PDF Publication Title:
Text from PDF Page: 058
[ See Chapter 25 (Volume 2) for the case study ‘The role of geothermal energy in Kenya’s long-term development vision’. ] Geothermal energy for both direct thermal uses (district heating and others) and for power generation is underdeveloped and its potential is greatly underappreciated. It is climate independent, produces minimal to near-zero GHG emissions, does not consume water, and its availability is infinite at human time scales. In 2010, the annual worldwide use of geothermal energy was reported to be 67 TWh for electricity and 122 TWh for direct use (Fridleifsson, 2012). Although this is a marginal quantity on the global scale (Figure 3.5), geothermal energy can make a substantial contribution to energy supply at the local or national levels. It is considered possible to increase the installed worldwide geothermal electricity capacity from the current 10 GW to 70 GW with present technology, and to 140 GW with enhanced technology (Fridleifsson et al., 2008). A recent study consolidating decades of archived geological information in the USA shows that geothermal energy could offer 3,000 GW of added power – approximately 10 times the capacity of the country’s coal power plants (Blackwell et al., 2011). 3.4 Energy policy implications for water As described throughout this chapter, water can play either a beneficial or a detrimental role in the viability of energy production options. It is therefore vital to take account of the water implications of different options when developing energy policy. Changes to the energy mix are not occurring in the same way globally. Trends can be differentiated for the power sector and transportation fuels sector. The energy mix is constantly evolving, determined in large part by national energy policy, which is itself influenced by markets, technologies and (often to a lesser extent) social and environmental concerns. In the transportation fuels sector, much of the world is moving away from conventional petroleum-based fuels (petrol and diesel, relatively water-lean to produce). Many nations are selecting more water intensive options, such as unconventional fossil fuels (from hydraulic fracturing, coal-to-liquids or oil sands), biofuels and electricity. Even electric powered transportation is water intensive because of water requirements at the power plant. The USA initiated a major policy priority in 2007 of moving towards increased use of biofuels, with additional policy support for gas and liquids produced from hydraulic fracturing, both of which are relatively water intense. While the EU is revisiting its biofuel policies, biofuels remain a priority and a non- negligible portion of the fuel mix in Europe. In the power sector, some regions are moving towards more water intensive options while others are moving towards less water intensive choices as different nations pursue different paths. Planned and possible phase-outs and reductions in nuclear power may lead to more or less water intensive alternatives, including renewables and natural gas. Much of the Asia-Pacific region and South America is moving towards a large build-up of hydroelectric power (Chapters 11 and 13). New reservoirs might increase consumption (due to increased evaporation), but might also increase water availability for other uses because of large-scale storage capacity. China is moving aggressively to ramp up its coal production, which can be water intensive at the power plant and in the mining process (Box 3.3). China, along with India and the Middle East, is also moving towards increased nuclear power production. The USA is moving away from coal towards natural gas and wind and solar energy, which will reduce the water intensity of its power production. 3.4.1 Competition over scarce water supplies: The emerging challenge of thermal power generation The abstraction of water for cooling purposes by thermal power stations is high and rising across many regions 3.3 The water-related challenges of coal-fired power stations in Western China In the water-scarce western regions of China, new industries and power stations secure cooling water from local lakes and rivers, drawing down groundwater aquifers and building reservoirs to capture rainwater, all of which disrupt water supplies to other local users and lead to unsustainable water use. Because of such activities in Inner Mongolia it has been reported that the water table has dropped and grasslands such as Xilingol have become unproductive. The Wulagai Wetland has dried up significantly (Larson, 2012). In such cases, the sheer volumes of water abstracted for cooling, even though mainly non-consumptive, can have a significant impact on water levels and other users in regions of growing water scarcity. The most recent Chinese Five Year Plan (2011−2015) calls for the creation of 14 large coal industry bases across Western China, to include coal mines and coal-fired power plants (Larson, 2012). Source: James Winpenny, WWAP. 42 CHAPTER 3 STATUS, TRENDS AND CHALLENGES BOxPDF Image | Water and Energy
PDF Search Title:
Water and EnergyOriginal File Name Searched:
225741e.pdfDIY PDF Search: Google It | Yahoo | Bing
NFT (Non Fungible Token): Buy our tech, design, development or system NFT and become part of our tech NFT network... More Info
IT XR Project Redstone NFT Available for Sale: NFT for high tech turbine design with one part 3D printed counter-rotating energy turbine. Be part of the future with this NFT. Can be bought and sold but only one design NFT exists. Royalties go to the developer (Infinity) to keep enhancing design and applications... More Info
Infinity Turbine IT XR Project Redstone Design: NFT for sale... NFT for high tech turbine design with one part 3D printed counter-rotating energy turbine. Includes all rights to this turbine design, including license for Fluid Handling Block I and II for the turbine assembly and housing. The NFT includes the blueprints (cad/cam), revenue streams, and all future development of the IT XR Project Redstone... More Info
Infinity Turbine ROT Radial Outflow Turbine 24 Design and Worldwide Rights: NFT for sale... NFT for the ROT 24 energy turbine. Be part of the future with this NFT. This design can be bought and sold but only one design NFT exists. You may manufacture the unit, or get the revenues from its sale from Infinity Turbine. Royalties go to the developer (Infinity) to keep enhancing design and applications... More Info
Infinity Supercritical CO2 10 Liter Extractor Design and Worldwide Rights: The Infinity Supercritical 10L CO2 extractor is for botanical oil extraction, which is rich in terpenes and can produce shelf ready full spectrum oil. With over 5 years of development, this industry leader mature extractor machine has been sold since 2015 and is part of many profitable businesses. The process can also be used for electrowinning, e-waste recycling, and lithium battery recycling, gold mining electronic wastes, precious metals. CO2 can also be used in a reverse fuel cell with nafion to make a gas-to-liquids fuel, such as methanol, ethanol and butanol or ethylene. Supercritical CO2 has also been used for treating nafion to make it more effective catalyst. This NFT is for the purchase of worldwide rights which includes the design. More Info
NFT (Non Fungible Token): Buy our tech, design, development or system NFT and become part of our tech NFT network... More Info
Infinity Turbine Products: Special for this month, any plans are $10,000 for complete Cad/Cam blueprints. License is for one build. Try before you buy a production license. May pay by Bitcoin or other Crypto. Products Page... More Info
| CONTACT TEL: 608-238-6001 Email: greg@infinityturbine.com | RSS | AMP |