Today, energy security and global climate change are two major problems affecting people and the environment worldwide (IEA, 2010). These problems are highly integrated with each other and mitigating global climate change without affecting the energy security is becoming a significant challenge for many governments and policy makers in the twenty-first century (Brown & Sovacool, 2011).
In recent years, energy security has become a major concern in many jurisdictions with increasing energy demand, rising energy costs, and energy production and supply issues (IEA, 2010). According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy security can be described as, “the uninterrupted physical availability at a price which is affordable, while respecting environment concerns” (IEA, 2011). The global demand for energy is rapidly growing with increasing human population, urbanization and modernization across the world (Asif & Muneer, 2008). In the past two decades, the global primary energy consumption had increased by 45 %, and it is expected to continue to grow by 39 % over the next two decades (BP, 2011).
Today, fossil fuels – notably oil, gas and coal, are the major sources of primary energy to meet the world energy requirements. In 2008, nearly 81% of the global primary energy needs were met by fossil fuels, representing oil - 33.2 %; coal - 27%, and natural gas - 21.1% [ref]. The fossil fuels accounted for the greatest share of global primary energy supply and the rest is met by hydro, nuclear, biomass, geothermal, wind and solar. According to the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2011 Golden Age of Gas (GAS) scenario, fossil fuel supplies will continue to be the dominant energy sources and account for more than half of the increase of ...
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...ain consistency of the analysis.
• Equal allocation: In this approach, it is assumed that the generated wind electricity is equally allocated to all the EVs regardless of individual requirements.
• Demand allocation: In this approach, it is assumed that the generated wind electricity is allocated to each EV based on its respective demand, such that charging the EVs with higher demand is preferred to charging the EVs with lower demand.
This research also considers the effect of introducing electric vehicles for weekday commuting purposes in passenger transportation and discusses the overall carbon impact of commuting; the results are extrapolated for various commuting distances. This research work used Prince Edward Island, specifically the city of Summerside, as a case study, but the general approach can be applied to other cities, provinces or regions.
The 1996 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? explores the factors behind the demise of General Motors’ EV1, the popular and elusive electric car of the early 1990’s. The EVI was popular with the public, and it was clean, fast and efficient. This video sets out to solve what is effectively a murder mystery – the plug was pulled on the EV1 in 2002 after only 1,000 of these cars had been produced by GM, most of which were subsequently destroyed by the company in a secret location in the Arizona desert.
The Automotive, or electric car industry particularly, comprises all those companies and activities involved in the manufacture of electric motor vehicles (EV), including most components, such as engines, bodies and rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device. The industry’s principal products are passenger automobiles. Despite the fact that the first electric cars were produced in 1880s , the advances in internal combustion engines, especially the electric starter, soon diminished the relative advantages of the electric car and became the dominant design in the market. Due to this the EV was almost a forgotten industry staying in the early stage of development, conforming to less than 1% of the automotive stock
Electric Cars Buying a car is usually going to be the first big purchase a person will make in their life. It is actually considered the second biggest purchase, right behind buying a house. Cars can now do things like park themselves and even drive themselves. Electric cars are also a thing that is getting a lot of attention, and studies show that they will be what dominate our streets and highways in the near future. Many people turn to electric cars because they are very efficient in our pockets.
Nissan was the first company to introduce a 100 percent electric car that produces zero emission and they had great hopes for this vehicle (“Nissan Product Information”). According to Michael Strong, the company believed that this car would be the future of transportation and that it would soon be responsible for 10 percent of all new vehicle sales. However, after 3 years on the market, Nissan’s CEO Ghosn admitted that the Nissan Leaf is only accountable for 4...
A revolutionary environmental impact to pollution is provided by electric cars which produce zero emissions and provide a replenishable fuel resource. Toxic emissions into our earth’s environment would be reduced immediately as gas powered, pollution emitting vehicles are replaced with non-polluting, battery powered vehicles. Not only will pollution be reduced, but the means that power these vehicles are a renewable resource. Electricity can now be created by environmentally safer means, such as hydro-electric dams, wind farms, and various types of power plants proving a sound resource. With a safer, less polluting, renewabl...
