Sustainable Development and

Environmental Treatment Technology

Chapter 4. ENERGY RESOURCES
& RENEWABLE ENERGY
 Part 1

Analysis of energy resources

and limitations of fossil fuels
 Introduction

This part presents the limitations of fossil fuels and the needs

to: i) develop renewable energy sources, and ii) enhance

energy efficiency. Afterward, details about main renewable

energy sources and methods to increase energy efficiency,

reduce energy losses are presented.

 World energy demand

Kreith, Frank.; Goswami, D. Yogi. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Handbook, Second Edition, CRC Press, 2016
 Primary energy
World consumption
Statistical Review of World
Energy 2023
© Energy Institute 2023

About three-quarters of
the world’s commercial
energy comes from
nonrenewable fossil
fuels and the rest comes
from nonrenewable
nuclear fuel and
renewable sources.
 Primary energy
World consumption
Statistical Review of World
Energy 2023
© Energy Institute 2023

Renewable energy has

increasing role, partly
substituting for “un-
clean” types of energy
sources (oil, coal)
 World population and energy consumption

Roland Wengenmayr and Thomas Bührke. Renewable Energy~ Sustainable Energy Concepts for the Energy Change, 2 nd Ed, Wiley, 2013
 CO2 emission due to fuel burning (billion tons)

Kreith, Frank.; Goswami, D. Yogi. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Handbook, Second Edition, CRC Press, 2016
 Remaining global fossil fuel reserves (year 2011)

Fossil Fuel % of total energy Proven reserves

consumption, year 109 tonnes
2009

Solid
Coal, Anthracite, Lignite 26% 847
Liquid
Crude Oil, Condensate
Natural Gas Liquids 34% 205

Natural Gas
20% 188

9 BP Statistical Review 2012 & International Energy Agency, 2011

 Time to exhaustion at current rate of consumption
Year 2011

Fossil Fuel Time to exhaustion

Years
Solid 332
Coal, Anthracite, Lignite
Liquid (Conventional) 37
Crude Oil, Condensate
Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas (Conventional) 62

1
0
 “Peak oil”

Oil production will reach a maximum point (peak), then decrease

1
1Kreith, Frank.; Goswami, D. Yogi. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Handbook, Second Edition, CRC Press, 2016
 Evolution of energy sources (USA)

1
2
Targets for world renewable energy
Important Nonrenewable Energy Resources
How Should We Evaluate Energy Resources?
 Science Focus: Net Energy Is the Only Energy
That Really Counts

• It takes energy to get energy

• Second Law of Thermodynamics

• Net energy expressed as net energy ratio = net

energy generated per one unit (unit quantity
or unit energy content in form of heat) of
crude energy-contained materials (kJ, kg,
etc..)
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Oil?

• Conventional oil is currently abundant, has a

high net energy yield, and is relatively
inexpensive, but using it causes air and water
pollution and releases greenhouse gases to the
atmosphere.
• Unconventional oil sources (heavy oils from oil
sand and oil shale) exist in potentially large
supplies but have low net energy yields and
higher environmental impacts than conventional
oil has.
Science: Refining Crude Oil
Advantages and
Disadvantages of
conventional oil
 Unconventional oil sources

• Oil sand, tar sand contains bitumen

• Canada and Venezuela: oil sand have more oil
than in Saudi Arabia
• Extraction
– Serious environmental impact before strip-mining
– Low net energy yield: Is it cost effective?

Youtube video: The Oil Sands Explained ... in 10 minutes

 Unconventional oil sources

• Shale oil and gas: fossil resource with significant reserves in

USA, China,.., but needing unfavorable extraction methods
(costly and high environmental impact)
• 72% of the world’s reserve is in arid areas of western United
States
– Locked up in rock
– Lack of water needed for extraction and processing
– Low net energy yield

Understanding shale oil and the controversial practice of 'fr

acking'
Oil Shale Rock and the Shale Oil Extracted from It
Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Unconventional
oil sources
Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Natural Gas
 Coal Has Advantages and Disadvantages

• Single biggest air polluter in coal-burning

countries

• One-fourth of the annul CO2 emissions

• Many opposed to new coal-burning power

plants
Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Coal
We Can Convert Coal into Gaseous and Liquid Fuels
Trade-
Offs:
Synthetic
Fuels
 What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of
Nuclear Energy?

• Nuclear power has a low environmental impact

and a very low accident risk, but high costs, a
low net energy yield, long-lived radioactive
wastes, vulnerability to sabotage, and the
potential for spreading nuclear weapons
technology have limited its use.
Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Conventional
Nuclear Fuel Cycle
 Part 2

Improve Energy Efficiency

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is the

measure of the useful
energy produced
compared to the energy
converted to low quality---
usually heat.

