...Oil Alternatives Examine the changing importance of three energy alternatives to oil [20 Marks] 1200 words. Correct citations. Oil has been an important resource for humanity for centuries. It is easily accessible and efficient and over time has been extremely versatile in its uses. Today oil is used for fueling cars, cooking food, cosmetics, lubricants, paintings, organic chemistry, etc. For a long time oil has been the primary and main provider of energy, but due to increasing environmental effects, scarcity, and global inflation, it seems as if it will not last much longer. This essay will highlight the growing importance of three alternatives of oil that may rise to prominence in the future: algae biofuel, nuclear energy, and hydroelectric power. The first alternative that will be discussed is algae biofuel. In essence algae biofuels are the same as normal fuels except that the components of the fuel are organic and biological rather than fossil fuel based. Production is caused through a series of chemical reactions and is nontoxic and renewable. Algae sources can be re-replaced through more farming. The standard production method consists of planting lots of algae pods and letting them interact with the sun and bacteria to create oil. (Howstuffworks) Although this method releases a lot of CO2 it is all taken back again through growing more algae. This is of the many advantages of algae biofuel. Firstly its production yield far surpasses that of other variations...
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...Alternative Energy English Composition 122 May 30, 2010 The need for alternative and sustainable sources of energy has never been more compelling. The development of clean energy sources is essential if the United States is to reduce greenhouse gases and slow global warming. Today, electrical generation is responsible for 41 percent of the Unites States’ carbon dioxide emissions. The majority of electrical generation comes from conventional, fossil fuel run, power plants, with nuclear power being the leading alternative. But neither source is renewable or sustainable, furthermore, nuclear energy is beset with many problems. Alternative energy refers to energy sources which are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. There are numerous reasons for supporting alternative energy development: lower air and water pollution, reduce land disruption through mining and drilling, reduce solid and hazardous waste production and greenhouse gas emission. Only renewable energy options offer long-term hope for sustainability. Several alternative energy options already exist, such as wind, solar, wave and geothermal. I believe that we have the technology today, to power the world sustainably. Presently, nuclear energy is responsible for approximately 16 percent of the world’s electricity; in the U.S. it is the second leading source of energy next to coal. Nuclear energy is often looked at as a cleaner alternative to burning fossil fuels due...
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...Should our reliance on nuclear energy sources be expanded in an effort to fuel the future? Today there is a great concern about our carbon emissions and other pollutants because of their adverse affects on our climate. Thus alternative sources of energy are being sought out, such as solar, wind, natural gas, and nuclear energy. Many have found themselves opposing nuclear due to past errors, waste management, safety features, and financial concerns. However, these issues are being addressed as promising new reactors are being designed. Nuclear energy has some clear benefits when compared to some of the drawbacks of other methods. Natural gas will most likely release too much carbon dioxide in the long run to be effective, wind and solar energy are too intermittent and costly to function as a large-scale solution, and hydropower may not be able to expand easily easily enough to make a lasting difference (“Why We Still Need Nuclear Power”). With very little carbon dioxide emissions, relatively cheap energy generation, and an impressive reliability record, nuclear power proves itself to be an option to be explored in a country where electricity generation emits more carbon dioxide than transportation or industry. There are many safety concerns surrounding nuclear energy, but the industry has learned a lot from previous mistakes and many new safety measures are being tested and implemented (“Nuclear Now”). Previous failings with nuclear power, such as the Fukushima disaster,...
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...I interviewed Dave Mullins. He is currently an electrical engineer as well as a project manager for Gavial Engineering & Manufacturing Inc in Santa Maria. The firm is a manufacturer of components for multiple industrial sectors such as nuclear, aerospace and power generation. His projects mainly cover manufacturing and assembling components for the nuclear reactor. His understanding of sustainability is that sustainable energy does not exist in reality. He stated that energies such as solar, wind and tidal would not be possible without the Earth and the Sun. Dave believes nuclear energy can last longer for the foreseeable future in terms of efficiency, and it might be the key energy when other resources such as oil and gas are depleted. When...
