Musings...
This week's session focused on the dilemma of energy. Energy, as we know it today, is an unsustainable resource because much of the world's energy is derived from the burning of fossil fuels. And as we all know, fossil fuels are a very limited resource on this tiny earth. Thus, this sparked the first issue that hit me like a brick wall. The idea of energy security - will we have enough energy for the future? And what are we doing to diversify our energy sources? These were issues that seem to be dire to me as the impacts will occur during our lifetimes and it is something we need to address within a strained time window. As we all know, the current energy resource, fossil fuels, create heavy pollution which is steadily wearing out ozone layer thin. And this is narrowing the window of time we have to solve these problems. Global warming, as its name entails, is a global threat meaning no one can escape the effects of such a devastation were it to perpetuate. But, I'm sidetracking. The issue is that we need to find a sustainable, renewable energy source that is environmentally and ozone-friendly and we need to find it now.
Moving from the ultimate issue of this week's session, Prof discussed with the class about the sources of energy that are present today. Currently, we are largely utilizing the sources of energy from below the ground. Sources like coal, lignite, crude oil, geo-thermal energy, natural gases and uranium. Unfortunately for the human race, these underground sources either produce heavy amounts of pollution when burned for energy or they are simply radioactively dangerous. Uranium, which is a naturally-occurring radioactive substance produces a good amount of usable energy, but we have to deal with the radioactivity involved - much like nuclear energy today. The recent Fukushima incident has left everyone fearing such technology as the health risks if such incidents were to happen again would spell a second Chernobyl. The other sources, although less health-risky, have adverse effects on the environment. Sources like coal and crude oil have to be burned to produce heat energy, and in the combustion processes they release greenhouse gases like CO2 and thus, are seen as an unsustainable source in addition to the fact that these underground sources are slowly but surely running dry.
On the other hand, the sources of energy that can be harnessed above ground are largely renewable and green. Green in the sense that they do not produce harmful gases or deplete the ozone or contribute to the greenhouse effect. Furthermore, such sources have a high propensity to be renewable, or ever-lasting as long as the solar system does not decide to change rapidly in the near future. As raised by Prof, these sources are based on the sun's energy and the overall planetary position of the earth. The most abundant source, which will be highlighted in an extremely interesting fact later on, is solar energy which comes directly from the sun. Hydro energy which is harnessed from the movement of water or the tides in relation to the gravitational forces of the earth and the moon. Wind energy which is a byproduct of thermal forces and heat from the sun. Biomass energy which is derived from the decomposition or the breaking-down of biomass, which is any material that is present in nature, in order to use as fuel. All the sources of energy above the ground are largely sustainable, renewable and green. But why hasn't the world started shifting to these sources full-time? What are the obstacles that are stopping us?
I believe the hindering forces of utilizing such sources of energy are far and many. However, the outcome of not utilizing such energy and remaining dependent on our current sources would ultimately be dooming. Hindrances like increased costs are a huge factor for why the world is not completely using green energy right now. Increased costs are inevitable when new apparatus and equipment have to be installed. Not everyone has the capital to engage in such investments especially the layperson. Thus, responsibility falls on the government to encourage such investment by providing subsidies and financial incentives to suppliers and consumers alike in order to better facilitate the transition to green energy. As discussed in class, taxation on fossil fuel-based energy can discourage companies and consumers in continuing the oil-driven suicide and to help the environment by going green when alternative, green energy is made readily available. Although the transition to green energy may not be smooth, it is imperative that this initiative is a global effort as no single country can turn the tide of global warming on her own. Thus, I believe that the government support in such initiatives is a very important factor to the success of this transition and companies need to be able to focus on such moves knowing that sacrifices may have to be made.
The most interesting fact that has struck me in T.W.C. so far would have to be this one. Upon calculating the EJ of energy taken from the sun, it is predicted that an hour of absorbing solar energy (assuming it is done globally) can supply a year's worth of energy to the entire world. This to me was completely mind boggling. After factoring in the lack of infrastructure in less developed parts of the world, it is still possible to attain a year's worth of energy within a 24-hour earth rotation cycle if most of the world installs solar panels - all hypothetical. This would be amazing in terms of the future of energy. If the human race were able to utilize one single day to harness enough energy to supply the world's electrical systems for a year then we would be set on so many levels. Furthermore, if such energy can be transferred to power other systems like cars, planes etc. then we would no longer be dependent on fossil fuels and we would be living a green, sustainable energy cycle. This is assuming that in the future, the global solar panels will provide energy freely throughout the globe and there would be no monopolies and no selfishness between countries and no malicious agendas (this is a HUGE assumption). Hopefully, the world can unite under the green energy umbrella and come up with this global initiative for the betterment of future generations.
Another interesting initiative was brought up during one of our classmate's presentation. Joe's presentation was about the smart grid technology that was implemented on Jeju Island, South Korea. To me, it was a huge step in the right direction for mankind. This technology was the future of utilizing sustainable energy. From solar panels to wind-harnessing devices, much of the houses within the smart grid were powered by such energy, reducing the monthly energy costs of households in the area greatly. This was a great initiative as it was supported by the Korean government coupled with the great innovations of companies that sought to advance green technology. In addition, the man who was interviewed was an elderly chap, showing that this technology was nothing extreme, neither was it too complicated for the average person. Although this technology has not been fully implemented on that large a scale, it was a great start and should be viewed as an exemplar for countries who are whining about costs and setbacks. For once, there might be a ray for hope for a sustainable future. Just a ray.
Personal rating for this session: 9.4567/10
Off to further musings,
James G14
No comments:
Post a Comment