Available online
Description
The programme examines the gap which exists world-wide between Primary Energy and End Use Energy. The problem of increasing functional energy without a proportionate increase in primary energy is examined.
The programme examines the gap which exists world-wide between Primary Energy and End Use Energy. The problem of increasing functional energy without a proportionate increase in primary energy is examined.
| Module code and title: | S101, Science: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S101; 32 |
| First transmission date: | 16-10-1979 |
| Published: | 1979 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | John Stratford |
| Contributors: | Barrie Jones; Mike Pentz |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | End use energy; Primary energy |
| Subject terms: | Energy; Thermodynamics |
| Footage description: | Shots of Mike Pentz filling up his car with petrol and driving away. Commentary by Pentz points out that a large part of the energy from the petrol is wasted as heat in the engine. Shots of a domestic electricity meter and of various domestic activities. Shots of a car production line and of a tractor at work. Pentz points out, with the aid of an animation, that some of the energy in all these activities is wasted. Barrie Jones discusses the energy consuming process involved in getting a gallon of petrol to the pump from crude oil in the oil fields. Shots of oil wells, an oil tanker at sea, an oil refinery and a petrol tanker while he talks. An animated graph showing the energy loss is also shown. Barrie Jones, standing next to a coal fired steam engine, points out that energy lost is not only due to inefficiency in design but that the certain fundamental limits to the amount of end use energy which can be obtained. Jones explains that this limit applies even to the most up to date technology such as modern electricity generating stations. Still shots of a power station. Mike Pentz constructs a graph which gives an estimate of the total primary energy consumption or the world over the next 100 years as well as the estimated total end use energy demand for the same period. Pentz lists some ways in which the gap can be minimised. Barrie Jones shows a distinction between capital and income sources of energy. He goes on to define capital sources (coal, crude oil, uranium, etc.) Jones discusses some of the risks involved in using these capital sources such as limited quantity and pollution hazards. Mike Pentz performs a demonstration with an electric cooker ring which illustrates the biggest problem of all in using capital energy sources - that of transfer of heat to the environment. Barrie Jones takes this point and explains the disastrous effects this could have on the world's environment. Barrie Jones discusses the advantages of solar power the only major income source of primary energy available. He points out that most of the problems associated with capital sources would disappear if solar energy were used. Mike Pentz, with the aid of a graphics board, sums up the reasons for trying to keep the rate of primary energy conversion as low as possible. Shots of various experiments for converting solar energy to end use energy follow. Water hyacinths being used to purify water and also being harvested to produce methane gas. Solar mirrors heating water boilers. Pentz and Jones then examine some experiments for converting wave and ocean thermal energy to useful end use energy. Shots of Salter's duck, a drawing of an oceanic heat engine, a model of such an engine etc. Brief interview with Robert Douglas a member of TRW Inc. Design Team which hopes to manufacture such an engine. He discusses their future. Mike Pentz sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | OU3156 |
| Production number: | FOUS032L |
| Videofinder number: | 1207 |
| Available to public: | no |
