An Environmental Impact Assessment on an Electric Motor - Book Report/Review Example

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON ELECTRIC MOTOR OF AI-EMU Transportation has been seen as an activity that results in to higher cases of environmental degradation. The good news is that these adverse effects can be controlled better when different measures are put in place. The use of environment impact assessment is a very important factor that can help in curbing adverse effects of transportation on the environment. Introduction of electric motors has been seen to be very vibrant. Electric motors have been recommended by many innovators due to their ability to use electric energy. Since the electric cars do not use fuel, they are not able to emit carbon particles to the environment. It is also important to note that a vibrant environment impact assessment must be done on the electric motors to determine their impact on the environment. This paper will highlight different issues on electric motor. This environmental impact assessment will be done in accordance to the stipulated regulations of the environment. Introduction Environmental impact assessment is a very important activity that is always aimed at conservation of the environment. This activity is always carried out by experts that understand environmental issues. Ensuring that we have sound environmental activities is the global aim of many countries. It is important to highlight that introduction of electric vehicles means that we must always carry out thorough environment impact assessment. This will assist us in determining the impact of such motors towards the environment (Lave 2006). This paper will therefore give a cognitive analysis and assessment of impacts of electric motors on the environment. It has been found that the impacts that an electric vehicle has on an environment while in operation always exceed its impacts in production stage (Yong-Ki 2007). This paper will give a deep insight in to production and life cycle of different types of AI-EMU cars. It must be noted that AI-EMU produces cars that uses fuel and electric cars as well. A vibrant compression between electric motors and fuel motors will be done by the use of AI-EMU motors (Bombardier 2005). Description of electric vehicle It is important to highlight that there is a big difference between electric vehicles and others. Electric vehicles are currently considered as the most efficient. This type of vehicle always depends on electric energy for its propulsion. These vehicles are always equipped with electric motor. The electric motor makes these vehicles to have particular impacts on the environment. This is because of electric reactions that take place within the motor. It is al.so important to highlight that electric vehicles also store their energy is a battery. Such vehicles do not store energy in fuel tank as in the case of most vehicles. These features show the reason why motor vehicles are the major source of environmental degradation. It must also be noted that electric vehicles also have numerous benefits. The cost of operating these vehicles is always considered very low. It has also been noted that emission of greenhouse gases when these vehicles are in use is highly reduced. Reduction in noise pollution has also been noted in most cases especially when such vehicles are in jam. There are different types of electric vehicles. These include battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles among others (Cristiano 2006). How electric vehicle charging works Electric vehicle charging works in a very special way. The charging of such batteries always works in a similar way as mobile battery charging. These batteries are always charged via a special plug. Swapping of depleted batteries and those that are fully charged is always possible through this method of charging. It is also important to highlight that some of electric motors are able to use wireless charging through induction (Baskin 2001). It is also important to highlight that charging of these batteries always takes place even when such vehicles are parked at home or at work place. Charging of the batteries does not require that the vehicle must be in motion (Kent 2000). The rate at which the batteries get charged is also very high. Briefly, it is significant to note that electric vehicles are very efficient due to their abilities to charge easily using electric currents ignited and stored in the vehicle (Cronk 2008). In this case, it is important to note from the onset that charging of electric motor does not pose serious environmental threat as compared to their fuel counterparts. It is therefore advisable that people should shift from using fuel vehicles to electric motor. This will reduce the rate of global warming that has become an international disaster (Rebitzer 2004). Reasons for assessing environmental impact of electric motor Environment is very important to human beings and other animals. If not managed properly, the environment can pose adverse effects on plants and animals. There are different reasons that promote