Alternative Sources Of Energy - Research Proposal Example

Research Proposal INTRODUCTION In this environment of skyrocketing prices of oil and electricity, alternative energy sources are beginning to enjoy a huge demand of their utilization globally. In specific, plentiful possessions are effortlessly reachable in nature, such as sunlight, water, wind, etc, that fall under the definition of alternative sources of energy that is the simple and cheap replacement of fossil fuels (Craddock, pp. 29-36). In the United States and other parts of the world, authorities are taking steps to construct latest plants and equipment for such alternative sources of energy, as they are environment-friendly and most important, cheaper (OECD, pp. 74-75). In the result, there has been significant increment in researches related to the advancements of alternative energy sources and their impact on different aspects of human life (Simon, pp. 19-22). In specific, it is observation that until now, researchers (EIA, pp. 11-15) have focused primarily on the impact of alternative sources on business environment or global economies. However, the proposed research will go into a micro perspective while emphasizing on the impact of one of the alternative sources on the lives of average American people, and the effectiveness of such source in terms of its prices as compared to existing available sources. From this aspect, the proposed research will focus on the following research statement: “To identify the advancements in the area of alternative energy sources, specifically solar energy while analyzing its impact on average Americans in terms of its economical benefits” Research Questions In particular, the researcher will put efforts to carry out the proposed research based on the following critical questions: What comes under the definition of alternative energy sources? What do you mean by solar energy? What have been the major advancements in solar energy sources during the last two decades? What are the prospects of solar energy sources in terms of its availability and effectiveness? What are the cost-related differences between installation/utilization of solar energy sources and fossil fuel sources? What are the economic benefits of utilizing solar energy sources as compared with conventional energy sources, specifically in the USA? What is the role of the US government in promoting the solar energy sources? Does it offer any monetary benefits to average American families for using them? Background Studies have shown that fossil fuels are playing a leading role in fulfilling majority of the energy’s requirements on global level. In specific, it fulfills more than seventy percent of the world’s energy demand (Ahmed & Anderson, pp. 240). However, analysis (Solarbuzz, 2009) has indicated that alternative energy sources are now heading toward competing with the fossil fuels in the form of solar, hydropower, nuclear, hydrogen fuel, ethanol, etc (World Bank, pp. 1-5). One of the major factors of increment in the demand of alternative energy sources is rapid reduction in fossil fuels. For instance, countries are now putting efforts to use solar energy sources to reduce the expensive costs related to the usage of fossil fuels, especially, oil that is an expensive energy source, as compared to the solar energy sources. In the United States, the government is currently depending on fossil fuels to fulfill more than eighty-five percent of its demand of energy; however, alternative energy sources are contributing to only ten percent of the requirement, and solar energy only five percent (SEA, 2007). Thus, it has now become very imperative to promote the utilization of solar energy sources that are environmental-friendly, as well as economical as compared with fossil fuels. In other words, it is now important that countries should turn their focus to alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy. In the United States, solar energy is one of the alternative energy sources that are receiving significant importance, as government has taken noteworthy actions to support installation and utilization of solar panels in homes, offices, buildings, as it offers economic benefits to average American families in the country. Currently, the US government (Hawaleshka, pp. 1-3) is utilizing natural gas and wind power significantly, as it has been unsuccessful in developing infrastructure for the creation of solar panels that is a drawback of alternative energy sources, which may be a reason of expensive costs of installing solar energy source’s equipment (Morgan, pp. 27-42). Brief analysis of the literature (World Bank, pp. 9-12) has indicated that present forms of energy, such as gasoline, diesel, etc are insufficient to fulfill global demand, and environmentalists have found them harmful for the environment, and subsequently, for the humans (Kriz, 2009). In this regard, solar energy will be the backbone of future energy infrastructure, and will be playing a leading role in providing cost-effective energy plans to average people in the form of solar panels, solar cars, solar homes, etc (Hanlon, p.2-3). Audience It is anticipation that findings of the proposed research will be very beneficial for students in understanding the benefits of alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, as they will be the future leaders of the country. In addition, researcher will put efforts to make the report valuable for average Americans that will acquire a comprehensive knowledge about different aspects of the solar energy source, and the benefits that they can obtain from using these sources. METHODOLOGY Besides the research statement, background, and objectives of the research, it is essential that the researcher should emphasize especially on methodology component of the study, as it is a determining factor in deciding the efficiency or failure of any research study. From this aspect, the researcher has endeavored for the identification and planning of adequate research methodologies for the proposed study, in order to prevent unconstructive findings. In this regard, the researcher will utilize the secondary research methodology for the proposed study that will include detailed examination and investigation of books, journals, magazines, articles, libraries, etc consisting different theoretical frameworks, case studies, findings, instances, and initiatives related to alternative energy sources, and specifically, solar energy. Brief analysis of the literature has indicated that a huge number of experts, environmentalists, and organizations are endeavoring to carry out studies related to the solar energy that have created