Current Sources of Energy - Essay Example

Energy Affiliation Energy Global environmental concerns have forced the local community to be innovative in deriving new ways of producing energy. In this perspective, the community appreciates diversities in terms of the type of energy they use to provide lighting, heat and power to drive electronics and machines. In our home, electricity is the main source of energy because it is somehow cheap and flexible. Community in De Soto, Wisconsin 54624 also appreciates the imperative of electricity and therefore all households are connected with electricity. Although electricity is cheap and easily accessible to most households, it is also expensive and unreliable to some households (Zakhidov, 2008). They have therefore determined other sources of energy, which are pocket and environmentally friendly. Solar power and biomass power are commonly used in most of the households. Current sources of energy in De Soto According to the United Sate federal government, approximately 39% of the energy produced in America go toward the generation of electricity. To this end, generation of electricity in America has contributed to lingering environmental concerns including pollution and degradation. To be precise, electricity in the world is generated through burning oil, coal and natural gas. This natural products produce greenhouse gas including carbon dioxide when they burn. It is plausible to note that the more electricity that the community uses the more we add greenhouse gases to the environment resulting in global warming. According to various researches, these gases may have contributed to warmers environmental conditions in 1999 and in 1938 (Deru & Torcellini, 2007). Other environmental effects in our area are experienced when electricity causes fire, thereby destroying other ecological systems and produce global warming gases, which influence the climate. However, some households utilize electricity from renewable resources including geothermal, solar and wind technologies have no negative climatic changes including contaminating the local air. In our home, we use electricity to serve various purposes. It is the main source of energy that provided electric light and in pumping up electronics, including heaters, TV, personal electronic devices, computers, washing machines amid others. Electricity makes life easier and interesting because it helps one to keep things on standby without switching them off like computers, television and microwave. At the industry levels, electricity provides electric power to pump up machines and provide electric lighting (Xintao & Junzi, 2010). Our community utilizes solar energy because they describe it as emission-free form of energy and does not emit greenhouse gases to the environment. In this perspective, green consumers in our community appreciate solar power for these significant factors. The new utility scale solar energy construction project contributes to greenhouse gas emission. Solar energy, on the other hand, has influenced negatively on the environment since it requires an expansive use of land. They are sometimes inefficient since a one-kilometre solar panel produces between 20 to 60 megawatts of power. Solar photovoltaic panels used to generate solar energy contain hazardous materials that may have drastic impact on the environment and ecological system when they break. They emit hazardous materials like molten salt and oil leading to spills. The community, mainly uses solar power to provide lighting, charge batteries and other electronic devices, cooking and heating purposes (Zakhidov, 2008). Strong solar panels provide enough energy just like electricity generated from water and wind and therefore provide enough energy that can heat swimming pool, outdoor and indoor lighting among other purposes. Solar energy has some additional cost and research suggest that electricity produced through sunlight is twice expensive that electricity produced by burning fossils. Just as electricity generated through burning fossil fuel, biomass power raises similar but not identical concerns about the emission of air and water. Biomass used to generate power is usually taken from untenable, non-certified, forest source (Deru & Torcellini, 2007). Transportation of biomass poses other environmental concerns, including emissions and noise implications. In the production of energy, there is a high level of water use, especially for biomass cropping which is problematic in our area since the access of water is limited. Forest management and farming of biomass crops contribute to the destruction and/or change of habitats and ecosystem. The production of this energy therefore calls for development of guidance for setting biomass crops to reduce some environmental impacts. However, the community has been advocating this source of energy since it is renewable and has positive effects on the environment. In this perspective, it reduces the dependence of problematic burning of fossil fuel thereby reducing global warming. Biomass power does not emit greenhouse gases therefore; it does not cause air pollution. It is carbon neutral and involves utilization of locally available renewable factors such as wood and other vegetation to produce energy (International Energy Agency, 2012). Biomass produces energy that has various purposes in the household and industries. In its broader use, this power is used to warm houses by using biomass boilers, lighting, and in pumping up electronics. This source of energy is generally used in the community merely as a substitute for other energy sources. Other sources of energy used in De Soto, Wisconsin 54624 include propane and wood used for heating. Total energy requirement in De Soto city Although there are different sources of energy, electricity is a major source of power utilized in performing major functions in the home. In this perspective, we utilize much energy since we have several electronic devices that depend on this power. The amount of electricity used within a month has to be determined to account for billing. The following is the calculation of the amount of energy that we use to serve several purposes in the household per month as well as per year. We generally consume 963 kilowatts per month Therefore, household usage in a year is given by: 963 kilowatts per month x 12 months = 8316 kWh 8316 kWh x 187 households = 1,555,092 kWh In sum, the household energy requirement within a month is 963 kW and 8316 kW in a year. De Soto, Wisconsin 54624 has a population of 289 individuals, 148 males and 141 females, as per 2012 census. There are relatively 187 households and therefore the consumption of energies in the city is 1,555,092 kWh in a year. This is an average level of consumption while using all the sources of energy. Recommendation of power needs Increasing cost and environmental concerns of the available energy sources poses a gap in the energy market. There is a need to develop other, environmentally friendly sources of energy. Based on the electricity demands of this community, hydropower can best serve these demands. Hydroelectric power involves generating electric power from falling or running water. The water pressure in water bodies, including falls and rivers can be used to turn the blades of a turbine. The turbine is connected to generator converts the mechanical energy into usable electricity. It can be developed by the water control structure or existing dams built to serve other purposes, including lakes, irrigation schemes amid others (Deru & Torcellini, 2007). Hydro power sources of generating energy are extremely flexible. Since the artificial and natural water bodies are