environmental impact assessment of electric motors. First, we intend to determine the cost of using electric motors as compared to other motors that uses fuels. This is due to increase in number of motor vehicle owners and passengers in the globe. This process will therefore give a vivid insight on the cost of using electric motor. This will be followed by effective recommendations to different stakeholders. It is also important to highlight that assessment of electric motors will also give a vivid highlight on their impact on the environment. It is true to highlight that energy conversion, and lifecycle of the motors impose some impacts on the environment. It is always important to determine the degree at which electric motors impact on the environment (Naoki 2005). Life cycle assessment Lifecycle assessment is a very important tool that is used to determine how lifecycle of a product affects the environment. It is important to highlight that this section will highlight the impact of electric motor on the environment. In this case, vibrant recommendations will be given to assist in ensuring that there is efficient environmental conservation. This section will be composed of the following parts (Siemens 2006). Goal and scope The goal and scope of this assessment were far reaching. The goal of this assessment was to determine the environmental impact of electric motors. This assessment is done from the production of raw materials until the disposal of the car. This research used a T-car of AI-EMU. This electric car was chosen due to its vibrancy of production. Impact assessment This section provides an impact assessment of the T-car. The contribution of this car towards global warming has been highlighted. Different types if T-cars that belong to AI-EMU were analyzed in this case. The results were as follows. Car Contribution towards global warming Nature of energy ARD 30.4 Fuel AD 0.8 Electric FAET 0.7 Electric MAET 0.8 Electric TET 0.5 Electric EUT 0.5 Electric GW 82.4 Fuel The above table shows that most of the electric cars belonging to AI-EMU contributed very less percentage towards global warming. This means that those cars are environmentally friendly. It has also been observed that such are very efficient in terms of fuel consumption. It is also important to note that ARD and GW exhibited higher percentages in terms of global warming. These two cars were unique ion that they are not considered environmentally friendly. It must be noted that these two cars uses fuel instead of electric energy (Sobey 2011). It is important to note that the table below gives a general observation about the electric cars discussed above. Dimension Boundary of system Logic Physical Uses minimal energy very durable Electric motors are cost effective They are very adaptive Environmental quality Land, waters, sound, climate, atmosphere Does not pollute the environment Methodological Assessment of electric motors versus fuel motors Electric motors are cost effective, efficient, environmentally friendly The above table shows a clear result bout the electric cars belonging to AI-EMU. It is fundamental to highlight that electric motors use minimal energy. This is because they do not use fuel. Electric motors only use electric energy that is always renewable. It is fundamental to note that electric energy is not combustible hence does not emit carbon particles to the environment. Electric motors are also very adaptive. In this case, the motors can adapt in any environment. This makes them very efficient for use by most people. It is also important to note that they are very cost effective. In this case, electric motors do not consume more in terms of energy. It must be noted that electric motors do not use fuel hence there is no need to buy fuel. It is also important to note that most cars that use fuel always incur a lot in terms of costs. This is due to high cost of fuel used. Durability of electric motors is also very good. The life cycle of electric motors is very long. They are able to withstand changes in climate. Due to increased life cycle, it is very evident that electric motors are not disposed early hence reduce the rate of environmental degradation. The results have also shown that the electric motors do not pollute the environment. The above table has shown electric cars recording very low percentage in terms of their contribution towards global warming. Electric motors recorded low pluton different environmental aspects like water, land, climate among others. Electric motor energy conservation This section presents analysis on how electric cars conserve energy. This section will encompass drive cycle, maximum speed drove, and energy economy. Drive cycle Max sped in km/hr Energy economy in wh/km Urban 73 141 Urban 61 95 Urban 86 155 Urban 96 135 Urban 100 129 Urban 115 158 Urban 118 142 From the above table, it is very evident that electric cars saved more energy. It is also important to note that energy saved depended on the speed that the vehicle travels. Vehicles that travel at higher speed saved less speed. When electric cars move at higher