Arno Smets

Introduction to Solar Energy

Energy Conversion I
Week 1.2.1
`
(Source: NASA)
Energy Joules (J)
Power = Energy/Time Watts (W)
1 W = 1 J/s
1 kWh = 1kW x 1h = 3.6 MJ
The Energy Problem
Growing world population
The Energy Problem Energy Shortage
Increasing living standard:
Energy consumption per capita
(Source: Wikipedia)
The Energy Problem
1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Time
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.

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.

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2
0
0
8

U
S
D
)
Energy Shortage
Source: BP workbook of historical data
380
360
340
320
300
280
260
2000 1950 1900 1850 1800 1750
P
a
r
t
s

p
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m
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l
l
i
o
n

b
y

v
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e
Carbon Dioxide Concentration
Direct Measurements
Ice Core Measurements
Source: Trends in atmospheric CO
2
ESRL-GMD
The Energy Problem
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
- 0.2
- 0.4
2000 1960 1940 1920 1900 1880 1980
G
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b
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l

T
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p
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A
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(
C
)
Global Temperature
NASA GISS 12 months running average
Hottest 12 months on record
June 2009 to May 2010
Climate change