GEOG 2EI3 - Lecture 16 –

Energy – Part 1
1. What are the Trends in Energy
Consumption?
2. Fossil fuels: Today’s dominant
source of energy
3. What are the Alternatives to Fossil
Fuels?
4. What are “New” renewable energy
sources
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 Learning Objectives
• Describe the trends in Energy
Use/Consumption and Historical Shifts
• Describe the trends in the use of
Fossil fuels
• Describe the future of oil and the
potential of other fossil fuels as
replacement; major impacts
• Explain what are the Conventional
Alternatives
• Describe the transition to renewable
sources
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1. What are the
Trends in
Energy
Consumption?

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Historical Shifts in Energy Use
• e.g.:

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World Energy Use & Trends

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 2. Fossil fuels: Today’s
dominant source of energy
• High-energy content of
fossil fuels:

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 Reliance on Fossil Fuels
• E.g.:

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Peaking of Global Oil
Production

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 Can Coal be an Alternative?
•

• Use on the increase

•

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Coal Formation and Types

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What are the Environmental
Impacts Of Coal?

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 Can Natural Gas be an Alternative?
•
•
• Liquefied petroleum gas
• Cogeneration

Extraction
in m3

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 Pros and Cons of Natural Gas

• Transportation:

• Disadvantages:
•

•
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3. What are the Alternatives
to Fossil Fuels?

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 What are Conventional
Alternatives?
•

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Nuclear Power Generation

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 The Chernobyl Disaster
•

• Soviet Union,
1986

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4. What are “New”
renewable energy
sources?

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 Growth of
the New
Renewables

• Much faster
rates than
conventional Wind Energy Growth

sources
• Will take
time to build
them up
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 Conclusion
• Energy consumption is expected to grow
globally, and particularly in developing
countries
• Fossil fuels are the dominant source
of energy globally, and also for the
foreseeable future
• Despite the environmental concerns
associated to their use, switching to
alternatives is technologically
challenging, will take time and suitable
policies
© Luc Bernier [2019]
 TO DO!
1. Readings: chapter 12 in Textbook

2. Tutorials this week: Debates week #1;

print and bring the “Debate Evaluation
Form”

3. Tutorials next week: Debates week #2;

print and bring the “Debate Evaluation
Form”

4. Term Paper due on Friday Nov. 8, 4:30

p.m., on Avenue to Learn
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 COPYRIGHT NOTICE

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