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...best solution is for addressing or reducing (rather than eliminating) the problem and then make a case for it. After making the case for your solution, summarize one or two alternative solutions and show readers why these alternative solutions will not work as well as your solution. Remember we are basing our argument outcomes on Probability instead of Certainty (Mercury Chapter 4 [Toulmin]). You just need to show that the particular solution you are advocating is “do-able” (we can do it) and “desirable” (we would want to do it). Format: MLA style / 12 point--Times New Roman font / double-spaced Introductory Paragraph: Hook, Topic, Significance of Topic, Clear Thesis Statement Length: 7-9 pages of argument plus a Works Cited page (MLA format). Structure: Follow the “Classical Structure” template handout borrowed from Ramage Sources: Use a minimum of 8 sources. For your final essay, you need to use a mix of summary, paraphrase, and quotations when bringing sources into your essay, and you need to include Explanatory Information (Author Tags with Credentials) as well as in-text citations when bringing sources into your essay. The quality and credibility of your sources will be factored into the essay grade. Essay 3 Example Problem: How can we meet future US energy needs? Researched Solutions: expand nuclear industry, expand coal industry, expand solar...
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...Paper Alternative Energy The continued use of the planet’s fossil fuels will eventually come to an end and will require an ultimatum to be made. Other sources of energy must be found to sustain this dependency that society has created, so it can continue to fuel our everyday needs. Although scarcity is a leading factor in the search for newer resources, the damaged caused by fossil fuels need to be reversed, including pollution and global warming. Every day there are more and more advancements, innovations, or even inventions of new alternative resources that need to be taken advantage of to maintain a stable and reliable source of energy. Alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen energy are more durable and efficient to be used as a substitute for current natural resource uses. Foremost, fossil fuels have been a primary source for energy for years, and had some major consequences alongside them. Pollution is no new name to the harm our environment receives and it comes from the burning of fuel. As well as pollution being created, global warming, which is a huge debate in today’s society, is also caused by burning fossil fuels (Rinkesh “What are fossil fuels”). Not only does it damage our environment, but it causes health problems for its wildlife and our own lives. These hazardous effects will have a long term duration and require a cleaner solution and that is natural resources (Rinkesh “What are fossil fuels”). These alternative energy sources...
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...strengths and weaknesses of the pro-nuclear and the pro-renewable energy lobbies. There are many doubts as to the reliability of fossil fuels and their ability to keep up with the rapid world population growth. This second concern arises as the availability of fossil fuels is declining and many other sources are being suggested as time advances. Moreover, people agree that fossil fuels contribute to global warming as it releases many greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect. Nuclear and renewable energy lobbies are these alternatives, which seem appealing due to their numerous advantages. Nonetheless, there have some weaknesses to consider. Regarding pro-renewable lobbies, environmentally they are the best solution without doubt. Renewable energy is helpful for the environment as it seeks to tackle the enhanced greenhouse effect. As the greenhouse gases released by this form of energy are low, people support these lobbies. Not only do locals support these initiatives, but also tourism would grow, as the ‘clean environment’ would attract foreigners. Furthermore, these lobbies approach the future in a sustainable manor. Sustainability is meeting the today needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Renewables are those capable of natural regeneration over a human timescale, and are infinite in human terms. Nevertheless, there are some weaknesses such as the efficiency of these energy sources, as they depend on climate...
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...Nuclear Power Plant Design for the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (also referred to as the UAE or the Emirates) is a relatively young country that has established a powerful world economy in a short period of time. After breaking ties from the United Kingdom just over four decades ago, the UAE has quickly developed one of the most appealing economies for foreign investment in Western Asia. The Emirates’ largest cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are significant business gateways between the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Leveraging its prime geographical location and plentiful oil and natural gas reserves, the UAE has endeavored to develop its economy to the point that “today, [the Emirates] feels proud of [its] world-class and highly-ranked sea and air ports, which have strongly positioned the UAE as a main hub for trade and travel worldwide,” according to UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed. This improvement-centric mindset coupled with strategic reinvestment in infrastructure sets the United Arab Emirates on a path towards long-term global impact in many business indices. Figure [ 1 ] http://data.worldbank.org/country/united-arab-emirates S S Figure [ 1 ] http://data.worldbank.org/country/united-arab-emirates S S Over the past decade foreign direct investment (FDI) has swelled around the attractive business sector of the United Arab Emirates. Since its inception in 1971, the Emirates’ economy has grown exponentially, with gross domestic...