a huge pool of material related to the identified research statement that will be very effective in the acquisition of critical data related to solar energy source. Moreover, internet has now become an efficient place that facilitates students, teachers, researchers, etc in acquiring required information, and brief research has indicated that a huge number of organizations are now offering various books, articles, journals, and magazines on the internet that will ease the process of research, and the major reason of depending primarily on the secondary research methodology. However, secondary research methodology has some limitations as well. For instance, outcomes of secondary methodology although are unproblematic to obtain; however, they will not be specific or accurately related to the identified research statement. For this reason, the research will be using the primary research methodology as well. In particular, the researcher will utilize the tool of case studies in the primary researcher that allow him to focus on a specific region while investigating and analyzing the impact of solar energy in a critical manner. Specifically, the proposed research will include endeavors to identify the role of governments, non-governmental organizations, and other groups in promoting the utilization of solar energy panels and equipments at homes, offices, etc that will ensure obtaining of diverse perspectives based on the ground realistic findings. In addition, the researcher will select residents of the locality to participate in questionnaires that will allow the researcher to know the level of information of average Americans regarding the solar energy and their benefits. Finally, the researcher will acquire an unprejudiced approach by benefiting from primary and secondary research methods to obtain the information in an effective manner. In short, secondary research will be an uncomplicated procedure involving acquisition and scrutiny of books and articles from the university library or from the internet. On the other hand, primary research methodology will require researcher to put huge efforts to identify case studies, as well as distribute and collect questionnaires that will be the most difficult phase of the methodology. In this regard, findings after amalgamation of both research methods will be very efficient and valuable in carrying out a critical analysis on the alternative energy sources. QUALIFICATIONS I think that you will be able to write this section appropriately, as it requires personal information. PLAN The proposed analytical report will have the following outline: Title Page Abstract Table of Contents Introduction Aims and Objectives Significance of the Study Research Statement Research Questions Literature Review History of Alternative Energy Sources & Solar Energy in particular Benefits/Drawbacks of Solar Energy Comparison of Solar Energy with Conventional Energy Sources Impact of Solar Energy on American Economy Prospects of Solar Energy Industry Methodology Results of Primary Research Discussion Conclusion Appendices (Table/Graph) References SCHEDULE Besides methodology, it is very important for a researcher to give significant importance to the schedule, as lack of preparation causes inefficient results. From this aspect, the research will carry out the proposed study in different stages. In specific, planning is the first phase of the proposed study involves creation of the research proposal that took approximately one week. After acquisition of approval, the researcher will focus on carrying on methodologies discussed earlier in the proposal to obtain information regarding solar energy source. Data analysis is the third segment of the study involving analysis of the data acquired from the research methodology. It will be the most important step of the study that will enable the research in representing the information in the form of tables, charts, explanations, etc. In this regard, data analysis will take roughly one week that will allow the researcher to enter into the last stage of the proposed research, creation of complete analytical report that will take two weeks. Specific Timeline: Planning (Thesis Proposal) – 1 Week Primary and Secondary Research – 2 Weeks Data Analysis – 1 Week Final Submission - 2 Weeks Total Time - 6 Weeks Conclusion In conclusion, the research proposal discussed different aspects of one of the most common forms of alternative energy sources, solar energy in brief manner that is focus of the proposed research. The proposal indicated that the researcher will endeavor to recognize and scrutinize available studies critically that will be very informative for prospective researchers in the same field. Briefly, the researcher will benefit from primary and secondary research methods to acquire data regarding varying range of factors related to solar energy. Finally, the proposed study will be an attempt to identify the contribution of the US government in providing awareness to average Americans regarding benefits of solar energy utilization and ensuring their cheap supply in the country. It is anticipation that findings of the proposed research will be very valuable for students, teachers, and professionals in better understanding of the topic. PRELIMINARY WORKS CITED Ahmed, Kulsum & Anderson, Dennis. “Renewable energy technologies.” World Bank Publications. Volume 23, 240, 1994. Craddock, David. Renewable Energy made easy. Atlantic Publishing Company, 2008. EIA. Renewable energy annual 1996. US Department of Energy. 1997. Hanlon, Mike. The world’s first commercially available electric-solar hybrid and a sporty one at that, 2006. Retrieved on December 18, 2009: http://www.gizmag.com/go/6256/ Hawaleshka, Danylo. "Alternative Vehicles Should Replace Gasoline-Powered Cars." Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press, 2002. Kriz, Margaret. “Ethanol Fuels Environmental Conflicts.” National Journal. Issue of March 28, 2009. Retrieved on November 01, 2009: http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/id_20090328_9494.php Morgan, Sally. From Windmills to Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Heinemann, 2007. OECD. Environmental and energy products. OECD Publishing, 2006. SEA. Solar energy advantages & solar fountain pumps - Information & Resources, 2007. Retrieved on December 18, 2009: www.solarenergyadvantages.org/ Simon, Christopher A. Alternative Energy. Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. Solarbuzz. Uses of Solar Energy, 2009. Retrieved on December 18, 2009: http://www.solarbuzz.com/applications.htm World Bank. Rural energy and development. World Bank Publications. 1996. Read More