Alternate Renewable Energy Resources - Term Paper Example

Alternate Renewable Energy Resources Name Institution Abstract The United States is one of the countries experiencing deficit in the energy supply. With its rising population and demand for more energy provision, the government needs to embrace a source of energy that would not only satisfy the current needs to the people but also the future generation. Besides, the government also needs to consider the rising concern about the increasing level of atmospheric pollution associated with carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion. It is from such background that the report focused on the most available and less costly sources of energy, solar. Solar energy poses little environmental and health related issues. Furthermore, it requires fewer resources for installation and maintenance. These features allow the government to focus on other developmental projects. The report also took into consideration some of the benefits associated with solar energy utilization. Introduction With the rising global concern over the deteriorating environmental condition caused by the use of unstainable energy sources, many countries and environmental groups have been on the rise advocating for new sources of energy. It is important to note that most the energy sources currently used pose serious environmental problems associated with carbon emissions and global warming phenomenon. Such emissions range from the use of motor vehicles and industrial activities. An alternative source of energy is considered as a source that might be used in substituting the fossil fuels. Moreover, the intention of focusing on the alternative sources of fuels is to address issues relating to utilization of the fossil fuels. Each day, the world produces a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is the major contributor of the rising global temperatures, global, warming effect. However, to address such problems, countries are replacing and retrofitting the current sources of energy used with alternative sources having comparable or perform better with limited carbon dioxide emission. Most studies indicate that by 2050, a third of the global energy would emanate from the renewable sources such as solar and solar (Renewable Energy Program & California Energy Commission, 2011). In addition, with the rising human population and rising demand for access cleaner energy, using renewable sources is inevitable. In most cases, people associate alternative sources of energy to be free. Scientists have been on the race in a bid to perfect the greener sources of energy to enhance the environmental condition and reduce the rising dependence on the oil and other fossil fuels. With the rising level of industrialization and populations demanding access to various sources of energy in the United States, it is the responsibility of the states to ensure that there is adequate access to energy. Such accessibility should have limited impact on the environment and health of the users. Currently, the United States utilizes hydroelectric power as the largest source of renewable power; the reports recommends that the state improve access to solar power to supplement the deficits caused by hydroelectric power. Literature review The section of the literature review would be focusing on the various research conducted on the renewable sources of energy. Since the report recommends adequate utilization of the solar power, it would be important to analyze the benefits associated with tapping solar power. According to the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) focusing, the residential use of energy would increase by 25 percent by 2025. It is believed that through exploitation of the solar energy, such deficiencies would be reduced. Moreover, scientists tend to disagree on the ability of the oil and natural gas to cushion the future developmental programmes with most of them viewing renewable sources to be the future sources. Solar power exhibits many potentials that the state has not been able to tap. Renewable energy could provide up to 80 percent of the required energy by 2050. Solar power usage in the United States Solar power is becoming more accessible and prevalent in the state due to increased affordability compared to other sources of energy. Since 2008, solar power installation has been on the rise with energy production increasing as well from 1.2 to 20 gigawatts on a daily basis. Furthermore, there has been a rise in the market for solar energy within the country. Solar electricity is becoming economically competitive compared with conventional energy sources in states such as Minnesota, California, Texas, and Hawaii. The solar industry is also becoming the hub for employment creation, a factor that the national government should support to reduce the rising rates of unemployment. It is significant to note that inefficiencies associated with technology and cost are some of the obstacles preventing large-scale implementation of the solar powered generation (Scheer, 2007). Approximately 70 percent of the solar energy transmitted from the sun is reflected back into the atmosphere with only 30 percent reaching the surface to meet the current demands. Within the state, people use both active and passive forms of solar energy. Passive solar energy involves utilizing the energy based on its duration, intensity, and position for heating while active energy involves the use of electrical and mechanical technology to convert and store solar energy for future consumption. Even with the current technological standards and advancement, solar technology is still in its infancy. Therefore, if it is to meet the future needs of the rising population, then government needs to invest in the perfection of the technology. Such perfection would help harness and store solar energy in a viable and cost-effective manner. Unfortunately, dependence and overexploitation of the fossil fuels might continue if the underlying factors are not taken into consideration (Milford & Environmental Defense, 2007). Challenges in the expansion of the solar energy production Although the government over the years has been trying to expand solar capacity within the country, several challenges often emerge. The major impediment to efficient utilization of the solar energy is its availability. Solar radiation is barely constant due to variation in the ever-changing atmospheric conditions and the position of the earth about that of the sun. Besides, the strength of the solar radiation is often considered weak since it has to pass through the atmosphere. Consequently, the intermittent and variable manner that the insolation reaches the surface creates a reliability problem necessitating a power back up for most intensive users of the powers like industries (Gonzalez & Project Muse, 2012). Solar technologies are currently improving to meet the rising needs of the US electricity demands. However, most people consider the initial installation cost for solar to high. Benefits associated with solar energy As noted earlier, there