Jamie Lee Wise’s essay examines the varying sources of electrical energy that we can draw from the oceans. In her well-organized and researched essay, Wise carefully explains the sources and then discusses both the benefits and drawbacks of each source. In the end, Wise’s paper argues that "public awareness and education concerning the benefits of renewable energy sources need to be increased," and that the oceans can be a valuable resourece "only if we take steps to preserve this natural wonder and use it responsibly."
Harnessing the Energy of the Oceans
Introduction
The oceans cover nearly three-quarters of our planet and contain a vast reserve of resources, yet we are only beginning to tap their full potential. The oceans can provide a wide variety of foods, desalinated water, minerals, electricity, transportation, and recreation for the people of our world; however, this discussion will be limited to sources of electrical energy that can be harnessed from the seas.
The world’s energy consumption is currently doubling every 12 years and the consequences of our heavy dependence on fossil fuels are becoming increasingly apparent. Several studies have estimated that our "present reserves of oil and natural gas will be consumed within a few decades, and coal within a few centuries." In addition, "political instability in the Middle East has demonstrated the economic consequences of oil dependence" (Bregman, Knapp, and Takahashi; 1996). Environmental and political concerns are just two reasons why alternative energy sources, such as ocean energy conversion, need to be considered.
Overview of Ocean Energy Conversion Technologies
Technologies that currently exist for generating electrical power from the oceans can be grouped into six broad categories: thermal energy, tidal power, wave power, ocean currents, ocean winds, and chemical sources. According to Ron Bregman, an Ocean Resource Engineer, the most promising and well-developed of these technologies are thermal energy, tidal power, and wave power (1996).
Thermal Energy
The oceans are the world’s largest solar collectors. Each day the oceans absorb an amount of solar radiation equivalent in heat content to about 250 billion barrels of oil, according to Michael Champ in Sea Technology (1995). This solar energy that is absorbed by the oceans as heat can be converted to electricity by a process known as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion or OTEC. This technology is based on the large temperature differential between the warm tropical surface waters and the near freezing waters of the deep ocean (Vega, 1995).
Jewel Bundren is the 3rd son of Addie, and he is also the bastard child of Addie and minister Whitfield. In Addie’s monologue, she expresses that after giving birth to Cash and Darl, she felt unsatisfied with her life. She states “I knew that it had been, not that my aloneness had to be violated over and over each day, but that it had never been violated until Cash came” (Faulkner 172). She felt no romantic connection to Anse, which is when she began the brief affair with minister Whitfield. As a result, she got pregnant and gave birth to Jewel, knowing that Whitfield was his paternal father. After Jewel, she ...
In the novel, Prey, written by Michael Crichton it pertains to the subject of nanotechnology throughout the whole entire book. The main characters of this novel are the
Smith, V. & Buddemeier, W. (1992). Global change and coral ecosystems . Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst, 23, 89-118.
The problem that new entrants pose the Walt Disney Company depends on the potency of the barriers, and its response. This threat of new entrants to Walt Disney industry is very low since it has established itself with a significant dignity in filmmaking and media networks. The development of internet supply channels is making this less important with its immense and accessibility distribution prospects.
(1) Michel G. Rukstad, David Collis; The Walt Disney Company: The Entertainment King; Harvard Business School; 9-701-035; Rev. January 5, 2009
Honey I shrunk the technology! It’s not a movie anymore; it’s the direction of global technology. Nanotechnology is this century's equivalent of the Industrial Revolution and it will change everything. The revolution isn’t just around the corner. It has only just begun.
Opensecrets.org. 2014. Walt Disney Co: Summary | OpenSecrets. [online] Available at: http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=d000000128 [Accessed: 2 Apr 2014].
Roberts, A. (2011, March). Nanotechnology: The incredible invisible world, Technology & Engineering Teacher, 70 (6) p10-17
Our team has identified how Disney revolves around a corporate strategy of diversification. Disney has profitably diversified themselves from their competition using a plethora of business units which consist of their
Humans have spent billions of dollars, and millions of man hours conducting research of sea life. As technology advances and the ability to stay underwater for longer periods of time become available, new information about sea life and there ecosystems surface. The vast ocean covers more than 70 percent of planet Earth’s surface (NOAA). However researchers and scientists have explored less than five percent of what really lies under water (NOAA). Leaving behind and amazing ninety-five percent left for new information to be found and researched. Sadly the amount of exploration of the ocean is low because the danger that come with researching such a vast ocean. Whether in a scuba unit or a submarine, many different dangers can arise at low and deep depths when studying the ocean floor. Even with these dangers researchers still dive into a new world, and come out with information that could aid humans on the surface. Such as cures to certain poisons created by different species, gaining a food source, and understanding different sea life. Scientists need to go the extra mile and find more information about the ocean at deeper depths and continue research in shallow waters so as to gain more viable facts that could benefit humans on the surface even more.
...r act of duty needs to be performed in the current circumstance, to call the judgment moral. It is logical to understand the inconsistencies and rash effects of making an emotional or instinctual decision. Kant is also very clear when he distinguishes that even good, considerably noble actions may not be in fact moral, as well as actions that are good but with ill or wrong intentions may not be moral as well, because of the absence of the consideration of one’s duty in the decision-making process. Kant provides a very specific and consistent theory of morality, as well as providing arguments for every kind of situation presented to him. He finds no value in complexity, which is why it is easier for me to understand the simple, concise, and rational thought-process behind Kant and his theory.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is the process of converting the ocean waters temperature difference at different depths into usable energy. From the solar heated upper depths of the ocean to the cooler depths below 2,000 feet a 40 degree temperature difference must be maintained to generate electricity. This is a relatively new and unheard of source of energy. Many people are not aware of the many benefits of OTEC and the impact it will have in the future as the use of fossil fuel conversion declines. Heightened environmental concerns in today's world makes OTEC an attractive alternative for energy conversion. The ocean offers a natural and renewable resource which will make it possible for converting energy this way to last for a very long, long time. OTEC is a very cost effective method of using the oceans waters for energy conversion but its use and benefits to society have been obscure to the general public. In the coming years OTEC will probably be at the forefront of new energy resources and a good understanding of it know will prove invaluable to power engineers of the future.
With approximately eighty percent of our energy, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, still being manufactured from fossil fuels that release pollutants to the air such as greenhouse gasses that include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and methane, it is not a bad idea to consider some alternative energy options like wave power. What is wave power? It is the harnessing of power of the ocean’s waves by using the momentum of the waves to power a turbine. There are several models that are effective for it’s respective region. The potential of this option is great because of the vastness of the ocean and how it could very well be an inexhaustible source for the future.
In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, scientists and policy makers have focused on three options: nuclear power, energy from biomass; and a combination of wind, water, and solar power. Nuclear power, however, is much more costly and runs the risk of having it fall into the wrong hands where it could be turned into a weapon of mass destruction. The third option entails wind turbines, photovoltaic power plants and rooftop systems, concentrated solar thermal power plants,...
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.