The Importance of Renewable Energy Sources Usage in London - Essay Example

Sur 28 October Renewable Energy Introduction: Crisis in the availability of energy sources can be realized within the society. It hints that proper usage of the available sources is an essential factor in order to keep the balance of the energy sources on earth. The modern usage of resources indicate a change among the human beings from an understanding of the balance of nature to focusing more on expansions and mass productions thus increasing the level of risks (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 15). The current study brings into light the use of energy sources in London and the factors affecting the availability of fuels in the region implying the necessity for effective use of energy sources. Use of fuels in London: The energy uses in the city of London in the residential, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors can be presented through the following chart based on data for the year 1998. The figure indicates the percentage use of the available energy sources in the city of London in different sectors. It can be observed that the transportation sector has the highest record of the use of energy followed by the residential and the commercial sector. Hence this implies that there is a need for effectively using the sources such that they do not become scarcely unavailable for use. Figure 1: Fuel Usage in London (Voogt et al, 38). Factors affecting future availability of fuels: The most important issue affecting the availability of fuels is the change in the climate and the global warming. Fears from the environmental changes tend to hinder the exploration processes of fuels. Controlling the usage of fuel energy has increased, leading to inadequate availability of the same. Moreover, economic constraints are also prevalent from the fact that the fuels are often available at larger distances difficult for consumers to reach. Another factor that might affect the availability and usage of fuels is any kind of instability in the political environment within the region (Longwell, 103). Energy Policy: London: London has its energy policy that includes developmental planning to capitalize on the available efficiency of the energy sources and minimize the emission of carbon contents in the air. The energy plan of the city focuses on the use of combined heat and power (CHP) and renewable energy in order to make efficient use of the available sources. Several applications on the strategic planning of energy usage have been approved over the years that are based on addressing the issues of climate changes, reduction of energy usage, saving energy, and other relevant factors (Monitoring the London Plan Energy Policies- Phase 3, 3-4). First Law of Thermodynamics: Thermodynamics deals with the study of energy and the transformation processes of such energy. According to the first law of thermodynamics, it is possible to conserve the energy and its usage. Thus this law is also known as the law of conservation of energy. The law focuses on the internal energy changes and the effects that occur as a result of transfer of heat (Potter, 61). Several engineers and scientists who contributed in the formulation of the above mentioned law include eminent personalities like James Joule, James Watt, Benjamin Thompson and others. For the particular study a biological sketch of Sir James Watt has been obtained and his contribution in the first law of thermodynamics has also been studied. James Watt: James Watt was born in Scotland in the year 1736. He became interested in mathematical instruments when he was 17 years old followed by his interests in the functioning of the steam engines required to pump water. By the time he was 29 years old, the mechanical engineer was involved in the formation of condensers for steam engines after he thoroughly conducted studies on the features and applications of steam engines. Further in the year 1767, the engineer aided in the vision at long distances with his creation of telescopes. Moving on, Watt was concerned and focused his work on reducing the use of fuel and steam in the engines and in any other appliance where these are used. James got associated with Matthew Boulton and together they started construction of steam engines. In between the years 1776 and 1781, Sir James Watt took the charge of administering the installation of engines in mines of copper and tin. Along with his work, he continued his studies on steam engines and inventions like indicator of steam, rotary engine, double-action engine and so on. Also, he made inventions for automatic regulation of steam engines. Finally he left his work and focused on his research for the rest for his life. He was also a civil engineer and contributed at an utmost level in the field of engineering. The unit of power, Watt, was named after him. He died in the year 1819 when he was in England (James Watt, 1736-1819). Watt’s Contribution in the First Law of Thermodynamics: James Watt had a significant contribution in the first law of thermodynamics dealing with heat transfer and internal energy changes, since he focused on improving steam engines to make lesser wastage of heat and energy when the engine was either getting heated or getting cooled. He realized the importance of the condensing system in the engine and created a condenser. This aided in lesser wastage of heat energy that could hence be saved and conserved for future purposes of usage. This invention also improved the mechanism of the engine. The unit of power was also named after him since he discovered a measure of power as well (Pauken, 330). Thus Watt proved that energy can be conserved. Conclusion: The study reflected the need for the efficient use of available sources and also conducted a study on how James Watt contributed in the first law of thermodynamics that states that energy can be conserved. The focus of the study was the city of London and it has been observed how energy usage level is high among the different sectors implying the need for effectively using the different sources. References 1) “Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists”, Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, (1980), 36.10, 1-65, October 28, 2011 from: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=QQsAAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false 2) “James Watt, 1736-1819”, Thinkquest, 2000, October 29, 2011 from: http://library.thinkquest.org/C006011/english/sites/watt_bio.php3?v=2 3) Longwell, Harry J., The Future of the Oil and Gas Industry: Past Approaches, New Challenges, World Energy, (2002), 5.3, 100-104, October 28, 2011 from: http://www.localenergy.org/pdfs/Document%20Library/Exxon%20Future%20of%20Oil%20and%20Gas.pdf 4) “Monitoring the London Plan Energy Policies- Phase 3”, Static, 2009, October 28, 2011 from: http://static.london.gov.uk/mayor/priorities/docs/lon-plan-energy-policies-monitoring-1.pdf 5) Pauken, Mike. Thermodynamics for Dummies, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2011 6) Potter, Merle. Thermodynamics demystified, Columbus: Mc-Graw Hill Professional, 2010 7) Voogt, J.A. et al, London Energy/Air Emissions Reduction Strategy Task Force: Air Emissions and Energy Use in the City of London, UWO, 2000, October 28, 2011 from: http://publish.uwo.ca/~javoogt/leaerstf_rev.pdf Read More