Alternative Energy Resources and Solar - Research Paper Example

Alternative Energy Resources and Solar Introduction The largest origin of energy is sunlight. Solar energy cannot be extinguished by any force; it has the potential of transforming one from to the other form. It has been discovered way back in the 7th century Before Christ (BC). It can be affirmed that alternative energy has been the source of entire energy on the earth. It has also been observed the total amount of energy in this earth always being constant. In the 7th century BC, human being discovered that solar ray has a specific kind of potential which can be used to build fire (U.S Department of Energy, n.d.). Energy is actually generated from various resources, which are related directly with sunlight, rain and waves among others. On the other hand, energy can be found from natural gases, crude oil and in terms of coal. Over the years, along with science and technological development, alternative resources have become more significant in human life. The importance of solar energy as an alternative source of energy can be fathomed from the fact that trees in the day time use this invaluable source of energy to produce its food. In this scenario, trees transform solar energy to chemical energy along with the help of water to originate glucose as a meal. Immediately after the observation of this process, human beings had been attempting to utilize the alternative resource for their needs. Through research and development, humans have also been able to utilize solar energy to satisfy their variety of needs. Consequently, in the 21st century, in keeping with the historical knowledge gathered regarding the usefulness of solar energy human beings have started to produce solar electricity and solar vehicles. Apart from this, solar energy mainly uses photovoltaic and thermal systems (College of Agricultural Science, 2014). With these considerations, the paper intends to evaluate the importance of solar energy in the modern day context as an alternative source of energy. Discussion about Alternative Energy Resources, Solar The importance of the alternative resources of energy is endless in human life. It has been magnified through the observation that there has been a limitation of resources of energy in the world excluding sunlight. In accordance with the opinions of the certain expert scientists, it is replicated that within a very short span of time the available sources of energy on this earth will be nullified, if all the gases, oil, coal and woods are burnt. Therefore, the value of sunlight or solar energy has become of paramount importance as non-renewable resources are slowly reducing from the face of the earth wherein the solar energy can play a valuable role. According to a research, one year of entire energy on this earth is produced by the one hour of sunlight (US Department of Energy, 2014). On the other hand, solar energy does not affect environment ecology system. Thus, it is known as a clean energy (Audet, 2014). In this regard, solar energy is much more beneficial than nuclear power. It has been observed that nuclear power has a negative impact on the environment aspects of pollution and economy. Also, it has put an effect on greenhouse gases which can influence the human life-cycle. In case of water and air, it can significantly affect the ecology system (Fadrhonc, Guity & Jarvis, 2009). Importance of Solar Energy It can be asserted that energy can be classified in various ways. Oil, gas and coal are non-renewable energy. Once they are used, its efficiency is annulled forever. Besides, it is also clarified to everyone that in future definitely there will be a shortage of these resources. On the contrary, solar energy has no such of limitations (US Department of Energy, 2014). According to US Department of Energy (2014), all these non-renewable resources have a negative impact towards the environment directly, through air, water along with land pollution. However, in case of sunlight, it is also required for human existence (US Department of Energy, 2014). Moreover, the renewable energy sources like solar energy have nearly zero level of discharges related to greenhouse gases along with other kinds of pollutants along with involving no risk relating to catastrophic incidents as well as any issue related to waste disposal (Delucchi, & Jacobson, 2013). Therefore, these invaluable factors lay down the massive importance of solar energy as an alternative energy source for mankind to endure the present climatic scenarios along with global warming issues. In terms of another importance, alternative resources of energy such as sunlight are abundantly available. Conversely, non-renewable resources are not as easily available as solar energy. Thus, it can be affirmed that solar energy is less expensive to use for meeting the different energy requirements by converting it effectively than other resources (US Department of Energy, 2014). Impacts on the Energy Infrastructure Security Recently, it has been observed that the effect of global warming and eco-system has brought in a profound impact on the energy infrastructure security. It has been also testified that the climate of energy infrastructure has threatened the environment ecology system. According to the climate department of America, it has been identified that the temperature has increased highly during last fifty years. As a result, the electricity consumption has augmented over the years. According to the American government’s estimation, the consumption will rise 40% by 2030 (Morgan, 2013). The global sea’s water level has also raised 8% since last century. As per the American government, its 280 numbers of energy infrastructure