Sustainability Energy Efficiency - Literature review Example

Sustainability Energy Efficiency Name: Institution: Abstract The high demand for sustainable energy efficient technology continues to rise in the 21st century. In order to meet these demands, our planet is faced with the challenging issue of the unexpected climate changes which is connected to the future demands of energy. This has led to the discovery of hydrogen and fuel cells as popular alternative energy in the 21st century and for the future. The use of these technologies is expected to significantly reduce environmental pollution as well as improve the creation of alternative sources of energy. The introductions of alternative sources of energy will lead to the formation of new industries and diversity. Alternative sources of energy have contributed to the development and supply of energy saving solutions. This paper explores the various alternative sources of energy that are efficient and sustainable. Further, the role of human activities on the environment and its subsequent impacts on the formation and supply of sustainable energy sufficient technologies will be explored. Introduction Sustainable Technologies for Efficient Housing The use of alternative forms of energy continues to be popular in many communities and societies. Hydrogen and fossil fuels, is popularly used in transportation, energy storage and supply facilities, heat and power creation and distribution. Hydrogen is identified as a reliable alternative fuel that can be used at home and in the manufacturing and production industries. This is because it is can easily be accessible as it can be acquired from both renewable and non renewable resources. Renewable sources of hydrogen energy include: hydro, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal while non-renewable sources are: coal, natural gas, nuclear. Hydrogen is therefore managed and used as a reliable efficient source of power in generation systems (Abdelaziz et al., 2013). As a result, hydrogen is effectively used as a fuel in power cells for vehicles and circulated electricity generation. This is achieved by converting hydrogen energy and oxidants stored in fuel cells into electricity through the electrochemical process. Nonetheless, the process of converting fossil fuel energy to hydrogen requires intense socioeconomic, scientific and technological steps. Despite the barriers encountered during these steps, hydrogen and fuel cells provide sustainable, clean and efficient energy technologies for present and future use (Pacific Northwest National Library, 2012). Electric lighting is popularly used in most homes and is dominated by luminous and fluorescent sources. However, people have adopted the use of white light from the use of diodes. White light emitting diodes are more preferable to conventional lighting since they have more energy saving capabilities. By replacing regular lighting bulbs with these LEDs has contributed to the reduction of air pollution due to the reduced amounts of carbon dioxide being emitted globally (Langer and Vucic, 2010). Energy efficiency residential areas have introduced sustainable homes which contribute to the conservation of energy as well as sustaining the environment. The different housing projects introduced for the purpose of sustainable living include energy efficient housing and net zero energy housing (Sustainable Housing Foundation, 2012). The energy efficient home is defined as that which maintains and provides high quality living conditions for its occupants while at the same time reducing the amount of energy consumed or being wasted. A net zero energy home is one which has the ability to produce renewable energy every year. The annual renewable energy produced should be equal to the amount of energy consumed or supplied by the energy company relied upon on a yearly basis (Gregersen, 2014). Heating and cooling technologies have been created and fitted in buildings. These heating and cooling systems are made of low or zero carbon and energy saving units. Therefore they have the capability of reducing air pollution by managing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to the environment by up to 2Gt (Vagen, 2016). Researchers argue that such energy saving systems will save the amount of oil consumed by saving 710 million tones of energy by the year 2050. Some of the popular heating and cooling technologies include; solar thermal, combined heat and power (CHP), heat pumps and thermal energy storage (Goetzler, 2014). The designs of homes incorporate sustainable energy efficient techniques which ensure that residential areas conserve their energy. In doing so, construction designers ensure that the interior and exterior environment of a building is fitted with insulating properties. Different parts of a building such as the walls, roof, windows and foundation have insulating properties to control how heat and moisture travel in and out of the building (Haynes, 2016). Color also plays a significant factor as a sustainable energy efficient technology since it is combined with optical features that assist in how thermal and solar energies are absorbed and radiated by a building. These optical features allow for spartial confinement energy thus conserving it. On the other hand, windows act as the passage for sunlight and energy into a building. Windows, roofs, foundations and walls aid for 50% of heating and cooling in homes and 60% in commercial buildings (Goetzler, 2014). Solar energy from the sun is defined as an alternative type of energy and is grouped into two categories namely; photovoltaic and thermal systems. Photovoltaic systems absorb energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Silicon panels are used in this system which further generate the light from the sun and change it into electric current. Photovoltaic systems are highly encouraged and are commonly used in rural areas because they are affordable and alternative sources of electricity (Mayfield, 2010). On the other hand solar thermal systems absorb light from the sun and store it as energy that can be incorporated into a variety of uses (Vergragt et al., 2000). Active equipments such as solar panels and water heaters and passive systems are put in place to absorb and store the energy which is later put into use. For instance, greenhouses use the passive technique and absorb solar energy, store and later use it during the night or in winter. Solar energy is reliable and apart from being an alternative source of energy, it is renewable and affordable for domestic and commercial use (Boxwell, 2016). Sustainability and energy conservation requires great lengths of commitment by both organizations and individuals. Economic, social and ecological factors tend to interfere with sustainability of the environment which further impacts the energy and consumption patterns (Boyle, 2004). The population of a location influences the consumption rates of energy. This is because population of a place is directly linked to the socioeconomic, cultural and political practices. The increase in size of population puts a strain on the amount of energy consumed annually. According to research if the population continues to increase globally, by the year 2050, the world will need 50% more energy to sustain itself (Vergragt, 2000). Moreover, an increase in population means that there is need for more resources such as homes, food and other basic needs, putting a strain on renewable sources (Hynes, 2016). For example when we have a growing population, there is a high demand on energy resources, thus putting pressure on natural resources such as forest, coal mines and the environment in general. Socioeconomic factors such as the lifestyle, income, behavioral spending, age group and the physical occupation of individuals, also have direct impacts on the energy conservation and consumption (Grassroots, 2013). The location of a home as well as the material used by a given population to builds home determines the amount of energy being consumed on a regular basis by each household. Homes that have adopted energy efficient behaviors and construction tools are likely to consume less energy compared to those that continuously use conventional types of energy. Energy efficiency lowers the cost of fuels and reduces the pressure place on natural resources for energy thus leading to the reduction of fuel poverty (Grassroots, 2013). Sustainable Living In my Home Area This part of the essay addresses some of the technologies that I together with the people within my district have adopted and in what ways they benefit the community. To maintain sustainable energy consumption patterns it is imperative to implement energy efficiency strategies when building a new home or renovating one. According to a report by Sustainable Housing (2012), measuring energy efficiency in a residential area, is a vital step that must be undertaken so as to prepare for expected and unexpected future rise in energy costs. In Saskatchewan, Canada, residents, where I live, have adopted the use of EnerGuide, a technology device to measure energy efficiency (Sustainable Housing, 2012). My space of residence comprises of a one bedroom apartment which I occupy by myself. One of the suitable technologies I have adopted for the use of my home is the introduction of solar panels. I have incorporated the use of solar panels as a way to conserve the amount of electricity I consume. Additionally this is one of the technologies that most residents in my district of Saskatchewan have adopted, in a bid to promote sustainable living. Most Canadians living in Saskatchewan use a significant amount of energy in their homes for heating, cooling and electricity to ensure comfort and the wellbeing of the occupants in a home. According to the Canadian Government (2012) the amount of energy used in Canadian homes is quite high since its population uses energy to perform daily and basic household activities. In order to be able to meet the needs of its citizens, Canada generates its energy from natural gases, electricity, oil, propane and wood. The amount of energy consumed, is highly dependent on the size of occupants in a house, climate, fuel prices as well as the population in a given locale (Government of Canada, 2012). Single dwelling homes are the most residential areas in Saskatchewan and are also the ones with the most energy consumption. As a result, Saskatchewan is identifies as the second highest energy consumption region in Canada for each household. Research on this area has revealed that most old homes that are huge consumed a lot of energy compared to a home occupied by fewer people (Susanka & Vsallo, 2012). Nonetheless, modern homes in this area despite their size, they are more energy efficient as compared to traditional homes (Natural Resource Canada, 2010). In Canada, most households rely on electricity as the primary and secondary source of energy. In Saskatchewan, the amount of electricity consumed accounts for 20% of the energy consumed, making it 30 GJ per household (Government of Canada, 2012). Each household in this area relies on electricity for heating, cooling and as fuel for large appliances around the house. As a result most households have not adopted the use of renewable or natural gases in their homes. This has led to