Energy Management and Operations - Case Study Example

Task Energy Management & Operations Introduction A fact has been featured in the fluctuations that occur in the environment. These changes have plunged the universe into a hazardous quagmire with carbon dioxide levels elevating in the atmosphere. The accumulation results in variable weather patterns and overall climate change that proves destructive to life. Humanity has realized its mistake in failing to uphold the condition of the environment and is making efforts to salvage the situation. Research projects are centered towards finding means to conserve the environment and revert to the steady climate patterns. Green energy finds its use in the society to reduce the GHG (Greenhouse gases) accumulation in the atmosphere solving the global change discipline. The steps applied determine the resolution enacted to create stability within the atmosphere. Humanity has realized the need to seize harmful gases emission in the atmosphere and reduce overreliance on non-renewable energy that mostly implies hazardous environmental influences. Energy is the key element applied in production and economic sustenance and, therefore, an entity that can never find its total annihilation. Renewable and non-renewable energy constitute the composition of the energy entities that are available in the atmosphere. Various programs have been created to promote energy competence, renewable energy, utilize methane and other gases that reduce GHG emission. These steps further involve carbon sequestration/Big Sky Sequestration project, FutureGen, NGNP and Pebble bed nuclear reactor. Carbon Sequestration/Big Sky Sequestration Project Combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation has been the key attributes towards CO2 accumulation within the atmosphere. The carbon components from these fuel sources have led to the accumulation of GHG in the atmosphere prompting serious measures against climate change. Global warming results in the GHG accumulation in the ozone layer causing a barrier that trap heat within the earth’s surface. This accelerated in the heat within the layer of the earth known as troposphere has been attributed to the irregular climate changes that are mostly experienced in various continents. The distribution of life within various environmental spaces is affected with the desire to attain sustainable living situations. The desire to produce sufficient energy has led into applying cheap and readily available energy sources without considering the implications especially to the environment. Today, much information and campaigns have been held to regulate on the energy acts and methods of generating ecological friendly alternative sources. The already existing energy sources need to be regulated to reduce the pollution hazards and supplement them with ecological friendly methods. The carbon capture phenomenon provides a platform that limits the carbon emission in the atmosphere choosing to store it and applying its use on reproductive measures. Susan explains that the carbon constituent in the atmosphere will be reduced greatly with this technique. Carbon fuel is then converted to safe energy. The country has involved an initiative incorporating universities, energy manufacturing plants and major research institution to find the best method that promotes the implementation of carbon sequestration. The BSCSP is a partnership sponsored by the US energy department constituting MSU’s energy research department. This project establishes the most viable measure to be undertaken in ensuring the carbon level in the atmosphere is at a minimal. It utilizes the existing methods applied and develops the procedure to achieve a competitive process. The initiative conducts research and experiment to ascertain the proper measure that would eventually gain recognition as the most effective means to limit the greenhouse gas emission (Goodman, 13). With the Blue Sky region offering the major GHG emission via its abundance in forest and agricultural land, Blue Sky is able to conduct its research effectively. The project is aimed at finding the most suitable measure to be undertaken to handle carbon levels in the atmosphere. Future Gen zero based coal fired plant The FutureGen project was announced in 2003 by the US targeted towards zero-emission of carbon gas as a product of energy production. The principle involves eliminating the various threats associated with application of coal as an energy source, therefore, reducing the greenhouse threat. The use of electricity and transport industry has led to the influx of the greenhouse effect in the US, therefore, a system that would incorporate carbon sequestration needed to be applied. FutureGen project will be the first to generate hydrogen and electric energy while consequently reducing on the carbon level in the atmosphere (Der & Giove). The three aspects governing its functioning include producing highly efficient products with minimum application of carbon fuels hence CO2 sequestration. The research facility focuses on implementing strategy and proves the viability of the technology that is zero-emission of carbon when using coal as an energy source. Its success would address concerns about the negative impacts of products from manufacturing plants that utilize