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...The Health of Future Generations Starts Today James C. Studaway The Health of Future Generations Starts Today “Do you love me? Do you care for what has taken me a lifetime to create for you? Don’t you see the benefits in what I’ve created for your families? Then, why aren't you caring for me? Why do you hurt me so?” No, these aren't the weeping of a heartbroken, young lover. They are Mother Nature’s heart-filled pleas to the citizens of Planet Earth. These are questions we must ask ourselves as guardians, shepherds, and stewards. Mankind’s everyday choices have corrupted nature’s bounty and created a dark pathway for many generations to come. Many feel nature’s tomorrow will take care of itself; there’s no need to fight for it today. However, the health of future generations resides in the hands of what our lifestyles are today and in our conscious efforts to fight environmental poisons and pollutants like carbon-dioxide, pesticides, fossil fuels, environmental and nuclear wastes because tomorrow is not promised (Göpel, 2011). History has a long list of bad choices which seemed to benefit initially; but, only started environmental conditions to fall like dominoes. The age of the Industrial Revolution in America was a major contributor to the lack of environmental responsibility and the care for our country’s water, soil, air, natural habitats, and animal protection. Unfortunately, the general populous felt the needs and benefits of the improvements outweighed the possible...
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...Alternative Energy Alternative Energy Energy is an extremely important resource for people and people can’t live without energy. When energy vanishes from people’s life can cause of paralyzed international institutions. The common energy which people use every day is a fossil fuel such as coal, oil and natural gas. Unfortunately, people face some serious problems with above energy sources such as exhaust resources, greenhouse effect and diverse environment pollution. All of the world barrels of oil reserves have already declined and glaciers are melting. If people don’t invest to find new energy sources, a lot of big problems will come in the future. Tues, creating a new energy could be solutions for the problems which people have so far and in a future. In this respect, the alternative energy sources that have become a hot issue in the world are solar energy, nuclear energy and wind power. Energy Problems People all of world realized energy problems that people face so far. There are not only energy problems but also environmental problems too. The energy sources that people every day use are fossil fuels and oil. Stein and Powers (2011) explained disposal of fossil fuels are cause of environmental problems such as global warming. People need to find out the ways to avoid greenhouse effect. Other kinds of fossil fuels such as coal or oil are also not a perfect energy. They have some toxic. There are some problems about coal. Coal can’t use for mobile applications...
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...insight overview Alternative energy M. S. Dresselhaus* & I. L. Thomas *Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA †Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290, USA Fossil fuels currently supply most of the world’s energy needs, and however unacceptable their long-term consequences, the supplies are likely to remain adequate for the next few generations. Scientists and policy makers must make use of this period of grace to assess alternative sources of energy and determine what is scientifically possible, environmentally acceptable and technologically promising. M odern lifestyles demand a steady, reliable supply of energy: it lies at the heart of our mobility, our prosperity and our daily comfort. But we should not take this energy security for granted. Energy sources can be divided into three broad categories. The first derives from chemical or photophysical energy that relies on oxidizing some reduced substance, usually a hydrocarbon, or absorbing sunlight to generate either heat or electricity. The energy involved is that of a chemical bond or fractions of an electron volt (eV). The second involves nuclear reactions that release energy either by splitting heavy nuclei or by fusing light nuclei. The energy involved in nuclear reactions is in the region of 106 electron volts (MeV) per nuclear reaction. The third is thermomechanical...
