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    MLO week

    Team,
    You may be wondering what "MLO" means, this is short for Mauna Loa Observatory, the lab at 11,200 ft. on Mauna Loa where global climate change was discovered and is still recorded. We may be lucky enough to meet a few scientists there, notably John Barnes, who runs a laser that shoots into the atmosphere to measure layers by single photons reflected back. If we are lucky, we will also see the original Keeling machine that is about to go to the Smithsonian Museum.
    Some things we need to cover:
    For Tuesday's class:
    Duncan and Hiro will download the book "Our Choice" by Al Gore, which is an update of "An inconvenient truth", which you may have already seen. Please read the intro chapter and chapter 1: "What comes up must come down". Questions on these chapters are below. We'll also go over some graphs and information from NOAA, the group that leads the MLO. Thursday we will leave HPA at 8 AM, from the cafeteria, to avoid any confusion. We will stop for coffee, then head up to the summit, a drive of about 45 minutes to our first stop, the kipuka (island biome) on the saddle road. From there, another 30 minutes to MLO.
    We should be there around 930 and leave about an hour later, which will put us in time for lunch, either in town or at school.
    For Friday, we'll go over some of the data we found at the MLO site, and add this to our set of Sunday packet questions.
    For Tuesday please read:
    Our choice: intro and chapter 1
    http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/
    Read the main page, look at the pictures that cycle through, and study the graphs on the right.

    Observations:
    http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/summary.html

    AGGI:
    http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/summary.html
    Study particularly this graph: (note 1.0 is pegged at 1990 levels-why?)


    and this one:



    Try to explain the change in CFC-11 and 12.

    Try the Carbon Tracker:
    http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/carbontracker/
    Think of what is meant by "CO2 Weather"

    Questions-Our Choice

    Chapter 1

    1. Explain why the atmosphere is a unique global crisis, unlike any other?

    2. What are the six main forms of air pollution cited?

    3. 38% of CO2 is generated by what use?

    4. Which is more critical to reduction of black carbon: residential or industrial sources?

    5. We talk about half life: what is the half life cited for CO2 if we stopped producing today?

    6. Explain why methane is 20x more potent than CO2

    7. What gases are released by the melting of the permafrost?

    8. What are halocarbons?

    9. Explain how soot from a bus in NYC could impact the antarctic ice sheet

    10. Dust from the gobi desert travels to Hawaii, and soot from China lands where? So?

    11. What color was Albus Dumledore's beard?

    12. In the video about the 1952 "Great Smog" what did the government do? Did it help? Explain.

    13. MLO has a graph called the AGGI. Study it and note the change in CFCs. Why was this so successful?

    14. What is the difference in the global response to climate change vs. the same global threat from CFCs? Why?

    15. Are CO and VOCs primary or secondary pollutants? Explain.

    16. Look up the Haber-Bosch process. What did it enable, for whom and what was the global impact then?

    17. How has this process changed farming now, and what impact does this have on our atmosphere?

    18. NH3 is used as the N in N-P-K fertilizers. Why is this a Nitrogen and an energy issue?


    Chapter 2

    1. What are the three "mobile" forms of energy in our culture?

    2. Dan Kammen and Jeffrey Sachs say that coal plants today will be active for 50 years. Why?

    3. How could you imagine changing our transportation structure away from oil? Include trains, trucks, airplanes and public transportation.

    4. Arrange in order of "evilness": coal, natural gas, oil

    5. If renewable energy were consistently funded (as in Germany and other countries) how would the development of renewable energy solutions be different? Explain using the oscillating price of oil.

    6. With the advent of widespread fracking, what is the trend in use of Natural gas? For what uses?

    7. Methane produces how much CO2 compared to coal and oil?

    8. How could methane change the nature of our electrical grid?

    9. One issue with smart grids is the sluggishness of coal fired power plants: coal is burned to heat water to steam, turning a turbine to make electricity. Compare with a gas turbine plant, and re-evaluate the smart grid solution.

    10. How could you personally make a business out of this?

    11. Electricity has two main weak points as an energy delivery system. What are they?

    12. How could each of these be addressed?

    13. How many days of sunlight are equivalent to the amount of energy available in oil, coal and natural gas?

    14. How many days' sunlight would it take to equal our annual energy use?

    15. What is the similar number for wind and geothermal?

    16. The photo of Taft California looks like many famous paintings. Why?

    17. What are the three reasons renewable energy will drop in price.

    18. Which countries do you think will lead this development? Why?


    Chapter 3

    1. Compare CST and ST solar systems. Which might you have on your home?

    2. Where have you seen a CST system recently?

    3. Why are CST plants more scalable than PV plants?

    4. Seville, Spain has a CST plant that uses molten salt-why?

    5. What is driving the price of PV down?

    6. Why is PV more practical than CST, and less so than ST?

    7. Net metering avoids the cost of batteries-how?

    8. The Taos system is raised off the ground-what sort of array is this? Why?

    9. What does an inverter do? Why is it needed in both net metering and battery systems?

    10. The figure quoted for North America is 125-375 Watts/m2. Ours is 1200-1500 W/m2. Why are we prime candidates for PV and ST?

