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ENCN375 > Collective and Complex Infrastructure Systems > Flashcards

Collective and Complex Infrastructure Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What are examples of some COLLECTIVE (many-to-one) infrastructure systems?

A

Wastewater, solid waste, stormwater.

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2
Q

What are some sustainability focuses for the NZ stormwater system?

A

Passive treatment (little/no energy input);
Increasing/enhancing durability with natural components;
Promoting recharge;
Minimising built infrastructure.

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3
Q

Emissions from the wastewater system mostly result from …

A

Treatment.

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4
Q

What are the two broad categories of our waste streams?

A

Organic:
- Energy can be recovered from combustion (food, paper, plastic …)
Inorganic:
- Glass, metals, construction waste …

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5
Q

Waste is a product of …

A

Urbanization, economic development, and population growth.

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6
Q

Current waste management practices are dominated by …

A

Landfilling. (e.g.: open/closed landfill, composting, anaerobic digestion, burning)

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7
Q

Waste systems are responsible for ~X% of global GHG emissions.

A

5%. (~4% for NZ).
- Most waste-related GHG emissions from landfills.
- Of waste, food-waste contributes the most to GHG emissions.

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8
Q

What is the hierarchy of integrated solid waste management to limit GHG emissions? (Most preferred to least preferred)

A

Most preferred: Source reduction
Recycling/ Composting
Energy Recovery (Materials)
Least preferred: Treatment & Disposal.

OR

Most preferred: Rethink/redesign
Reduce
Reuse/repurpose
Recycle/compost anaerobic digestion
Recover
Least preferred: Treat and Dispose.

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9
Q

How can emissions from the waste system be mitigated from the producers?

A

Avoid/reduce amount of waste. Reuse. Minimising organic waste in disposal.

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10
Q

How can emissions from the waste system be mitigated from the collectors?

A

Reuse. Recovery of energy/materials. Minimising organic waste in disposal.

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11
Q

What are some examples of COMPLEX (many-to-many) infrastructure systems?

A

Transport & buildings.
- many origins, many destinations, many routes
- human actors
- systems of systems
Emissions come from sources from the system and actors engaging with the system.

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12
Q

Globally, transport systems are reliant on …

A

Petroleum products / fossil fuels / petrol & diesel.
- mostly due to personal vehicles
- modal shift would reduce emissions and traffic congestion
- the price volatility of oil has big impacts on transport. Inherent vulnerability (e.g. COVID lockdown)

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13
Q

Transport accounts for X% of NZ’s GHG emissions and has been the fastest growing source of emissions since 1990. Within transport, road emissions grew by Y% percent.
- GPS 2018

A

Transport: 18 percent of NZ’s GHG emissions.
Road emissions grown by 78 percent within transport.

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14
Q

A major challenge with reducing transport emissions is not curbing _____ or _____ BUT finding more sustainable means to meet demand.

A

Mobility or access. Hence, transport-emisisons is a difficult issue.
GHG emissions from transport are predicted to increase faster than any other energy end-use sector.

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15
Q

Infrastructure systems are often _____ or _______ dependent on transport.

A

Geographically or physically dependent.
Roads are often built first, which dictates the layout for other infrastructure.

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16
Q

Mitigation of emissions from transport can come from …

A

Improved efficiency (fuel consumption, energy efficiency, emissions intensities)
Reduced journeys (reduce distance, urban form, density)
Shifts to lower-carbon transport (mode-shift)

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17
Q

Buildings account for X% of global final energy use, and Y% of final electricity demand.

A

31% of global final energy use. 54% of final electricity demand.
- Most energy use in buildings is for space conditioning

18
Q

The building system contributes both directly and ______ to emissions.

A

Directly and indrectly.
- Direct: Commercial, residential, N2O emissions, Others
- Indirect: Commerical, residential

19
Q

To meet Paris Agreements, we need to reduce average building energy use by X% by 2030, globally.

A

30%.

20
Q

Collectively, the building sector in NZ represents ~X% of GHG emissions.

A

15%.
Includes:
- Onsite fossil fuel heating
- Electricity use
- Materials to make and maintain buildings

21
Q

The building system is characterised by very long-living infrastructure. What concerns does this lead to?

A

Large potential for “lock-in” effect, i.e., path dependency.
It is important to avoid the lock-in of both inefficient buildings and carbon/energy intensive buildings.

22
Q

Building energy efficiency, emissions-mitigation strategies include: material, technological and _______ elements.

A

Material, technological and design.
- Materials to enhance efficiency of building envelope.
- End-use “appliances” e.g., LED lighting
- Better design for reduced demand.
- e.g., smart metering (sensors)

23
Q

How could education (for building occupants/operators etc.) lead to GHG mitigation?

A

Consumer choices, behaviour and building operation can lead to GHG mitigation.
Education about energy use:
- improving efficiency of chosen “appliances’
- smart metering.

24
Q

What are the three main options for waste management in our current systems?

A
  1. Reuse or recycle material for further beneficial use.
  2. Bury the waste in a landfill.
  3. Burn the waste and generate some electricity.
25
Q

Stormwater and wastewater includes

A

Pipes, channels, drains, ponds/infiltration, discharge (to environment)

26
Q

What are some mitigation opportunities for wastewater systems?

A

Mitigation opportunities mainly at the point of collection (treatment):
- CH4 production during treatment
- Minimising carbon-based energy inputs (collection and treatment).
Other opportunities:
- Beneficial reuse
- Capturing “biogas” for energy production

27
Q

Waste consists of___, ____, and ___

A

1) Municipal waste
2) Commercial waste
3) Industrial waste

28
Q

Without mitigation GHG from transport sector predicted to …

A

increase faster than any other energy end-use sector

29
Q

What do buildings provide?

A

Provide shelter and protection:
- comfort (warm/cool)
- amenities (water, power)
It is an end-user or producer

30
Q

In buildings most energy comes from space conditioning (heating/cooling). Heating and cooling are driven by …

A

Heating and cooling needs are driven by:
- Climate (temperature difference between outdoors & indoor comfort, intensity/frequency of solar radiation
- Materials (insulation, conduction/radiation)
- Area and geometry

31
Q

Increases in country-wide GHG emissions has largely come from:

A

Road transport

32
Q

NZ has a very ____ per capita transport emissions relative to other OECD countries.

A

High

33
Q

The _____ sector is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in NZ.

A

Transport

34
Q

GHG emissions from the waste sector are primarily due to:

A

Decomposing organic material in landfills.

35
Q

Our waste system is dependent on our transport system for collection and transport to processing and/or disposal facilities. This is an example of ______ dependence.

A

Physical.

36
Q

Buildings are a key infrastructure system because:

A
  • We spend the majority of our time inside buildings.
  • Buildings tend to be the source and/or end point for most of our infrastructure systems.
37
Q

What are GHG emissions mitigation strategies in the building sector in NZ?

A
  • Improving insulation of a building
  • Switching from single glaze to double/triple glaze windows
  • Switching from gas to electric water heater
  • Improving the energy efficiency of appliances
38
Q

Emissions from the building system are driven by:

A

Energy use.

39
Q

How could emissions be mitigated from the transport system?

A
  • Reducing the carbon intensity of our fuels
  • Increasing the density of our urban spaces
  • Improving the energy efficiency of vehicles
  • Shifting from private to public transportation
40
Q

Globally, waste management is dominated by:

A

Open landfills

ENCN375 (10 decks)

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