and design to maximize shading in summer and sun in winter (passive solar heat) Improve insulation of buildings Use efficient heating/cooling systems Turn heat/cool down at night Reuse/recycle whenever possible If heat is being generated at your facility, put a system in to use that heat in your buildings Treatment/Disposal Sometimes the issue is thermal pollution because excess heat is generated by an industrial facility and that heat is transferred to a water source Clearly, this impact needs to be understood and mitigated May require cooling the water before disposal 4

5 P2 for Electricity Generation P2 for Electricity Use Reduce: Electricity may be able to be generated at the point of use from a cleaner technology (solar, wind, ) Power plants could use cleaner fuel cleaner coal or gas instead of coal More efficient production and delivery systems Treat: Appropriate air pollution control equipment should be used at power plants Reduce CONSERVE ELECTRICITY: Conserve on energy use: Examine processes for energy efficiency Examine buildings for energy efficiency Lighting fixtures, appliances, etc. Make sure equipment and lighting is turned off when appropriate Saves money as well as pollution P2 for Transportation Saves money as well as pollution Similar to/same as for nonpoint sources of air pollution Reduce: Use fuel efficient vehicles Carpool Minimize unnecessary travel Ride bike/walk to work Minimize motorized recreation Implementing P2 for Energy Examine records and/or do calculations to determine how much energy is used by each facility processes: Production Lighting Heating/cooling Office equipment Etc. Tie each process to the energy it uses Stay as high on the hierarchy as possible Fairly easy here since most of us think conservation immediately 5

6 Implementing P2 for Energy Identify opportunities and solutions New energy efficient equipment New heating sources Change light fixtures Watch Out Energy efficiency over the long run is often easier said than done Involve everyone affected to get buy-in Watch out for negatively impacting people s work or living environment Implementing P2 for Energy Calculate economic payback periods This is easier than other areas since every unit of energy we use has a clear economic cost Think about cost of consumption but also cost of production of pollutants Tie in with P2 for Air program Publicize success Keep good records 6