Over the last two centuries, humanity has become increasingly reliant on fossil fuels. Over that time, the consequences of constantly burning fossil fuels have accumulated into a threat to industrialized cities. The burning of fossil fuels causes acid rain to shower on cities and ecosystems around the world, tormenting their inhabitants. The increasingly deadly pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels has caused the deaths of many people around the world by causing respiratory problems. Not only has the pollution worsened, but the supply of fossil fuels is not limitless – as humanity’s reliance increases the supply decreases, and that is all the more reason to break humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels should be replaced with cleaner alternatives because fossil fuels cause environmental hazards, are non-renewable, and are detrimental to human health.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, over half of the oil used in the USA is imported. Most of this imported oil is located in the middle east and is controlled by OPEC members. Subsequent oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession (Reduce). We may never be able to fully eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand (Reduce). One way we can reduce our reliance on oil is through investing in renewable energy. Solar power, wind power, and hydro power are all forms of energy which come from renewable resources. Unlike oil, solar, wind and hydro electric power is abundant and can be obtained locally.
Today, people use their own personal vehicles to travel more than ever before. Personal transportation is no longer considered a luxury; it is now considered a necessity. The number of cars in the United States has been growing steadily since the 1970s. The number of miles traveled by cars has risen nearly 150 percent, yet the United States population has only grown roughly 40 percent during that time (hybridcars.com, Driving Trends). Although it may seem like we are advancing into the future, in reality, we are moving backwards from the effects these vehicles have on our bodies and the environment. The pollution produced by these vehicles has brought us to the day where we must find other modes of transportation that cause less harm to the world in which we live. Advances in technology have developed hybrid vehicles to try and slow down the amount of pollution. Driving a hybrid vehicle, instead of a conventional gas powered vehicle, can reduce the amount of pollution that affects our lives and the environment around us.
A lot of scientists like the idea because it is advanced and they say it’s cleaner and safer in many
Although, both vehicles are similar in external structure, and design; the world is now at a point in time where electric cars are gaining popularity as society prepares itself for the next big change in transport alternatives (Kirsch, 27). The pros and cons of electric cars are therefore more identifiable than ever before. The primary contrast in feature between the two types is fuel efficiency. Electric cars offer a much better fuel efficiency capability compared to gas vehicles. For gas vehicles, the driver is required to regularly re-fill the gas tank due to the fact that the car consumes more gas than an electric car consumes power over the same distance. Electric vehicles are designed with a focus on weight reduction and better aerodynamics (Dickerman & Harrison, 55). This leads to more mileage between recharges for owners of electric vehicles. This is highly cost effective as the driver can drive longer distance without the need to recharge as compared to gas vehicle drivers over equal distance. The ability to save on gas is another important difference to consider between the two types of vehicles. Driving gas vehicles can prove a financial burden as the cost of gas for an average driver is estimated at $2,000 - $4,000 per year (Hidrue et al, 694). Electric vehicles are not recharged for free, but they
In this case study I will be discussing advantages and disadvantages of electric cars. Electric cars are cars that are powered by electricity. Electric vehicles are an important part of cutting emissions and reducing global warming. The battery of an electric car stores electrical energy. The electric motor is coupled to the wheels through gears; it converts 59-60% of electrical energy into the wheels. The battery runs the motor which allows the car to move. Electric cars are necessary as they will save money, because electricity is cheaper than gas. Also electric vehicles will help reduce global warming and pollution. However, some people say that electric cars still have environmental costs. The electricity used to recharge EV batteries has to come from somewhere in the world, and now, most electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Although electric vehicles are classified as green cars, purists will not appreciate the toxicity of the batteries.
Environmentally Friendly Electric vehicles are today’s zero-emission vehicles. They have no tailpipes and emit no pollutants. Instead of gasoline from oil refineries, electric vehicles get their “fuel” from electric power stations. Although power plants using fossil fuels do have emissions, power plant emissions generated for electric vehicle use are typically much lower than emissions from the comparable use of gasoline-powered cars. For power plants using renewable energy sources like wind, solar and hydropower, no air pollution is created.
"Costs and Benefits of Electric Vehicles: A 2010 Perspective." Journal of Transport Economics and Policy 37.1 (2003): 1-28. Web. DeGunther, Rik. Alternative Energy for Dummies.
...s a sense of assurance and confidence that even if their cars are low on battery power, they will have the chance to charge them and keep on going. Right now, a full charge takes a long time, but as technology evolves that charging time will most likely be shortened to a much more reasonable time.
Deal, W. (n.d.). Wind power: An emerging energy resource.Technology & Engineering Teacher, 70(1), 9-15. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=a747d6c4-9f9f-4066-be3e-d7d26a427ef2@sessionmgr115&vid=1&hid=114&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWNvb2tpZSxpcCxjcGlkJmN1c3RpZD1zc2Mmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZlJnNjb3BlPXNpdGU=