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Week 5 [7.11 - 13.11] Alternative Sources of Energy

The term "renewable energy" refers to hydro energy from biomass, solar, wind, geothermal and ocean. They cover only 2% of global energy consumption - although their development in recent years is extremely fast. The current state of development of each technology often does not allow them even to the competitive functioning on market, because profits from them are delayed. In addition, many conventional energy sources still receive subsidies, and do not take into account associated with their use of external costs (especially the environmental pollution).

http://fs-unep-centre.org/sites/default/files/webbild_0.jpg


The starting point for discussion of the "green energy" is global warming. Much attention is paid to such energy sources and technologies which acquisition and processing do not involve the emission of CO2. In addition, exploration and development of "green" energy technologies can resolve a number of other problems that conventional sources of energy create today. It is limited access to fossil fuels, especially oil. Many of them are located in politically unstable areas, which are often the subject of internal and international conflicts, including armed ones. Access to energy resources in the twenty-first century may become the most important source of global antagonisms, and today is an instrument of political and economic struggle of states and large corporations. Strong fluctuations in commodity prices on world markets destabilize the trade.

Renewable energy sources open a vast field of opportunities for social and economic change. The development of "green" technologies may constitute an impulse to the development of innovative economy, but it also creates  very different labor markets that require different levels of qualifications. "Green energy" allows more people to work. Most renewable energy sources are modular in nature - can be used by many small and autonomous producers and consumers at the same time, often self-sufficient. This allows, for example, the inhabitants of sparsely populated regions to gain energy and relative independence from big distributors.



A Plan for 100% Renewable Energy by 2050

http://static.skepticalscience.com/pics/Ecofys_Fig4.png

http://static.skepticalscience.com/pics/Ecofys_Fig4.png


All of the above examples do not mean that the technologies associated with renewable energy sources make in different parts of the world there will be equality and prosperity. They are only an instrument - the ultimate effect of their use is instead the result of specific policy decisions and the technical dimension of individual solutions.



Comments

Sylwia Pechcin said…
Actually I don't know what to say. I am not keepn on the whole eco thing, so it really doesn't matter to me what kind of energy we use. We have to be aware, that someday the Earth will disapear or be so damage that it will be impossible to live here, it's natural course of events and we have to deal with it. Of course we can try to save our planet by using, like you said, alternative sources of energy, but still it's a matter of time.
Unknown said…
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Unknown said…
As for now I'm not the most eco person, but I care about switching off the lights and turning water.
I think that it is important to use alternative sources of energy. I'm a fan of solar panels, because it doesn't take many special place - it can be installed on a roof of a house/building. It is expensive, but as a good investment it will give you back money you put there - multiplied :)
I also like the idea of energy took from water, for example "collected" at dam, in Poland it is at Solina.
And - of course - wind power plants.
There is more alternative source of energy, but those are the most popular and it shows that it isn't that hard to gather the energy without pollution.
Unknown said…
Pollution is really not a problem, since if that really becomes such an issue, we can always colonize Mars. We could harvest natural resources there, or build a lot of turbines (Mars is a very windy planet), and send the gathered energy in spaceships back to Earth. Worst case scenario is when we actually somehow destroy the Earth, and need to move to Mars ourselves, but it's still an option.
Ihor Ahnianikov said…
I think that researching renewable sources important just because we will be out of oil one day, and it's important to find an alternative to it. There're many uplifting news about alternative energy sources, for example study shows that solar panels price falls 10% a year, also recently Tesla presented solar panels that look exactly like roofing tiles so every house can have a renewable energy solution.
Unknown said…
I am a big fan of all alternative sources of energy especially those experimental. Last week I have read about few of them:
1. Goodyear releases electricity-generating tire (concept),
2. Solar energy from space (http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/japan-solar-energy-from-space/ I recommend all of you to read about this)

But the most interesting thing about which I have recently read is concept of converting wasted heat to electricity.

Main advantages:
Elimination of Ozone Depleting materials: Using the waste heat as a form of electric power has multiple advantages. Whereas on one hand, using the theoretical model of molecular thermoelectric helps in increasing the efficiency of cars, power plants factories and solar panels, on the other hand efficient thermoelectric materials make ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, outdated.

Molecular thermoelectric devices may help in harvesting energy from the sun and reduce the dependence on photovoltic cells, whose efficiency in harvesting solar energy is going down.

How It Works?

Though having worked on the molecule and thinking about using them for a thermoelectric device, Bergfield and Stafford had not found anything special till an undergraduate discovered that these molecules had special features. A large number of molecules were then sandwiched between electrodes and exposed to a stimulated heat source. The flow of electrons along the molecule was split in two once it encounters a benzene ring, with one flow of electrons following along each arm of the ring.

