EnvironmentalScienceSixth Edition

CHAPTER 17Energy: Some Basics

Copyright © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Daniel B. BotkinEdward A. Keller978-0-470-04990-7

Energy Basics

Energy: the ability to do work

Potential Energy: energy that is storedKinetic Energy: energy of motion

- All energy is potential and kinetic

Energy Efficiency

• First Law Efficiency– The amount of energy without any

consideration of the quality of availability of the energy

• Second Law Efficiency– How well matched the energy end use is with

the quality of the energy source

Energy Conservation, Increased Efficiency and Cogeneration

Conservation: getting by with less demand for energy

Energy Efficiency: designing equipment to yield more energy output from a given amount of input energy

Cogeneration: a number of processes designed to capture and use waste heat rather than simply to release it into the atmosphere

Energy Policy• Hard Path vs. Soft Path

– Hard Path: finding greater amounts of fossil fuels and building larger power plants

– Soft Path: involves energy alternatives that emphasize energy quality and flexibility

• Energy for Tomorrow• Integrated, Sustainable Energy Management

– Integrated Energy Management: no single energy source can provide all the energy required by the world

– Sustainable Energy Management: provides reliable sources of energy without causing serious harm, all while ensuring that future generation inherit a fair share of Earth’s resources