The Alternative Energy Sources - Research Paper Example

?Running head: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES Are alternative energy sources the answer to ending human dependence on oil? Affiliation submitted Are alternative energy sources the answer to ending human dependence on oil? Abstract: In the pursuit for a better earth alternative energy sources are among the chief pursuits for governments and corporations. The following paper will address the viability of alternative energy. Addressed within the paper will be the positives aspects of changing to currently produced alternative energy sources as well as the negatives attached. The end goal being the implementation of human dependence on oil through means that preserve both our way of life as well as our current standard of care, in a way that ensures a cleaner earth. Are alternative energy sources the answer to ending human dependence on oil? Defining alternative energy: Alternative energy is the resultant product of alternative fuels, and these are anything that is not “fossil” based. The question that needs to be answered here is whether or not alternative energy sources are really the answer to ending humanities dependence on fossil based fuels, primarily oil. According to an article in the Virginia Environmental Law Journal, “All renewable sources of energy (including hydroelectric, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar) will increase by an annual rate of approximately 2.2 percent and will constitute over ten percent of the overall domestic energy production by 2030” (Rosenberg, 2008). Understanding the mechanisms behind wind energy: Wind power has been utilized for centuries to pump water, grind grain into flour and in the modern times it is used to generate electricity to drive appliances and more. There are many placers around the world where steady relatively strong winds remain almost all year long. In these locations the use of efficient wind power may in fact be beneficial, however, as some have seen the installation of wind powered turbines large enough to generate an adequate supply of electricity take up a substantial amount of land, and cause eyesores as well as displacement of wild animals in some areas. Additionally the use of expensive and maintenance intensive batteries filled with environmentally dangerous chemicals adds to the downside of wind power. These drawbacks do not necessarily mean that wind power is not a valid option, in fact they simply mean that there are areas where work should be applied to generate a less expensive, more environmentally sound approach to storage of the electricity and to the actual generation of it through wind power. For some in the windy areas of the United States installing individual wind generating systems and towers is a relatively inexpensive proposition with a long term benefit for the homeowner. Arizona has seen a proliferation of small home sized wind towers and more importantly solar power. Understanding the mechanisms behind solar energy: Solar energy is another form of renewable energy that is virtually free, it is the methods used to harness it that cause consternation or are currently cost prohibitive on a large scale. Solar powered farms generate large amounts of steam, which means they require a large amount of water and they use oil cooled piping and reservoirs to channel the steam and generate the electricity. As a result there are still environmental concerns, and of course the additional concerns that accompany the creation of several square miles of solar farms, which unfortunately is what it would take for a medium sized city. Though technology is advancing there are still drawbacks to the use of solar power. This of course does not mean that using solar power for the individual’s home or for a small co-operative of homes is not a beneficial idea. In fact with some of the newer longer lasting gel cell batteries that are relatively maintenance free one can economically supply power to a small community of 5-10 houses without utilizing coal or oil based electric sources. There are numerous small solar powered battery chargers and roof mounted units that would work to charge your laptops, small refrigerating units and more. The downside to this is that silver is a large component of the creation of solar technology. With current economic issues occurring this causes solar power to also increase in startup costs which can become prohibitive on a single family scale. Silver currently is being mined at the rate of approximately 740 million ounces a year however, demand for silver in advanced applications with batteries and usage in panels as well as other advanced uses, has increased to over 900 million ounces (Silver Institute, 2011) leaving a shortfall in available silver. It is highly likely that because silver is not an unlimited resource unless adaptations or adjustments are made this may prove to be an investment that does not produce the results needed. Understanding the mechanisms behind biofuel energy: Bio-fuels are created as a result of biomass conversion. In the United States there are several popular approaches and one is the use of corn or sugarcane the fermentation of which produces ethanol. Additional methods are using vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases from sources such as fast food related deep frying vats. Through a lengthy, time intensive process fuels can be derived from various biological sources and converted into high octane fuels. Unfortunately with these options comes a large array of issues beginning with the amount of corn or other “base” necessary to be grown. Due to the large amount of base product needed massive areas of land must be developed and farmed. The benefits to using biomass driven bio-fuels is that in many cases it is refuse that it used versus simply being new growth plant matter. Additionally there is the negative effects on the land itself when a person grows too much of one crop year after year. Lack of solid crop rotation approaches can deny necessary nutrients to the soil leaving thousands of acres unusable for farming for years afterwards. Financially bio-fuel is one of the least beneficial to produce and use. And though it has been presented as a benefit to many individuals via the use of mass media, this does not mean it is truly a benefit. As