units may have been flooded under the water due to this reason (Morgan, 2013). In 2012, several times due to some unavoidable circumstances, United States suffered more than ten extreme natural events. As a result, it has expensed a considerable setback. Almost 8 million Americans lost electric supply due to such reason (Morgan, 2013). Ramifications of Alternative Energy Resources i.e. Solar Energy It has been observed there are a plenty of ramifications of alternative energy resources such as solar energy. In terms of positive consequences, it has enormous amount of ability in social, environmental and economic aspects. Renewable energies such as solar energy renders negligible amount of negative impact on environment as a result it has been observed that business firms, government, local citizen and cultivators use solar energy frequently (The Pembina Institute, 2013; Wall Street Transcript, 2013). In cities such as Curitiba and Bremen, the requirement of renewable resources such as solar energy has increased a lot in case of transport. It has happened because of the availability of alternative energy resources (The Pembina Institute, 2013). It has been calculated at the time of using solar energy that the environmental pollution is lower than that of non-renewable energy sources. According to an observation, environmental pollution emerges to be negligible in case of using solar energy which can be termed as a positive consequence. According to a survey report, it has been found that about 1.7 million jobs were generated in all over the globe from renewable energy sources such as solar energy manufacturing during the maintenance and operation purpose in the early 21st century (The Pembina Institute, 2013). Due to the use of solar energy, it can secure plenty of aspects. It can reduce the importance of importing fuel from the international market. This can ensure certain vital benefits, for examples price volatility along with securing domestic energy. On the other hand, solar energy as an alternative energy resource is more reliable than that of conventional energy resources. Apart from providing benefits related to human security and environmental protection, it has also tremendous amount of positive impact on global ecology system stability along with human health (The Pembina Institute, 2013) Homeland Security and Energy Sector The energy sector of the United State (US) can be partitioned in three segments. These include electricity, petroleum and natural gas. In accordance with the report of US Department of Energy, nearly 48% of electricity is produced by coal which has been transported by rail, 20% in nuclear power plants, and 22% in natural gas. The remaining has been provided by hydroelectric plants around 6% along with oil 1% and renewable resources 3% respectively. The department is heavily relying on pipeline security to distribute its products throughout the nation (US Department of Energy, 2014). Contextually, Homeland Security observed that sun light has a potential of producing solar energy throughout the day time only. After the observation, scientists’ had started researching on the storing process of solar energy. Subsequently, they had figured it out how it can be stored for the night use (News Wire Publications, 2014). Tom Meyer one of the scientists of Energy Frontier Research Center at UNC-Chapel Hill has found a system that transforms the solar energy into hydrogen fuel. As per his opinion, it can be stored for night use as well. On the contrary, according to his view, converting solar rays directly into electricity would not be able to solve the night purpose. Even it cannot be stored in pipeline as per his view. Thus, in form of hydrogen fuel is the only way it can be stored in pipeline for night use (News Wire Publications, 2014). From this observation, it can be affirmed that solar energy in the US has emerged as a vital proposition and several researches are conducted to leverage utmost benefit from it. Critical Infrastructure Protection and Vulnerabilities Critical infrastructure protection and vulnerabilities provide vital services to American society. Critical infrastructure has been the backbone of US economy. There are three strategies implemented in critical infrastructure section as emphasized below: 1. Refining and clarifying operational relations with the government to advance the utility and strength of critical infrastructure reliability. 2. Exchange effective information to identify the basic requirements of the government. 3. Analysis and implementation of planning along with making valuable decisions for the infrastructure security system. These are the strategy implemented to safeguard the infrastructure security system. In this regard, solar energy can be used as a reliable source of sustained energy to build critical infrastructures and enhance their level of security (The White House, 2014). Pipeline Security It has been observed that the importance of pipeline security has ensured the safety and reliability of resources. Through pipeline security, the monitoring and the control can be done in case of telecommunication system. Apart from this, it can also save resources from terrorist activities. In case of petroleum chamber, it has been the most preferred option. It recent times, pipeline monitoring salutation has become one of the key asset protectors. There are few disadvantages viewed related to the use of pipeline security in the modern industry, those are leak detection in pipeline and third party interference (Fielding, 2012). In case of alternative energy sources such as solar energy store pipeline can be the most valuable equipment, which can store that energy under the pipeline for a longer