Johnson Space Center’s Role in a Sustainable Future

5,26
MB

133
stron

6330
ID National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2004
rok

Contents

1 Introduction1

1.1 Key Environmental Issues .1

1.1.1 Population .1

1.1.2 Air Pollution3

1.1.3 Water Supply .4

1.1.4 Food Supply 5

1.1.5 Deforestation & Decline of Biodiversity 6

1.1.6 Waste Generation.7

1.1.7 Ozone Depletion7

1.1.8 Climate Change (or “Global Warming”) 8

1.1.9 Energy.12

1.2 Sustainability.13

1.2.1 What is Sustainability? 13

1.2.2 Recent Studies .14

1.2.3 Economic Considerations.16

1.3 The Future.16

2 Ongoing Environmental Sustainability Efforts17

2.1 International ¾ United Nations .17

2.2 Federal Government 17

2.2.1 Environmental Protection Agency18

2.2.2 Department of Energy21

2.2.3 Presidential Executive Orders and Legislation .23

2.2.4 NASA24

2.2.5 Other .28

2.3 Non-Federal Efforts.29

2.3.1 National Council for Science and the Environment 29

2.3.2 Texas State Offices 29

2.3.3 Sustainability Research, Education and Practice.30

2.4 Success Stories 32

3 Measuring Progress.32

3.1 Existing Metrics and Indicators .32

3.1.1 International “Environmental Sustainability Index” .32

3.1.2 U.S. Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development Indicators .32

3.1.3 NASA Environmental Tracking System.33

3.1.4 Air Pollution Emission Factors 33

3.1.5 Other Sources 34

3.2 Proposed Indicators for JSC.34

3.3 Historical Performance at JSC .36

4 Technological Developments.39

4.1 Air39

4.1.1 Air Monitoring.40

4.1.2 Air Treatment Technologies.40

4.1.3 Adhesives 40

4.1.4 Painting .40

4.2 Agriculture and Food.40

4.3 Energy.42

4.3.1 Energy Conservation42

4.3.2 Energy Efficiency 43

4.3.3 Combined Heat and Power ¾ Cogeneration 44

4.3.4 Gas Turbines44

4.3.5 Fossil Fuels and Carbon Sequestration.44

4.3.6 Nuclear Fission and Fusion45

4.3.7 Wind45

4.3.8 Solar Photovoltaic45

4.3.9 Solar Thermal 47

4.3.10 Landfill Gas.50

4.3.11 Bio-Fuels .50

4.3.12 Energy Storage 51

4.3.13 Backup Power Options 56

4.4 Fuel Cells 57

4.4.1 Types of Fuel Cells 57

4.4.2 Fuel Cell Research.60

4.4.3 Fuel Cell Issues61

4.4.4 Commercial Availability of Fuel Cells .62

4.5 Sustainable Habitats 62

4.5.1 “Green” Products and Sources .63

4.5.2 Low Heat Gain Roofs 64

4.5.3 Windows .64

4.5.4 Lighting .65

4.5.5 Landscaping.65

4.6 Thermal Control66

4.6.1 Air-Conditioning Systems66

4.6.2 Refrigeration69

4.6.3 Thermal Energy Storage 70

4.7 Transportation .71

4.7.1 Alternative Fuel Vehicles.72

4.7.2 Aerial and Space Vehicles .74

4.8 Waste 75

4.8.1 Hazardous Waste .75

4.8.2 Waste Reduction/Recycling .75

4.8.3 Waste Processing Technologies .76

4.9 Water 77

4.9.1 Water Purification Technologies 77

4.9.2 Clean Water Efforts .78

5 Systems Analysis .78

5.1 Study Approach.78

5.2 Analysis Details.80

5.2.1 Costs and Factors.80

5.2.2 Current Technologies Assessed81

5.2.3 Future Technologies Assessed .87

5.3 Analysis Results88

5.3.1 JSC Mass Balance88

5.3.2 Potential Savings Due to Various Technologies .89

5.3.3 Analysis Summary.89

6 Recommendations .90

6.1 Technology Investments90

6.1.1 Energy Efficient Habitability .93

6.1.2 Renewable Energy and Regenerative Fuel Cells.93

6.1.3 Electric Vehicles94

6.1.4 Waste and Water Reuse .94

6.2 JSC Projects 94

6.2.1 Solar Recharge Station.95

6.2.2 Self-contained Solar Refrigerator.95

6.2.3 Fuel Cell UPS 95

6.2.4 Building-Integrated Fuel Cells .95

6.2.5 Fuel Cell Cart 96

6.2.6 Mission Control Backup Power96

6.2.7 Energy Conservation and Efficiency Efforts 97

6.2.8 Air Conditioning Additives98

6.2.9 Heat Driven Air-conditioning 98

6.2.10 High-efficiency Chillers.98

6.2.11 Solar Water Heaters.99

6.2.12 Sustainable Buildings and Test Facilities .99

6.2.13 Alternative Fuel Vehicles.99

6.2.14 Long-Range Planning Studies 99

6.3 Management100

6.3.1 Become an Exemplary Federal Facility100

6.3.2 Increase Employee Awareness.100

6.3.3 Procurement Practices101

6.3.4 Partnerships .101

6.3.5 Sustainable Technology Projects in Existing Programs 101

6.3.6 Education Outreach101

6.3.7 Public Relations and Community Outreach102

6.3.8 Technology Transfer102

6.3.9 Sustainability Team .103

6.4 Further Study.103

6.4.1 Sustainability indicators.103

6.4.2 Systems analysis 103

6.4.3 Cost and Benefit Analysis 104

7 References.104