ME 496 RENEWABLE

ENERGY
ASSIGNMENT -1
Aben PAUL
17301270

BEME-4
8/7/2020
Problem 1
Define the following terms:
(a) Energy,

Physically speaking energy is a conserved quantitative property of a system that is able

to perform work required for physical processes. In terms of resources, energy is a fuel
that can produce power generally in the form of electricity for human consumption.

(b) Renewable energy,

Energy that cannot run out, which can be use over and over again. It is the energy that
is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human
timescale. It often provides energy in four important areas; electricity generation, air
and water heating/cooling, transportation and rural energy services.

(c) Non-Renewable Energy.

Energy that will run out when using it. Which is also call called finite resources are
natural resources that cannot be readily replaced at a quick enough pace to keep to
keep up with human energy consumption, we are exploiting them faster than they are
being made. There are two main types of non-renewable energy: fossil fuels and
nuclear energy.

Problem 2
(a) (i) List the sources of renewable energy, (ii) For each renewable energy source,
discuss its advantages and disadvantage

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Advantages Disadvantages
Hydro dam Supplies hydroelectric energy Destroy aquatic hebetate and
(falling water used to run stop migration of aquatic
turbines). creators.
Easier for third world countries to Dam building is very costly.
generate power (if water source is Cannot be built in desert areas.
available). People have to relocate.
Provides drinking water and Flooding of available land that
expands irrigation. could be used for agriculture.
Pollution affects water power.
Wind turbine Continuous sources of energy To generate more power more
Wind Power Clean source of energy. wind turbine must be set up.
No emissions into the atmosphere. For most locations, wind power
Does not add to thermal burden density is low.
of the earth. Wind velocity must be greater
Produces no health-damaging than 7 mph to be usable in most
air pollution or acid rain. areas.

ABEN PAUL 17301270 ME496 ASSIGNMENT 1

 Land can be sued to produce Problem exists in variation of
energy and grow crops power density and duration (not
simultaneously. reliable).
Need better ways to store energy.
Land consumption.
Geothermal Energy Efficient, less maintenance High risk process.
cost, No emission. Construction cost, discharge from
earth could include sulfur dioxide
and silica, large scale geothermal
plants are dangerous to earth’s
surface and location centric.
Biomass Cleaner burning than oil. Deforestation.
Abundant. Huge number of biofuel is needed
Renewable. to produce high energy.
Carbon neutral, Environmental Greenhouse gas producer
friendly, less costly for
maintenance.
Solar energy Reduces Electricity Bills, Diverse Cost, Weather dependent, Solar
Applications, Low Maintenance energy Dependent is expensive,
Costs Uses a lot od space, associated
with pollution

(b) (i) List the non-renewable energy sources, (ii) For each non-renewable energy
source, discuss its advantages and disadvantage

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY
Advantages Disadvantages
Fossil Fuel Gives more power and work Addition of C02 to the
(Crude oil) output. atmosphere, oil burning leads to
Fossil fuel energy converters like carbon emissions.
engines are less heavy and can Extraction of crude oil (Fossil fuel)
also be portable. Small amount from the earth and processing it is
produce large energy output. an expensive and risky exercise.
Oil is one of the most abundant Oil drilling endangers the
energy resources. environment and ecosystems.
Liquid form of oil makes it easy to Oil recovery processes not
transport and use. efficient enough—technology
Oil has high heating value. needs to be developed to
No new technology needed to provide better yields.
use. Oil transportation (by ship) can
Relatively inexpensive. lead to spills, causing
environmental and ecological
damage (major oil spill near Spain
in late Fall 2002).

ABEN PAUL 17301270 ME496 ASSIGNMENT 1

Nuclear Power Clear power with no atmospheric Potential of high risk disaster
emissions. (Chernobyl).
Useful source of energy. Waste produced with nowhere to
Viable form of energy in countries put it.
that do not have access to other .Waste produced from nuclear
forms of fuel. weapons not in use.
Low cost power for today’s Earthquakes can cause damage
consumption. and leaks at plants.
Fuel can be recycled. Contamination of the
environment (long term).
Useful lifetime of a nuclear power
plant.
Plant construction is highly
politicized.
Coal One of the most abundant Source of pollution: emits waste,
energy sources. SO2 , Nitrogen Oxide, ash.
Versatile; can be burned directly, Coal mining mars the landscape.
transformed into liquid, gas, or Liquefaction, gasification requires
Feedstock. large amounts of water Physical
Inexpensive compared to other transport are difficult.
energy sources. Technology to process to liquid or
Good for recreational use gas is not fully developed.
(charcoal for barbequing, Solid is more difficult to burn than
drawing). liquid or gases.
Can be used to produce ultra- Not renewable in this millennium.
clean fuel. High water content reduces
Can lower overall amount of heating value.
greenhouse gases (liquefaction or Dirty industry—leads to health
Gasification). problems,
Leading source of electricity Dirty coal creates more pollution
today. and emissions.
Reduces dependence on foreign
oil.
By-product of burning (ash) can
be used for concrete and
roadways.

Problem 3
What is the national trend in the renewable energy investment/use in Papua New
Guinea in the
last five (5) years?
This should be presented in a graphical form; clearly indicating trend in each type of
renewable energy source.

ABEN PAUL 17301270 ME496 ASSIGNMENT 1

The National Trend of renewable energy for the last 5 years in PNG is basically Hydro
Energy and Solar.

From Department of Petroleum the Energy, PNG Graph below shows the energy consumption trend
from 2015 – 2019.

2019

2018

Geothermal
Year 2017
Ocean
Wind
2016 Solar
Biomass
2015 Hydro

0
100
200
300
400
500
600
MW

ABEN PAUL 17301270 ME496 ASSIGNMENT 1