ENVEnergyLab
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Pikes Peak Community College *
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Course
1111
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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8
Uploaded by MinisterScorpionMaster5069
Desiree Casablanca-Bentz
Dierdre Hall
ENV 1111
27 April 2023
Watch the youtube video in the lab directory in D2L My Courses which will walk you through each part
of this lab
. In the video, you are provided with three energy mix options for generating energy for your town. We are going to evaluate these options under three different scenarios, with the goal of providing energy for your town at the lowest possible cost
. For each scenario, you will calculate the total cost of generating energy for 30 years based on the following equation:
Total Cost = Purchase Costs
+ (
Annual Costs
x 30) + (
CO
2
emissions
x CO
2
Tax x 30)
Scenario 1: Carbon Costs Externalized Under Scenario 1, the cost of carbon emissions will NOT be factored into our total cost calculations (CO
2
Tax = $0/ton). Carbon emissions costs are typically external costs. External costs are those imposed upon a third party when goods and services are produced and consumed. External costs can include things like pollution, healthcare costs and loss of biodiversity. Power plants do not pay for the external costs associated with producing energy from fossil fuels. The only costs we will take
into account in this scenario are the Purchase Costs and the Annual Costs (operation and maintenance).
Complete the tables below for the three energy mix options provided in the PowerPoint. The first table has been completed for you. Remember that the Purchase Cost for each utility plant is shown in red in the upper right-hand corner (look on the PowerPoint). The Annual Cost is shown in black in the bottom right-hand corner and must be multiplied by 30.
Multiply the costs for one utility plant by the number of utility plants of that type you choose to determine total costs. For example, the purchase cost of this coal plant is $520. If you choose 1 coal plants:
Total Purchase Costs would be 1 utility plant * $520
= $520. Total Annual Costs = 1 utility plant * $15 / year
* 30 years = $450
Total Carbon Costs = 1 utility plant * 45 tons emissions / year
* CO
2
tax * 30 years = Total Carbon Costs = 1 utility plant * 45 tons emissions / year
* $0/ton * 30 years = $0 Input these values into table 1 and determine Total Cost for each type of utility by adding total purchase costs, total annual costs, and total carbon costs. Do the calculations for all of the different types of utilities included in each mix. Table 1. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #1 – Carbon Costs Externalized
# of Utility Plants
Total Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
2
$4000
$2760
$6760
Coal
1
$520
$450
$970
Natural Gas
10
$1200
$1500
$2700
Wind – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
Solar – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$1520
Total Cost
$11,950
Table 2. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #2 – Carbon Costs Externalized
# of Utility Plants
Total Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
0
$0
$0
Coal
8
$4160
$3600
$7760
Natural Gas
4
$480
$600
$1080
Wind – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
Solar – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$1520
Total Cost
$10360
Table 3. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #3 – Carbon Costs Externalized
# of Utility Plants
Total Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
0
$0
$0
$0
Coal
0
$0
$0
$0
Natural Gas
4
$480
$600
$1080
Wind – Large
15
$7050
$4500
$11550
Solar – Large
1
$1530
$300
$1830
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$1520
Total Cost
$15980
1. Which Energy Mix Option is the best (cheapest) option under this scenario? Why?
Option 2 is the cheapest based on the figures. The total costs without the carbon tax are cheaper. So,
if we were to consider the cheapest option the best option, that would be Option 2.
2. Why do we multiply the Annual Cost by 30?
We multiply the annual cost by 30 because each of the energy sources is expected to last 30 years.
3. You’ll notice the utility plants are different sizes. What do the sizes represent?
The size of the utility plants represents how much energy each utility plant produces.
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Scenario 2: $1/Ton Carbon Tax
Under the previous scenario, the impacts of carbon emissions were externalized. Carbon taxes are one way to internalize those costs, so that the polluters have to pay for the impacts on society and the environment. In this scenario, we’ll be charging a $1 tax per ton of carbon emitted. This is not a realistic carbon tax amount, but will make our calculations more straight forward. Complete the tables below for the three energy mix options provided in the PowerPoint. The first table has been completed for you. The Purchase Cost and Annual Cost will remain the same, so you can copy and paste those values from the tables above. The Carbon Emissions (in tons) are shown in
green in the bottom left-hand corner, and must be multiplied by $1 (tax per ton) as well as 30 (years
in operation). Example: Total Carbon Costs = 1 coal plant * 45 tons emissions / year
* $1/ton * 30 years = $1350
Table 4. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #1 - $1/Ton Carbon Tax # of Utility
Plants
Total
Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Carbon
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
2
$4000
$2760
$0
$6760
Coal
1
$520
$450
$1350
$2320
Natural Gas
10
$1200
$1500
$3300
$6000
Wind – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Solar – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$0
$1520
Total Cost
$16,600
Table 5. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #2 - $1/Ton Carbon Tax
# of Utility
Plants
Total
Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Carbon
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Coal
8
$4160
$3600
$10800
$18560
18Natural Gas
4
$480
$600
$1320
$2400
Wind – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Solar – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$0
$1520
Total Cost
$22480
Table 6. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #3 - $1/Ton Carbon Tax
# of Utility
Plants
Total
Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Carbon
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Coal
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Natural Gas
4
$480
$600
$1320
$2400
Wind – Large
15
$7050
$4500
$0
$11550
Solar – Large
1
$1530
$300
$0
$1830
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$0
$1520
Total Cost
$17300
4. Which Energy Mix Option is the best (cheapest) option under this scenario? Why?
The cheapest option is under this scenario is Option 1is the best option because the total cost associated with it are the least expensive.
