Alternative Energy Incentives in the United States - Assignment Example

A. Do you think the United s Federal Government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United s? Why or why not? Should the government promote different sources of energy ranging from renewable to fossil fuels? Why or why not? What is the role of engineers in this issue? (15 points) Answer: The increase energy incentives of the United States Federal Government will give the opportunity for private sectors, and provide them a good reason to take the plunge into “alternative, renewable and new technology” (Gross, 2007). One of the very basic reasons is the comparison of cost in electricity generation such as between burning a coal and capturing sun’s energy for instance (Gross, 2007). This has a point and I agree with this, because alternative energy in the first place would help minimize the adverse impacts of fossil fuels in the environment. However, those who are against this have also their own reasons to go for energy source that would not range from renewable materials. As also believed, at some point converting renewable materials into important energy sources is noted to be more expensive than using fossil fuels for the generation of energy (Gross, 2007). I believe that if there is a good incentive as the government support for alternative energy, private sectors are most likely to maximize their potential advantages in this area, because they are essentially after of the profit they would gain. If the government promotes sources of energy from renewable to fossil fuels on the other hand, stakeholders will be subdivided because in the first place, they would eventually go for a move that would also benefit them in the long run. This means the government should promote only sustainable energy sources that in the long run will not only benefit certain stakeholders but the environment. In this regard, engineers should be able to compute significant risks and benefits of the government’s decision on various options in order to guide the people and stakeholders the probable consequences of its actions in the long term basis. B. List and explain a minimum of three alternative energy incentives. (30 points) Answer: I would like to briefly explain these three alternative energy incentives: Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC), Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and U.S. Department of Treasury – Renewable Energy Grants (Alberti, 2011). These three are all federal incentives. The Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC) is based on the idea of a per-kilowatt-hour tax credit for electricity produced by qualified energy resources such as landfill gases, wind, biomass and more (Alberti, 2011). The Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is allowing tax payers to choose to take Corporate Tax Credit instead of the alternative minimum tax but this is subject to the “The American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009” (Alberti, 2011; Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, 2011). Potential alternative energy sources or technologies under this incentive are solar water heat, wind, biomass and more (Alberti, 2011; Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, 2011). The U.S. Department of Treasury – Renewable Energy Grants is a federal grant program “in lieu of the federal business energy investment tax credit” that can be applicable among eligible renewables or technologies such as solar water heat, photovoltaic, wind, biomass and more (Alberti, 2011; Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, 2011). C. List all the types of alternative energy today. (10 points) Answer: Based on Alberti (2011) and Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (2011) the following is the list of the types of alternative energy today: Solar energy/heat Wind Biomass Geothermal Tidal/Wave energy Biodiesel Ocean thermal Fuel cells Hydroelectric D. Select three of alternative energy types from part (c) and expand on them. You must include (30 points): definition characteristics advantages disadvantages Answer: Solar energy Definition Solar energy is the heat energy that comes from the sun which is capable to be converted into useful energy such as electricity, water heater and more (Thomas & Sydenham, 2011). Characteristics (Thomas & Sydenham, 2011) This energy is dependent on sunlight which is clean and renewable. Sustainability wise, this energy can be relied on because the sun’s energy is renewable everyday. Advantages (Thomas & Sydenham, 2011; Solar Home.org, 2008) Sunlight is accessible everywhere. Photovoltaic and other solar energy collectors can be easily installed everywhere where there is enough amount of sun’s energy. Solar cells last with little maintenance required. Money is saved in the long run for solar panels and their accessories. Solar powered lights and other solar powered products are easy to install. Disadvantages (Solar Home.org, 2008; Alternate Power.org, 2008) Solar panels and their accessories are too expensive for start up cost. This energy cannot be fully maximized or used during storm, winter or rainy season. Wind energy Definition Wind energy is dependent on wind power source and to convert this energy into other forms of energy is to use wind turbine that use to drive the generator to produce electricity (Lexicon Encyclobio, 2011). Characteristics Just like sun energy, wind energy is clean fuel source and renewable. Advantages (US Department of Energy, 2010) Wind energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emission. It is advantageous to use this in areas where there is abundant supply of wind power. Wind energy is produced for as long as there is sun’s energy. Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced sources of energy today. It helps rural areas achieve economic benefit from it. Disadvantages (US Department of Energy, 2010) Based on costing, wind energy struggles to compete with conventional generation of energy. Wind energy may be expensive due to transmission line expenses incurred from rural down to urban areas. May incur space or compete with productivity of the land which may be more productive. Noise pollution is associated with wind energy generation. Hydropower (Water energy) Definition (US Department of Energy, 2010) Water another important source of energy through a hydropower generation. In this technology, sufficient amount of water with substantial pressure is required in order to generate electricity. Characteristics Hydropower is clean fuel source and renewable. Advantages (US Department of Energy, 2010) Hydropower does not pollute the air. It is a domestic source of energy so it can be accessible to everyone. Hydropower also relies on the sun due to water cycle. It is available when needed. Reservoirs for hydropower may offer other productive opportunities such as for recreation (fishing, boating, swimming etc.). Disadvantages (US Department of Energy, 2010) Noise pollution is associated with hydropower. It is not maximized in the event when there is long season for sunny days. It requires substantial amount of water with significant pressure so it is not an opportunity for all even though it is a domestic source of energy. References Alberti, A. (2011). Federal and State Renewable Energy Incentives: The US Experience. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://www.usea.org/Programs/EUPP/globallowcarbonworkshop/Feb28/Anntonette_Alberti_Federal_and_State_Renewable_Energy_Incentives.pdf Alternate Power.org. (2008). Solar Power – Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://alternate-power.org/solar-power-advantages-and-disadvantages/ Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. (2011). Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=US02F Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency . (2011). U.S. Department of Treasury - Renewable Energy. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from Grantshttp://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=US53F Gross, D. (2007). US incentives for renewable energy raise questions. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/business/worldbusiness/27iht-startup.4.5886367.html Lexicon Encyclobio. (2011). Wind Energy. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://www.cite-ciences.fr/lexique/definition1.php?idmot=131&rech_lettre=w&num_page=11&habillage=glp&lang=an&id_expo=13&id_habillage=15 Solar Home.org. (2008). Advantages of Solar Energy. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://www.solarhome.org/infoadvantagesofsolarenergy.html Thomas, R. & Sydenham, S. (2011). Solar Energy. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://www.kidcyber.com.au US Department of Energy. (2010). Wind & Water Power Program. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_ad.html Read More