Alternative Energy Sources - Research Paper Example

? Alternative Energy Sources: A Panacea to Oil Dependence? and number submitted Alternative Energy Sources: A Panacea to Oil Dependence? Outline 1) Introduction 2) Advantages of renewable resources a. Reduced amount of pollution b. Less global warming c. Will never deplete d. Cheaper compared to oil in the long run e. Increase the independence of non-oil producing countries f. Promote peace g. Even distribution of resources 3) Drawbacks of renewable energy a. Still in developmental stages b. Can only produce energy for a specified time c. Extra electricity produced cannot be stored d. Extraction and storage of certain elements (hydrogen) are difficult. 4) Conclusion Alternative Energy Sources: A Panacea to Oil Dependence The world economy, to meet the energy requirements and needs, has to utilize fuel whether renewable or non-renewable. The future of the economy of this world depends on alternative renewable energy sources. Since, non-renewable resources are depleting quickly, renewable resources could be an answer to ending human dependence on oil but it could have both positive and negative impacts on a sustainable world. Using renewable energy sources will provide an alternative to oil and fossil fuels alike, thus ending the dependency on them. This in turn will lead to a decrease in the ecological problems especially those of global warming that are largely caused by the use of oil and fossil fuels as a source of energy. If the dependency of energy is not shifted from oil and other fossil fuels to alternative energy resources, the world may have to face serious disadvantages including economic and environmental (Heinberg, 2003). Another reason how alternative energy sources can help as a more dependable source of energy is that fossil fuel and oil resources are scarce and running out, therefore finding alternative means is important to ensure a constant supply of energy for our future generations as well (Heinberg, 2003). Not only will oil and fossil fuel resources deplete in near future but the prices will also be too high to afford such resources. The scarce and more expensive nature of oil will eventually cause alternative energy sources to be the final choice for energy dependency.If the world keeps depending on oil as an energy source, it will soon face a devastating blow to the global economy. Therefore in order to keep this world from facing such devastating crises, there is a vital need that the oil dependency is reduced and alternative means are explored (Rau, 2010). There is a grave need for reducing the levels of pollution in the environment. A shift from reliance and dependence on the non-renewable energy sources will create opportunities such as the utilization of waste and junk, as junk can be used as a source of fuel. Not only will this way the pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels and oil be reduced, but this approach will also lead to the alternative methods of providing sources of energy to meet the global energy requirements, such as the use of energy for internal heating systems for homes, etc. (Rau, 2010). The use of alternative energy sources will also help the growing energy needs of the developing countries. As the developing world advances, there will be an increase in the energy needs. These developing needs can be met by the production and consumption of energy that is produced domestically. This way the development of the developing countries will be supported, more and more industries and businesses will have their energy needs met and the fulfillment of energy needs will make for availability of greater businesses and job availability needs (McNamee, 2008). The utilization of renewable energy sources will rid nations from dependence on other nations for oil as a source of energy. Renewable energy sources can be produced domestically anywhere. This will make it easier for every nation to be independent and take care of their energy needs without any sort of reliance on other nations. Not only will it make for a better and cleaner environment but it will also eliminate resentment and suspicions of wars between nations with hidden motives of access to oil, thus helping countries have a cleaner and more peaceful environment (Heinberg, 2003). Moving away from our dependency on oil and instead utilizing renewable energy sources will not only make the environment cleaner and sustain a healthy atmosphere, but it will also make for an opportunity for investment and even support both, individuals and organizations, financially (McNamee, 2008). The changeover to renewable energy sources, along with helping in other ways, will also help in creating various job opportunities. There would be a requirement of the workforce in the factories designed for production and manufacturing of components for renewable energy sources. There would also be a need for educated and trained professionals for the service and installation needs of these components. Few examples of these components include solar panels and mechanism required for wind mills, etc. This way a whole new market will come into being, thus supporting world economy and helping individuals by creating employment opportunities (McNamee, 2008). There are many renewable energy sources such as wind energy, direct geothermal energy, biomass energy, wave tidal energy, small hydro energy and indirect solar radiation energy that can replace the dependence on oil as an energy source (Abbasi & S. A., 2010). Each country has its own set of available forms of renewable energy, depending on the climate and environment. The awareness of having these renewable energy sources will make each country independent of the other for meeting the energy needs, and prevent the unfair, disturbing race of achieving finite energy resources. Other than these commonly known energy sources, there is also hydrogen which is a very good alternative source of energy. The use of hydrogen in fuel cells is a relatively new concept to have hit the modern world, but it certainly in no way is any lesser than the other renewable energy sources available. Not only will the use of this energy source empower the world but it will also break down the top-down distribution of energy sources such as oil, making the distribution more decentralized (Sorensen, 1941). Talking about wind and solar energy, the drawbacks of theses energy sources are that not only are these sources undeveloped but they are also undependable. The production of energy from these sources is discontinuous and is only limited to the availability of the energy resources. The end product is