The Future of Energy - Assignment Example

The Future of Energy: Guiding Decisions with Evidence and Roll no Submitted The Future of Energy: Guiding Decisions with Evidence Introduction Energy helps life to exist and sustain. The energy industry equips us with heat, light and force, that makes our lives easier. It is known that the needs of humans will continue to increase in the coming years, and so, the energy sector will also continue to expand by the same pace. Taylor and Parish (2008, p.viii) state that the energy sector will be one of the biggest growth industries in coming future. This is because it is estimated that the demand for electricity will rise dramatically by the year 2020. By all means, energy conservation is the most important matter to consider in order to ensure sustainability. Assessment of My Energy Usage 1. Electrical energy: I use electrical energy originating from the state’s power house and travelling through power lines to reach my machines. The energy is renewable as the power plants are hydro-electric. 2. Thermal Energy: I use thermal energy when I cook something on the stove. The thermal power plant supplies energy to the stove. This energy is nonrenewable as the plant uses coal combustion. 3. Sound energy: I use sound energy originating from radio when I listen to music while studying. It is renewable, and originates from the radio house that uses electromagnetic waves to produce sound. 4. Light energy: I acquire light energy from the sun, which is a renewable source of energy, to get a sun tan. 5. Chemical energy: I use chemical energy when I burn wood in fireplace to acquire warmth. It is non-renewable as my fireplace uses up coal and wood. In the Context of My Chosen Location In my chosen location, Sumter South Carolina, the most appropriate renewable source of energy is electrical energy. This is because the power house of South Carolina uses water to generate electricity. Water is ample here as there is good water management in this state. Rainwater also accumulates in dams which becomes a good source of electricity. Some people have also implemented solar panels but that is not a good idea as the changing season does not provide ample solar energy all the year. The two inappropriate sources of energy in this location include chemical energy and radiant energy. Chemical energy becomes inappropriate when people burn coal and other fossils for fire and other purposes. This causes pollution, thus making the environment not so green. An alternative is to use heat energy from gas heaters since South Carolina has a number of natural gas providers. Radiant energy, which originates from electromagnetic waves, is inappropriate when people use it to cook or warm food through unnatural means, such as the microwave. People are using microwaves more and more often to cook food, which makes it harmful when the radiant energy of the microwave comes into contact with the food particles over a prolonged period of time. Electrical energy is a safer alternative allowing local people to cook food on stoves. Pros and Cons of My Current Energy Sources 1. Electrical energy: Pro: It is inexpensive and readily available. Con: Power house dysfunction cause interruption in power lines. 2. Thermal energy: Pro: The thermal power plant uses cheap fuel which makes it affordable for the locals. Con: Production of smoke in energy generation pollutes the air. 3. Sound energy: Pro: It is affordable and eco-friendly. Con: It loses energy over long distances, which is why sound cannot be heard from far off places. 4. Light energy Pro: It is readily available as sun is the source, especially in summers in the region. Con: Abundance is not good from skin. 5. Chemical energy Pro: The fuel used is abundant in nature that makes it cheap. Con: On combustion, harmful byproducts are released into the air, thus making it harmful for the environment. 6. Radiant energy Pro: It helps us to see in the dark, such as when it is used in flashlights. Con: Electromagnetic waves are harmful for food, such as in microwaves. Alternative energy sources: 1. Solar energy: Pro: It does not produce pollution. Con: Solar panels can be expensive to install and operate. 2. Wind power: Pro: There are no fuel charges in wind power. Con: Wind mills and wind farms can be very noisy, thus, increasing noise pollution in my selected location. 3: Geothermal energy: Pro: It does not depend on weather conditions, and does not produce pollutants. Con: Installations costs are very high, and there is risk of volcano eruption. Technological Advancements in Renewable Energy Technology The advent of technology has greatly facilitated the implementation of renewable energy resources. Stapleton (2010, p.178) states that since there are billions of people who do not have access to clean water, sanitation, and modern services that produce affordable energy, the need for renewable energy (RE) technologies will be on its rise in the coming years to cater to the demands of the population. A big example of RE technologies is wind turbines that use wind power to generate electricity. Such RE technologies are relatively simple and automatically operated, thus requiring very low maintenance. There is low environmental impact in these technologies as compared to other traditional energy resources. In well-developed countries, RE technologies are well-developed, producing energy at a much cheaper rate for the consumers and not causing pollution. However, there can be some disadvantages as well. For example, the transportation of large systems and plants may become a problem in remote areas. Also, for initial investment, huge capital is required. Energy Conservation Energy conservation is a big step toward the sustainability of environment. We must be aware of our carbon footprint and should try to minimize it, which means that we should diminish the negative impact we are creating on the environment, and should make an effort to consume less energy. I conserve energy in the following ways: 1. I use energy saver bulbs at home instead of tube lights for most of the time. 2. I put off electrical appliances, like computer, television, and microwave, instead of putting them on standby mode. If I lower down the thermostat by two degrees in winters, and make it go up by two degrees in summers, I will be able to save nearly 2,000 lbs of carbon emissions. Not only that, I will also be able to give a boost to my savings up to around $100 a year. 3. I have purchased such a car that gives more mileage on less gas. Conclusion Energy, in all its forms, is a blessing. It all depends on how we use it that makes it good or bad for the environment. People of South Carolina utilize energy in a myriad of forms. It is important to conserve energy to make the environment green and sustainable. References Stapleton, G.J. (2010). Successful implementation of renewable energy technologies in developing countries. Desalination, 252, pp. 178-185. Taylor, T. A., & Parish, J.R. (2008). Career Opportunities in the Energy Industry. New York: Infobase Publishing. Read More