one researcher put it, “No one can reasonably expect that biofuels will achieve anything like the energy…per hour of labor that are currently obtained by mining of fossil energy stocks” (Giampietro, 1997). There has been some minor advancement in the use of recycled vegetable oils for the individuals use. However, even these tend to be costly in the long term and rely on the ability of the individual to gather large amounts of biomass or vegetable oils from various locations. Understanding the mechanisms behind hydroelectric energy: Hydroelectric energy harnesses the awesome power of water, either water flowing through rivers, tide activity and even waves. The many available all natural options for hydroelectric energy allow mankind to innovate new and better methods of generating electricity in this manner. Worldwide hydroelectric power accounts for over 20% of the electricity generated and over 88% of the electricity generated using “green” sources. Of all of the currently applied and theoretical approaches the use of water driven turbines to generate electricity is among the most widely researched and available. China for instance has devoted years of study to increasing the efficiency and capacity of water driven electric generating turbines. Additional benefits are that by building reservoirs to regulate the flow of water and provide more efficiency in electric power generation the surrounding land has a more regulated better managed water supply as well. According to the Hydrological Sciences Journal “All the water used for water supply or irrigation purposes passes through the turbines thus producing hydroelectric power generation” (Mimikou, 2009). Some of the few drawbacks to the use of hydroelectric energy and the dams and lakes necessary for this type of green energy generation are the large areas of land that must be changed into wetlands, lakes or rivers. While in some cases it is possible to work around various species that may be endangered there is the very real possibility that in the creation of a dam and resulting lake/reservoir for use as a hydroelectric source many plants and animal types may be lost forever. The positive benefits here are that this is a relatively safe application of human ingenuity to the problem of energy needs. It does not generally have large amounts of potentially deadly waste or byproducts, while it does mean adapting some areas of land to the creation of a lake, it does not cause serious large scale damage to the ecosystem except for where the lake itself will be. Additional benefits are that with advances in motor and generator technologies the efficiency of hydroelectric power generation is advancing in leaps and bounds. And for application of a smaller nature, a small stream, small generator/turbine will power a house as long as the stream itself continues to run. Understanding the mechanisms behind geothermal energy: Geothermal energy sources are like other green approaches and only limited by the ability to convert the source of power into electricity. Unfortunately the thermal efficiency is severely limited at around 10-23% and the holes necessary to gain the depth and heat are extremely expensive to initiate. However, because they operate from a virtually unlimited and free source of initial power the potential is unlimited. In fact worldwide the capacity to produce has been rated at close to 96% which is a very efficient energy versus work output, especially when compared to the average 50% of hydroelectric or 46% of wind farms or the average 15-19% of solar farms. According to A Sourcebook on the Production of Electricity from Geothermal Energy, “Variations in reservoir permeability, base temperature, well depth, well bore, salinity, etc., would yield different characteristics but preserve the general pattern” (Ryley, 1978). The drawbacks of geothermal energy plants are readily apparent in that they are extremely expensive to initiate. With cost beginning at 10 million dollars and easily climbing into the hundreds of millions of dollars they are unfortunately, very expensive to start. However, this does not mean that they do not pay for themselves over the course of their lifetimes; in fact they are among the least expensive of the various types of power generating plants to operate. Geothermal is not an application that is readily available for the individual or even small communities as the initial costs are great. However, geothermal is among the top performers in the green energy field and much is being done to promote generate more efficiency within the original set up itself. Conclusion: As can be seen there are several alternative energy sources not including nuclear power or coal powered electric plants. Some of them are better suited for the individuals use and some are better suited for the societal use on a larger scale. With each form comes drawbacks among these drawbacks are the political and monetary implications and in some cases as with biofuels created from corn or sugar cane are the long term effects on the ecosystem itself. Additionally there are the space requirements of solar power and the varying degrees of efficiency with wind farms. Overall there are applications that have merit however, unless more research is done into the designs and implementation it could be decades before we see a significant reduction in the usage of fossil based fuel sources. Regardless it is easy to see where alternative energy sources may in fact be the answer to our current fossil fuel related dilemma and the increasing awareness for the environment on a global scale. Reference page: Giampietro, M. (1997). Feasibility of large-scale biofuel production. BioScience, 47(9), 597. Mimikou, M. (2009). climate change impacts on the reliability of hydroelectric energy productio.Hydrological Sciences Journa, 42(5), 671 Rosenberg, R. (2008). Diversifying America’s energy future, the future of renewable wind power. Virginia Environmental Law Journal, 26(2), 512. Ryley, D. (1978). A sourcebook on the production of electricity from geothermal energy. U.S. Department of Energy, report number, CATMEC/22, 26. Silver Institute, (2011). Demand and supply in 2010.  The Silver Institute, worldwide association of silver miners, refiners, dealers, retrieved online August, 22 2011 http://www.silverinstitute.org/supply_demand.php. Read More