    11. Why are we the low hanging fruit for PPAs?

    12. Why are thin film PV panels more cost effective than standard panels? How can they break even or compete?

    13. Small power plants are usually less efficient than larger ones. How is this different in PV production?

    14. CPV is concentrated PV, using cheaper reflectors to aim radiation onto more efficient silicon bands. How could these compete with standard PV?

    15. Several months ago, Germany matched their PV production with energy use for one day. How is this possible if there was no energy stored?

    16. Why is it critical to include all sources of energy in the development of a smart grid?

    17. If you used your PHEV to store energy, why would you have to have an agreement with the power utility? (hint: you don't work at home).

    18. Study the passive solar home. What parts of these examples are used in our energy lab? What others?

    19. In 1979, President Carter used the word "embargo" in his speech. Why?

    20. In 1986, President Reagan removed the solar panels on the roof of the white house. Who was he in a spending war with, and what did this do to the price of oil?

    21. Look up where these panels are now. Why is this ironic?

    22. What two erratic forces have made renewable energy investment difficult?

    23. Why are China and Taiwan moving aggressively on PV production?

    24. Is this for domestic or export use?


    Let me know how I can help.
    aloha
    b




    Comments

    /groups/apenvironmentalscience/search/index.rss?tag=hotlist/groups/apenvironmentalscience/search/?tag=hotWhat’s HotHotListHot!?tag=hot6/groups/apenvironmentalscience/sidebar/HotListadminadmin2020-08-19 15:43:59+00:002020-08-19 15:43:59updated30adminadmin2011-09-08 21:36:21+00:002011-09-08 21:36:21updated29adminadmin2011-08-24 23:20:40+00:002011-08-24 23:20:40updated28adminadmin2011-08-24 22:42:36+00:002011-08-24 22:42:36updated27adminadmin2011-08-22 02:41:09+00:002011-08-22 02:41:09updated26adminadmin2011-08-22 02:40:02+00:002011-08-22 02:40:02updated25adminadmin2011-08-21 20:39:11+00:002011-08-21 20:39:11updated24adminadmin2011-08-21 20:30:42+00:002011-08-21 20:30:42updated23adminadmin2011-08-21 20:30:13+00:002011-08-21 20:30:13updated22adminadmin2011-08-21 20:25:48+00:002011-08-21 20:25:48updated21adminadmin2011-08-21 20:25:18+00:002011-08-21 20:25:18updated20adminadmin2011-08-21 00:22:12+00:002011-08-21 00:22:12updated19adminadmin2011-08-21 00:18:56+00:002011-08-21 00:18:56updated18adminadmin2011-08-21 00:15:43+00:002011-08-21 00:15:43updated17adminadmin2011-08-21 00:12:37+00:002011-08-21 00:12:37updated16adminadmin2011-08-21 00:12:02+00:002011-08-21 00:12:02updated15adminadmin2011-08-20 23:59:41+00:002011-08-20 23:59:41updated14Added tag - hotadminadmin2011-08-20 23:59:38+00:002011-08-20 23:59:38addTag13Added tag - conservationadminadmin2011-08-20 23:59:32+00:002011-08-20 23:59:32addTag12Added tag - critical thinkingadminadmin2011-08-20 23:59:19+00:002011-08-20 23:59:19addTag11Added tag - ch1adminadmin2011-08-20 23:59:08+00:002011-08-20 23:59:08addTag10Added tag - sustainabilityadminadmin2011-08-20 23:59:05+00:002011-08-20 23:59:05addTag9adminadmin2011-08-20 20:47:39+00:002011-08-20 20:47:39updated8adminadmin2011-08-20 20:46:15+00:002011-08-20 20:46:15updated7adminadmin2011-08-20 20:43:07+00:002011-08-20 20:43:07updated6adminadmin2011-08-20 19:14:13+00:002011-08-20 19:14:13updated5adminadmin2011-08-20 19:11:26+00:002011-08-20 19:11:26updated4adminadmin2011-08-20 18:59:57+00:002011-08-20 18:59:57updated3adminadmin2011-08-20 18:56:59+00:002011-08-20 18:56:59updated2First createdadminadmin2010-11-07 01:41:28+00:002010-11-07 01:41:28created1wiki2020-08-19T15:43:59+00:00groups/apenvironmentalscience/wiki/welcomeFalseCh01 Overview/groups/apenvironmentalscience/wiki/welcome/Ch01_Overview.htmladmin30 updatesCh01 Overview Welcome to our APES wiki. You should be able to do the following after