the introduction of more sustainable strategies to ensure that each resident in Saskatchewan is able to manage their consumption rates while conserving the environment and saving energy. Most households spend approximately $1147 on electricity and $610 on natural gas (Government of Canada, 2012). Natural gas is solely used for maintaining appliances and lighting while electricity is dedicated to heating in Saskatchewan. In terms of housing, Saskatchewan residents are very diligent to adopt sustainable plans that are geared to future prospects of energy saving. Sustainable housing in this region, aims at incorporating residential homes that are designed in way that they can reduce any environmental impacts humans have by occupying an area. The sustainable plans adopted focus on reducing environmental pollution that take place during and after construction of new buildings. Therefore sustainable housing has been achieved in three distinct ways. The first step being efficient use and conservation of energy, water, land,, and natural resources is Saskatchewan which are necessary in the construction and occupation of a home (Sustainable Housing Foundation, 2012). Secondly, residents in Saskatchewan aim at promoting the health and wellbeing of its residents and occupants of a home. The final aspect of the sustainability strategy is to encourage the decrease of greenhouse emission, waste management, discourage land degradation as well as pollution (Sustainable Housing Foundation, 2012). Adopting the use of hydrogen as a renewable source of energy will enhance sustainability, reduce costs of fuel and provide alternative energy for various home appliances. Evidently, hydrogen can be utilized by storing it and use it in transportation, heat and power generation. This is an environmental friendly source of energy as it only produces water and no greenhouses are emitted while using hydrogen. Moreover the widespread use of electricity in most households in Saskatchewan makes hydrogen efficient and sustainable energy. This is due to its ability to act as storage facility where electricity can be generated from. Electricity form hydrogen energy can be acquired through renewable sources such as wind, tidal power or solar energy. This will solve the issue of sustainable energy by reducing the issues associated with energy supply and conservation. Hydrogen energy can easily be generated from local raw materials including non-fossil-fuel products. This way resident are well equipped and knowledgeable on how to, enhance their energy saving tactics as well as improve environmental sustainability. Easy access to the production of hydrogen energy allows the residents to maintain a renewable energy system that can be used in transportation. Thus, providing an opportunity for various households to benefit from a large economy and the profits associated with infrastructure in terms of power generation and distribution. Hydrogen provides fuel security as it is generated from coal, hydrocarbon, biomass as well as the waste produced. This places a sense of diversity as residents do not have to exhaust one source of energy and have an alternative to choose from depending on availability. Additionally sustainability can be achieved by improving the physical construction patterns by the residents. Some of the practices to be adopted include: insulation of walls, ceiling, and floors, double wall construction practices, proper sealing techniques, and the incorporation of solar powered attic ventilators. This way new homes to be built in the future and improvements made on old homes will be able to follow these steps to achieve a sustainable energy efficient homes that reduce energy production. Conclusion Control strategies to maintain a sustainable and energy efficient environment is quite challenging. This is because both human activities and environmental factors such as climate change directly impact energy generation and consumption. Nonetheless, it is evident that energy saving technologies can easily be achieved in the households to maintain sustainable living conditions for its residents. Incorporating construction feature that save on energy is a quick and easy way to maintain and protect the environment (Boyle, 2004). Alternative uses of natural energy sources play a significant role in creating a sustainable and reliable environment. In the future it is important that people examine ways in which they can generate power or energy for everyday use from their surrounding without necessarily polluting the environment. Natural energy resources are easily recycled and renewed to form new energy sources for household activities. It is imperative to encourage communities to actively implement sustainable environmental conservation strategies. This way we are able to get maximum benefits of our natural sources of energy without necessarily interfering with the environment. Natural sources of energy have continuously proved their importance by being renewable, reliable and affordable. References Abdelaziz, O., Farese, P., Abramson, A. & Phelan, P. (2013). Technology Prioritization: Transforming the U.S. Building Stock to Embrace Energy Efficiency. NSTI-Nanotech. Available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/pdfs/technology-prioritization.pdf. Boxwell, M. (2016). Solar Electricity Handbook: 2017 Edition: A Simple and Practical Guide to solar energy? Designing and Installing Solar photovoltaic Systems. Green stream Publishing. Boyle, G. (2004). Renewable Energy: Power for Sustainable Future. OUP Oxford. Goetzler, W., Sutherland, T., Rassi, M., & Burgos, J. (2014). 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