Fossil Fuel Power Plant Problem - Assignment Example

How possible is it for sustainable development policies to solve the problems of fossil fuel power plant problem? Introduction Many nations in this century face challenges of having sustainable, clean and safe supplies of energy. Most of the energy used in most countries of the world comes from conventional fossil fuels. Fossil fuel power plants can be defined as stations that burn fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas for the purpose of generating electric power (Boyle, Everett, &Ramage 2003, p. 157). Fossil fuels burn to produce gases such as CO2, Nitrogen and Sulfur oxides which are responsible for air pollution. Other forms of energy that are sustainable and cleaner exist and they possess a high potential of energy output known as renewable energy. Renewable energy may be defined as energy obtained that is from non-exhaustible natural resources; their sources could be abundantly available in nature and this constitutes one of their positive aspects such as water, waves, wind, tidal energy and solar (Diesendorf, 2007, p. 77). Therefore, sustainable development policies that promote renewable energy have the capacity to solve the air pollution problems resulting from the use of fossil fuels in power plants (Diesendorf, 2007, p. 77). This essay will explain the effectiveness of some short terms solutions such as cleaning coal and natural gas, and also it will examine the ability of clean energy technology to partially solve the problem of air pollution resulting from the use of fossil fuel, through the use of sustainable development policies such as hydro energy and wind. Furthermore, it will also argue that the use of wind energy can provide efficient energy that will benefit the environment by reducing the main causes of global warming and acid rain. A major problem of fossil fuel power plants is air pollution.Release of air pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds cause acid rain and global warming (Demirbas, 2005, pp. 185-186). Carbon dioxide is emitted from the power plants by burning fossil fuels for electric energy production. For instance, in Australia combustion of fossil fuels produces more than 47% of greenhouse gases every year (Stevens, 1992, p. 3). These emissions result in global warming when certain gases increase in concentration within the atmosphere. This is the main reason for climate change (Stevens, 1992, p. 3).Gunter (1995, pp. 1-4) notes the global warming effects on the global environment cover a very extensive area. In the areas within the Arctic and Antarctic the ice caps have been reported to be melting because of warm temperatures. As a result, there is high sea level and altered sea water composition in the affected areas. This pollution of the air by carbon dioxide exhaust gases has a direct effect on the health of people and plant growth. In addition,acid rain happens to be another problem that comes from the combustion of fossil fuels. According to Abelson (1983, p. 115), some gases produced through the burning of fuels especially sulfur dioxide and the oxides of nitrogen mix with water droplets in the atmosphere to form nitric and sulfuric acid.Consequently, rain in such places tends to be acidic and therefore affects plant health, disrupts the growth of forests, fragments building parts and may also result in the corrosion of objects made of metal. A big percentage of the sulfur dioxide produced comes from power plants in which coal is used as the source of fuel. Nevertheless, numerous techniques exist which can be utilized in these plants to bring down the emission levels of sulfur dioxide. The commonly known technique is to purge exhaust gases via a solution of calcium carbonate that absorbs sulfur and produces calcium sulfate or plaster. However, the problem with this technique is that it cuts down on the efficiency of electricity produced, increases the level of carbon dioxide emitted and raises the production costs (Kikuchi 2001, pp. 837-842). Therefore, efforts must be made continuously to get a workable solution of the air pollution from power plants already exist. There are some short terms solutions to The first possible solution is the cleaning of oil by washing it prior to combustion to get rid of toxic chemicals released when the coal burns in a power plant. Water serves the purpose of absorbing all the particles soluble in water and stops the emission of dust. Scrubbers with crushed limestone mixed with water remove the poisonous chemicals form the exhaust gases in the chimney through chemical absorption (Richards, 2007, p. 132).Therefore, cleaning of coal can lower the levels of pollution hence the risks to health (Boyle et al., 2003, p. 47).The Second solution used to reduce the pollution of air from fossil fuels is the use of gas in the place of coal to generate energy. Natural gas changes to energy to boil water to form steam. Moreover, the steam produced turns the turbines that are used for electricity generation (Richards, 2007, p. 132). For example in the UK since 1998 power plants have been using gas as fuel in the place of coal because greenhouse emissions from natural gas are low compared to coal (Boyle et al., 2003, pp. 574-47).Thus, the use of natural gas is better than coal cleaning because it lowers carbon dioxide production as well as other gases with greenhouse effects. Natural gas has low concentrations of these gases. If governments encourage people to change from oil and coal to the generation of natural gas or the enforcement of methods of reducing exhaust gases such as a solution of limestone can reduce emission of greenhouse gases. For instance, between 1990 and 2000 sources of electric generation in the United Kingdom moved from using oil and coal to natural gas. Consequently there has been a considerable reduction in gas emissions and an increase in the efficiency of energy (Boyle et al., 2003, p. 574). Moreover, the electricity sector is expected to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 60% come 2050 (Odenberger&Johnsson, 2007, p. 2433).Contrarily, if governments fail to follow agreed upon solutions there will be continued the emission of greenhouse gases hence increased global warming (Boyle et al., 2003, p. 574-47). The problem of fossil fuel cannot be solved by using cleaning coal and natural gas. As Boyle et al (2003, pp. 574-575), claims that reduction in gas emissions could be realized if oil is cleansed and natural gas utilized. Nevertheless, it is not possible to eliminate CO2 emissions from gas because they are always there even though in little amounts. Governments use between 5 and 8 billion dollars every year to reduce the power plant emission of CO2 (Abelson 1983, p. 115). Therefore, when fossil fuels are replaced with short lasting solutions for purposes of air pollution reduction, the production of CO2 is always there. The process of electricity generation through the use of fossil fuels in power plants therefore needs to create a number of sustainable solutions. The process of electricity generation through the use of fossil