Using energy to do work,

not produce heat.
What is energy conservation?

Implementing new technology to do same

work using less energy.
• Heating homes more efficiently
• Driving more efficient cars
• Lightning spaces more efficiently

The results: SAVES money, produces less

pollution, reduces CO2
Enhance energy efficiency

 Aim to reduce energy consumption by

technological solutions

 Example: Use sensors to automatically adjust

lighting systems & temperature of air

conditioners when we go out or when we are

asleep
 Importance of energy conservation

• 84% of commercial
electricity is wasted
• 41% of energy is
automatically wasted due
to 2nd Law Of
Thermodynamics
• 43% is wasted
unnecessarily
Why Is Energy Efficiency an Important
Energy Resource?

 We could save as
much as 43% of
all the energy we
use by improving
energy efficiency
Advantages of reducing energy waste

• Quick and clean

• Usually the cheapest to provide more energy

• Reduce pollution and degradation

• Slow global warming

• Increase economic and national security

Four widely used devices that waste
energy:

• Incandescent light bulb

• Motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine
• Nuclear power plant
• Coal-fired power plant
 Power Plant Cycle
Q1 = Heat supply (burning coal,
nuclear reactions)

WE Steam
  31  33% 1. Boiler
Q1

Water
2. Turbine
WE

.
WP

4. Pump Q2 = Heat rejected 3. Condenser

Comparison of the Net Energy Efficiency
for Two Types of Home Heating
Passive and Active Solar Heating for a
Home
How Can We Cut Energy Waste?

 We have a variety of technologies for sharply

increasing the energy efficiency of industrial

operations, motor vehicles, and buildings.

We Can Save Energy in Industry

 Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP)

 Replace energy-wasting electric motors

 Recycling materials

 Switch from low-efficiency incandescent lighting to higher-

efficiency fluorescent and LED lighting
Cogeneration or combined heat and
power (CHP)
Cogeneration or combined heat and
power (CHP)

 In a conventional power plant, 100% energy input ->

33% electricity + 61% heat loss to environment + 3%
energy for operating the plant + 3% loss in transmission
line
 CHP: produce simultaneously electricity and heat (heat
recovery, reduce heat loss to environment). Heat
recovery (steam, hot water) is usually used for building
heating
Cogeneration or combined heat and
power (CHP)

 With CHP, energy efficiency can be up to 89%

 Europe leads the world in CHP applications: CHP
accounts for 11% electricity generation capacity
(Denmark: 55%); USA: 10%
We Can Save Energy in Transportation

 Standards for car fuel efficiency are proposed

 Fuel-efficient cars are on the market

 Tax incentives for buying fuel-efficient cars

Fuel economy – new cars sold in the US
Fuel economy – new cars
More Energy-Efficient Vehicles Are
on the Way

 Superefficient and ultralight cars

 Gasoline-electric hybrid car

 Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

 Energy-efficient diesel car

 Electric vehicle with a fuel cell, using hydrogen

as fuel
Solutions: A Hybrid-Gasoline-Electric
Engine Car and a Plug-in Hybrid Car
We Can Design Buildings That Save
Energy

 Green architecture

 Living or green roofs

 Straw bale houses

 We Can Design Buildings That Save
Energy
Chicago’s Sears Tower
uses more energy in
a day than a city of
150,000

Atlanta’s Georgia
Power Company
uses 60% less
energy than other
buildings it size.
 We Can Design Buildings That Save
Energy

We can save energy in

buildings by
• Getting heat from the
sun
• Insulating well
• Using plants for
shade and wind
blockage
 We Can Design Buildings That Save
Energy
Super insulated house:
• Costs 5% more to build
• Can use 90% less
energy for heating and
cooling
Green Roofs:
• Plants or gardens on
roof help insulate from
heat in summer and cold
in winter
A Green or Living Roof in Chicago,
IL (U.S.)
 We Can Save Energy in Existing
Buildings (1)
 Reduce heating and  Use energy-efficient windows
cooling losses
Double pained, insulating windows
1/3rd of heated air in U.S. homes is cost more, but can save money in
lost through windows, holes the long run.
and cracks.

Insulating and plugging holes is

the easiest and cheapest ways
to save energy.

