...Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy Why should we promote renewable energy? According to the United States White House, one gigawatt of electricity created by renewable energy can power 290,000 homes for an entire year (White House, n.d.). There are numerous advantages to renewable energy. Once fossil fuels run out, the world will be forced to rely on renewable energy sources. Renewable energy can create energy without creating harmful emissions and further polluting the Earth. The solution for more energy is not a simple one. Many countries are having trouble funding renewable energy efforts (Bell, 2013). Presently there are many negative side effects from producing renewable energy, but these problems can be improved upon. Governments have also made advances in technology difficult by placing restrictions on producing renewable energy which leads to higher prices (EPA, n.d.). While these side effects may be putting a damper on current efforts, eventually renewable energy will become a must. Pros and Cons of renewable energy Using renewable energy sources allows the world to have electricity while lowering and in some cases, eliminating waste and pollution (White House, n.d.). Creating new power facilities would also create numerous jobs and could improve local economies (Bell, 2013). Using renewable power sources could allow governments, companies, families and everyone affected by the new power sources the potential to save money on electricity for extended periods...
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...Name Institution of affiliation Summary Renewable energy is that which uses natural phenomena such as wind, tide, sunlight, plant growth ( biomass), geothermal heat among others. In fact, it is said, “Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources.” (Conference on New and Renewable Energy Technologies for Sustainable Development, Afgan & Carvalho, 2004). This chapter attempts to look at the various sources of renewable energy and how they can be applied in the shipping industry. The renewable energy resources are available across the globe. Unlike traditional sources of energy such as fossil fuel which is located in specific and limited areas, renewable energy sources can be found in most parts of the world. It is believed that with the rapid development of renewable energy coupled with the efficiencies, economies of various countries will sprout and the energy sector will pride itself with having achieved sustainability and stable supply of energy (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.), & United States. 2010). History of Renewable Energy Research has it that biomass is the oldest form of renewable energy whose use dates back to about 790,000 years...
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...America’s Future with Renewable Energy Robert Keith Clark ENG122 Prof. Sabine Meyer May 5, 2013 America’s future with renewable energy Only a very small percentage of the energy from the sun reaches the earth. However, one hour of that sunshine provides enough energy to power the entire world for a year (National Geographic, n.d.). As America moves forward into the 21st century, U.S. environmental policies need to do more to encourage green renewable energy technology thus reducing dependence on foreign oil, while focusing on environmental concerns, and helping to ensure that the United States remains a world leader. Methods Initial research for this project began with a look at U.S. government statistics and websites. However, as the research continued the Ashford library became a valuable source of information. This research paper is a combination of scholarly journal articles and other reliable articles from reputable news organizations. Some of the data came from teams of scientists and other international organizations that collect and organize data about renewable energy and environmental issues. One source that was particularly useful was America’s Energy Future (2009); the book was written by the Committee on America’s Energy future, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Research Council. Even though the information contained in this research project came from reliable sources, the information...
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...Should the global super powers lead an effective way in developing renewable energy? Global super powers rely heavily on energy, so therefore they should develop and fund renewable energy sources. Small countries have a smaller need. They do not have as much capital, so they rely on the global superpowers. Renewable energy is the cleanest way to keep earth clean and free of pollution. Global powers have the resource to advance renewable energy quickly. They have professional people, machinery, technology, money know-how, etc. to make things happen. Different countries in different parts of the world use different kinds of renewable energy. Countries can share with other countries what they’ve learned. This is an effective way to increase renewable energy. The population of the world will greatly benefit from renewable energy. People will be healthier and pollution will be greatly decreased. There will be an ongoing supply of power for every facet of life. Renewable energy must be developed because nonrenewable energy is becoming expensive and environmentally damaging to retrieve. Renewable resources are constantly replenished and will never run out. A clean energy revolution is taking place among global super powers. This generates hundreds of billions in economic activity, and is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years. This...
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...essay will look at the phenomenon of renewable energy. Different states have set up programs to help firms allocate money to provide upgrades to their businesses in form of renewable energy. These state programs are only available to people who live in that particular state. The uprising of these state run programs help keep out international investors. The country of China is investing in the oil and energy market in the United States. This hurts the United States economy because it is taking money out of the American economy and putting it in China’s economy. During a financial crisis it is important to keep funds in the United States economy and not other countries. The United States manufacturing sector produces about 12 percent of the gross domestic product in the United States. The United States manufacturing plants produce 20 percent of the world manufacturing needs ( U.S. Department of Energy, n.d.). Manufacturing factories use a lot of energy. In the 21st century we are seeing a move to conserve energy by way of renewable energy. This move will not only save energy but save money spent on energy. The government of the United States has a good amount of renewable energy projects that they are working on in many of the states. These projects are only granted to people who live in that particular state. It is important that the United States manufacturing firms keeps investing and loaning money to their states to complete these energy projects. These projects will help...