coal as the chief energy source. Through the gasification process, coal is turned into gases that are rich in hydrogen rather than its direct combustion. The process then combusts hydrogen in a turbine or changed into to a fuel cell, which then produces electricity free from the GHG. This is the system that the FutureGen project utilizes promising to produce an estimated 275 MW of electric energy, equal to the average coal-powered industry in the US. The project proves to incur several costs since the method that it applies to producing hydrogen and electricity from coal and in turn sequestering the carbon emission requires intense research. The distinct feature that it applies is in the reduction of carbon emission as it ensures permanent disposal of CO2 rather than produce the gas as a by-product. The benefit this technology offers are in reducing the risks and costs involved in regulating climate fluctuations, therefore, a wise investment towards prevention of graver consequences. Pebble bed nuclear reactor The reactor finds its safety in its application of the process where chain reaction lowers as the temperature level is heightened. The process entirely involves the cooling of the reactors via natural entity. It is designed to limit excess energy production on the environment that would lead to the damage of the structure. The further advantage it presents is in its ability to limit absorption of contaminants and neutrons contrary to water. The core presents minimal radioactive fluids that are hazardous to the environment. The design finds its origin in Germany built by Dr. RudolfSchulten in 1960 when he invented the AVR. A second pebble bed reactor THTR built in1989 generated about 300MW of electricity. This utilized thorium that is less radioactive to produce uranium fuel. Throium is an abundant element readily available in the earth’s crust that the machine utilizes to generate maximum output limiting hazardous chemical output. It is stable and promises less environmental hazardous implications. Next Generation Nuclear Plant The commission strives to protect the environment and its people from the harmful environmental pollutants. The major implication of this concept is to utilize clean nuclear energy reducing on the utilization of the fossil fuels that promote carbon gases emission in the environment. High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) technology that it applies encourages the manufacture of energy at affordable prices to the households, therefore, regulating overdependence on GHG producing sources. The plant further promotes the production of the Hydrogen gas that is a counter element to the harmful gases of the greenhouse effects. The design ensures the limitation of radioactive elements within the system reducing on any negative implication into the surroundings. The technology behind the NGNP utilizes six concepts that aid to support the structure avoiding complications arising from heating that may cause overall structural damage. VTHR, SCWR, GFR, LFR, SFR and MSR are the composition of the reactor with each entity possessing special composition leading to the overall efficiency. These new nuclear reactors operating at a cooler temperature than the water reactors offer operations in grave environmental implications. The overall result is the production of maximum energy utilized towards growth with minimum environmental effects maintaining the atmospheric pollution at a minimal. The similar concept of hydrogen and electricity manufacture is witnessed in the system with minimal environmental implications. The power transformation entities that it applies involve utilizing the high reactor temperature composition of the VHTR to offer heightened efficiency compared to the current water reactors (Patterson, Kim & Oh). It further offers advanced power conversions that can be articulated to Generation IV reactors. Conclusion The desire to achieve stability in the environment has seen several investments in the energy sector. Alternative energy forms merits developments that have been experienced in the industry to incorporate green energy in the work efficiency process. Some optional energy resources prove to be insufficient because they offer limited energy outputs that may not be sufficient to provide the power required to power the plant. Most energy sources are hazardous and burn carbon that generates the global warming entity of the environment. Through applying measures that reduce carbon level in the environment, sustainability is achieved. Carbon sequestration is one process applied to minimize the level of carbon in the environment. It corporate the older energy forms that applies carbon as their fuel source and stores the harmful by-product. Technology has made steps towards regulating sufficient energy source. Works Cited Giove, Joseph and Der, Victor. Cover Story: FutureGen: Zero-Emission Power Plant of the Future. Coal Power. Web. 26 January, 2012. Available at: Goodman, Charles. Update on FutureGen- A Technology Response to Climate Issues. FutureGen Alliance. Web. 26 January, 2012. Available at: Patterson, Mike, Kim, Eung and Oh, Chang. Design Option of Heat Exchanger for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant. Digital Library. Vol. 132(3). DOI:10.1115/1.3126780. 2009. Read More