Course: REEC 120 Sustainability and Renewable Energy

Unit 8 Overview

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The cost and energy we talked about here is only talking about the energy it uses when it is in standby. How much energy does it cost to make that item? Chapter 15, “Stuff” deals with the four phases of stuff:

Phase R = Raw materials
Phase P = Production
Phase U = Use
Phase D = Disposal

Each of these four phases consumes energy, and all four phases need to be added up to get the entire cost. Page 89 highlights the energy in packaging and computers.

In the discussion of energy it is interesting to note that the cost of defense is generally not figured in the cost. For example, the cost of petroleum does not include the cost of having our military in the Middle East. While it is entirely true that most of our petroleum needs do not come from the Middle East, there is a huge presence because there is a need for the petroleum for use in Europe and Asia. So the straw needs flow no matter where it comes from, and multiple straws are flowing all over the planet. The importation of energy is not free. Nothing is free. There is a lot of energy expended in this operation in a wide variety of areas that we need to be aware of.

What does this mean?

1) Energy is not free.
2) Energy needs to be imported from areas of production to consumption.
3) Energy usage needs to be monitored.
4) Energy comes at a cost that is difficult to measure: blood, sweat, and tears.