The benzene ring circuit was designed in such a way that the electron travels longer distance round the rings in one path, which causes the two electrons to be out of phase when they reach the other side of the benzene ring. The waves cancel out each-other on meeting. The interruption caused in the flow of electric charge due to varied temperature builds up voltage between electrodes.

The effects seen on molecules are not unique because any quantum scale device having cancellation of electric charge will show a similar effect if there is a temperature difference. With the increase in temperature difference, energy generated also increases.

Thermoelectric devices designed by Bergfield and Stafford can generate power that can lit a 100 Watt bulb or increase car’s efficiency by 25%.
Unknown said…
I am not a real eco person actually, but I think renewable energy is something very useful for people. There are only profits in using this types of energy. Solar panels are a really good invention - you can put it basically anywhere you want, you just need some area (roof of your house, your field). Installation is expensive of course, but it is also gonna make profits. Big ones, truth to tell. So maybe it's not that bad idea to invest some money in it ?
Unknown said…
To be honest, I'm not up to date with every single information about being eco. I mean I don't know statistics, tech news and so on. But it doesn't mean I don't care about it. I'm convinced all eco-inventions improve eco situation on Earth.

So is it a thing that depends on us - simple people, students, teachers and other programmers?
Sure. I agree with Paulina who switches off light and turns water.
If somebody says it doesn't matter, I have proposition: give me 30 zł from your monthly salary. I doubt if anybody agrees. Why if such small sum doesn't matter?

It makes me angry when somebody says "I don't care because it is the fact some day the Earth will disappear or be damaged" or "come on people, we can move to other planet". In my opinion it not worthy to comment such irresponsibility. Let's damage everything and move then. Wrrr!
Fortunatelly, I have an impression there are more people who care about the environment.

Like most of the people, who commented this article before me, I'm also not up to date with all the news from this "green energy" world. However, it doesn't mean I don't care about being eco at all, I do. I don't have any single non-LED bulb in my apartment (except those installed in household appliances like ovens), I always try to remember not to leave devices in stand-by mode when I leave my flat and so on. I believe that taking care of such small things on a global scale makes our environment better to live. What is more, microgeneration and self-sufficiency of domestic power plants is in my opinion a right direction to take. In traditional solutions costs of electric power transmission are usually relatively high, what is not the problem in case of microgeneration. Personally, I just want to use my devices like I use to. I mean if I switch to renewable energy solutions and it doesn't require any extra effort from me afterwards, I will definitely give it a try.
Unknown said…
I exactly feel the same, totally don't get it when somobody says he/she don't care because The Earth will disappear anyway.

We all as the human beings should care for planet on which we live, it means we should be aware what's good for it and try to prevent destroying it. Every person, even a child could help protecting it by living responsibly for example saving water, which is so important, moreover, essential for life and which is in a short supply in some parts of the world such as: Africa, South-West Asia, Australia, South America, even North America in the south part. Researches have shown that every seventh person on Earth is running out of water.
Unknown said…
I wish we had more renowable energy in Poland, thus the Government would care not for really quick financial profits, but look wider with the view to establish viable green sources of energy in the future. Then what will be profitable for our planet, will also be advantageous to us.
Unknown said…
The limitation of resources would be a very serious problem in future, causing destroy of world economy, therefore creating international conflitcs, which affect all people. So in my opinion supporting and investing in renewable sources of energy is good idea, because people will feel more secured.
Piotr Basiński said…
We should use eco energy. Solutions that will allow as to reduce polutions are good for us and enviroment. Governments should support eco energy more.
This comment has been removed by the author.

I was very familiar with ECO energy in a Company that I used to work for. They didn't use solar panel farm as it's being made in USA (Las Vegas etc.). Poland is located in a climate zone where Solar energy might be used only for about 7 out of 12 months - this is not very profitable and usable. Company I worked for made a were using a simple process to create energy - Corn Crops for Biomass. The bought many farms to made corn crops. When crops were harvested, they were put in a special silos. All that was needed extra, was some time and temperature - the crops started to decompose and created bio fuel - really a lot of it. That was very profitable way to gather quite clean energy and sell it to energetic companies.

I think ECO ways are the future of our mankind - we have reached a limit of very high pollution - it's getting higher day by day and we must stop it. Of course it will come with many protests - like every time a coal mine is being shut down - but sooner or later we will have to do it.
Maciej Główka said…
It is crucial for all nations to switch to renewable energy. I know, that it is far more expensive than coal for example, but if we want for our grandchildren to live in same Earth we live, we must start to move to green energy as quick as we can. I know, that countries won't switch to green energy in few years period, but they need to start moving to it right now before it will be to late. National Geographic made really good documentary about our environment and green energy, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2fr-nrQJo0
Kacper Zaremba said…
Moving to renewable energy is very important for our planet. Luckily, with recent technology improvements green energy is becoming much more affordable. For example Tesla recently came up with solar panels that look exactly like roof tiles. You just put them on your roof and nobody will notice, that you have solar panels. Moreover, you can buy a PowerWall, which is some kind of battery, which charges during the day when the sun operates the most, and when you come back from work in the evening you can use that energy.
Unknown said…
Interesting topic. Which may save a life of future generations? And seams so not important for our generation.

