Sci 275 Week 9 Final Energy Conservation

Energy Conservation

Preston L. Judd

SCI/275 Environmental Science

Axia College / University Of Phoenix

April 10, 2011

Tisha Samosky

It can begin simply by turning off a light switch as someone leaves a room or unplugging a device when not in use. From these small acts, the beginning seeds of energy conservation can be sown.

Energy conservation has become one of the most hotly debated subjects in the world. Old power plants are struggling to keep up, sometimes causing power shortages or "brown outs", and new power plants are being built, but most of the new plants still use the same technology as their predecessors. Some have even been 'repackaged' to appear cleaner in respect to exhaust, but they still pollute the atmosphere and use a dwindling source of fuel. Still others argue that fields of petroleum at deeper levels are more than sufficient to supply the world with oil1. The only real hope of the world is to either perfect some of the newer, greener power generation techniques such as wind, solar, or geothermal, or invent some new as-of-yet undiscovered method. Until that time, energy conservation is not just a good idea, it is a necessity.

1. The Population Explosion and Power Usage

As the world's population gets closer to the seven trillion mark (estimate as of April 2011 is 6,911,382,8582), the demand for power increases exponentially. The added strain on the generation facilities is causing rolling blackouts, or "brown outs", in some cities. The situation is further strained in the summer time, when millions of people turn on their air conditioners to combat the hot weather. Modern electronic conveniences and luxuries also add to the problem.

The power systems used in most countries of the world rely on coal, gas, oil, nuclear, and hydropower to turn generators and produce electricity. The problem with these sources, with the exception of hydropower, is that the fuel source is limited and most release carbons into the air as exhaust, some say raising the temperature of the planet. Building more of the same type of plant will only exhaust the supply sooner and contribute more to the pollution of the atmosphere. Nuclear power plants, although not contributing to air pollution, have the added problem of where to store the spent fuel. These spent fuel rods stay submersed in cooling water for ten years, and stay dangerously radioactive for about 10,000 years3. Hydropower is a source of clean energy, but requires damming a river to build the water pressure necessary to turn the turbines. The dam creates a reservoir, but covers land that was once used by humans and animals alike with water. This is still a viable power source, when planned and built responsibly, but must take into consideration the wildlife that will be displaced. China completed the world's largest dam, The Three Gorges Dam4, in 2009 and the turbines went online. This dam generates 1/9 of China's power, but caused the relocation of millions of people, and ancient burial grounds, temples, and rare species of wildlife were submerged behind its 610 foot high walls. The question is still being asked whether this dam was worth the massive social and environmental disruption that it caused5.

2. Sustainable Power: What Needs To Happen

First and foremost, the consumption of energy must be curtailed, at least until cleaner, more efficient solutions can take over the production of power. These elements could be incorporated into the conservation efforts:

* The expansion of the "Energy Star" program, along with other programs targeting the replacement of older, inefficient appliances should be considered and implemented.

* Appliances and other electrical devices can be created using "Smart" technology, which turn them off after a period of inactivity.

* Home power generation systems utilizing solar and wind for power, along with a Geo-Thermal heating and cooling system could alleviate a great deal of stress from the current power grid. These systems must be made affordable for the general public to appeal to the masses.

* Automobiles must have a new 40 mpg mandate, increasing in mpg as progress is made. This will help to decrease the demand for petroleum, and also decrease the amount of ozone-depleting gases from the exhaust.

* Further research and development of Electric Automobiles should ensue, and in addition, other potential fuels should be tested and evaluated to establish a substitute for the older gasoline and diesel powered vehicles.

These Five points are the starting point to which further research could greatly enhance viability. With the implementation of these suggestions, we can then move on to the larger power generating facilities.

3. Power To The Masses

There are solutions at present that can alleviate some of the stress put on the power system, and these solutions should be utilized. Wind Farms, Solar Arrays, and Geo-Thermal units must be constructed and employed. Wind Farms and Solar Arrays occupy large parcels of land, but still allow indigenous wildlife to continue with minimal interruption of habitat. Geo-Thermal plants drill deep into the ground to extract the Earth's natural heat to create steam and turn a turbine. Hydro power can be expanded to include Wave Power generators. Wave Power works much like a windmill, but instead of wind, uses the power of the incoming waves to turn the turbine. There is research into other types of power generation as well that show promise, but as of yet no usable sample or model has been constructed.

As homes adapt to smaller, individual power generating options and energy efficient appliances and devices, the stress level on the large generators will subside, allowing adequate, or perhaps even an excess of, power to flow freely. The addition of ecologically sound power generators will enhance the supply of power, as even more efficient methods are found and added. Because these power generation techniques are environmentally stable and utilize naturally occurring light, wind and water currents, and other motions, they will produce power without depleting a natural resource. These sources can also operate indefinitely, which will eventually eliminate the fossil-fuel generation of power, and the subsequent atmospheric pollution that they contribute to and cause.

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