The Bright Prospects of Renewable Energy

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "The Bright Prospects of Renewable Energy"

Transcription

1 The Bright Prospects of Renewable Energy George Philippidis, Ph.D. Associate Professor Patel College of Global Sustainability University of South Florida (USF) Contact information: - (813)

2 Forms of Renewable Energy POWER Solar Wind Bioenergy Geothermal Ocean Hydroelectric FUELS Biofuels Ethanol (cars) Biodiesel (buses, trucks) Jet biofuel (planes) Electricity Hydrogen Source: Philippidis, G. Powering America with sustainable energy in the 21 st century, J. Renewable Sustainable Energy, 4, (2012) 2

3 US Power Generation Hydro 6% Wind 6% Biomass 2% Solar 1% Geothermal 0% Oil 1% Natural Gas 34% Nuclear 20% Coal 30% Heavy dependence on fossils (natural gas and coal) Source: Energy Information Agency (2017) 3

4 Florida Power Generation Solar 2% Oil 2% Nuclear 12% Biomass 10% Coal 19% Natural Gas 55% Risky dependence on natural gas Source: Energy Information Agency (2017) 4

5 Drivers of Renewable Power Lots of free fuel, sustainable One or more forms of renewable energy available everywhere Energy security Energy diversification No dependence on imports Benefits to domestic economy No- or low-carbon emissions Displace fossil fuels: carbon-intensive, pollutants Combat climate change: adverse effects on agriculture, coastal living, and the economy 5

6 Climate Change Atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have increased from human activities CO 2 : from fossil fuels and land use change CH 4 and N 2 O: from agriculture Climate change leads to: Global warming Extreme weather phenomena (life and property loss) Damages to agriculture Damages to fishing Sea-level rise Sea level rise threatens coastal large cities: adapt or relocate at huge costs Take steps to reduce GHG emissions as an insurance policy regardless of political beliefs 6

7 Atmospheric CO 2 Level Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (accessed 2014) 7

8 Forms of Renewable Energy POWER Solar Wind Bioenergy Geothermal Ocean Hydroelectric FUELS Biofuels Ethanol (cars) Biodiesel (trucks) Jet biofuel (planes) Electricity Hydrogen Source: Philippidis, G. Powering America with sustainable energy in the 21 st century, J. Renewable Sustainable Energy, 4, (2012) 8

9 Solar Power Water heating Solar energy heats up water Widely practiced around the world in small scale Photovoltaics Solar energy converted to electricity Residential, commercial, institutional, utility Thermal (concentrated) Solar energy converted to heat and then to electricity Large power generation 9

10 US Solar Insolation (average daily) Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (accessed, 2014)) 10

11 Wind Power Expanding quickly (on-shore, off-shore) Already cost-effective at large scale (< $0.05/kWh) Florida s FPL leading wind power producer in USA 11

12 Geothermal Power Thermal energy from the earth Steam for electricity generation Hot water for space heating 12

13 Biomass Power Agricultural residues, forest residues, and yard waste Industrial waste (anaerobic digestion) In abundance in all states and countries 13

14 Ocean Power Tides, waves, thermal, currents Emerging technologies Continuous source of power Harsh environment (maintenance) 14

15 Forms of Renewable Energy POWER Solar Wind Biomass Geothermal Ocean Hydroelectric FUELS Biofuels Ethanol (cars) Biodiesel (trucks) Jet biofuel (planes) Electricity Hydrogen Source: Philippidis, G. Powering America with sustainable energy in the 21 st century, J. Renewable Sustainable Energy, 4, (2012) 15

16 Renewable Fuels Biofuels Ethanol is the leader High octane fuel (113) Compatible with existing infrastructure Biodiesel from vegetable oils and waste oils & grease Cleaner than diesel (lower emissions) Compatible with existing infrastructure 16

17 Biofuels Leaders Corn ethanol Temperate climate Key player (51%) Sugarcane ethanol Warm climate Key player (24%) 17

18 Reduce Pollutants Biodiesel vs. Diesel Emissions Source: EPA A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions (2002) 18

19 Electric Vehicles Sustainable, IF the power is renewable Electric and hybrid vehicles Battery technology improvements: Extend driving range Shorten recharge time Tesla Model S Chevrolet Volt Nissan Leaf 19

20 US Power Forecast Renewable power projected to grow to 16% by 2040 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed 2014)) 20

21 Show me the money! Technology advances and economies of scale reduce costs Exciting times! Renewables are transitioning from policy-driven to market-driven Renewables are the cornerstone for a sustainable future 21

22 Sensible Strategy No single energy source is a silver bullet For a sustainable economy: Promote energy conservation and efficiency Boost deployment of renewable energy 22

23 What about Florida? The Sunshine State shines with its absence! Missed opportunity for energy leadership Jobs, investment, high tech Our best resources: Solar Utility, commercial, institutional, residential Biomass Utility Ocean (gulf stream) Utility 23

24 Biomass Power in Florida Produced at sugarcane mills in S. Florida Fuel: sugarcane bagasse and wood waste Example: Florida Crystals Okeelanta mill 140 MW power from 1.5M tons biomass 24

25 Solar Power in Florida Ask Mike! 25