Outline - Phoenix Military Academy
Choosing Sustainable Energy
Sandra Tobias
Phoenix Military Academy, Biology, Science Fair Project, Dr. Beatrice Jaji
Author Note
Choosing Sustainable Energy
Introduction: Energy
For billions of years, nature has provided the energy needed to sustain life on earth. The sun heats the earth and provides plants the energy they need to grow. These plants are then a source of energy for the organisms that live on the earth. Rivers and waterfalls have enough power to create large canyons and oceans. The earth also contains energy, filled with molten rock that heats water beneath the surface, providing geothermal energy—an alternative energy source. All organisms that have lived on earth throughout its history have depended on the sun as much as people do today (Daniels, 2010, p. 5). Humans have used and continue to use the earth’s natural resources as sources of energy. For example, people would build waterwheels that harnessed the energy from waterfalls; they also built windmills that used the wind to produce energy. Likewise, humans and animals have also been used and are used to provide energy: carry heavy loads, pull carts, and provide transportation (p. 6).
Fossil Fuels
The Fossil Fuel Industry is one of the largest industries the world. According to the 2007 U.S. Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Review, fossil fuels produce the most amount of energy in the United States at 86.2%; nuclear energy coming second at 8.4%, and Renewable energy, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar/photovoltaic, wind, and biomass, producing the least amount of energy at 6.8% (Black, 2010). Fossil Fuels are made from decaying plants and animals that have been slowly compressed within the earth over millions of years, and they form into hydrocarbon deposits, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas (Black, 2010; Morgan, 2009, p. 6). One of the reasons why fossil fuels have been so successful is because of how relatively cheap and efficient it is to use them as compared to other types of energy. In addition, countries such as China and the United States need more energy to prosper and stay successful; in which case, fossil fuels have always provided them with this advantage. For the most part, people mainly use fossil fuels quickly to fuel cars and create electricity. However, many of the world’s sources of fossil fuels are being depleted. Science experts have estimated that the global oil supply will last around 30 to 60 years at most, while coal will last 200 years, if the rate of energy consumption stays constant. It has been predicted that fossil fuels will run out in the current lifetime. Because fossil fuels have become scarce, their prices have gone up radically. The price for a barrel of oil has rose to $100 per barrel of oil and is forecasted to increase in the years to come (Gunkel, 2006, p. 21; Morgan, 2007). Fossil fuels may have been abundant when they were first discovered, but times have changed. To resolve issues such as climate change and satisfy increasing energy consumption, sustainable energies may prove to be the better choice for energy.
Solar Energy
The sun has always been a source of heat and energy for life on the earth. Ancient Romans would use the heat emitted from the sun to heat infrastructures. In fact, laws were created that prevented new buildings from blocking sunlight to older infrastructures (Daniels, 2010, p. 6). Today’s solar technology can provide usable energy. Solar panels were initially meant to power space crafts by using the sun as an energy source during the 1950’s. In 1964, the Nimbus spacecraft was sent to space, powered by a 470-watt photovoltaic array. However, scientists adapted this technology to provide energy on earth, supplying power to things such as navigation aids, security lighting, and calculators (Ewing, 2009, p. 10). Solar energy is the epitome of a sustainable energy. It emits no GHGs that harm the environment and uses the sun, a free source of energy, to provide power. It does not produce any noise as well, which is ideal for residential and rural areas. The two main types of solar power scientists are focusing upon are solar thermal energy and solar electric energy.
Wind
Another popular energy source that shows a great deal of potential is wind energy. Around 500 B.C.E., Persia would harness the power of wind through sails on ships. Many ancient societies such as in China created wind machines, windmills, to grind grain and pump water (Morgan, 2007, p. 8). Today, wind power can produce electricity to supply the overgrowing energy consumptions. Like solar energy, wind energy only produces only 1% of the United States energy, but can produce much more. Countries such as Denmark, Spain, and Germany are taking advantage of wind power, providing large amounts of energy (Asplund, 2008, p. 125). There are two types of wind turbines: Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT). Most of wind turbines are HAWT design which is a long tower about 130-160 feet tall, with two or three blade propellers, and a generator at the top of the tower that produces the energy. The VAWT design has four curved blades that spin around a vertical tube when the wind blows, like an eggbeater design. However, this turbine is less efficient because the wind is not as strong near the ground (Smith, 2008, p. 15; Morgan, 2007, p. 11).
Water
Using water as a source of energy is not a new concept. Devices such as simple water wheels have been used for thousands of years (Morgan, 2009). For example, the most common type of water wheel, the overshot, has been used in Europe for 2,000 years. Water energy has been the most reliable and most efficient source of energy, converting about 90% of the water energy into usable electricity (p. 32). In addition, there is an abundant amount of water. The main reason why water energy is a potential energy source for the future is because it is a clean energy. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are not released into the air. Some examples of hydroelectric power are dams, wave energy, and tidal energy (p. 32).
Nuclear
The idea of Nuclear Energy being considered a green source of energy is very controversial. Nuclear energy is created by splitting the nucleus of uranium 235, a rare isotope (Morgan, 2007, p. 39). All atoms have a nucleus, made up of neutrons and protons. To obtain this nuclear energy, neutrons are shot at the nucleus, splitting the atom. One of the reasons why nuclear energy is sought out for is because it takes very little fuel to create a large amount of energy. About 1 pound of uranium can produce the same amount as 1,400 tons of coal (p. 42). It is also carbon-free, which is important in the prevention of global warming. In addition, nuclear energy produces no air or water pollution.
Human Behavior: Attitudes and Persuasion
For people to change they must convince themselves that making environmentally conscious decisions is the right thing by developing positive attitudes. People are influenced by the attitude of others towards different things. For example, if a person were to see you recycle their empty soda can and give positive feedback such as “Its good to see that you’re recycling and saving the planet,” this person would be more willing to recycle. Similarly, is someone being to show negative attitudes towards recycling “Are you really recycling?” this person then would be influenced by this reaction and may feel negatively towards recycling as well. Positive attitudes concerning things such as energy conservation may encourage people to make better decisions and actions that can significantly help change the environment (Grolier Educational Corporation, 2002, Vol. 5, p. 57).
References
Asplund, R. W. (2008). Profiting from clean energy: A complete guide to trading green in solar,
wind, ethanol, fuel cell, power efficiency, carbon credit industries, and more. Hoboken,
N.J: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Black, B., & Flarend, R. (2010). Alternative energy. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood.
Daniels, P. (2010). Alternative energy. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press.
Ewing, R. A. (2009). Got sun? go solar: Harness nature's free energy to heat and power your
grid-tied home. Masonville, Colo: PixyJack Press.
Grolier Educational Corporation. (2003). Psychology: Volume 5 Social Psychology. Danbury,
Conn: Grolier.
Gunkel, D. (2006). Alternative energy sources. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Morgan, S. (2007). From windmills to hydrogen fuel cells: Discovering alternative energy.
Chicago: Heinemann Library.
Morgan, S. (2009). Alternative energy sources. Chicago, Ill: Heinemann Library.
Smith, Z. A., & Taylor, K. D. (2008). Renewable and alternative energy resources: A reference
handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.
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