period of time. After processing the solar energy, it can be monitored through the pipeline. Moreover, it can also be transferred from one place to another without a lot of trouble. Chances of losing this energy are very low due to the modern alert system (Fielding, 2012). Security of Electrical Grid Electrical grid is one short of wire which can transfer the electricity from producer to consumer on a regular basis. U.S. energy providers work to stabilize the power grid against armed man and terrorists which is fueling a debate over whether they are diverting resources from other threats such as cyber-attacks. Electric grid security can help in solar energy system significantly. This preparation of this electric grid involves certain risks and it is also a little expensive. Conversely, it has been observed that the installing of off-grid clean energy for converting solar energy involves low cost as compared to electric grid and thus it highlights a key benefit provided by solar energy. Energy Regulatory Commission has analyzed that it would be easy for terrorists to attack the electric grids in the US (Shahan, 2014). In this regard, using solar power will be much more helpful for the ensuring grid security. This factor significantly highlights a decisive benefit of solar energy in the present context in the US. It has been further determined that on a global context 300% compound growth on an annual basis has been attained in Sub-Saharan African region due to the use of off-grid lighting through the use of solar energy. Apart from this, it has also been noticed that around 30-40 thousand households in Bangladesh are using solar energy as its electricity service instead of electrical grid (Social Media Today LLC, 2014). Cyber-dependence Cyber-dependence has become one of the most common crimes in recent times. It has been observed that computer along with internet connection has been the key reason of this crime. Through cyber-dependence, generally it has been determined that hacking of funds, transferring of money and data and spreading of viruses are done. Correspondingly, through cyber dependence, solar energy can be stored. It has been identified that by using the photovoltaic machine directly electricity can be produced (Yumurtaci, 2013). According to an observation, it has been detected that solar rays can heat stored water and after that it can produce electricity. As a result, it emerges to be of low cost. Apart from this, it has does not create pollution or greenhouse effect (Cyber Dodo Productions, n.d.). SCADA Systems It is a process which includes communication channel along with coded signal. It eventually helps to ensure data acquisition and control. Through computer by using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system supervision can be done easily. SCADA system consists of couple of elements. Firstly, a master station computer system and secondly human-machine interface (Engineers Garage, 2012). It can be mentioned that SCADA system helps to monitor the solar energy manufacturing procedure. In 2009, one such SCADA system had been designed to produce solar electricity. In accordance with Engineers Garage (2012), SCADA is the perfect solution of processing solar electricity. Besides, it is the best platform of performing the process and distributing in different channels (Control & Solutions, 2011). In case of producing electricity from the solar energy, United State of America has identified that for the processing, monitoring, supervision and communication channel of solar energy, the use of cyber platform is valuable. Conclusion It can be concluded that sun is the omnipresent source of energy in this planet. Primarily because of sun, the existence of human, plant and animal life can be found on the earth. Thus, sun is the utmost powerful entity in this planet. There are a variety of resources found in this world. Based on the information derived, it has been affirmed that, energy is of immense value in the world for performing a number of activities. From the evaluation, it is determined that in the US at present, a negligible amount of work is done by using the solar power. However, the use of solar energy is estimated to become double in the next 25 years in the context of the US. Moreover, it can be stated that using solar energy will definitely help in various parameters. According to estimation, real total cost of using solar energy is lower than that of any other source. Solar energy is determined to be value as it does not cause any harm to environment and ecology. Altogether, it can be concluded that the significance of solar energy is high. The impact and ramification of using solar energy system will be profitable and can facilitate in the developing of the entire economy as well. Through using SCADA system and off-grid security system, solar energy can be produced and transformed in an effective manner. References Audet, M. (2014). Why is solar energy important?. Retrieved from http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Why_Is_Solar_Energy_Important College of Agricultural Science. (2014). Solar energy. Retrieved from http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/solar-energy Control & Solutions. (2011). Solar SCADA. Retrieved from http://www.csil.co.in/application/scada_for_solar_panel Cyber Dodo Productions. (n.d.). Cyberdodo and solar energy (1-45). Retrieved from http://en.cyberdodo.com/files/cyberdodo-and-solar-power/2.html Delucchi, M. A. & Jacobson, M. Z. (2013). Meeting the world’s energy needs entirely with wind, water, and solar power. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 69(4), 30-40. Engineers Garage. (2012). 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