September 10, 2010 ALTERNATIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY Interactive Qualifying Project Report completed in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Science degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA Submitted to: Professor Mayer Humi Produced By: Dave Dwyer Jose Grasso John Kent Christopher Stanton Carlos Urdaneta ABSTRACT Scientists, environmentalists and engineers are generating solutions to create a sustainable energy infrastructure in order to maintain all technological advances and protect the environment. With this project, the group researched the advantages and disadvantages of various fuels. Issues include these energy sources’ impact on the environment and health, safety, as well as current and future energy legislations. As a result of this research, the group has compared all forms of energy by creating a ranking system, and will reveal which are the most practical and sustainable forms of energy. 1 | P a g e TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary……………………..………………………………6 Introduction……………………………..……………………………….8 National Energy Policy……………………………..………………...…9 Chapter 1…………………………………………………………………………………..9 Chapter 2…………………………………………………………………………………..9 Chapter 3………………………………………………………..………………………..10 Chapter 4…………………………………………………………..……………………..10 Chapter 5……………………………………………………………..…………..………11 Chapter 6……………………………………………………………..………..…………12 Chapter 7……………………………………………………………...…………………12 Chapter 8…………………………………………………………………………………14 Natural Gas………………………………………………………….....16 Role…………………………………………………………………………...……….…16 Consumption…..…………………………………………………….……..………….…16 Production……..……………………………………………………………..….…….…16 Reserves…………….…………………………………………………………...…….…17 Imports………...………………………………………………….…………………...…17 Unconventional Natural Gas…………………………………………………………….18 Shale Gas…………….………………………………………………….…….…18 Coalbed Methane...…………..………………………………………….…….…19 Tight Gas Sands………………………….………………………………….…...20 Methane Hydrates...………………………………..………………………….…20 Prices..…...…………………………………………………………………………….…21 Environmental Impacts………………………………………………………..…...….…22 Works Cited…………………………………………………………………..……….…23 Wind Energy…………………………………………………………...24 Production Process………...……………………………………………………….….…24 2 | P a g e Modern Turbines……………..……………………………………………………….…25 Improvements………………..………………………………………………………..…26 Turbine Dynamics………………………...…………………………………………......27 Micrositing and Array Effects……………………...……………………………………28 Mesoscale Process………………………………..…………………………………...…28 Climate Effects………………………………………...…………………………………28 Organizational and Process Improvements……………….………………………..….…29 Transmission Systems……………………………….…………………….….…29 Small Winds……………………………………………………………….….…30 Other Benefits…………………………………..………………………….….…30 Decrease in CO2 Emissions……………………………………………………………...31 Decrease in Water Usage………………………………………………………………...32 Total Cost of Wind………………………………………..…………………….………..33 Land Requirements………………………………………………………………………34 Wind Energy Complaints………………………………………………………………...34 Future of Wind……………………………………………..………………………….…34 Recommendations……………………..…………………..……………………………..35 Windmill Model……………………………………………………………………….…36 Works Cited…………………………………………………..……………………….…37 Nuclear Energy………………………………………………………...38 Energy Process…………………………………………………..…………………….…38 Nuclear Developments…………………………………………..…………………….…39 Thorium as Fuel………………………………………………..…………………..….…40 Uranium..…………………………………………………………………………..….…42 Safety .………………………………………………………….………………….….…43 Disposal of Nuclear Waste……………………………….……….……………….….….45 Total Cost……………………………………………….…….……………………….…48 Potential of Nuclear Power…………………………………..………………………..…49 Obama’s Plan…………………………………………………………………………….50 Recommendations…………………………………………..……………………….…...51 Works Cited..…………………………………………………..……………………...…52 3 | P a g e Cancer and Nuclear Power……………………….……...……….….…53 Childhood Cancer………………………………………………………………………..53 Tritium..…………………………………………………..………………………..….…53 Thyroid Cancer…………………………………………...………………………..….…54 Work Cited……………………………………………………………………………….56 Cancer and Energy……………………………………………………..57 Coal…………………………………………………………………….60 Types of Coal……………………...………………………….……………………….…60 Coal Extraction…………………………………………………………..…….……...…61 Coal Process………………………………………………………………….....….….…61 Coal Transportation..………………………………………………………………….…62 Coal Locations…………………………………………………………………….….…62 Use of Coal………………………………………………………………………...….…65 Environmental Effects………………………………………………………….….….…65 Clean Coal Technologies….……………………………………………………….….…68 Conclusions………………………………………………………………………...….…70 Solutions.………………………………………………………………………….…..…71 Graphs…..……………………………………………………………………………..…72 Works Cited………………………………………………………………………..….…73 Oil……………………………………………………………………...74 Chemistry of Petroleum…………………………………………………………..…...…76 Manufacturing Process……………………………………………………..….……...