 Use solar-powered hot water systems

Rooftop Solar Hot Water on Apartment
Buildings in Kunming, China
We Can Save Energy in Existing
Buildings (2)

 Use energy-efficient electrical appliances and

lighting (microwaves, refrigerators, washers,
driers, lights,… all come with energy star labels;
use devices with higher star)
 When not using: lights, computers, TV’s and
other electrical devises should be turned off.
Ref: G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment, 14th Edition
Individuals Matter: Ways in Which You
Can Save Money Where You Live
Sustainable Chemical Production

How to achieve high

process efficiency?
: by Process
Intensification,
Process Integration,
Advanced Catalyst
and Reactor Design,
etc... (no single
answer)
 Part 3

Bio-fuels and
Biorefinery
 Carbon Dioxide Levels
420 Muana Loa Readings
CO2 Levels Since 1958

CO2 (ppm)
370 370
350
CO2 (ppm)

330
320 310
40 30 20 10 0

270

220
Dome Concordia Vostok Ice Core
170 600000
64 400000 200000 0
Time (YBP)
 Worldwide Carbon Emissions

8
Carbon (109 metric tons)

Total
7 Oil
6 Coal
Natural Gas
5
4
3
2
1
0
65 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000
Year
 Global Carbon Emissions by Sector

other Fuel Fugitive

Power
Combustion Emissions Generation
10% 1%
24%
Agriculture
14%

Industry Transportation
15% 18%
Deforestation
18%

World Resources Institute, 2006 et al

 Bio-fuels

Biofuels – fuels derived from bio-based materials (biomass

feedstock) – are drawing increasing attention worldwide as an
alternative to fossil-based transportation fuels to help reduce the
CO2 emissions as well as address energy security concerns

Bio-fuels are renewable as more plants can be grown,

producing yet more biomass.
 Bio-fuels
Bio-fuels do not contribute to global warming as the carbon
dioxide released when they are burnt is absorbed by the
plants grown to replace them

GHG: green house gases

Source: Robert Ehrlich, Renewable Energy _ A First Course, CRC Press (2014)
 Fossil resources versus renewable raw materials.

Source: ALEXANDRE C. DIMIAN et al., (2019), Applications in Design and

Simulation of Sustainable Chemical Processes (Elsevier Science)
 Bio-fuels

Renewable raw materials are any organic materials that grow

and are available again and again. They can be used both
materially and energetically.

Source: A. Behr, T. Seidensticker, Chemistry of Renewables_ An Introduction, Springer (2020)

 Biomass feedstock and generation of bio-fuels

Source: ALEXANDRE C. DIMIAN et al., (2019), Applications in Design and Simulation of Sustainable
Chemical Processes (Elsevier Science)
 Bio-fuels
Current fields of application of crude oil and renewable raw
materials

Source: A. Behr, T. Seidensticker, Chemistry of Renewables_ An Introduction, Springer (2020)

 Bio-fuels

Source: J. keyrIläInen and M.Koskinen, Renewable fuels and biofuels in a petroleum

refinery, www.digitalrefining.com, Q1, 2011
Building blocks for organic synthesis in biorefineries
 Bio-fuels

Overview of biofuel feedstocks, processing routes and products

 Bio-fuels
Some advantages and disadvantages of first-, second- and third generation biofuels
 Bio-fuels

Source: G. CHEVIRON et al., Diversifying the future: Incentives for worldwide adoption of renewable
fuels and chemicals—Part 1, Hydrocarbon Processing, OCTOBER 2019
 Bio-fuels

Biomass thermal conversion process flow

Source: G. CHEVIRON et al., Diversifying the future: Incentives for worldwide adoption of renewable
fuels and chemicals—Part 2, Hydrocarbon Processing, NOVEMBER 2019
 Bio-fuels

The FT route may become the heart of the

biorefinery, as it offers feedstock flexibility and
product slates

Biomass thermal conversion process flow

Source: G. CHEVIRON et al., Diversifying the future: Incentives for worldwide adoption of renewable
fuels and chemicals—Part 2, Hydrocarbon Processing, NOVEMBER 2019
 Bio-ethanol

Typical flow diagram for

ethanol production via
enzymatic
hydrolysis
Source: G. CHEVIRON et al.,
Diversifying the future: Incentives for
worldwide adoption of renewable fuels
and chemicals—Part 2, Hydrocarbon
Processing, NOVEMBER 2019
Bio-ethanol
Bio-ethanol
 Bio-gasoline

Source: G. CHEVIRON et al., Diversifying the future: Incentives for worldwide adoption of renewable
fuels and chemicals—Part 2, Hydrocarbon Processing, NOVEMBER 2019
 Bio-diesel