used to generate pressure that is converted into electricity, it can be adjusted by increasing water flow to increase the speed of blades thereby mounting the supply of electricity to serve the gowing demand for electricity in De Soto. Furthermore, increases in green consumers in De Soto, Wisconsin require formulation of sources of energy that have minimal issues on the environment like wind turbines. Wind turbine generates electricity at both home and industries using small-scale wind turbine (Xintao & Junzi, 2010). The community can profit from this source of energy for the production of electricity is free and only require individuals to acquire wind turbines. After installation, wind turbine harnesses the kinetic power of wind and uses it to produce electricity. The source is environmentally friendly because it reduces the amount of carbon monoxide produces when burning fossils to generate electricity. There are two types of wind generators that the community can choose from, which include wind turbine with horizontal axis and those with a vertical axis. The turbine produces a lot of electricity in the city both onshore and offshore. Although expensive in developing the production system, geothermal energy can best achieve this growing demand for energy in the city. It is a system that generates thermal energy stored in the earth. A realistic source of energy Among the above-mentioned alternative sources of energy, wind turbine can best serve communities in De Soto. De Soto is a middle-income city and therefore the application of hydropower and geothermal energy may not be applicable. Considering the demands of energy, income level of household and availability of necessary resources, wind turbine is factual, flexible and applicable in this city. The community may decide to secure each household one Wind turbine (which is more efficient) or construct few of them to serve the whole city. The speed of wind in De Soto is stronger and higher than the average speed of wind in the United State. Wind turbine is a realistic source of energy based on the income level of this community, the geographical factors and the demand for electricity in the city. According to census of 2012, the estimated median household income of De Soto was $39,864, which was a progression from $33,036 in the year 2000. In Wisconsin, the average income level of the household was $50,395. This suggests that the community can afford to buy and install this renewable source of energy. The geographical condition in the city favor for wind turbine since there is adequate kinetic power, strong enough to exert enough power to produce energy (World Renewable Energy Network, 2011). In fact, the report point out that the speed of wind in the city is far beyond the average speed of wind in the United State. The community does not consume much energy and therefore electricity produced can serve the community adequately. In addition, small wind turbine can produce more than 100 kWh, which is higher than the individual household energy requirement. As pointed out earlier, there is an increase in the number of consumers who are sensitive to the environment in De Soto. Although the introduction of this source will attract opposition from the majority, many will support the initiative due to the environmental impacts of other sources. The opposition may emerge due to inertia to the current source of energy and the cultural aspect of the community since they are indirect culture (International Energy Agency, 2012). The total cost of using a wind turbine varies depending on the number of turbines, the cost of financing, wind resources assessment and site analysis expenses, including the permitting and interconnection studies, construction expenses, utility system upgrades, legal and consultant fees and operation cost. In fact, the cost of installing 2 MW is roughly $3-$4 million. If the community decides to install a small wind turbine, it will cost them roughly $3,000 to $8,000 per kilowatt of capacity to produce 100 kW. Positive environmental concerns of wind turbine Electricity produced using wind turbine protects the earth as it replaces the kilowatt hour produced by the conventional generating plant which adds greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. In fact, wind is an inexhaustible energy source and provides free energy with minimal concerns about the environment. Although it may be expensive to produce energy using wind in the first year because of purchasing and installation costs, it is somehow technologically mature, environmentally friendly and economically competitive energy choice (Xintao & Junzi, 2010). In this perspective, it does not have consequential burdens on the local environment through the emission of dangerous gas such as carbon monoxide, cancer causing microscopic particles, sulphur dioxide among others. Decentralization of the energy system is encouraged thereby reducing energy transmission losses, so it is more reliable compared to electricity generated through burning fossil oil. Negative environmental concern of wind turbine The only substantial problem associated with wind turbine is the emission of noise. Noise emitted by wind turbine can be divided into two categories with respect to the origin: aerodynamic and mechanical. The movement of mechanical parts including gearbox and electrical generator produces mechanical noise to the environment (Zakhidov, 2008). The other type of noise associated with wind turbine is caused by the revolutions of the blades. However, it is easier to prevent and control noise produced by wind turbine. Wind turbine creates electromagnetic interference problems. The interference merely depends on the location of wind turbines and radio or television stations in the city. Wind turbines do not affect farming and livestock since after the installation of turbine, the farm will be clear to be used for other purposes including farming and rearing livestock. In fact, wind turbine attracts goats and sheep during hot seasons because the tower provides shade. However, this source of energy affects the ecological systems of some organisms including birds and insects. Through the movement of blades, more birds and other insects will be killed (World Renewable Energy Network, 2011). This environmental concern can be reduced through well planning and location of wind turbines. The commonly used sources of energy in De Soto, Wisconsin include electricity, solar power and biomass. These sources have environmental concerns in the city and scholars point out that the emission of greenhouse gas such as carbon monoxide caused global warming experienced in 1999. Wind turbine is the realistic source of energy to the population of De Soto, Wisconsin in relation to cost involved, geographic and climatic factors and local demand for electricity. References De Soto, Wisconsin (WI 54624) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news. (2011). Retrieved March 29, 2014, from http://www.city-data.com/city/De-Soto-Wisconsin.html Deru, M., & Torcellini, P. (2007). Source Energy and Emission Factors for Energy Use in Buildings (Revised). doi:10.2172/884990 International Energy Agency (2012). Renewable sources of energy. Washington, United State. World Renewable Energy Network (2011). Renewable energy. New York: Elsevier. Xintao, X., & Junzi, X. (2010). Evaluation of Potential for Developing Renewable Sources of Energy to Facilitate Development in De Soto. doi:10.1109/APPEEC.2010.5449477 Zakhidov, R. A. (2008). Increasing the role of alternative and renewable energy sources in the energy strategy of the United States. Applied Solar Energy. doi:10.3103/S0003701X08010179 Read More