5. Why is nuclear energy still a viable option when carbon emissions are taken into account? Is nuclear energy truly carbon-neutral (remember it still uses a fuel)? What is another external cost associated with nuclear energy?
Most green energy has relatively small output while nuclear energy has a much greater output. It has minute carbon emissions similar to other sustainable and other renewable energy. The external
costs of nuclear energy include future financial liabilities when the plant is no longer viable, radioactive waste disposal, and the environmental and health impacts of radioactivity released under normal operating conditions. Though rare, there is also the risk of nuclear disaster
6. Which types of energy resource experienced the largest change in price due to carbon taxation?
Coal experienced the largest price change with carbon taxation.
Scenario 3: $3/Ton Carbon Tax
In this round, we’ll increase the carbon tax to $3 per ton of carbon emission. If we revisit our example of 1 coal power plant1, the Total Carbon Costs will differ, but the Total Purchase Costs and Total Annual Costs will be the same:
Total Carbon Costs = 1 coal plant * 45 tons emissions / year
* $3/ton * 30 years = $4050
Complete the tables below for the three energy mix options provided in the PowerPoint. The first table has been completed for you. The Purchase Cost and Annual Cost will remain the same, so you can copy and paste those values from the tables above. The Carbon Emissions (in tons) are shown in
green in the bottom left-hand corner, and must be multiplied by $3 (tax per ton) as well as 30 (years
in operation). Table 7. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #3 - $3/Ton Carbon Tax
# of Utility
Plants
Total
Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Carbon
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
2
$4000
$2760
$0
$6760
Coal
1
$520
$450
$4050
$5020
Natural Gas
10
$1200
$1500
$9900
$12600
Wind – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Solar – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$0
$1520
Total Cost
$25,900
Table 8. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #2 - $3/Ton Carbon Tax
# of Utility
Plants
Total
Purchase
Costs
Total Annual
Costs
Total Carbon
Costs
Total Cost
Nuclear
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Coal
8
$4160
$3600
$32400
$40160
Natural Gas
4
$480
$600
$3960
$5040
Wind – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Solar – Large
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$0
$1520
Total Cost
$46720
Table 9. Costs Associated with Energy Mix Option #3 - $3/Ton Carbon Tax
# of Utility
Plants
Total
Purchase
Total Annual
Costs
Total Carbon
Costs
Total Cost
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Costs
Nuclear
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Coal
0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Natural Gas
4
$480
$600
$3960
$1080
Wind – Large
15
$7050
$4500
$0
$11550
Solar – Large
1
$1530
$300
$0
$1830
Wind - Small
8
$1040
$480
$0
$1520
Total Cost
$19940
7. Which Energy Mix Option is the best (cheapest) option under this scenario? Why?
Option 3 is the best and cheapest option. It is the least costly annually in terms of dollars and carbon
emissions.
ANALYSIS:
8. In this simulation why is wind a more favorable choice over solar? What are some benefits that solar might offer over wind? In this simulation, solar energy costs more both initially and annually than wind does. Benefits of solar energy over wind are that solar energy is predictable. We cannot predict the wind. Solar panels can be affixed to existing structures like the roofs of buildings. Windmills require dedicated space to be built on.
9. Which energy mix option was the cheapest under Scenario 1? How much more expensive is this option under Scenario 3? Which energy mix was cheapest under Scenario 3? Option 2 was the cheapest under Scenario 1. It is $36,360 more expensive in scenario 3. Under Scenario 3, the cheapest is Option 3.
10. Would you be willing to pay more for energy if it meant a shift to more renewable sources? Yes, because in the long run it will pay for itself and be better for the environment.
11. What is meant by energy conservation? What are some things that an individual or family could
do to conserve energy? Name at least three. 1. Only use artificial lighting when it is between dusk and dawn and only have lights on in occupied rooms.
2. Unplug appliances and electrical items that are not being used.
3. Shut the breaker to your hot water heater and turn it on only when you need hot water. The hot water heater is constantly working to keep the water hot.
12. What is meant by energy efficiency? What changes could a family make to improve the energy efficiency around their home?
Using less energy for a task and producing the same results is energy efficiency. Weather-proofing and insulating are great ways improve energy-efficiency. Another great way to improve energy efficiency is to invest in energy-efficiency appliances and upgrades. Switching to LED or CFL light bulbs is also a great way to be more energy-efficient.
13. Water scarcity if a big issue in Colorado. Which types of energy use large amounts of water? Which types of energy use minimal water? How important should water use be in our consideration of an ‘ideal’ energy mix? Why?
Nuclear plants and fossil fuel plants use large amounts of water. Hydroelectric energy and geothermal energy use minimal water. Water use should be very important. Water is already a resource that is facing limitations and should be used conservatively just as our other precious resources. Providing energy and fresh water both require energy. All aspects of energy conservation
should be important. I put a brick in each of my toilets to reduce the amount of water used in flushing. 14. If you could create your own energy mix, what types of utility plants would you choose? What percentage would you have of each type (make sure it adds to 100%)? Why?
I would have a mixture of natural gas, solar, and wind. I would have 20% solar, 30% natural gas, and 50% wind that is a combination of large and small wind plants. I would do it this way because of cost effectiveness, energy capacity per plant, and reduced carbon emissions.