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The Carbon Cycle: Strategies to reduce CO2 emissions
We have discussed in class Robert Socolow?s ?wedge? approach to carbon stabilization that breaks the problem into small pieces that can be attacked with current technology. More recently, Williams et al. (2012) have argued that decarbonizing electricity is the key to achieving deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
In this project, you will pick one form of reducing carbon emissions associated with electricity generation. Research the technology to learn how it works, where it is most abundant, what are the challenges to converting to this source of electricity on a large scale. You will also note if there benefits besides reduced carbon emissions or potential harms to the environment, industry, society.
What To Do:
1.Pick one of the following ways to decarbonize electric power generation:wind power; solar power; tidal power; geothermal power; biofuels(also called biomass); carbon capture and sequestration(CCS)
2. Investigate a specific technology within one of these areas.
3.Write a short essay on your chosen area and specific technology. Address each of the following (a paragraph or two on each point is recommended):
a. Describe the basic principles of the energy resource or decarbonization method, and the technology needed to apply it to electrical power generation.
b. Analyze where and/or how it works.
a. For Renewable Energy: Where in the United States is the source of this energy most abundant? Use maps from NREL (http://www.nrel.gov/gis/maps.html) to determine this. Discuss the geography of this energy source relative to where we have the greatest demands for energy (i.e., the west and east coasts). The goal is to understand regional differences in the usefulness of a given energy source.
b. For CCS: compare the advantages or difficulties of at least two different methods of storage?there are discussions of ocean, soil (or biomass) and multiple types geologic sequestration; the goal is to understand some of the choices in how to store carbon.
c. What are the challenges to scaling this decarbonizing approach to a large sector of electricity generation? These might include financial costs, infrastructure, transport or transmission, technology problems, or environmental costs
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What to turn in:
Type your assignment. Double space your text, use 1? margins and an 11 or 12-point font.
Use complete sentences for all text. Pay attention to grammar and style, and use good paragraph structure (topic sentence, clear points and logical progression) to make your essay read smoothly.
Include the following sections. Be sure to label each section clearly! We don?t expect text longer than 3 pages, double spaced; we will grade on completeness, not length.
o Decarbonizing Method Technology: What it is, how it works, and how it will help decarbonizes electrical power generation.
o Resource Analysis: Power demands are greatest near big cities, especially in the eastern US and along the west coast. Analyze the potential impact of the method:
? (For Renewable Energy) Based on geography of this energy supply in the US (include a map from NREL), discuss where the energy is available and where it is needed. What regions are likely to benefit the most from this energy source? What challenges are there in transmission or transport to urban centers?
? (For CCS) Compare the geography of at least two sequestration methods; maps optional, other figure(s) welcome. What methods are more likely to be useful near power plants in the east coast?
o Challenges of Scale: what are the obstacles to implementation at the scale necessary to make a significant impact on US greenhouse gas emissions?
Cite your sources using the following guidelines.
1) 2) 3)
4) 5)
Summarize and simplify the most relevant information from your sources (no quotes, please) Integrate information from your sources with your own ideas Document all sources of information:
quotations, opinions and predictions statistics and other numerical values figures, charts or graphs another author?s theories or ideas examples or case studies
We encourage you to use the web, especially government or academic sites. In all cases, include the URL and the sponsoring institution or organization.
Attribute information to a source within the text by a number in parentheses and a list by number with the full citation at the end.
Note that all assignments will be checked for plagiarism. Please turn in your own work.
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