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...Saving Our Planet through Renewable Energy Fossil fuels are made out of dead plants and trees. The United States Energy Information Administration reported the national average of electricity: coal- 49.7%, nuclear- 19.3%, natural gas- 18.7%, hydroelectric- 6.5%, petroleum- 3%, and renewables- 2.3%. Coal is mined in the United States and coal accounts for 50% of the electricity we use. The EPA reported that the warmest 10 days recorded took place in the last 15 years. All of this warming is melting the polar icecaps and is contributing to the rising sea levels. There are about 600 coal-fueled power plants in the United States. Fossil fuels are also linked to our cars. Oil is another huge resource that we use and the United States gets more than 50% of their oil from other countries. The American Petroleum Institute estimated that one 42 gallon barrel of crude oil produces 44.2 gallons of petroleum products. Drilling sites for this oil takes up miles of road and pipelines and they have to have hundreds of drilling pads. In the ocean, they are on the ocean floor. Spills of this oil can happen both on land and in the ocean. The spills occur during pumping; transporting and can contaminate the oceans, soil, groundwater, or surface water. On April of 2010 there was an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that killed 11 men and sent millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This spill cause a catastrophe and endangered many of the sea life and birds. There is a...
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...Renewable Energy Solutions for the State of Arkansas Energy, currently we have renewable and non-renewable energy sources available to us. Examples of renewable energies are solar and wind. Non-renewable energy sources are nuclear, coal, oil and natural gas. As most homes and businesses are currently using non-renewable energy sources, we need an energy solution. How can we protect our earth for future generations? We need to use energy more efficiently and only use what we need. We need a sound energy solution that is efficient and conservational, we need a renewable energy source. For the State of Arkansas, what is the most effective renewable energy source, solar or wind? The way of the future is through renewable energy sources. Two such sources are solar energy and wind energy. These sources are un-limitless in mastering its power. Solar cell panels that transfer the sun energy into power with no pollutants can use solar energy. Harnessing the wind via windmills or turbines for energy production uses wind power. Now that we know about the two different renewable energy sources, let us look at each source and what the positive and negative impacts would be and determine what would be an effective energy source for Arkansas. Some of the positives are the fact that solar power is renewable and has an un-limited supply; there is enough solar energy that falls in a 100-square-mile area of the southwest United States to power the entire nation. One of the issues...
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...Renewable energy is generally defined as energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in four distinct areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, motor fuels, and rural energy services. Based on REN21's 2014 report, renewables contributed 19 percent to our global energy consumption and 22 percent to our electricity generation in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Both, modern renewables, such as hydro, wind, solar and biofuels, as well as traditional biomass, contributed in about equal parts to the global energy supply. Worldwide investments in renewable technologies amounted to more than US$214 billion in 2013, with countries like China and the United States heavily investing in wind, hydro, solar and biofuels. Renewable energy resources exist over wide geographical areas, in contrast to other energy sources, which are concentrated in a limited number of countries. Rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency is resulting in significant energy security, climate change mitigation, and economic benefits. In international public opinion surveys there is strong support for promoting renewable sources such as solar power and wind power. At the national level, at least 30 nations around the world already have renewable energy contributing more than 20 percent of energy supply. National renewable energy markets...
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...Brief: Clean Energy Markets: Jobs and Opportunities April 2010 Update [Type text] In Brief: Clean Energy Markets: Jobs and Opportunities Executive Summary This brief discusses how investment in clean energy technologies will generate economic growth and create new jobs in the United States and around the globe. The United States stands to benefit from the expansion of global clean energy markets, but only if it moves quickly to support domestic demand for and production of clean energy technologies through well-designed policy that enhances the competitiveness of U.S. firms. Clean energy markets are already substantial in scope and growing fast. Between 2004 and 2007, global investments in renewable energy more than doubled. Forecasts of investment totals over the next few decades vary according to assumptions made regarding the nature of future global climate agreements. Annual investments in global renewable energy markets could reach $106-$230 billion a year in 2020 and as much as $424 billion a year in 2030 (in year 2000 dollars). Over the next decade, assuming strong global action on climate change, cumulative global investment totals for clean power generation technologies could reach nearly $2.2 trillion. Recognizing the potential of these markets, China, Europe, and other nations are moving to cultivate their own clean energy industries and position them to gain large market shares in the decades ahead. In 2009, China invested more money in clean energy technologies...
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...Renewable Energy Resources or Fossil Fuels: Global Warming, Efficacy and Cost Jeneen Rybak English Composition II Professor Sharon Carmack December 27, 2012 Throughout history, people have consistently developed a more convenient way to manage daily life. They have created ways to have access to fresh clean water, systems to remove human waste from within the home, heat, transportation, and electricity. People have become accustom to convenience, without thinking about the damage they could be causing to their own environment. It has become apparent that the human race has inadvertently and irreversibly caused damage to the very environment they depend on. Most of this damage is in our atmosphere due to the use of fossil fuels and the emission of carbon dioxide. Now is the time for the U.S Environmental policy to focus on developing renewable energy resources rather than further developing more oil resources. Global warming can be seen in numerous different forms, including severe weather patterns, changing seasons and melting glaciers. Since 1912, the Kilimanjaro snows have melted more than 80 percent and the glaciers of the Himalaya in India are retreating so quickly that researchers believe they could completely disappear by 2035. Even the migration pattern of animals and insects has changed with the rising temperatures (Glick, 2004). Though the cost of renewable energy sources may be slightly higher than oil (Rangarajan, & Guggenberger...