is increasing global concern over the deteriorating environmental conditions associated with the use of unstainable energy sources. Environmental condition plays a significant role in ensuring that people access quality environmental resources. However, with carbon emissions, global temperatures have been on the rise and associated negative effect such as the melting of the snows, flooding activities, and imbalance in the ecosystem. Embracing alternative sources of energy have the ability to remedy such situations (Black & Flarend, 2010). Therefore, solar energy is better placed to provide energy within the state. If the government puts adequate measures and encourages investors to tap the solar energy, then dependence on the fossil fuels would decline. Solar energy could help supply the whole United States with energy if the panels and storage facilities made available to the people at some considerable cost. Although the initial installation cost might be higher, solar energy plays a significant role in maintaining environmental quality and cost-effectiveness in energy production. For long term and sustainable energy source, solar power offers the most attractive alternative since it availability exceeds any conceivable future demands for energy. No global warming emissions Human and industrial activities continue to overload the atmosphere with carbon dioxide and other emissions associated with global warming. These emissions tend to trap heat energy from the sun that drives up the atmospheric temperatures creating significant and harmful impacts on the environment, climate, and health. Production of electricity accounts for more than a third of U.S. global warming emissions with coal-fired plants making the greatest contributor. On the contrary, solar energy produces no global warming emissions (Simon, 2007). The increasing use of solar energy would allow the states to replace energy associated with carbon emissions that in turn might help curb global warming emissions. Harnessing solar energy does not result in pollution; nevertheless, little emissions are often associated with manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of the solar power systems. Solar energy reduces the dependence on the non-renewable sources of energy, which is an important step in combating the climate crisis. Enhanced environmental quality and public health Electricity generation from solar energy offers significant public health and environmental benefits. Uses of fossil fuels often result in air and water pollution, which in turn causes breathing problems, heart attacks, cancers, and neurological damages. If the government replaces non-renewable energy with solar energy, the premature mortality, unproductive population, and environmental health related issues might reduce. Solar energy produces electricity with no associated air pollution. Moreover, solar energy does not require water supply to operate. As a result, it does not strain or pollute water resources used for drinking systems, agricultural purposes, and industrial activities. On the contrary, the commonly used coals and natural gas might contaminate water during mining and drilling respectively (Nersesian, 2007). These activities could pose serious threats to health conditions of the people. Unfortunately, there have been cases of burnt houses due to accidents associated with the use of the fossil fuels. Solar energy presents solutions to most of these problems, thus offering the government an opportunity to focus on other developmental programmes. Reduction in the need for nuclear power In most cases, nuclear power is categorized as a green sources energy since it does not pollute the environment. However, it is important to note that nuclear power generation poses serious health problems due to the harmful wastes generated during the process of extraction. Besides, there are several controversies involving nuclear fission reactors due to long lasting negative effects associated with the wastes, and the meltdown could result in a catastrophic event like the Chernobyl disaster. Therefore, solar energy offers the government the most reliable of electrical production with no health risks involved (Kaltschmitt, 2007). Although the United States can tap energy from its nuclear deposits, it is important to consider solar energy first. Besides, solar energy is readily available and accessible. The state requires no geological or scientific research to locate the geographical occurrence of solar energy. Solar energy could assist in reducing the cost of providing electricity to the citizens. Energy accessibility is becoming one of the most fundamental right of the people. Furthermore, with the rising population and cost of living in the cities, most people are forced to seek residences outskirts of the major cities where there is available energy to remote areas. Provision of electricity in such might be costly considering some resources required; as a result, solar energy is best placed to cater for the needs of these people. Conclusion Globally, there is rising concern over the increasing use of the fossil fuels, which poses serious environmental issues. With the population continuing to increase in the United States, it the responsibility of the government to ensure people have access to quality energy in a cost-effective manner. Solar energy can sustain the current population and still meet the future demand of the people. Although the technology has not fully exploited solar energy, signs of progress have been made especially for the power storage. Moreover, solar energy plays an important role in the conservation of environmental quality and health of the users. In comparison, solar installation and maintenance are less costly than other forms of energy. Therefore, through having proper installation criteria, procedures, and policies, the state might provide energy to the citizens in an affordable manner. References Black, B., & Flarend, R. (2010). Alternative energy. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood Press. Gonzalez, G. A., & Project Muse. (2012). Energy and empire: The politics of nuclear and solar power in the United States. Albany: State University of New York Press. Kaltschmitt, M. (2007). Renewable energy technology, economics, and environment. Berlin: Springer. Milford, J., & Environmental Defense (Organization). (2007). Climate alert: Cleaner energy for the Southwest. New York: Environmental Defense. Nersesian, R. L. (2007). Energy for the 21st century: A comprehensive guide to conventional and alternative sources. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe. Scheer, H. (2007). Energy autonomy: The economic, social and technological case for renewable energy. London: Earthscan. Simon, C. (2007). Alternative energy: Political, economic, and social feasibility. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield. Renewable Energy Program (Calif.), & California Energy Commission. (2011). Renewable Energy Program overall program guidebook: Staff draft guidebook. Sacramento, Calif.: California Energy Commission. Read More