Energy Policy Analysis: A Conceptual Framework

262 Pages·2012·2.447 MB·English

by  Michael S Hamilton

Energy Policy Analysis
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Energy Policy Analysis
A Conceptual Framework
Michael S. Hamilton
RO Routledge
U
TLED Taylor & Francis Group
G
E
LONDON AND NEW YORK
—For Carol—
First published 2013 by M.E. Sharpe
Published 2015 by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa busin ess
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No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by
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Notices
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hamilton, Michael S.
Energy policy analysis : a conceptual framework / by Michael S. Hamilton.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-7656-2381-2 (hardcover : alk. paper)—ISBN 978-0-7656-2382-9 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Energy policy—United States. 2. Power resources—United States. 3. Renewable energy sources—United
States. I. Title.

HD9502.U52H35 2012
333.790973—dc23 2012014910
ISBN 13:9780765623829 (pbk)
ISBN 13:9780765623812 (hbk)
Contents
Preface ix
1. A Framework for Analysis of Energy Choices 3
Supply Expansion 3
Demand Suppression 5
Cost Analysis 6
Analytical Framework 11
Previous Energy Policy Studies 11
References 13
2. Coal 16
Coal Exploration 16
Underground Mining 19
Surface Mining 21
Coal Seam Fires 27
Processing Coal 27
Coal Transportation 28
Coal Storage 29
Coal Combustion 30
Regulatory Controls 31
Costs of Coal Utilization 34
Summary of Costs 38
References 38
3. Nuclear 40
Uranium Exploration 40
Underground Uranium Mining 41
Open Pit Surface Mining 42
In Situ Leaching 42
Mining Hazards 42
Processing Uranium 44
Nuclear Power Generation 48
Reactor Safety 50
Reprocessing Spent Fuel 52
Decommissioning Nuclear Facilities 53
Radioactive Waste Management 54
Nuclear Waste Policy Act 56
Prerequisites for Effective Radioactive Waste Management 58
v
vi CONTENTS
Repository Closure 59
Disposal vs. Management 60
A Modest Proposal 61
Nuclear Fusion 62
Costs of Uranium Utilization 63
Summary of Costs 70
References 70
4. Oil and Natural Gas 76
Oil and Natural Gas Exploration 76
Offshore Resources 77
Onshore Resources 82
Tar Sands 87
Oil and Natural Gas Consumption 90
Costs of Utilizing Oil and Natural Gas 90
Summary of Costs 97
References 99
5. Solar 104
Solar Thermal Technologies 105
Solar Power Plants 106
Solar Photovoltaic Technologies 107
Costs of Using Solar Energy 108
Summary of Costs 115
References 118
6. Wind 120
Wind Technologies 121
Costs of Utilizing Wind Power 123
Summary of Costs 128
References 129
7. Geothermal 131
Geothermal Heat Pumps 131
Geothermal Power Plants 133
Costs of Utilizing Geothermal Energy 135
Summary of Costs 142
References 143
8. Hydroelectricity 145
Large Hydro 145
Small Hydro 146
Micro Hydro 146
Pico Hydro 147
Pumped Storage 148
Costs of Hydropower Utilization 148
Summary of Costs 157
References 158
CONTENTS vii
9. Biomass 161
Biopower 161
Biofuels 161
Costs of Biomass Utilization 162
Summary of Costs 169
References 171
10. Conservation and Efficiency 172
Transportation 173
Residential Sector 174
Commercial Sector 175
Industrial Sector 176
Costs of Energy Conservation and Efficiency 177
Summary of Costs 180
References 181
11. Ocean 183
Tidal Energy Technologies 183
Ocean Wave Energy 185
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion 186
Ocean Current Energy 186
Costs of Ocean Energy Utilization 187
Summary of Costs 189
References 190
12. Hydrogen 192
The Hydrogen Energy Process 192
Stationary Uses of Hydrogen 201
Fuel Cell Vehicles 202
Costs of Hydrogen Utilization 203
Summary of Costs 206
References 207
13. Transportation and Electricity Transmission 209
Transportation 209
Transmission 210
Sources of Electricity 210
Costs of Electric Power Utilization 214
Summary of Costs 227
References 228
14. Conclusion 231
Conservation and Efficiency 233
Geothermal Heat Pumps 234
Beneficial Biomass 235
Hydrogen 236
Solar 236
Feasibility of Renewables 237
viii CONTENTS
Natural Gas 238
Coal 238
Petroleum 239
Nuclear 240
Further Research 240
Observations 241
References 241
Index 243
About the Author 251
Preface
Most of us recall a small number of people who had great influence upon our development, usu-
ally at critical times in our lives. I was fortunate to encounter Robert M. Lawrence in and outside
classrooms at Colorado State University near a crossroads in life, while deciding what future path
to take. An extraordinary scholar and classroom instructor, Professor Lawrence has an unusual and
marvelous capacity for translating very complex ideas into plain language. This greatly affected
both my intellectual development and my teaching style. Although he might be surprised to learn
some of the things we discussed in his classes remain with me after all these years, from him I
learned to set high standards for myself and that some things are worth more thought than others.
Consequently, I have been thinking about the subject of this book for more than thirty years, and
have attempted to present the subject with clarity and precision.
Nonetheless, responsibility for the content and views expressed in this book is solely mine
and does not necessarily represent those of any person or organization with which I have been
previously or currently may be affiliated.
Energy Policy Analysis is designed for use in social science or engineering courses concerned with
the analysis, formulation, and implementation of national energy policy. This includes undergraduate
and graduate courses in public policy analysis, energy policy, natural resources policy, environmental
policy, national security policy, and energy and the environment. It is amenable to being used with a
supplementary text focused on technical aspects of energy technologies or one with more historical
content, such as Roy Nersesian’s Energy for the 21st Century, 2nd ed. (M.E. Sharpe 2010). The book
is cross-disciplinary, informed by the literatures of engineering and the social sciences, especially
political science, public policy analysis, public administration, national security studies, international
relations, and economics. It provides a straightforward and timely framework for analyzing alterna-
tives and making national energy policy decisions for any national government.
I wish to express my appreciation to a group of extraordinarily creative students at the Univer-
sity of Southern Maine who explored with me the subject of this book during an undergraduate
seminar in spring 2009: Dan Boyden, Sarah Busch, Sarah Dietz, Moriah Duval, Maggie Guzman,
Shannon Keeler, Scott Kingsbury, Alex Lehnen, Chester Lunt, Caleb Moffitt, Kent Murdick, and
Ashley Sevigney. Their research and observations during application of the conceptual framework
confirmed its decision-making utility.
Finally, I could not possibly publish this book without acknowledging the highly professional,
expeditious, and meticulous manner in which the folks at M.E. Sharpe handled it from start to finish.
Although I believe he will not approve of my saying it here, I must acknowledge I count myself
especially fortunate to have stumbled on Harry Briggs, who must certainly be the most patient and
encouraging editor an author could ever hope to find on this planet. Without fanfare or unnecessary
drama, Harry earned my everlasting gratitude by nursing this project along through a most difficult
gestation over a period of three years, in a most gracious and supportive manner. Without Harry,
I can truthfully say this book would never have been completed. Thank you, Harry.
Michael S. Hamilton
ix