…76 Oil Classifications………………………………………………………………..…...…80 Unconventional Oil…………………………………………………..……………….…80 Consumption…………………………………………………………..……………...…82 Production……………………………………………………………………..……..….82 Major Domestic Reserves..…………………………………………………………...…83 Peak Oil…………………………………………………………………..………..….…88 Imports…………………………………………………………………….………….…90 Environmental Impacts…...…………………………………………………….….….…90 4 | P a g e Waste Water……………………………………………………………………….…..…93 Obama’s Oil Policy………………………………..….……………………………...….98 Works Cited………………………………………..……………………………….....…99 BP Oil Spill………………………………………………..……………………….…...100 Hydraulic Fracturing……………………………………………….…108 Linear Gel.………..……………………………………………………………….……109 Cross-Linked Gels……...………………………………………………………………109 Foamed Gels…...…………………………………………………………………….…111 Slick Water..………………………………………………………………………….…112 Chemical Additives…………………………………………………………………..…113 Tests and Mechanics……………………………………………………………………115 Environmental Effects…...…………………………………………………………..…118 Works Cited………………………………………..………………………………..…120 Solar Energy…………………………………………………………..121 Impact of Solar Energy…...…………………………...………………………….….…123 Where to Develop Solar Technology……………………………………………..….…124 Passive Solar Technology..……………………..…….…………………………..….…125 Electric Solar Energy…...………………………………...…………………….………126 Solar Energy in the Present..………………………………..……………………….…127 New Technologies………………………………………………………………..….…132 Cost of Solar Energy…………………………………………..………….………….…133 Environmental Impact…………………………………………………….………….…135 Solar Energy in Space...……………………………………………….….………….…135 Obama’s Solar Energy Initiative…………………………………….……………….…136 Works Cited………………………………….…………………….……………..….…137 Energy Optimization Model…………………………………..……...138 Energy Resource Rating……………………………………………...140 Conclusion……………………………………………………………141 5 | P a g e EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Energy is a critical issue because nonrenewable energy sources will soon disappear, as a result of society’s rising dependence on them. The group analyzed different issues connected with six types of energy: petroleum, natural gas, coal, solar energy, wind energy, and nuclear energy. Petroleum is considered one of the main energy sources in the world. It is the basic substance that powers society’s transportation and heating systems. It is also used in the production of many chemicals and pharmaceutical products. The group analyzed petroleum’s availability, reserves, extraction costs, supply and demand, effects on health and the environment, as well as finds solutions to all these problems. Solar energy is a relatively new technology compared to other energy sources. The group investigated numerous solutions that decreased the use of coal and other nonrenewable energy sources. The group also discussed solar energy production prices and alternatives for making these prices more reasonable. Furthermore, the group reviewed more efficient methods such as developing solar energy in space. Nuclear- After President Obama granted billions of dollars towards expanding nuclear energy, we examined how this could change the distribution of nuclear energy in the United States. Before this is examined in depth the energy process of coal, as well as technological advancements and safety and waste disposal are covered. Costs are also compared along with other factors that prove nuclear energy is very profitable and will play a big role in the United States energy distribution. Wind- Wind Energy was examined after the department of energy provided detailed statements and recommendations to expand wind energy production to 20% of the total U.S. energy production by 2030. We reviewed these and summarized the recommendations, examined the turbine process by which it produces energy, and discussed its benefits and maximum possible potential. Coal is one of the cheapest and oldest sources of energy in the world, but it is also one of the largest pollutants. The United States has 28% of the world’s coal reserves. It is the country with the most known reserves in the world, and more than 50% of the energy produced in the United States comes from coal. The group discusses all types of coal, its environmental effects and the coal process in order to find solutions to decrease the emissions of greenhouse gases that are affecting the environment. The group also analyzes new clean coal technologies in order to optimize the process and reduce its environmental effects. 6 | P a g e Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel. It has half the CO2 emissions of coal and a third of oil. Natural gas has had an increasing role in electrical generation currently contributing to 23 percent. Natural gas is an important feedstock in plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals. Gas is also used in space heating and cooking. The United States