K142A - Sustainability

How does Geothermal energy work?

• Heat from within the Earth that produces steam is collected to drive a turbine

• Heat from within the Earth is used to heat water pipes which is then used in dwellings

• The heat and steam from within the Earth produce a magnetic field. This magnetic field is used to induce a voltage in nearby electrical cables

“Sustainability” can be defined as a process or state that:

• allows a society to consume resources quickly

• provides high quality services to all members of society

• ensures that tools and equipment will continue to work

• can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely

How do solar panels work?

• Light rays hit the photo-voltaic cells and are converted into electrical energy

• The black surface of the solar panels capture heat from the sun and convert it to electrical energy

• The glass surface of the solar panels magnify the suns energy and are transported through electrical cables

The goal of the “Paris Agreement” is to keep the increase in global average temperature to:

• no more than 5°C for the foreseeable future

• below 2°C above pre-industrial levels

• less than 1°C per year for the next 50 years

• a maximum of 3°C increase by the end of the 21^st century

Under the Paris Agreement, Australia committed to reduce its 2005 greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% by the year:

• 2020

• 2030

• 2040

• 2050

The Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator is a federal government body responsible for:

• determining prices under the Carbon Credits Act 2011

• providing government funding that benefits energy suppliers

• promoting efficient energy services for the interests of energy customers

• administering schemes for measuring, managing, reducing or offsetting the country’s carbon emissions

Under the NSW Government’s “Energy Savings Scheme” (ESS), a homeowner can reduce their energy consumption by paying a small nominal fee to have their existing halogen downlights retrofitted with:

• sodium vapour lamps

• mercury vapour lamps

• metal halide lamps

• LED lamps

An emissions trading scheme is:

• a market-based scheme for environmental improvement that allows parties to buy and sell permits for emissions or credits for reductions in emissions of certain pollutants

• A scheme that sets a price on carbon by defining a tax rate on greenhouse gas emissions or the carbon content of fossil fuels

• A computer software program which issues buy and sell signals based upon price, volume or other empirical data.

Most items of electrical equipment are required to display an energy rating label. What does it show?

• The kW the appliance draws

• The efficiency with which the appliance converts electricity to heat or motion

• The efficiency of energy usage by the appliance based on annual energy consumption of similar products

• Whether the appliance can use off-peak electricity

All new Australian homes and some renovations to existing homes must now meet 6-star energy rating requirements as outlined in the National Construction Code. What does this energy rating measure?

• The type and rating of the insulation installed in the home

• The embedded energy in the materials used in the building

• The energy efficiency of the lighting in the home

• How much artificial heating and cooling is needed to keep the inside temperature of a home within a comfortable range