I love what Elon Musk did about it with their team. Like for example Tesla. It’s a huge step forward. Also their new project “Roof Tiles”. Will help you to make a solar roof which can be cheaper than usual roof tiles. So they make reusable energy more popular and affordable.

In few years I’d like to move to Holand and live in a zero-waste house. House made of trash and which uses renewable sources of energy
Moode said…
From my point of view, one of the most surprising things I have noticed when I moved to Europe it that the governments and UE itself are providing lots of programs which will encourage that people to think about saving the energy without having to spend lots of money on this. For example, you can get a great donation for instating the solar heating or energy systems in your house.

There is also a great world wide social movement which reminds us on the need to save energy – it is call Earth Hour and this year it was on Saturday, March 19, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time all around the World.
kondrat said…
I'm a great fan of solar roof tiles. Tesla after buying SolarCity company has introduced ago new product- solar roof tiles. The best thing is that those tiles look like regular ones. Because of special paint, which is transparent at the angle sun shines at roof, human eye can't see solar cells inside the tile (while standing on the pavement).
Andrzej Gulak said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eco energy is great, but it's very costly to maintain in long run, that's why I'm sure we'll use natural resources for many more years to come, until they become so rare and expensive that eco energy will actually be cheaper.

Sadly that's how it works, it's easier to to pollute Earth rather than doubling or even tripling electricity bills. Eventually Earth will be indeed so damaged and polluted that living here will no longer be possible, but let's hope that with science and education we can postpone that until much, much later.
At some point in time we'll be forced to use renewable energy whether we like it or not. Although nuclear power is very efficient and would suffice for a long time, risks included with it make it less appealing. Solar or wind energy seems to be an answer but it's not as cost-effective as we would like it to be.
Unknown said…
I am really happy that someone put this topic forward. First of all our environment needs that help and change from us. Alternative sources of energy are hope for us and our offspring. I have impression that we have forgotten about natural world beeing focused on technology development and our more and more comfortable life and already blast too much. We can not keep on doing and thinking this way, but it seems like society starts to change some of the bad habits e.g by inventions attributable to alternative sources of energy.
Unknown said…
I'm a big fan of nuclear fusion. I don't support half measures like wind or solar power plants. Fusion is clean and we have fuel for millions of years. It's one of the most efficient known ways of obtaining energy. It makes me sad that nuclear fusion research is still so underfounded. Fusion powerplants could make all other sources of energy completly obsolete and allow us to use electrical energy almost without limitations.
Michał Pycek said…
I try to live in an eco way, I segregate trash, plastic, glass, paper, I try to save energy at home, switch off the sockets which I do not use and switch off the lights. I am also planning on buying a hybrid one day. I am not an eco freak, but I do think that we should take more care about our enviroment, because of one, important privilege which we have - we have the knowledge and the awareness which we have not had in many years prior.
This is why I think we, as nations, countries and governments, should invest in alternative sources of energy.
Wojtek Kania said…
I think that "eco energy" is one of the most important problem of 21 century. We must change our sources of energy to eco like sun, water, wind. It's possible to use these eco. But in my opinion there is a huge lobby like sheikhs. Because of them we must waiting for "eco energy" for a many years.

I think that renewable sources of energy are very important. We should switch to green energy as soon as possible, because we will someday run out of coal or oil. Our future lies in green energy, in the long run it is much more profitable than coal or gas, wind or solar power are unlimited and free! Solar panels are getting more and more efficient, and their price is decreasing. I hope that in a couple of years they will be on every roof of every home.
I hope that Roof Tiles will be the next thing that will revolutionize the market! :)
I like the idea of renewable sources of energy as not in a long time the fossil fuels will go down.
I think everybody should be aware how they could replace the conventional sources of energy and maybe replace traditional sources with renewable in the future.
KamilG said…
I think that everyone should be careful about our Earth. In my opinion, until most of us will understand that being "eco"
isn't only a slogan, we will be destroying our only one place to life.
Personally I think that not only education in schools should be practiced but also the government should offer habitants benefits encouraging to use eco energy.
I agree that using renewable sources of energy is really vital to saving the planet we live in or maybe just extending its survival. We can't go on consuming its resources forever. They are not endless.
I probably wouldn't like to live in a house made of trash (even after recycling), but I like the latest trend of reusing solar energy. Tesla is not the first company to introduce solar roof tiles, but I hope that it will be the first to popularize it :)
Unknown said…
I agree with this article beacause renewable energy its good way to stop spend resources from out planet. Resources like coal or petrol will disapear in the future but the renewable energy could substitute it

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