SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
1
School of Engineering
College of Health and Science

ASSIGNMENT/REPORT COVER SHEET hard copy submissions
This sheet must be attached to all material being submitted for marking.


Student name:


Amrinder Singh

Student number:


16257564

Unit name and number:


Sustainable Design 300206

Tutorial group:




Tutorial day and time:


Wed 17:00 19:00

Lecturer/Tutor:


Ms Jaimee Tuza

Title of assignment:


Fuel Consumption

Length:





Date due:


25
th
August, 2010

Date submitted:


25
th
August, 2010

Campus enrolment:


Kingswood (Penrith)

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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
2



Introduction


Vehicle fuel consumption -- Vehicle fuel consumption is computed as the vehicle miles traveled
divided by the fuel efficiency reported in miles per gallon (MPG).



Types of Energy Sources:

Non - Renewable Energy Sources: A non-renewable resource is a natural resource which cannot
be produced, grown and generated on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. These
resources are consumed much faster than nature can create them. For Example: Fossil fuels such as
coal, petroleum and natural gas and nuclear power (uranium).

Renewable Energy Sources: Soil, water, forests, plants, and animals are all renewable resources as
long as they are properly conserved. Solar, wind, wave, and geothermal energies are based on
renewable resources. Renewable resources such as the movement of water (hydropower), wind
(used for wind power), geothermal heat (used for geothermal power) and radiant energy (used for
solar power) are practically infinite and cannot be depleted.



Peak Oil Production in U.S






SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
3



The above graph shows proved reserves and production of conventional oil for the lower-48 States
and the continental shelf. From this graph, it is predicted that Lower-48 States oil production would
peak in 1965 if the assumed ultimate cumulative production were 150 billion barrels and in 1970 if
the assumed ultimate cumulative production were 200 billion barrels. For the United States, actual
production peaked in 1970. It is also predicted that proved reserves of oil would peak before
production peaked, and U.S. proved reserves did so in 1959.
The United States experience conforms to the expected nature of the production
cycle of a finite resource - and conventional oil is a finite resource.



Forecasts of Global Peak Oil Production



The above table shows that oil production in a region can fall sharply after the peak, typically by 2-
6% p.a. If this happens at a global scale, there will be no time to make the necessary adjustments to
world energy systems, especially transport systems, without major economic and social disruptions.
Oil-intensive industries and countries which are dependent on imported oil are likely to be affected
by price rises and physical shortages.

It is the co-incidence of these two great challenges climate change and peak oil which creates a
major adjustment challenge for the world. This presentation explores some of the options for
addressing this challenge for the specific case of urban passenger transport in Sydney. The next
Section sets out a brief background to the threats from climate change and peak oil. Then the other
section examines transport fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Sydney and then the
last Section concludes by discussing their implications and whether current responses will be
sufficient to meet the challenge.













SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
4

Climate Change and Oil Prices




In the last five years the world has discovered that we face a major climate threat from global
warming, and that this is highly likely due to the effects of burning fossil fuels and other human
induced effects. Already, many countries including the European Union and Japan, as well as
individual States such as California and New York and an increasing number of cities, have set
targets of 60% or greater reductions in Greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

To appreciate the significance of peak oil, we need to be reminded that:
80-95% of all transport is fuelled by oil products, depending on the country
All petrochemicals and 99% of all lubrication is done with oil products
95% of all goods in the shops get there using oil
99% of our food involves oil or gas for fertilizers, agrochemicals, tilling, cultivation and transport
Oil production has exceeded new oil discovery ever since the early 1980s
Oil is our most important energy source accounts for 36.4% of all primary energy used by
humans.














SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
5


Transport Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Emissions for
Sydney



From the perspective of climate change, the key variable of interest is greenhouse gas emissions.
However from a peak oil perspective, the most critical variable of interest is oil consumption. In
global terms, Australian cities have much lower per capita car use, transport energy consumption
and CO2 emissions than the United States, but significantly higher than cities in Europe or Asia as
shown in the above Table.
Sydney is somewhat better placed than other Australian cities in this respect, with lower per capita
transport energy consumption than other capitals shown in the below table.



