ESL Lesson 1
Oil in Our Every Day Life
ESL Lesson 2
The History of Mining
ESL Lesson 3
Economic growth
ESL Lesson 4
Delivery Systems
ESL Lesson 5
Cities and Population Movement
ESL Lesson 6
Recycling
ESL Lesson 7
Rubber
ESL Lesson 8
Farming
Liquid Fossil Fuels
Key questions on energy options
Is the energy source sustainable?
Clearly not sustainable.
What are the potential negative externalities (effects) of producing/using this
energy source?
The potential negative externalities are many. Among them are Global Warming, increased pollution, using militaries of the world to keep supply options open, and potentially enabling (possibly allowing) the earth to be populated beyond its carrying capacity (overpopulated).
What is the EROEI?
The energy return on fossil fuels is quite high. Despite publications that have suggested that the energy return on fossil fuels is less than 1.0, the actual energy return (from oil in the ground to fuel in the tank) is in the range of 6.0 - 7.0. That is, for 1 BTU of energy expended, at least 6 BTUs of fossil fuel can be extracted from the ground and processed into liquid fuels for a net of 5 BTUs.
Is it affordable?
Yes, this is our most “affordable” energy option with respect to the price we pay at the pump.
Are there better alternatives?
It depends on the definition of “better.” If better means a cheap option that supplies the world with the current level of energy consumption (usage), then “No.” But I would define better as the energy source is sustainable and negative externalities are minimized (smallest amount possible). In that case, there are better alternatives, which will be covered.
Are there other special considerations?
One special consideration here is the relying on fossil fuels puts our energy security squarely (100%) in the hands of the Middle East.
In summary, are the advantages of the source large enough to justify any
negative consequences?
No.
Continue to: Grain Ethanol
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Rubber
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Bio-fuels and Ethanol
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Liquid Fossil Fuels
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Grain Ethanol
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Sugarcane Ethanol
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Cellulosic Ethanol
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Biodiesel
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Biomass Gasification
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Wind and Solar
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Conservation
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