A Review of Alternative

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A Review of Alternative Energy Sources
By Paul A. Thomas, University of Georgia
2006 Oklahoma Conference
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Global Warming Data
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The Historical Warming Trend?
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(No Transcript)
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Maybe Our Sun Controls Things?
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Divisions of Sources of Energy

• Chemical
• Fossil fuels (Combustion)
• Nuclear
• Uranium (Fission of atoms)

Non-Renewable
SUN
Renewable

• Chemical
• Muscular (Oxidization)
• Nuclear
• Geothermal (Conversion)
• Fusion (Fusion of hydrogen)
• Gravity
• Tidal, hydraulic (Kinetic)
• Indirect Solar
• Biomass (Photosynthesis)
• Wind (Pressure differences)
• Direct Solar
• Photovoltaic cell (Conversion)

Energy
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Natural Gas and Depletion 

• May deplete faster than oil!! a different
  pattern
• U.S. and Canada have huge supplies but are
  using it quickly
• The Future of the Oil and Gas Industry Past
  Approaches, New Challenges, Harry J. Longwell, 3
  Director and Executive VP, Exxon Mobil
  Corporation, World Energy Vol. 5 No. 2002

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World Oil Production and Estimated Resources,
1900-2100 (in billions of barrels)
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Investment is Down!
Venture Capital Activity
Source NVCA Yearbook 2004
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Gasoline Prices, 1978-1999 Selected Countries
(1998 dollars per gallon)
U.S.
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The U.S. now has highest natural gas prices in
the world !
World Natural Gas Costs
U.S. / MMbtu
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Crude Oil Is Very Volatile
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Heating Oil Is Also Volatile

• Current
• Price
• 1.98/gal

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COAL - Still Economical !
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(No Transcript)
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Problems With Coal

• Pollution/Ash
• Handling (weight)
• Burner maintenance
• Availability

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World Fossil Fuel Consumption, 1950-1998 (in
million of tons of equivalent oil)
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Evolution of Energy Sources
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Global Energy Systems Transition, ( of Market)
100
Solids
Wood
Coal
80
Gases
60
Percent
Hydrogen
40
Liquids
Oil
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Natural Gas
0
2000
2150
2050
2100
1850
1950
1900
This is what the Gas (hydrogen) Marketers Think!
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STRONG GROWTH CHANGING PATTERN _________________
____________________
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World Growth of Alternative Energy Will Come
Primarily In Developing Countries
Source EIA, International Energy Outlook, 2004
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Renewable/Alternative Sources of Energy
Fuel Cells
Solar
Biodiesel Production
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Bio-Fuels

• Outstanding potential when the price becomes
  competitive, and they may allow local
  availability to overcome (temporary) national
  fuel shortages!
• Some adjustments may be needed for certain
  boilers, and oil burners.
• Some potential exists for energy diversification
  in greenhouses and in transportation.

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Bio Fuel - Ethanol
The process is currently very energy expensive an
d very inefficient ....but someday soon..
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Applications and delivery issues are being
worked out
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Hydrogen Fuel Cells

• They do work!
• Not available
• or cost effective
• Application issues limited
• Hard to find and handle pure hydrogen

H2
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Ethanol Fuel Cells
A more practical source of Hydrogen, but
still not cost effective!
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Heating With Wood
Supply? Labor? Ash?
Storage Problems?
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Biomass Fuel
Forest Wood Residues
Agricultural Residues
Energy Targeted Crops
Thinning residues Wood chips Urban wood
waste Wood pallets Yard trimmings
Corn stover Rice hulls Sugarcane Animal
bio-solids
Hybrid poplar Switchgrass Willow Peanut Hulls
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BIOMASS Basic Product Unit
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Technology To Burn BiomassIs Ready Now!
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GOOD!
Moderate
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(No Transcript)
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Source Cogeneration and On-site Power Production
July 2003 Jeremy Hugues
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Geo-Thermal Energy
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Geothermal Energy
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Warm Springs
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Solar Power
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PV Market Growth Expectations
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Cumulative Installed PhotoVoltaic Systems in the
US
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Types of Solar Power Thermal

• Active

• Passive

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Photovoltaic
More On Solar Power Later!
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Wind Power
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Wind Power Is Not New !!!
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Wind Power Has Great Potential
(Not to scale)
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There Are Choices!

• Large Turbines
• Require Class 3-4 Wind Regime
• Prefer Class 5

• Large Turbines
• 1,000 / kW
• High Voltage Delivery
• Value of Power

2-5

• Small Turbines
• 2 3,000 / kW
• Low Voltage Delivery
• Value of Power

• Small Turbines
• Require Class 2 Wind Regime

6-18
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Geothermal Energy

• Water heated by underground magmatic activity is
  pumped to surface and used for heating or
  electricity generation
• Used in Iceland, Italy, California

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HEATING ENERGY
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Renewable Energy Cost Trends
Levelized cents/kWh in constant 20001
4030 20 10 0
100 80 60 40 20 0
PV
Wind
COE cents/kWh
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
70 60 50 40 30 20 100
1512 9 6 30
10 8 6 4 20
Solar thermal
Biomass
Geothermal
COE cents/kWh
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Source NREL Energy Analysis Office
(www.nrel.gov/analysis/docs/cost_curves_2002.ppt)
1These graphs are reflections of historical cost
trends NOT precise annual historical
data. Updated October 2002