The Renewable Energy to Generate Power, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Renewable energy is not a new concept, it has been with us for thousands of years in different forms. Renewables provide an infinite source of energy and mainly use the natural resources that are part of our natural environment.  Examples of these include: BioMass, Hydro, Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Tidal, Waves etc.   This paper examines the concept of different forms of renewable energy in terms of both advantages and disadvantages.  Comparative analysis between this and other types or fossil or nuclear power.  The concept of renewable energy has been linked to climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as associated with carbon based fuels i.e. coal and oil fired power generation.  Nuclear power has also been proven to be unsafe considering both Chernobyl and the recent earthquakes that destroyed power plants in Japan.  It is argued that Renewable energy represent the only sensible way forward to provide clean and safe energy in the future. (Clean Energy Ideas)

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy focuses upon those types of energy which are generated from within our natural environment.  As such these represent clean forms of energy in that they do not emit harmful pollutants to our environment or CO₂ gases that cause global warming to our environment.  Fossil fuels like coal and oil also deplete the earth of natural minerals and these run out over time.  Renewable sources of energy will provide us with limitless energy resources over time.  Examples of renewable energy sources are:

Wind Power – The Earth’s climate generates a high degree of wind energy. Such power can be harnessed by wind turbine engines.  These can be networked to generate significant amounts of power and can make a significant contribution to the electrical grid.  The power is also radiation and pollutant free using only the natural resource of wind power.  They have been criticized as being both ugly and noisy but placement can be made in non-residential areas, normally high land that attracts sufficient wind power.  They can also be placed in wind farms in offshore positions which are even less of an intrusion. [ See graphic 1 on Page 5 of Graphics & Pictures ].

Solar Power –  Solar power is using power that is captured from the energy of the sun. These panels harvest the electricity or solar energy and are often used for Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB’s).  One of the big advantages of ZEB is that the buildings use as much energy as they can produce and in a lot of circumstances they over produce and then return power to the grid. By metering this consumption and output of energy to the grid, the property owner can take advantage of energy credits.  The meters reverse and the building or home owner receives one or more credits, which may also include a “Renewable Energy Credit. This policy has been substantially employed within the residential areas of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

A Zero Energy Building (ZEB) is a building that has been built for energy efficiencies.  The building is non-reliant upon electric power from the Grid.  Considered eco-friendly the building have several different design concepts. In 2009 Singapore has been demonstrating its’ advancements in green technology and the considerable investment it is making in this area. ”  The ZEB, which is the first of its kind in Singapore, will take in a net of zero energy from the grid throughout the year, while depending primarily on solar systems to fulfil its energy needs” (Board, Singapore Economic Development).  [ See graphic 2 on Page 5 of Graphics & Pictures ]

Bio Fuels – Biofuels are attractive because they reduce the CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.  Biofuels as an alternative energy source may also help to alleviate the current pressure on the use of fossil fuels i.e. oil.  The use of biodiesel is created by extraction from oleaginous crops – including that of Rapeseed, Sun Flower Seed, Soybean and Palm.  These crops are deemed to have a fast growth rate and contain high amounts of oil that could be transformed into clean energy fuel supplies.  The use of microalgae was used as a screening mechanism for the determination of the best products to use for the oil.   The fresh water microalgae (Neocgloris Oleabundans) and that of the Marine Algae (Nannochloropsis) proved to be the most suitable raw materials for biofuel production.  The concept of growing these under Nitorogen greatly increased their oil capacity. (Oliveira).

Initial production of microalgae was tested in airlift bioreactors.  These cultivated in accordance with growth rate medium 37.  This is best explained by the illustration of an experiment performed by members of the Earths Bio Science Institute at the University of California.  A starter culture of selected microalgae strains was entered into a number of small plastic lined ponds using small areas of photo bioreactors.  Oil was extracted upon production of the dried algae biomass.  This compound was re-introduced to the pond after being treated by being dampened and anaerobically digested.   The resulting biogas produced was harnessed for electricity generation and the residue CO2 emissions were reinjected into the pond.  (Benemann). [ See graphic 3 on Page 5 of Graphics & Pictures ].

Hydro and Geothermal power –  Hydro power is essentially generated from large volumes of water that passes through a long collection system and drives turbines that produce electricity.  The province of Quebec in Canada produces large amounts of this cheap electricity and exports this to the Eastern Seaboard Grid of the USA.  Critics argue that hydro power is harmful to the natural environment as it traps and contains natural flowing water.

