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Global Enviro: 4.3
FINAL
44
Geology
Undergraduate 2
05/02/2014

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Cards

Term
Why do we use Fossil Fuels?
Definition
Our tech society depends on concentrated sources of energy to function
Term
4 Advantages of Fossil Fuels
Definition
1) inexpensive
2) reliable
3) abundant
4) Concentrated
Term
What does addicted to oil mean?
Definition
Addicted to prosperity
Term
Energy markets are partly open. What does this mean?
Definition
it's possible to substitute one energy source for another
Term
World energy consumption is predicted to increase how much btw 2006-2030?
Definition
44%
Term
Increased efficiency leads to...
Definition
Increased consumption
Term
Fossil fuels have been dominant since...
Definition
the late 19th century
Term
Age of Wood
Definition
Up to 1885
Term
Age of Coal
Definition
1885-1950
Term
Age of Oil
Definition
1950-now
Term
Order of Energy Sources
1) Oil
2) Natural Gas
3) Coal
4) Nuclear & Hydroelectricity
Definition
1: 37%
2: 27%
3: 23%
4: 11%
Term
Shale Gas
Definition
What energy source is leading the energy revolution in the US?
Term
Increase: 19-21% (2030)
Definition
Will renewables increase or decrease?
Term
Coal, Gas, Nuclear
Definition
Energy will remain based on _, _, and _.
Term
1.08 billion tons = 2.17 trillion lbs = 984 billion kg
Definition
US annual production of coal
Term
10
Definition
Annually, the US burns about _ million railroad cars of coal to produce electricity
Term
Coal that has been mapped and verified to be technologically minable
Definition
Define: Coal Reserves
Term
438 billion tons
Definition
Est. US Coal Reserves
Term
.9927 billion tons
Definition
In 2011, US annual coal production was _.
Term
441 years
Definition
How many years of coal do we have on reserve?
Term
Increase; China
Definition
Will CO2 increase or decrease? Who's a leading country of this?
Term
15 TW
Definition
2008 World Power Consumption
Term
24 TW (increase at 1.6%)
Definition
2050 World Power Consumption
Term
399 ppm
Definition
Current CO2 level in Earth's atmospher
Term
Emission-free 25 TW in 2050
Definition
What does stabilizing CO2 at 450 ppm require?
Term
1) adding nuclear
2) Increasing renewables
3) increasing efficiency
Definition
How can CO2 increase slow down?
Term
Hoffert
Definition
Who thinks that we don't have the technology to reduce carbon emissions?
Term
they have relatively high energy densities
Definition
1 reason there isn't a substitute for fossil fuels:
Term
Technologically illiterate people, leading public policy
Definition
Problem in our world?
Term
5505 C
Definition
Surface temp of Sun
Term
5000 C
Definition
Temp @ Earth's center
Term
1000 C
Definition
In Earth's crust, rocks melt @ _ C.
Term
False
Definition
The temp inside the Earth is millions of degrees
Term
Geothermal
Definition
_ energy is limited to areas where the Earth's crust is unusually hot. Ex) Iceland
Term
Renewable
Definition
_ energy shources suffer from a host of limitations that have nothing to do with politics
Term
Wind & Solar
Definition
_ & _ power are both intermittent and site-dependent
Term
250 megawatts
Definition
Largest solar power plant
Term
5780 megawatts
Definition
Largest coal-fired power plant
Term
9%
Definition
TX obtains _% of its electricity from wind power.
Term
Nuclear
Definition
Eventually, we will switch to _ power
Term
Conventional Nuclear
Definition
Advantages and Disadvantages of _ _:
1) Well-known probs of waste disposal and weapon proliferation
2) Production cost of electricity is about 5 cents/kWh
3) _ is a proven technology
4) _ power plants require a large capital investment of $2-3.5 bill
Term
TerraPower traveling Wave
Definition
4th Generation breeder reactor
Term
False
Definition
T/F: Greenhouse effect can be regulated
Term
Science & Engineering
Definition
Decisions about energy & power ought to be based on _ & _.
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