logging in with your account: To create a new page, click the ...Falseadmin2020-08-19T15:43:59+00:00adminadmin2013-02-05 02:24:03+00:002013-02-05 02:24:03updated4Added tag - hotadminadmin2013-02-05 02:24:02+00:002013-02-05 02:24:02addTag3adminadmin2013-02-05 02:05:35+00:002013-02-05 02:05:35updated2First createdadminadmin2013-02-05 02:03:35+00:002013-02-05 02:03:35created1wiki2013-02-05T02:24:03+00:00groups/apenvironmentalscience/wiki/394a8FalseEnergy notes/groups/apenvironmentalscience/wiki/394a8/Energy_notes.htmladmin4 updatesEnergy notes Week of 2.4.13: energy wrap-up e2 video: coal vs. nuclear in class AP exams: FRQ 2002.1 2004.2 2006.1 2007.2 2008.1 ...Falseadmin2013-02-05T02:24:03+00:00adminadmin2013-02-05 02:23:20+00:002013-02-05 02:23:20updated6Added tag - hotadminadmin2013-02-05 02:23:18+00:002013-02-05 02:23:18addTag5adminadmin2013-02-05 02:23:12+00:002013-02-05 02:23:12updated4adminadmin2013-02-05 02:21:48+00:002013-02-05 02:21:48updated3adminadmin2013-02-05 02:20:26+00:002013-02-05 02:20:26updated2First createdadminadmin2013-02-05 02:06:00+00:002013-02-05 02:06:00created1wiki2013-02-05T02:23:20+00:00groups/apenvironmentalscience/wiki/c360bFalseFeb-May plan/groups/apenvironmentalscience/wiki/c360b/FebMay_plan.htmladmin6 updatesFeb-May plan 1. conclusion of energy chapters (see previous wiki) 2. GCC AP questions FRQ: 2006.2 2005.3 2005.4 2007.3 ...Falseadmin2013-02-05T02:23:20+00:00adminadmin2012-03-07 05:53:55+00:002012-03-07 05:53:55updated14adminadmin2012-03-07 05:43:38+00:002012-03-07 05:43:38updated13adminadmin2012-03-07 05:41:35+00:002012-03-07 05:41:35updated12adminadmin2012-03-07 05:38:57+00:002012-03-07 05:38:57updated11Added tag - hotadminadmin2012-03-07 05:38:55+00:002012-03-07 05:38:55addTag10adminadmin2012-03-07 05:36:47+00:002012-03-07 05:36:47updated9adminadmin2012-03-07 05:22:26+00:002012-03-07 05:22:26updated8adminadmin2012-03-07 05:20:01+00:002012-03-07 05:20:01updated7adminadmin2012-03-07 05:18:58+00:002012-03-07 05:18:58updated6adminadmin2012-03-07 04:58:55+00:002012-03-07 04:58:55updated5adminadmin2012-03-07 04:57:33+00:002012-03-07 04:57:33updated4adminadmin2012-03-07 04:56:53+00:002012-03-07 04:56:53updated3adminadmin2012-03-07 04:54:20+00:002012-03-07 04:54:20updated2First createdadminadmin2012-03-07 04:53:33+00:002012-03-07 04:53:33created1weblog2012-03-07T05:53:55+00:00groups/apenvironmentalscience/weblog/de030FalseGreen Apple/groups/apenvironmentalscience/weblog/de030/Green_Apple.htmladmin14 updatesGreen Apple Team, Please watch this video about NYC: Trailer: http://www.pbs.org/e2/episodes/101_the_green_apple_trailer.html On the server: http://physics.hpa...Falseadmin2012-03-07T05:53:55+00:00adminadmin2011-09-13 19:08:24+00:002011-09-13 19:08:24updated4Added tag - hotadminadmin2011-09-13 19:08:22+00:002011-09-13 19:08:22addTag3adminadmin2011-09-13 19:08:10+00:002011-09-13 19:08:10updated2First createdadminadmin2011-09-13 19:04:30+00:002011-09-13 19:04:30created1weblog2011-09-13T19:08:24+00:00groups/apenvironmentalscience/weblog/4ecddFalseQuestions for Wednesday, wiki adds/groups/apenvironmentalscience/weblog/4ecdd/Questions_for_Wednesday_wiki_adds.htmladmin4 updatesQuestions for Wednesday, wiki adds Team, I'd like to try something for class tomorrow: each of you to create a question from chapter 3, and email it to me by this evening (Tuesday). Pl...Falseadmin2011-09-13T19:08:24+00:00hot/groups/apenvironmentalscience/search/index.rss?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcomelist/groups/apenvironmentalscience/search/?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcomeRecent ChangesRecentChangesListUpdates?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcome0/groups/apenvironmentalscience/sidebar/RecentChangesListmodifiedDateallRecent ChangesRecentChangesListUpdateswiki/welcomeNo recent changes.reverse5searchlist/groups/apenvironmentalscience/calendar/Upcoming EventsUpcomingEventsListEvents1Getting events…