Renewable Energy Technology-Assessment 5

Write 3?4 pages in which you outline the pros and cons of a selected method of energy production.

Competency 1: Assess basic environmental health principles, theories, and issues.

Assess the economic issues associated with renewable energy technology.

Competency 2: Analyze the impact of contaminants in the environment to human health.

Analyze the risks to human health associated with renewable energy technology.

Competency 3: Apply personal and professional decisions based upon an understanding of environmental risks.

Illustrate the positives associated with renewable energy technology.

Illustrate the negatives associated with renewable energy technology

Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics

Context

Energy production is essential for our daily lives. Driving our cars, heating and cooling our homes, cooking food, working on computers?almost everything we do?requires energy. As petroleum prices have increased, interest in other energy sources has also increased. The Assessment 5 Context document provides a brief introduction to alternative energy sources. You may wish to review this document for key concepts and ideas on this topic.

Renewable Energy Technology-Assessment 5

Assessment 5 Context

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process used to extract natural gas from once unreachable shale rock layers deep in the earth. To release the natural gas, highly pressurized fracking fluids (water mixed with various chemicals and sand) are injected, via steel pipe, into the ground to create cracks or fractures. This releases gas which flows to the surface to be collected in wells. Environmental concerns associated with fracking include water use, toxic chemicals, health concerns, surface and ground water contamination, soil contamination, air quality, and waste disposal.

One of the most important aspects of any energy policy is energy conservation. As consumer demand for oil drops, prices decline; and the length of time oil can be relied on is extended. To help reduce oil use, government regulations (NHTSA, 2014) have required greater fuel efficiency in cars through the creation of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Congress has also required the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs in favor of the more energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Like many new technologies, the upside of the compact fluorescent’s energy saving capacity is countered by the downside that compact fluorescents require the toxic chemical, mercury, for their production.

Renewable Energy Technology-Assessment 5

There are many alternatives to using petroleum and coal for energy, but each comes with a unique set of problems. Most new technologies, like solar and wind power, are very costly to start up. Nuclear energy has its own unique drawbacks.

Using nuclear energy is attractive to many because the technology is already in place, and it can generate large amounts of electricity from one plant. But the risks associated with nuclear energy are high. For example, there is no current solution as to how to deal with nuclear waste. No matter how carefully built and maintained a nuclear plant may be, there is always the risk of an accident. Further, nuclear plants can also be a target for terrorist activity, and the nuclear waste can be used to power nuclear weapons.

It is certain that we will see the emergence of new energy technology, but it seems unlikely at this point there will be one simple answer. Wind, solar, and geothermal energy are useful in certain geographic areas, but it will take many different solutions to fulfill the energy demands of the worldwide population.

Renewable Energy Technology- Assessment 5

References

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (2014). Energy in brief. Retrieved from http://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/article/major_energy_sources_and_users.cfm

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (2014). CAFE ? Fuel economy. Retrieved from http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy.

Questions to Consider

To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.

What is your opinion on nuclear power as a source of energy? What are the strengths in your position? What are the weaknesses?

If someone holds a different opinion about nuclear power than you have, what are the strengths in their position? What are the weaknesses?

Has the event at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan influenced your opinion on nuclear power?

What were the immediate radiation concerns of the Fukushima disaster, and what are the ongoing issues with radiation? How widespread is the radiation pollution?

What are the potential environmental and health implications of fracking? Do you think it is a viable method to obtain more fossil fuel resources? Why or why not?

Resources

The following resources are required to complete the assessment.

APA Template – Will attached

Click the links provided below to view the following multimedia pieces:

Alternative Energies

Introduction

Petroleum (oil) is a fossil fuel and a non renewable resource. As our supply of petroleum dwindles and prices rise, the search for alternative fuels intensifies. Learn more about petroleum alternatives below.

Order Custom Essay: Renewable Energy Technology-Assessment 5

Solar Power

Solar power harnesses energy from the sun.

Pros
No pollution after manufacturing and transporting solar panels.

Silent technology.

Allows the harnessing of energy in areas that are off the grid.

Solar panels can be installed on rooftops.

Energy can be stored for use during non-sunny times.

Cons

?Initial cost of panels is high.
?Sun dependent (don’t work when it is overcast or at night).

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric energy is created when water flows downhill and the water is then used to drive turbines. In a hydropower plants water flowing through a dam turns a turbine, which turns a generator.

Pros

Large amount of electrical power can be produced by a moderately sized station.
Sustainable.
Proven technology.
No CO2 emissions.

Cons

Building of dams is usually environmentally destructive.
Species loss can occur when dams are built.

Natural Gas

Pros
Proven technology.
Easily transported.
Emissions are lower than other fossil fuel sources.

Cons
Not a renewable resource.

Hydrogen

Pros.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel.
Sustainable resource.

Cons

Hydrogen is commonly separated by using natural gas or other fossil fuels.

Expensive infrastructure needed for production, storage and transportation.

Can be dangerous explosive.

Biomass Fuel

Pros
Renewable.
Proven technology.
Can be used to burn waste from agriculture

Cons
?Creates pollution.
?Expensive technology.

