Environmental Science

Unit 2: Module 2 Energy and the Environment

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Lesson 1
Course
Outline
Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5
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 Course
Outline
This module will cover
the following skills:
 Types of Energy Sources
 Energy Systems in Jamaica
 Energy Conservation
 Environmental Impacts

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1.Renewable Energy Sources:

1. Solar: Energy harnessed from sunlight using photovoltaic cells

or solar thermal systems.
2. Wind: Energy generated from wind turbines capturing kinetic
energy from the wind.
3. Hydroelectric: Energy derived from flowing water, typically by
damming rivers to create reservoirs.
4. Biomass: Energy obtained from organic materials such as wood,
agricultural residues, and biofuels. Biomass is plant or animal
material that can be replenished. For e.g. pig waste being used to
create methane gas.
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First Skill
Second Skill Third Skill Conclusion
Non-Renewable Energy Sources

1.Fossil Fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas derived from

ancient organic matter. They are finite and produce
greenhouse gases when burned.

2.Nuclear: Energy generated from nuclear reactions,

often through fission of uranium or plutonium
isotopes. It produces radioactive waste.
 Energy systems in Jamaica

• Electricity Generation: Jamaica relies heavily on imported fossil fuels,

primarily oil and diesel, for electricity generation. The Jamaica Public
Service Company (JPS) is the primary utility provider, operating thermal
power plants and some renewable energy facilities.
• Renewable Energy: In recent years, Jamaica has been making strides in
diversifying its energy mix by investing in renewable sources. This
includes solar photovoltaic systems, wind farms, and biomass facilities.
However, renewable energy penetration is still relatively low compared to
fossil fuels.

Third Skill PAGE 6

First Skill Second Skill Conclusion
Energy systems in Jamaica

• Transportation: Like many Caribbean nations, Jamaica

heavily relies on imported petroleum products for
transportation, including gasoline and diesel. There are
ongoing efforts to promote electric vehicles and
improve public transportation infrastructure to reduce
dependency on fossil fuels.

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Conclusion
First Skill Second Skill Third Skill
Energy Conservation:

• Improving efficiency in energy use through technological

advancements, such as energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and
transportation.
• Promoting behavioral changes to reduce energy consumption,
like turning off lights when not in use or carpooling.
 Government Initiatives: The Jamaican government has
implemented various initiatives to promote energy conservation
and efficiency. This includes energy efficiency standards for
appliances and buildings, as well as public awareness campaigns.
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 Energy Conservation Cont’d

•Industrial and Commercial Sector: Many industries and businesses in

Jamaica have implemented energy-saving measures such as
upgrading equipment, optimizing processes, and adopting renewable
energy technologies where feasible.
•Residential Sector: Energy conservation efforts in households
include using energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and
implementing simple behavioral changes like turning off lights and
appliances when not in use.

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Environmental Impacts:

• Climate Change: Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases, contributing to global warming.
• Air and Water Pollution: Combustion of fossil fuels emits pollutants such as sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, which can harm human health and ecosystems.
• Habitat Destruction: Large-scale energy infrastructure projects like dams can disrupt
ecosystems and threaten biodiversity.
• Smog is Primarily caused by a combination of air pollutants, particularly nitrogen
oxides(NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sunlight. It becomes reactive
when it interacts with sunlight, forming ground level ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate
(PAN)
• PAN results from photochemical reactions between contaminants released to the
atmosphere by combustion of organic fuels. It is responsible for plant damage and
eye/skin irritations in polluted areas.
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Environmental Impacts Explained

• Climate Change: Jamaica, like other small islands, is vulnerable to the

impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, extreme weather
events, and changing rainfall patterns. The reliance on fossil fuels for
energy contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate
change.
• Air Pollution: The combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation
and transportation releases pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution.
• Water Pollution: Additionally, oil spills and leaks from storage
facilities pose risks to water quality and marine ecosystems.
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Cont’d

Habitat Destruction: Large-scale energy infrastructure projects,

such as dam construction for hydroelectricity or land clearance
for biomass production, can lead to habitat destruction and
biodiversity loss, impacting local ecosystems.
 Efforts to promote energy conservation and transition to
renewable energy sources are essential for mitigating these
environmental impacts and building a more sustainable energy
future for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.

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Secondary Energy Sources

 Fuel Cells: Structure and Process

• Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy directly
into electrical energy.
• Structure: Consists of an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Hydrogen fuel is
oxidized at the anode, producing electrons and protons. Electrons flow through
an external circuit, generating electricity, while protons migrate through the
electrolyte to the cathode, where they react with oxygen to form water.
• Proton Exchange Fuel Cell (PEFC): One type of fuel cell where the electrolyte
is a proton-conducting polymer membrane, such as Nafion.

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Technological Limitations

• Efficiency: Fuel cell efficiency is affected by factors like operating

temperature and catalyst activity.
• Durability: Components degrade over time, impacting performance and
lifespan.
• Cost: High initial costs and technological complexities hinder widespread
adoption.

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Geographical Restrictions

• Infrastructure: Limited hydrogen refueling stations and

distribution networks.
• Resource Availability: Hydrogen production relies on
natural gas reforming or electrolysis, which may not be
feasible in all regions.

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Reliability of Supply

 Dependence on Hydrogen: Reliability is tied to

hydrogen availability, which can be influenced by
production methods and supply chains.

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Economic, Political, and Social Factors

• Economic: High production costs and uncertain return

on investment.
• Political: Government policies and subsidies can either
promote or hinder fuel cell development.
• Social: Public acceptance and awareness impact
adoption rates.

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Conventional Generation and Distribution
of Electricity
 Conventional Generation
• Relies on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear
power to generate electricity through steam turbines or
internal combustion engines.
 Transmission

• Electricity is transmitted over long distances from

power plants to consumers via high-voltage
transmission lines and substations.
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Evaluation of Renewable Energy

• Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro,

and biomass offer sustainable alternatives to
conventional fuels.
• Advantages include lower environmental impact, energy
security, and potential for decentralized generation.
• Challenges include intermittency, resource variability,
and initial investment costs.

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Factors Affecting Electricity Generating
Capacity and Demand
 (i) Generation Rates
• Capacity of power plants to produce electricity, influenced by factors like fuel
availability and plant efficiency.
 (ii) Demand Patterns
• Fluctuations in electricity demand throughout the day, week, and year,
influenced by factors like weather, time of day, and economic activity.
 (iii) Energy Storage
• Technologies like batteries, pumped hydro storage, and compressed air energy
storage help balance supply and demand by storing excess energy for later use.

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Cont’d

 (iv) Stockpiling Capability for Fossil Fuels

• Dependence on fossil fuels requires sufficient reserves
and storage capacity to maintain a reliable energy
supply.
 (v) Diversity of Energy Sources
• Utilizing a mix of energy sources enhances resilience
and reduces vulnerability to supply disruptions and
price fluctuations.
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Cont’d

 Economic Cost
• Consideration of the cost-effectiveness of different energy
sources and technologies, including upfront investment, operating
costs, and externalities.
 (vii) Government Policies
• Regulations, subsidies, and incentives influence energy
production, consumption, and investment decisions. Policies may
prioritize renewable energy, carbon pricing, or energy efficiency
measures.
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