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...Fossil Fuel vs. Renewable Energy: Which is More Environmentally Safe? Cassandra Bohaychyk ENG-122 Professor Welsh June 23, 2013 Fossil Fuel vs. Renewable Energy: Which is More Economical and Environmentally Safe? While both have vital uses in the U.S, oil energy and renewable energy are pitted against each other as the main focuses of resources in the U.S environmental policy because each has an effect on the environment. Renewable energy is constant and can be found all over the nation, but may be costly in different ways. Fossil fuels may be a natural resource but are a one-time use that could eventually become obsolete, and could also be costly. Demonstrating in this research is a plethora of information leading to the outcome of the U.S environmental policy, and whether fossil fuels or renewable resources are best for the environment. Fossil Fuels include coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas are concentrated organic compounds created from remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago formed into biomass. The refining and consumption of these resources have a massive impact on the environment and will eventually be exhausted. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), fossil fuels meet around 82% of U.S. energy demand. According to the Institute for Energy Research, oil is the “transportation fuel” that makes all modern modes of transportation possible and moves both people and goods around the world. Once the products of...
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...into the renewable energy industry. She is looking at one section of the industry to invest in, which is that of contracting the installation of solar panels. Cindy, has read, that families and businesses are saving money by going to solar for their power needed. Also, that there are government back regulation to make solar more assessable to people. For Cindy, she is looking pass the business opportunity for installing solar planes, but that this product can reduce pollution and help save the environment. GDP and Solar Energy In the United States and most nations in the world, energy is vital in keeping society stable and expanding. Energy provides the ability to aid in transportation, activities in daily living and employment. In the United States, $1.2 trillion dollars were spent on energy in 2013 or 8.3% of the GDP. That translates into an annual cost of 3,895 dollars per person was spend on energy consumption. With the great environmental impact seen by the production of energy, there was been more of a call, for renewable energy forms, as that of solar panels. The United States dose consumes 19% of the world’s energy supply and a 19% total of the world’s GPD. With the large needed for energy, companies are looking for new way to produce this produce that cost less and reduces the environmental impact. Renewable energy consumption is projected to increase annually at a rate of 1.6%, on average, between 2011 and 2040, compared to 0.3% growth in total energy. Solar photovoltaic...
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...Theo Lanier Meghan Woods Comp I: Thesis Statement 11/11/2014 Intuitive Energy Consumption In modern day society, I have observed the emerging negative impacts on the natural environment and human society from global climate change, and rising prices of traditional sources of energy. These two physical occurrences have led me to view renewable energy development as an ever increasing, promising approach to mitigating climate change, diversifying energy supplies, and even stimulating economic development. CNN news recently reported that in the United States, renewable energy development is a very active policy arena, in which an array of policy instruments are designed and implemented (CNN, 2011). CNN goes on to describe that over the past decade the states have experienced a rapid growth of renewable energy sources with an accelerating rate over the last few years. It is my ultimate and fervent belief that instead of maintaining oil and coal as the predominant energy sources in the United States, more emphasis should be placed on organic and less harmful renewable energy sources. More importantly, how and to what extent do political factors in each state influence renewable energy development practices. The influence of political institutions, interest groups, and government ideologies in the renewable energy deployment process is very substantial in my opinion. Industries driven by oil & coal consumption such as the automotive and other combustion engine manufacturers...
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...knowledge that therefore California must look towards means of alleviating its contributions to climate change as well as fighting it. The state of California along with the entire United States of America, must shift from the dependence on fossil fuel and non-renewable energy to renewable energy sources by the year 2050 to deal with the...
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...industrial revolution, energy is urgently needed for both daily life and industries. For hundreds of years, human beings have relied on the consumption of energy. People not only cannot live without them but also have to increase the amount for their better living methods and better life quality. Problems come along with increasing energy, especially when the major part of the energy comes from burning coal. Pollution caused by excess burning of coal and trade problems caused by coal prices and coal reserves are so apparent that need to be addressed. However, the advantages of burning coal for energies are so clear for its cheaper price compared to other energies. The balance between benefit and cost is hard to maintain. The choice between continuing current coal consumption and a healthy future is hard to make. For a sustainable society and to improve the quality of the environment and reform the economy, the global consumption of coal needs to be restricted. The balance between economy and environment is hard to maintain. Burning coal for energy has lots of advantages and disadvantages. There are two opposite opinions towards dealing with excess consumption of coal. According to objective global circumstance, it is impossible to ban coal directly. So a debate about whether to restrict coal makes more sense here. The consumption of coal is a fact and there must be a substitute for coal if people want to restrict it. Renewable energy is the most foreseeable energy consumption to take...
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