Geothermal

Geothermal Energy uses heat from inside the Earth. Three main types of geothermal energy include heat pumps (pumps heat from earth’s surface), how water from near earth’s surface, hot dry rocks (Obtains heat from rock by digging deep wells).

Order Custom Essay Renewable Energy Technology- Assessment 5

Pros
If done properly can be sustainable.

Non-polluting.

Little environmental impact.

Cons

Construction of power plants can have negative environmental impact.

Geothermal sites can run out of steam.

Initial expense is high and can require a lot of space.

Wind
Wind energy is created when the power of wind is harnessed usually using wind turbines.

Pros
Non-polluting.
Sustainable.
Well proven technology.
Can be used on small scale (individual homes or businesses).

Cons
Only works when the wind blows.
Unsightly to some.
Susceptible to lightning damage.
Some turbines are noisy.
Can be problem for birds (disruption of migratory patterns, killed by turning blades).

Nuclear
Nuclear energy comes from the splitting of atoms. The heat that is produced can create steam to power turbines that power a generator.

Pros
No greenhouse gases.
Produces large amounts of energy.

Cons
Expensive.
Nuclear Waste Disposal.
Nuclear Accidents.
Possibility of plutonium from the fission reaction being used during war or terrorist attack.
Not a renewable resource.

Ocean
Ocean energy can come from ocean waves, tides or ocean thermal energy

Pros
Sustainable.
Non-polluting.

Cons
Current technology is not cost effective.
Not proven on commercial scale.
Potentially damaging to sea bed and sea life.

Coal

Pros
Proven technology.
Inexpensive.
Efficient.

Cons
Major producer of greenhouse gases.
Cause of acid rain.
Not a renewable resource.

Credits
Subject Matter Expert:Casey Armour-Price

Interactive Design:Alyssa Wilcox

Instructional Designer:Peter Lindner

Project Manager:Karen Dodd

Image Credits:? iStockphoto

Library Resources

?Friis, R. H. (2012). The Praeger handbook of environmental health. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

?Volume 1: Foundations of the Field.

?Chapter 20, “Renewable Energy.”
I will attached.

?Volume 2: Agents of Disease.

?Chapter 22, “Ionizing Radiation.”
will attached

?Volume 3: Water, Air, and Solid Waste.

?Chapter 25, “Pollution from Oil and Gas Development.”
will attached .

?Philip, R. B. (2014). Environmental issues for the twenty-first century and their impact on human health. Sharjah, UAE: Bentham Science Publishers.

?Chapter 6, “Governments, Corporations and the Environment.”

will attached

?Chapter 7, “What Can Be Done: Are There Remedies?”(will attached)

?Rom, W. N. (2012). Environmental policy and public health: Air pollution, global climate change, and wilderness. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

?Chapter 10, “Global Warming Science and Consequences.”

?Chapter 11, “National Green Energy Plan.”

?Chapter 12, “Climate Change Policy Options.”

Will attached.

Renewable Energy Technology-Assessment 5

?Anscombe, N. (2014, July). Getting to grips with shale gas. Engineering & Technology, 9(6), 70?73. will attached.

?Li, J., Vishwanath, A., & Rao, H. (2014, January). Retweeting the Fukushima nuclear radiation disaster. Communications of the ACM, 57(1), 78?85. Will attached

?Siegel, F. (2014, June). The poverty of environmentalism. Society, 51(3), 258?261.

?Welsh, T. (2014). The future of energy production. U.S. News Digital Weekly, 6(18), 16.

?Ozzie Xehner: Alternatives to alternative energy [Interview]. (2012, September). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 68(5), 1?7.

?Zhivov, A. M., Case, M., Liesen, R., Kimman, J., & Broers, W. (2014). Energy master planning towards net-zero energy communities/campuses. ASHRAE Transactions, 120(1), 114?129.

?Hilgenkamp, K. (2006). Environmental health: Ecological perspectives. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

?Chapter 11, “Energy.” This chapter addresses concerns of fossil fuel use, alternatives to fossil fuels, and the concerns of alternate technologies.

?Chapter 12, “Radiation.” This chapter looks at possible sources of radiation exposure and the health implications of radiation exposure.

Assessment Instructions

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate alternative energy sources and to understand that there are positives and negatives to the alternatives.

To begin this assessment, research a specific renewable source of energy. Then, in a 3?4-page report, outline the pros and cons of this method of energy production. To build your argument and support your evaluation, address the following:

?Identify and analyze the economic considerations (such as the cost per kilowatt for large-scale renewable energy source, costs of construction, and so forth) of using this method of energy production.

?What are the environmental benefits of this energy source?

?What are the environmental downsides, if any, to this renewable energy technology?

?Analyze the risks to human health associated with this technology.

?What conclusions have you reached with regards to this topic, and why?

Additional Requirements

Use the APA Paper Template (linked in the Resources under the Required Resources heading) to format your report.

Font and Font Size: Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced. Use Microsoft Word.

APA Formatting: Resources and in-text citations should be formatted according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting.

Number of Resources: You are required to cite a minimum of 2 scholarly resources. You may conduct independent research for resources and references to support your report. Provide a reference list and in-text citations for all of your resources, using APA format. You may cite texts and authors from the Resources.