Source: J. MOULIJN, M. MAKKEE, A.E. VAN DIEPEN, Chemical Process Technology

2nd Ed, Wiley (2013)
 Bio-diesel

Source: J. MOULIJN, M. MAKKEE, A.E. VAN DIEPEN, Chemical Process Technology

2nd Ed, Wiley (2013)
 Bio-diesel

Source: J. MOULIJN, M. MAKKEE, A.E. VAN DIEPEN, Chemical Process Technology

2nd Ed, Wiley (2013)
 Bio-diesel

Simplified flow scheme of the UOP/Eni Ecofining process producing “green diesel” by
catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of vegetable oils
Source: J. MOULIJN, M. MAKKEE, A.E. VAN DIEPEN, Chemical Process Technology
2nd Ed, Wiley (2013)
 Bio-diesel

Source: J. MOULIJN, M. MAKKEE, A.E. VAN DIEPEN, Chemical Process Technology

2nd Ed, Wiley (2013)
 Biorefinery

One possible biorefinery flow

Source: G. CHEVIRON et al., Diversifying the future: Incentives for worldwide adoption of renewable
fuels and chemicals—Part 2, Hydrocarbon Processing, NOVEMBER 2019
 Bio-chemicals

Building blocks for chemicals from renewable raw materials

 Co-processing in existing refinery to produce renewable fuels

Source: J. keyrIläInen and M.Koskinen, Renewable fuels and biofuels in a petroleum

refinery, www.digitalrefining.com, Q1, 2011
 Co-processing in existing refinery to produce renewable fuels

Block diagram showing co-

processing of vegetable oil in the
Diesel Hydrotreating Unit in an
existing oil refinery

SRGO: straight-run gasoil

Source: P. DHAR et al., Production of renewable fuels in existing refinery assets A cost-effective
coprocessing strategy, Hydrocarbon Processing, JANUARY 2018
 Part 4

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Reference for this part:

G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment, 14th Edition, Chapter 18
 Contribution of renewable energy in Vietnam

Year Energy resources Value (1018 joules)

Oil 0,94
Natural Gas 0,26
Coal 2,16
Nuclear energy 0,00
2021
Hydropower (hydroelectric
0,72
energy)
Other renewable energies 0,27
Total 4,34
Oil 1,03
Natural Gas 0,28
Coal 2,05
Nuclear energy 0,00
2022
Hydropower (hydroelectric
0,90
energy)
Other renewable energies 0,33
Total 4,59
9Ref: Statistical Review of World Energy 2023 © Energy Institute 2023
4
 Contribution of renewable energy in Vietnam

The data show that renewable energies (hydropower and

other types of renewable energies such as wind power,
solar power, etc.) account for a significant proportion of
the energy structure in Vietnam (accounting for 26.8% of
total energy demand in 2022), and is increasing rapidly
(the increase from 2021 to 2022 is 25%)

9
5
 Benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy

9
6 Ehrlich, Robert. Renewable Energy _ A First Course, CRC Press, 2014
 Compare electricity generation costs

9
7 Ehrlich, Robert. Renewable Energy _ A First Course, CRC Press, 2014
Compare electricity generation costs

Installation costs
 Harvest factor
Harvest factor represents the useful energy that a plant
generates in the course of its lifetime in relation to the
energy that was required for its construction and
installation

Types of energy sources Harvest factor

Solar cell 2 to 38 (average = 10)

Wind 10 to 50
Hydroelectric 250
Coal-fired power plant 90
Nuclear power plant 160 to 240
What are the main types of renewable
energy?
The next several sections
we will go through:
• Solar Energy
• Flowing Water
• Wind
• Geothermal
• Hydrogen
• Other possible renewable
energy sources.
 Solar cells
Solar cells (or photocells) turn light energy from the Sun
directly into direct current electricity.
Manufacturing solar cells is very expensive and requires the
use of highly toxic materials. However, once the solar cell is
built it produces no pollution and requires little maintenance.
This makes solar cells
ideal for use in remote
locations where
maintenance is difficult
and other sources of
electricity would be
expensive.
© NASA/NREL
 Efficiency of a solar cell
Solar cells suffer from a low efficiency. This is because only
light with enough energy causes an electron to be released
which is only about 25% of all sunlight.
The amount of electricity a solar panel can produce depends
on two factors: its surface area and the light intensity.
Producing enough
electricity to power a
town would require a
very large area of solar
panels but covering the
roof of a house can
meet the annual
electricity needs of the
household.
 Problems with solar cells
One obvious problem with solar cells is that they do not
produce electricity at night.
If more electricity is produced during the day than is used,
the excess can be used to charge a battery which can then
provide power during the night.
Scientists are working
to develop improved
solar cells which
require less polluting
chemicals in their
manufacture, cost less
to produce and are
more efficient than the
© Warren Gretz/NREL
current technology.
 Solar power stations
Solar power stations use the energy from the sun to heat
water to make steam, which is then used to drive a turbine.

