Chapter 2
2.1 Renewable Energy (RE)
Renewable energy refer to the energy resources that can be naturally generated over a short time scale and derived directly from the sun such as photochemical, thermal, photoelectric while indirectly from sun have wind, hydropower, biomass, or from other natural movements and mechanisms of the environment such as geothermal and tidal energy.
2.2 Importance of renewable energy
Conventional energy such as fossil fuel have face critical level nowadays, in order to preserve the fossil fuel, need to take action like reduce energy consumption and substantially cut greenhouse gases. Renewable energy is one of the solutions to the problem.
2.2.1 Little to no global warming emissions
Human activity have cause lot damage to our atmosphere with gases
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Prepared by Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [O. Edenhofer, R. Pichs-Madruga, Y. Sokona, K. Seyboth, P. Matschoss, S. Kadner, T. Zwickel, P. Eickemeier, G. Hansen, S. Schlömer, C. von Stechow (eds)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 1075 pp. (Chapter 9).)
Expand the renewable energy usage would allow carbon-intensive energy sources been replace and crucially reduce global warming emissions. For example, a 2009 UCS analysis found that a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants [7].
Furthermore, study that been done by U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory explored the feasibility and environmental impacts associated with generating 80 percent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2050 and the result show that global warming emissions from the electricity production could be reduces by nearly 81%.
increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce U.S. global warming emissions… a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants (“Benefits of Renewable Energy
Acknowledging the fact that climate change is happening, the United Kingdom has been advocating the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and much more. Through UN conferences the UK has made various efforts in order to meet the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Many legislations and policies have been made to achieve these goals, one of which is the implementation of the 2008 Climate Change Act. Working with t...
“An introduction to climate change.” Natural Resource Defense Council. Natural Resources Defense Council 8 November 2015 n. pag. Web. 28 November 2015.
Within the last ten to twenty five years the use of renewable energy resources have become more popular among many individuals. Renewable energy sources made their real entry onto the international energy scene in the 1970s when the two worldwide oil crises occurred. During that time, the prices of oil skyrocketed, thus establishing new ideas and alternatives for energy. In 2010, worldwide renewable energy production reached 66.83 quadrillion BTUs. Renewable energy resources are sources of energy that cannot be depleted. According to the Renewable Energy Working Party (REWP) of the International Energy Agency has set down the following definition: “Renewable Energy is energy that is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly.
The year is 2200. The world is going through a fossil fuel shortage. Oil reserves are almost completely consumed and it is becoming impossible to find new fossil fuel sources. Not prepared for this event to occur, The United States, has no alternative options. As a result of the oil shortage, the standard of living deteriorates. Heat in homes, supermarkets full of food, and transportation, all basic necessities taken for granted, will be depleted because fossil fuels are used to power almost everything. The key to the prevention of this future is renewable energy. Unfortunately the support for the use of renewable energy is weak and ineffective. Unless the US puts forth effort to research and promote the use of renewable energy to consumers, conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy will no longer be an option.
Energy is the basic necessity of daily life. Nowadays, dependence on fossil fuels for energy needs becoming lower in numerous countries due to the potential of renewable energy to supply sustainable energy to the huge populations in many developing countries who are short of clean and continues energy. Generally, renewable energy can be defined as energy that is derived from natural resources which are constantly replenished and theoretically inexhaustible. Fossil fuels on the other hand can be described as energy that cannot be renewed and will eventually diminish. Thus, in many developing countries renewable energy is the alternative energy to replace non-renewable energy or commonly known as fossil fuels. In addition, according to Sorensen (2004), there is a greater demand for renewable energy sources nowadays due to the uncertainty of fuel price rise in living expenses. Commonly, there are many types of renewable energy available in our world such as wind power, biomass energy, solar energy, hydroelectric power and geothermal energy. However, the main three example of renewable energy are hydroelectric power, solar and biomass energy (Refer to Figure 1 in Appendix 1).
Furthermore, this analysis must take place amidst serious gaps in the existing research and technology concerning the developing climatic conditions. For these reasons, global warming stands as one of the most daunting policy issues facing our world today. This is compounded by the debate over the very existence of climate change. While countless sources of empirical evidence testify to the very real presence of climate change the world over, considerable denial of the phenomenon still exists. The argument has been made that evidence of climate change is a gross overstatement, or in some cases, a complete fabrication.
Solomon, S. (Ed.). (2007). Climate change 2007-the physical science basis: Working group I contribution to the fourth assessment report of the IPCC (Vol. 4, pg 501). Cambridge University Press.
Energy is broadly classified as non renewable and renewable. Generation of renewable energy is done from natural resources and can be replenished within a short period of time. There are some renewable energy sources such as waste biomass, hydro-power by water, geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar energy [2].
Global Warming is affecting current and future generations, one of the primary causes is carbon emissions. However, these can be reduced by using renewable energy and making energy-efficient improvements.
Today’s society encourages us to change our lifestyles and become more environmentally friendly. There are numerous theories and facts about global warming and one of those is to increase the use of renewable energy sources. There is unprecedented interest in renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy. Renewable energy sources provide electricity without giving rise to carbon dioxide emission (World Nuclear Association). It is impossible to convert to these sources completely, however there are things that we can do as individuals and as communities to be more environmentally friendly .
Hardy, J. T. Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Solutions. New York: J. Wiley, 2003. Print.
Why do we need to rely on renewable sources? Most of the energy that we use today comes from fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, and oil. All of these resources are non-renewable, so you can finish one day. In order to have a better world and a healthy environment for the future, people are trying to obtain energy from natural resources instead of non-renewable sources. In the lecture “Renewable energy resources” (2014), Mistry focuses on some advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy.
Furthermore, renewable energy technologies are being developed in the United States which has provided a boost in the trade deficit. The use of renewable resources will improve energy security and energy independence. It provides various types of energy resources like sun, biomass, geothermal energy and water resources. It will also provide electricity to rural areas. It will also improve political relations between different countries by using advanced techniques of energy solutions.
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.