fuels in power plants has a number of sustainable solutions; they will be parts in this essay. The first sustainable solution of air pollution is hydropower. Hydropower does not produce bad gases that pollute the air. However hydro power production is expensive to produce and may not be available when the level of water is low. Like wind, it has no pollution of air from emissions (Richards 2007, p. 83). Electric power is generated by falling water or when wind blows on waves (Richards 2007, p. 94). Wave energy is different from the power created from dams and its potential for electric power generation is high. This process depends on moving water being harnessed. This may be shown by a dam being built across the inlet of a river, when the tide is high the water remains in the dam and when it is low the water flows over the turbines. This is referred to as the barrage system. Tidal energy can be termed as a solution to greenhouse gases because its process of production does not involve the emission of gases that pollute the air like carbon dioxide (Boyle et al 2003, p. 31) Altogether, If governments choose to focus on electricity generation through clean sources of waterthe pollution of the air can be eliminated. Moreover, this hydropower plants tend to have cheaper running costs when compared to the power plants that use fossil fuels (Richards 2007, p. 108). Hydroenergy can partially solve the problems of fossil fuels. Its production does not result in emission of pollutant gases and it is also very clean to use. It does not burn to produce gases that pollute the air. In the year 2008 for instance Scotland built a tidal power station off its coast and it provides 2000 households with power (Richards 2007, p. 106). Establishing of the power stations may not be easy bearing in mind the costs needed for dam construction. Furthermore, hydro power can partially solve air pollution problems, and dam construction may have an impact on wildlife (Richards, 2007, p. 108). Wind energy is the second sustainable solution of the air pollution problem. Generation of wind energy is not like energy production form fossil fuels. Wind mills do not produce gases that pollute the air. There are no emissions and therefore the air remains very clean. Of all the sources of energy, its effects on the environment are the lowest because of two reasons. First, the windmill is built on cleared agricultural land. Second, wind power generators last for more than 20 years occupying the lesser land area for every Kilowatt per hour (KWH) to produce electricity compared to the other power generation systems (Diesendorf, 2007, p. 110). Moreover, the source of energy is very clean air that has no emissions and its efficiency in electricity generation is relatively high. Again the electricity obtained from the wind happens to be less costly. People living in remote places can use it and its energy can be utilized in applications made at home (Richards, 2007, pp. 37-56). Wind power generation is good because it does not use fuels and does not pollute the air like the fossil fuels (Diesendorf, 2007, p. 110). Wind energy is cheap to produce and the production is clean. It does not have emissions that pollute the air. Generation of wind energy can be done anywhere as long as there is wind. It is renewable and therefore cannot be exhausted. However, installation of the wind mills costs a lot and this may discourage investment in this form of energy. Ideally, If countries are keen in investing in wind power for their energy production they can be able to solve all the problems of air pollutionthrough the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and hence pollution of the atmosphere. In 2006, Australia had reduced CO2 emissions by 42 million tons by way of wind power. This tremendously reduced air pollution and the green house effect besides reducing the amount of money spend on fossil fuels. Moreover, if countries tackle fossil fuel issues through the use of wind power stations, they can be able to produce electricity without using any water and fuel, and without emitting any greenhouse gases. Consequently, it could result in the elimination of air pollution by fossil fuels. According to Boyle (as cited in BWEA, 1996, p. 305), pointedthat at the end of the year 1994, the average energy production from wind turbines within the United States was 1700 MW. This helped prevent the release of 400,000 tons of CO2 annually. The problems of fossil fuels can be solved by using wind energy partially. The major reason for this is that generation of electricity from wind does not produce any emissions which can pollute the air. Wind energy does meet the principles of sustainability in resource management and conservation (Diesendorf, 2007, p. 110).Therefore, it could be said that the problems of air pollution can find their solution in wind power technology. Wind power has no pollution effects, it is becoming less costly and the wind cannot be exhausted. Nevertheless a large space is required when huge wind power capacities are used and again they cause noise pollution (Richards 2007, p. 56). In addition, electrical energy from wind turbines depends on wind speed, and also there are a few problems of wind turbines such as killing birds. For example, in Australia, several dead birds of different species were discovered near wind turbines (Boyle, 1996, p. 380). Nevertheless, the benefits found in wind energy enable it to solve air pollution problems from fossil fuels. Therefore, wind can solve the problem of fossil fuels and air pollution since generation of electric energy from wind is devoid of any emissions of pollutant gases into the air. In it is obvious that problems of air pollution result from fossil fuel. It has been shown that these problems result from the emission of greenhouse gases which cause acid rain when they mix with water and global warming when they withhold heat on earth. Failed solutions can be found in coal cleaning and the use of natural gas. In the contrary, sustainable development policies for renewable energy such as solar energy and hydro power partially provide a solution to the problems because of many reasons. For example, they tend to be very expensive for developing countries to invest into them, and they need large land spaces and some of them could impact negatively on wildlife. However, the use of wind energy offers the best solution after all. The problem of fossil fuels is totally solved by wind energy because of the possible its application at different countries although it has little noise impact. Therefore, sustainable development policies that promote renewable energy are able to solve the air pollution problems resulting from the use of fossil fuels in power plants. Therefore, this essay recommends that governments should promote the exploitation of sustainable energy resources so that the problems caused by fossil fuel use can be dealt with. Another recommendation is that governments should enact legislations to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in power plants for production of electricity. Read More