Ch En 310

Reading Questions for Class 9

From Boyle et al., Chapter 9

Topic: Electricity

(Note that most of these questions are not from the book.  I still want you to read/skim the material in the book)

 

A. Amount/Growth/Price/Sources

1.               Please comment on the U.S. demand for electricity since 1960 and the corresponding average price.  Why is the U.S. per capita demand higher than in Europe? (See http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/elect.html )

2.               What was the distribution of the amount of electricity in the U.S. in 2006 between residential, commercial, industrial, etc.? (see http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/elect.html )

3.               Comment on the sources of electricity for the countries discussed in Chapter 9 (section 9.10), including what factors influenced each country’s choice (See http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/electricitygeneration.html and click on the 6th Excel file, the one labeled “By Type, 2005”).

B. Efficiency of Generation

4.               Please explain what a combined cycle plant is, along with the plusses and minuses of implementation.

5.               Discuss CHP plants (combined heat and power).  Include a discussion of where they are currently used and where they might be used in the future.

6.               Discuss base-load power vs. peaking plants, and how this affects the choice of electric power generation.

7.               One of the DOE plans for an advanced electric power generation system is called FutureGen.  One web site to look at this is: http://www.futuregenalliance.org/about.stm .  Please study this process and comment on what is being proposed and what the likelihood of success may be for this project.

C. Conservation

8.               How do we use energy in our homes? Make a pie chart showing heating and cooling, lighting, etc.. A good reference is http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/recs2001/detailcetbls.html#total .  Compare the Western region with the other regions.

9.               How can you decrease your electricity bill?  (Also your gas bill)  Interesting links:
(a) http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp
(b) http://www.powerscorecard.org/reduce_energy.cfm
(c) http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/

 

Write a question that will help the next class better study an important point in this chapter, or that will serve as a good discussion topic.