Some solar power

stations use a series
of mirrors called
heliostats to reflect
light onto a boiler.
This solar power
station in California
consists of about
1800 heliostats, with
an electrical output
© Sandia National Laboratory/NREL of 10 megawatts.
 More solar power stations
Some solar power stations
use curved mirrors which
focus the Sun’s energy onto
pipes containing water. This
heats the water forming steam.

© Warren Gretz/NREL © Warren Gretz/NREL

Direct solar steam generation in parabolic troughs: The
water is partially vaporized in the first two-thirds of the
collector line. Then the mixture of steam and water is
separated and the dry steam is further super-heated in the
last third of the line, while the hot water flows back to the
inlet of the collectors.
Hydroelectric power
Large scale hydroelectric
schemes involve building
a dam across the end of
a river valley to create a
reservoir. This is done
high up in a mountainous
area.
Hydroelectric power
stations are able to start
up electricity production
quickly.
Hydroelectric power is
also very reliable.
Hydroelectric power
 Effective use of hydroelectric power
Hydroelectric power stations
need to be situated in high
mountainous areas such as
North Wales or Scotland.
Damming the river causes
the river valley to flood which
could mean that houses and
villages are destroyed.
Hydroelectric power schemes also cost a lot of money and
take a long time to build. However, they do last a long time
and they are able to produce large amounts of electricity.
Once they are built, hydroelectric schemes provide a cheap
and reliable source of electricity.
Large-scale
Hydroelectric
Power: Trade-
offs
Reviewing the Trade-offs of
Hydropower Dams
 Tidal Power
Using the twice daily natural rise
and fall of tidal waters to
produce power.
Newer concept
Lot of potential in certain tidal
regions.
 Wind power
Wind is the result of the Sun
heating the Earth and
creating convection currents
in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Using the wind as a source
of energy is not a new idea.
Sailing ships, powered by
the wind, have been around
for thousands of years.
Windmills which used the
wind’s power to grind corn
were once a common
landmark across Britain.
 Wind turbines

Wind turbines (or aero-

generators) use large blades
to capture the kinetic energy
of the wind. This kinetic
energy is used to directly turn
a turbine and produce
electricity.
Wind turbines do not produce
any polluting waste, however,
some people consider them to
be an noisy and an eyesore.
There is also concern that, if
poorly located, they could kill
migrating birds.
 Wind farms
One problem with wind turbines is
that individually they do not generate
a lot of electricity. They are usually
needed in large numbers to have an
impact on electricity production. A
group of wind turbines is called a
wind farm.

Wind farms require large

amounts of space in open areas,
but the land can also be used for
farming at the same time.
Offshore wind farms are
located at sea.
© Robert Thresher/NREL
Wind power:
Trade-offs
 Geothermal energy
In rocks under the ground,
radioactive decay of elements,
such as uranium, releases heat
energy that warm the rocks.
In some areas, hot water and
steam rise to the surface. © Joel Renner - DOE/NREL

The steam and hot water

which rises naturally to the
surface can be harnessed to
generate electricity.
The largest geothermal power
plant is in California and has
an output of 750 megawatts.
© David Parsons/NREL
 Geothermal energy

In some areas, the warm rocks are very deep underground.

Where this occurs, wells
are drilled down to the
hot rocks and cold water
is pumped down. The
water is heated by the
rocks and returns to the
surface as steam.
This geothermal power
plant in California has
57 wells and produces
52 MW of electricity. © Warren Gretz/NREL
Geothermal
energy:
Trade-offs
The Hydrogen Revolution
Hydrogen
energy:
Trade-offs
Entering the Age of Decentralized Micropower
 Decentralized power systems; Micropower systems
Solutions: A Sustainable Energy Strategy
 Glossary
 biomass energy – Energy from living matter, which can
used as fuels.
 geothermal energy – Heat from radioactive decay in
rocks deep below the Earth’s surface.
 hydroelectric energy – The gravitational potential
energy of falling water, which is used to generate electricity.
 solar energy – Energy from the Sun, which is converted
into thermal or electrical energy.
 tidal energy – Energy from the rise and fall of the tides,
which can be used to generate electricity.
 wave energy – Energy from the up and down motion of
waves, which can be used to generate electricity.
 wind energy – Energy from the movement of air, which is
transferred to wind turbine and used to generate electricity.