mostly electricity. And there is no available storage facility to keep the extra electricity as electricity cannot be stored in case there is excess of production (Abbasi & S. A., 2010). Therefore not only is the excess electricity wasted, but the energy that goes into the production of electricity also goes to waste (Abbasi & S. A., 2010). The storage facility for electricity is not there for situations when there is no sunlight or wind. Electricity can definitely be used to generate hydrogen from water but then again the hydrogen which is expected to serve as a renewable energy source is rather hazardous and the storage of it rather difficult (Sorensen, 1941). Even if we start depending on this energy source, there is no way that we can come up with a fuel cell big and powerful enough to support the jets and airplanes, the running of which, fossil fuels are currently hugely and very successfully supporting. Tidal and geothermal energy does have some significance but only locally. They do not meet the need as an energy source on a global level. Nuclear power is a suitable option but again the need of the storage of electricity (which is almost always the end product) cannot be met. Even the heaviest of batteries cannot provide the energy required to run the farm size tractors and machinery (Abbasi & S. A., 2010). Some experts consider the dependence on renewable energy sources as a big no. For them fossil fuels and oil sources are still the best. They say that oil is a more reliable and an ever available energy resource. Not only is it more efficient but also defeats irresponsible and unreliable renewable energy sources and their production. Some critics and experts say that in the near future there will be a great need of energy sources in the liquid form. This requirement can be met by achieving liquids from oil, condensed natural gas and other fossil fuels. They argue that the production of energy sources in liquid state is rather difficult in the case of renewable energy resources. Corn ethanol and cellulose liquids that form part of the renewable energy resources stand no chance in fulfilling the world’s energy needs. Sugar cane and ethanol do make for a stronger conclusion as compared to the former but even these two do not give enough volume that is required. Talking of ethanol, it is more of an input in the production and less in the output, therefore forming a poor choice for an energy resource as the efficiency is very low. As much as seventy percent of the energy goes into the production of this energy source as compared to the percentage that is utilized as energy through it (Rau, 2010). With the current development state of renewable energy sources, it is regrettably said that they will not go a long way in fulfilling the energy needs. There still has to be a lot of development and research that needs to be done in order to make the world dependent on renewable energy sources rather than on oil or other fossil fuels. If the world was rid of oil and the only source of energy were the renewable sources, then this world would not be running as efficiently as it is running now. Therefore instead of doing good it will do much harm as it is not yet fully developed (Abbasi & S. A., 2010). Even if the renewable energy sources fulfill the world energy needs, they are still limited by their cost effectiveness and in the case of nuclear energy there is the unresolved issue of disposal of waste material. Along with the findings of the worldwide climatic change and the awareness of issues regarding global warming, we cannot close our eyes to the fact that for many decades, this world cannot survive with renewable energy resources as the only energy source (Abbasi & S. A., 2010). The world has to depend to some extent on oil, to meet some percentage of its energy needs and requirements, unless the necessary and much needed further development and research is achieved concerning renewable energy sources. The huge batteries that do not exist are desperately required for the electricity that is produced by the renewable energy sources. Without such batteries the renewable sources of energy only produce energy that is even less than twenty percent of the share of the grid. For a grid manager, less than twenty percent of the energy requirements met are more of a trouble and distress than a help. Furthermore, the current percentage use of renewable energy sources catering to the world’s energy intake is only twelve percent. Looking at the fast depleting oil and other fossil fuels it is clear that there will be a vital increase in the demand of renewable energy resources in the near future. The factors that will come into play for the use of renewable energy sources will include a greater efficiency achieved by the use of such sources, a fundamental change in the current lifestyles and the mind to go through this transition and change (Sorensen, 1941). There is a dire need of proactive thought and approach towards the development of renewable energy sources as the decline and depletion of the oil and other nonrenewable energy resources is evident (Rau, 2010). Therefore we need to come up with more organized and well planned schemes to take care of the future energy needs, and this includes the development of plans for techniques to boost up the productivity and efficiency of energy produced by the renewable energy sources. In the current scenario the renewable energy sources are too far away to be brought up to the world’s energy use. Not only are they poorly developed but are also more expensive. There is no proper system of transport and they are very scattered and unreliable in nature. Another major factor to consider is that presently renewable energy sources are only good for producing electricity and the dependence of transport vehicle on oil cannot be eliminated that easily unless there is a huge and quick development in the production of hydrogen for vehicles that depend on electricity. On the other hand renewable energy sources are good but only for the smaller scale cottage level industry. Bibliography Heinberg, R. (2003). The party’s over: Oil, war and the fate of industrial societies. New Society Publishers. McNamee, G. (2008). Careers in renewable energy: Get a green energy job. Library of Congress Publication. Rau, D. M. (2010). Alternative energy: Beyond fossil fuels. Library of Congress. Sorensen, B. (1941). Hydrogen and fuel cells: Emerging technologies and applications. Academic Press. Abbasi, T., & S. A., A. (2010). Renewable energy sources : Their impact on global warming and pollution. New Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. Read More