UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Garza, Eric L.
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2011
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
Fossil fuels provide roughly 85 percent of all primary energy consumed globally. Volatility in fossil fuel prices as well as fears of impending global and regional supply peaks have brought discussion of energy security, energy efficiency and energy transitions into public discourse. Multiple roadblocks prevent large-scale energy transition, however. First among them remains denial of the possibility of near-term limits in fossil fuel supplies. One section of this dissertation presents a study of global oil supply that investigates the potential of a near-term peak using two separate indicators. Both indicators suggest that the peak in global oil supply most likely occurred in 2005 or 2006.
The second roadblock is an inability to balance multiple criteria in energy decision-making processes. This dissertation presents a case study that applied multiple criteria analysis (McA) to energy decision-making at a national park in Woodstock, Vermont. The MCA process allowed park stakeholders to integrate data gathered from an energy audit into a wider framework for decision-making. Finally, few understand the importance of the direct and indirect energy costs of a particular fuel and its associated supply chain to that fuel's viability. This dissertation presents an analysis of the energy costs and energy return of biodiesel from several Vermont producers. All biodiesel producers yielded products with a positive energy return, and estimates ranged up to above 5:1.
The second roadblock is an inability to balance multiple criteria in energy decision-making processes. This dissertation presents a case study that applied multiple criteria analysis (McA) to energy decision-making at a national park in Woodstock, Vermont. The MCA process allowed park stakeholders to integrate data gathered from an energy audit into a wider framework for decision-making. Finally, few understand the importance of the direct and indirect energy costs of a particular fuel and its associated supply chain to that fuel's viability. This dissertation presents an analysis of the energy costs and energy return of biodiesel from several Vermont producers. All biodiesel producers yielded products with a positive energy return, and estimates ranged up to above 5:1.