Less well-known is the fact that average per capita weekday travel by car in Sydney is also 15%
less than for Newcastle and Wollongong as shown below:

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
6



This reflects fewer car trips and greater use of public transport in Sydney. In addition, average trip
lengths in Sydney are actually lower than in its neighboring cities, despite the fact that it is much
larger geographically. This reflects the tendency for higher densities to be associated with a greater
number of opportunities in the local area, a higher quality public transport service, and higher levels
of road congestion. Australian evidence suggests that density and public transport effects in our
largest cities (particularly Sydney and to a lesser extent Melbourne) outweigh the physical size
effect, meaning that from a transport fuel and greenhouse emissions perspective, the largest cities
are in fact more sustainable than either the smaller capitals, or smaller regional cities.


World Energy Consumption




There are two types of Sources: History and Projections

Oil currently provides a larger share of world energy consumption than any other energy source and
is expected to remain in that position throughout the forecast period. Its share of total energy
consumption declines slightly, however, from 39 percent in 1997 to 38 percent in 2020, as countries
in many parts of the world switch to natural gas and other fuels, particularly for electricity
generation.

Natural gas remains the fastest growing component of primary world energy consumption. Over the
IEO2000 forecast period, gas use is projected to more than double in the reference case, reaching
167 trillion cubic feet. The gas share of total energy consumption increases from 22 percent in 1997
to 29 percent in 2020.






SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
7



Improving Fuel Consumption

Human activity is producing more and more greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific research predicts
that rising temperatures caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases will harm humans, plants
and animals by changing weather patterns and raising sea levels. Road transport in Australia is
responsible for 65 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions or 14 per cent of Australias overall
greenhouse gas emissions. You can help reduce these emissions by choosing the most fuel efficient
car to meet your needs and driving it in a fuel efficient manner.
Urban air pollution is the number one public environmental concern in Australia. Motor
vehicles are the major contributor to air pollution in Australia. By following the tips below you will
also help minimize air pollution caused by motor vehicles.

Buy a fuel-efficient car it can save you hundreds of dollars on fuel bills and up to 20
tonnes of greenhouse gases over its life. To move one tonne of your car around for a year
needs approximately 1400 litres of fuel.
Buy the right sized car for your needs a car that is bigger or more powerful than you
need could unnecessarily increase your fuel bills. It is worth noting that fuel consumption
can vary considerably among cars of similar size.


Top Tips for Fuel Efficient Driving

Plan your trips: Plan to do a number of errands in one trip rather than several trips and
save both time and fuel.
Avoid short car trips by walking or cycling: Walking or cycling is good exercise and
saves over a quarter of a kilogram of greenhouse gas per kilometer of car driving it replaces.
Service your car regularly: Keep your car well tuned and reduce greenhouse gases by up
to 15 per cent through fuel savings.
Select the right gear:
Speed kills economy
Stopping and braking
Use air conditioning sparingly
Look after your cars tyres
Filling up









SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 300206

Amrinder Singh
16257564
Fuel
Consumption
8

Conclusion

As we enter the 21st century, the world faces significant challenges from global warming
and peak oil.
Urban transport in Sydney is no exception. Failure to begin the transitions required will run
a substantial risk of sudden adjustments being forced on the city and its inhabitants via high
oil prices and possible oil shortages.
Sydney is relatively well-endowed with public transport in comparison with other
Australian and US cities and with the plans already underway has a real chance of avoiding
major disruption.
As with climate change, the faster we adjust now to the threat of peak oil, the lower will be
the ultimate costs.



References

Bezdek, R. (2007): Looming Oil Problems: Myths and Realities. Keynote speech at
Smart 2007 Conference, Sydney, June 2007
Dunlop, I. (2007): Peak Oil and Values for 21C. Towards 2020 Climate Change
Conference, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 8-9 June 2007
Glazebrook, G. (2002): Transport and Energy Use in Sydney. University of Sydney
Warren Centre Report on Sustainable Transport for Sustainable Cities, Sydney, 2002
NSW Government (2007): Transport Infrastructure Statement
NSW Department of Transport (2002): Travel in Newcastle and Wollongong. Issues
paper 2002/01
Simmons, M. (2007): Sunrise in Coal Fields: Coals Role in a Peak Oil World