speed, they tend to consume more energy. This is a good aspect about electric motors. This should be adhered to ensure that electric motors are cost effective (Jones 2008). From the above impact assessment, it is important to highlight that electric motors consume more electricity during the time they are in motion. For the case of AI-EMU T-cars, it is very evident that GW and ARD emitted more CO2 since they majorly used fuel. GW and ARD therefore consumed more energy and polluted the environment more extensively. It is important to highlight those different strategies and methods should be put in place to improve the AI-EMU cars. It is important to reduce the consumption of electricity while the car is in motion. This will result in to higher efficiency rate in the use of the AI-EMU cars. It is therefore important to improve the environment in the whole process of the car’s life cycle (Trout 2011). It was recorded that AI-EMU cars recorded very high consumption of energy during the production stage. This should be highly managed to ensure that less energy is used during production stage. If not controlled, this high consumption of energy may have adverse impact on the environment. Briefly, the life cycle of AI-EMU cars must be highly controlled to ensure maximum preservation of the environment. Conclusion This paper has highlighted very pertinent issues concerning environmental impact assessment of electric motors. The efficiency and environmental viability of electric motors have been shown properly in this paper. It has been observed that electric vehicle charging works in a very special way. The charging of such batteries always works in a similar way as mobile battery charging. These batteries are always charged via a special plug. Swapping of depleted batteries and those that are fully charged is always possible through this method of charging. It is also important to highlight that some of electric motors are able to use wireless charging through induction. It is also important to highlight that charging of these batteries always takes place even when such vehicles are parked at home or at work place. Charging of the batteries does not require that the vehicle must be in motion. It has also been observed that electric motors are also very adaptive. It must be noted that the motors can adapt in any environment. This makes them very efficient for use by most people. It is also important to note that they are very cost effective. In this case, electric motors do not consume more in terms of energy. It must be noted that electric motors do not use fuel hence there is no need to buy fuel. It is also important to note that most cars that use fuel always incur a lot in terms of costs. This is due to high cost of fuel used (Yukiko 2005). This paper has also highlighted that durability of electric motors is vibrant. The life cycle of electric motors is very long. They are able to withstand changes in climate. Due to increased life cycle, it is very evident that electric motors are not disposed early hence reduce the rate of environmental degradation. Briefly, it is important to highlight that the results have also shown that the electric motors do not pollute the environment. The above table has shown electric cars recording very low percentage in terms of their contribution towards global warming. Electric motors recorded low pluton different environmental aspects like water, land, climate among others (UNEP/SETAC 2005). References Baskin, C. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, Elsevier, 2001 Bombardier H, Environmental Product Declaration Class 185 according to ISO 14021, (2005) Cristiano F “Environmental Assessment of Freight Transportation in the U.S.”, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 11(4), pp. 229-239. inventory analysis and applications”, Environmental International, (2006) Cronk, T & Hill, C. (2008) Global Business Today, McGraw-Hill Australia, pp.70-89 Jones, N. Sarracenia Alata Wood: Surface Anatomy of Mature Leaves and Seed Germination Kent, M. Advanced biology, Oxford University Press, 2000 Lave, B, Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Goods and Services: An Input-Output Approach, 2006 Naoki S, Hirokazu KATO, Application of LCA to Medium Capacity Passenger Transport Systems, 1st Conference of Japanese LCA Society, (2005) Rebitzer, G, et al., “Life cycle assessment Part 1: Framework, goal and scope definition, (2004) Requirements, ProQuest, 2008 Siemens AG, Metro Oslo; Environmental Product Declaration according to ISO 14021, system in consideration of an ripple effect, 1st Conference of Japanese LCA Society Motohito OSADA, (2006) Sobey, E, Electric Motor Experiments, Enslow Publishers, Inc, 2011 Trout, M, Essentials of Electric Motors and Controls, 2011 UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, “Life Cycle Approaches: The road from analysis to practice”, UNEP, (2005) Yong-Ki K, et al., ” Development of life cycle assessment system for electric motor unit”,final report, (2007) Yukiko W, Motohiro OSASA, Hirokazu KATO, Environmental load evaluation of LRT, (2005) Read More