Energy Demand and Technologies
You will use this spreadsheet to help in completing the project: CHE 423 Final Project Excel Sheet 2018 w CCS.xlsPreview the document
Your final project asks you to construct two “future energy scenarios” describing how the world will meet its energy demands over the period of 2050 to 2075. The two scenarios differ in whether the emission of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, for our purposes) is constrained. You are given a base energy demand and a list of technologies available to meet demand in 2050, as well as constraints on the availability of fossil fuels following 2050. This base data for 2050 is taken from the 2017 EIA International Energy Outlook. You are to use the “1 page summaries” of alternative energy technologies to decide how to meet demand. You are welcome, but not required, to consider technologies not covered in class for which a summary is available; however, you should then detail the assumptions and basis for these assumptions in your report. Your final result should be a report (maximum 10 pages, 12 point font, single spaced) detailing your choices as to how you will meet the energy demand over this period. You should also hand in your final spreadsheet (modified from the given base spreadsheet) showing your calculations.
Note that some technologies (electric vehicles, for example) may alter the energy demand. You might treat the “demand reduction” as an “energy supply” that helps meet the original demand, or explicitly reduce the demand. You are welcome to decrease the given use of fossil energy sources beyond the base values given.
Also, please note that you are not asked to match types of fuels to demand (ie, liquid fuels to transportation). This is somewhat unrealistic, however, doing so would overcomplicate the assignment. You are welcome to comment on whether there are specific areas (for example, availability of liquid fuels for transportation) where your projections may fall short.
Scenario 1:
There is global agreement not to constrain CO2 emissions. In this scenario, you should report the total emissions but not control for them in making your technology and energy source selections.
Scenario 2:
There is global agreement to reduce CO2 emissions by 2075 to the 2006 emission level. In 2006, the emissions were 28,500,000,000 metric tons of CO2, and therefore the constraint to be met by 2075 is a reduction to 28,500,000,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. You should meet this constraint by 2075, however, this should be met with continuous implementation of technologies starting in 2050. Note that the 2050 CO2 emissions based on Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas use are 50,000,000,000 metric tons.
Your Excel workbook should contain a spreadsheet for each of the two scenarios. I suggest completing the unconstrained case first, then copying this sheet and making adjustments to meet the constraints.
Your final report should include, for each of the two scenarios:
Summary plot(s) showing yearly use of all energy sources
Discussion of key choices made in selecting energy sources
Discussion of any changes to energy conversion technology made and their impact on energy demand or access to alternative energy sources
Alternatives considered to your final scenario and pros and cons of these alternatives.
A discussion as to whether the choices you have made leave the world closer to a sustainable energy portfolio following 2075 than what was provided to you for 2050. You might roughly discuss a future projection as to the remaining extent of availability of fossil fuel resources.
Your report will benefit from graphical representation of your data. You should also provide a discussion of social, political, and economic implications of your future energy scenarios, however, as these topics are not an emphasis of our course, they should be considered secondary in preparing your scenarios and report.