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...With the rapid advancement in wind technology, reliable product quality and more than 95% feasibility rates, wind power has become a safe and reliable energy source. With ever-increasing economization of generating electricity using wind power, the costs are becoming comparable to that for coal-fired generators and are lower than petroleum-fired and nuclear generators. Taking into account the intermediary investments in environmental protection and transportation, it is more economical to use wind power in place of coal to generate electricity. In addition, the construction of wind power stations takes a relatively shorter amount of time. The installation and adjustment of a wind turbine system takes a few weeks, and the whole process of land construction, installation and commencement of productions will only take 6 months to one year – a feat which coal-fired or nuclear stations cannot match up to. The investment scope is also flexible; one can chose to install as much capacity as possible based on the available capital. For offshore islands, remote highlands which are inaccessible, vast but thinly-populated grasslands and pastures, and rural villages and frontier regions which are far away from power supply networks and will continue to remain unreached, wind power can be an effective energy source for production and survival, which further enhances its significance. bad aspects The spinning blades kill and maim birds and bats Noise like "brick wrapped in a towel turning...
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...with the sufficient supply of energy in this currently developing world. However as the supplies of oil which is the major source for energy is decreasing and people are becoming more environmentally cautious, a new mean to supply energy are in high demand. Thus, nuclear energy seems to be the ideal alternative source of energy. Mel Schwartz (2011) mentioned that nuclear energy has generated approximately 17% of the world electricity for nearly 1 billion people (p. 706). In the Encyclopedia Britannica described that, “Nuclear energy, also called atomic energy, energy that is released in significant amounts in processes that affect atomic nuclei, the dense cores of atoms” (“Nuclear Energy”, 2013). The term nuclear energy includes nuclear fusion, nuclear fission and nuclear decay (radioactivity). Nuclear fission is the main method used in providing the nuclear energy as is provides the most energy compare to nuclear fusion and nuclear decay. In order to provide a large amount of energy, nuclear power plant is built. By using the heat energy gained from nuclear reaction, it drives the steam turbines which in turns generate the electricity. Nuclear power plant could be environment friendly as it emits low amount of carbon dioxide. The nuclear waste should not be overlook as it has a very long term impact to the environment. PHYSICS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY Nuclear energy can be formed either by nuclear fission, nuclear fusion or nuclear decay. Nuclear fission is the splitting apart...
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...renewed interest in nuclear power as a means of providing for the world’s energy needs. Discuss the implications for Australia’s mining industry? Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter and has the second largest deposit of coal in the world. Although the world is currently in the throes of a global financial crisis, Australia’s economy one of the few in the developed world to stay afloat has been buoyed considerably by its exports industry, particularly that of coal. Despite Australia’s promise to reduce carbon emissions by 5% in accordance with its commitment to the Kyoto protocol, the coal industry has been lucky enough to avoid almost all penalties that other industries are set to receive under the proposed carbon emission trading scheme . This combined with Australia continuing to stall further international discussions on combating climate change has earned Australia the reputation of “A nation of climate sinners” . It is obvious that despite a lot of rhetoric on the importance of addressing climate change, the Australian government is not willing to commit to solving the global challenge of climate change to an appreciable degree while such a large part of the Australian economy is at stake. For the Australian government to fully commit to its promises on combating climate change, a way to free the Australian economy of its coal dependence needs to be found. The world is in a new era of energy production where it is no longer a question of which energy technology will...
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...unlikely to go down in the future. The Industrial Revolution provided us many technologies that required the burning of fossil fuels to work properly. Today, most of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels. Whether it is coal, oil, or natural gas, these fossil fuels are burned to help produce electricity for our use. The burning of fossil fuels can have detrimental effects on our environment. Greenhouse gases and other air pollutants are released from the burning of fossil fuels. Additionally, the continued use of fossil fuels will eventually deplete its supplies. In the interest of preserving the environment and maintaining the supply of fossil fuels throughout the world, we must look for alternative methods that will provide us the electricity that we are so dependent on. A Fossil Fuel Alternative Nuclear energy is perhaps one of the most economical and reliable sources of energy in the United States and probably the world. Out of all the forms of energy, it has the least environmental impact – air, land, and water – if handled properly. Nuclear power plants do not emit harmful gases, like nitrogen oxide or any other greenhouse gas. Various forms of wildlife and even endangered species are able to thrive around nuclear power plants because neither the cooling water that is discharged from the plant nor the emissions contain pollutants that are harmful to the environment. Also, nuclear power plants can produce large amounts of energy in a smaller space, so they...
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