Geothermal power is derived from hot water springs and can be used to drive steam turbine engines that  produce electricity.  The hot water and steam collected can also be used for domestic heating of houses.  Proximity is based upon the areas where this sort of natural power is available. [See graphic 4 on Page 5 of Graphics & Pictures ]

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages –  The main advantage of renewable energy is the fact that the source is renewable and as such providing a sustainable source of energy; unlike non-renewable i.e. coal and oil which has a limited supply and will run out eventually. Renewable energy configurations generally require less maintenance to operate and as such cost less. This type of energy produces hardly any wastes or pollutants and therefore is environmentally friendly and contributes towards the prevention of climate change and global warming.  Many of the projects bring economic benefits to urban areas and create jobs and employment for areas that are in need of revitalization.

Disadvantages – One of the main issues is on capacity and the ability to produce the volume of energy to replace fossil fuels.  It is unlikely that we will find a single unified solution here but it will prove to be a combination of multiple renewable energy sources that go towards resolution of the problem.  One possibility is the use of Hydrogen as a fuel as it can be split from water i.e. H₂O and the sea is a plentiful supply.  The danger is that hydrogen is extremely volatile as a fuel and prone to combustion – hence a risky option for automobile fuel.  Nevertheless, it is that type of large scale that would be needed to replace fossil fuels

The developing and emerging economies like Brazil, India, China and Russia have vast needs for energy supplies and it is unlikely that renewable energies can be provided in sufficient quantities in order to meet current demand.

The other issue relates to a viable and consistent ongoing supply of the source energy e.g. windpower, solar energy, water for hydro energy etc.  Current supplies are unpredictable and inconsistent for mass production.

Future Direction

The quest for sources of renewable energy is likely to accelerate, given that supplies of non-renewables like Oil and Coal are quickly running out.  In addition, the implications of global warming and climate change have been a stark reminder of the consequences in interfering with the balance of nature.  The main quest will be to find a renewable source that is available in vast quantities, reliable, safe and clean.  Perhaps it is that of Bio fuels that will provide the best answer to our future needs. The fresh water microalgae (Neocgloris Oleabundans) and that of the Marine Algae (Nannochloropsis) proved to be the most suitable raw materials for biofuel production.  The concept of growing these under Nitorogen greatly increased their oil capacity.

Conclusions

For the foreseeable future, until the renewable energy problem is solved, it is likely that we will have to continue using non-renewable sources like Oil, Coal and Nuclear power.  This can however be developed along the lines of a phased reduction program in line with climate change control, as such reducing CO₂ emissions on a country by country basis.  Hopefully, such measures will be sufficient for nature to address the balance until non renewables are completely phased out as a source of mainstream energy supply on the planet.

Science and Technology are in urgent need of a single unified solution to the problem that can be mass produced throughout the planet.  A personal perspective is that this is likely to come from scientific breakthroughs in the Bio Fuels area.  The conversion of marine microalgae from the sea would produce an abundant supply as a source for energy if science can discover a way to mass produce this.  Research centres in California are already addressing this problem.

Graphics and Pictures

Graphic 1 |  Wind Power  | Depicts a wind farm situated in an off-shore setting.  A harmless way of placing obtrusive objects away from residential areas.

Graphic 2 | Solar Power | ZEB Building

A smart building that has introduced solar panels as part of the roof design concept; creating an energy efficient building.

Graphic 3 | Bio Fuel | MicroAlgae process

A process diagram illustrating the production of energy from the Microalgae process

Graphic 4 | Hydro Electric Power

Illustration of Hydro Electric power station and water power being used to drive the turbines

Works Cited

Benemann, T.J. Lundquist I.C. Woertz N.W.T. Quinn J.R. A realistic technology and engineering assessment of Algae Biofuel Production. Academic Report. Berkeley, CA: University of California, 2010.

Board, Singapore Economic Development. 19 10 2009. 10 7 2012 <http://www.edb.gov.sg/edb/sg/en_uk/index/industry_sectors/alternative_energy/industry_background.html>.

Clean Energy Ideas. Renewable Energy Definition. 2012. 10 7 2012 <http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/energy_definitions/definition_of_renewable_energy.html>.

Oliveira, L.Gouveia and A.C. “Microalgae as a raw material for biofuels production.” Society for Industrial Microbiology, 36:269 (2009): 269-274.