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Carly Anders

9/27/12

Alternative Energies

In this modern age, the world needs a steady, powerful source of energy to fuel the

increasing amounts of electricity required on a global scale. The current reliance on coal, natural

gas, and nuclear power is not only an environmental hazard, but also a nonrenewable, temporary

solution to the energy crisis. There are many different types of alternative energies, but none

have seriously challenged the relative ease of coal-powered electricity. Alternative sources of

energy such as solar, geothermal, and wind, are considered for widespread use through the

factors of cost, environmental protection, and supply of the source.

The cost of harnessing an alternative energy is the most important factor in implementing

it as a power source. Harnessing the suns energy has been the dream of man since we first felt

its powerful rays of light, but the cost of this dream is keeping it from a widespread reality.

According to Eric Peeters in his article, Faster Than Light the goal for solar energy is to make

it more simple and lower the cost of energy per kilowatt-hour (1). On average, solar

photovoltaic (PV) costs more than the traditional methods of generating electricity, and is

dependent of the quality and availability of the materials (Peeters 1). In his article Solar Power

Generation: Boon or Boondoggle, Ed Hiserodt stresses that the maintenance of the equipment is

very important because the effectiveness of the technology is dependent upon its ability to absorb

heat (17). The heat is transferred to water, creating the steam, which powers a turbine, just like

in other electrical plants (Hiserodt 17). Gioietta Kuo in the article, Geothermal Energy

explains that geothermal energy uses heat from within the earths rocks to power the turbines (5).

This process is much like drilling for oil, and costs about the same amount, which is cheaper than
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the cost of running a solar power plant. However, Steve Steins The Environmentalists

Dilemma states that costs of silicon, the main component of solar PV, have shown a recent

decline, making the construction of solar plants increasingly cheaper (51). The power of wind

energy has been used as a propellant for thousands of years, and is also a strong contender for an

alternative, renewable source. Ian Baring-Goulds video Energy 101: Wind Turbines explains

that the wind spins the turbine blades, which are attached to a shaft that rotates a series of gears

that increase the rotation up to about 1,800 revolutions per minute. This method makes the

conversion into electricity relatively simple compared with other energy alternatives. The price

of wind energy is very similar to that of solar because both require large amounts of equipment

and the purchase of land. On the other hand, the cost of the wind energy per kilo-watt hour is

cheaper than solar energy per kilo-watt hour, according to Charles Patrizias Blowing In the

WindDifficult Issues Facing Wind Generation (1). Unlike wind and geothermal power, solar

panels and mirrors need to be kept very clean to produce the promised amount of power. This

constant upkeep of washes can become costly, especially because of the desert locations of solar

plants, which hinders solar energys competitive edge (Hiserodt 17).

Although the cost of using an alternative energy is important, the effects of current

sources of electricity on the environment are the reason an alternative is necessary. Solar and

wind energies both produce zero pollutants and are completely renewable. Geothermal energy

does produce 122-400kg of CO2 per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated, making it

less environmentally friendly than wind and solar (Kuo 5). However, compared to the to the

carbon dioxide emissions of a coal-fired plant, which is estimated to be around 1,000 kg per

MWh the geothermal CO2 emissions are quite low (Kuo 5). The environmental concern of

both wind and solar energies is the amount of land the two alternatives require. The prime
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location for solar plants in the United States is the deserts of the southwest, which extend for

miles and arent utilized for many other purposes. Native Americans view some of this land as a

sacred place, which should be protected, while some people argue that the lack of development is

what makes the land pristine, and therefore untouchable (Stein 50). The eyesore of the large

production area is a greater concern for wind energy since many optimal wind farm locations are

also desirable real estate investments (Patrizia 5). Major cities like Las Vegas and Los Angles

are far enough away from the sight of desert solar plants, while still maintaining a convenient

distance for harvesting the energy. However, the sight alone isnt the hazard in wind and solar

generation. The southwest deserts are home to several endangered species, and the effects that

solar plants would have on their ecosystem have many environmentalists protesting the

expansion of solar energy (Stein 50). Similarly, wind farms pose a concern for the local flying

wildlife. There have been reports of several types of birds and bats flying into the turbines,

causing a serious threat to endangered species of winged creatures (Patrizia 1). Unlike solar

plants and wind farms, geothermal plants use depth as opposed to square footage. This kind of

spatial requirement wont cause a widespread disturbance or endangerment to any ecosystem. In

addition to depth, geothermal plants, like traditional electrical plants, need a certain amount of

water per mega-watt hour (MWh). However, the production of geothermal energy only uses

20% of the water per MWh required by nuclear, coal, or oil powered plants (Kuo 7).

In many ways the supply of an energy source determines the environmental effects that

source has. Harnessing a renewable energy such as solar, wind, or geothermal wont eliminate

that source from the environment, or keep the earth from enjoying its benefits. Renewability

plays an important role in the selection of an alternative energy because a long term solution is

required that successfully meets the rate of the increasing power consumption. The supply of
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solar, wind and geothermal energies are limitless, but there are contributing factors to acquiring

their power, which complicates the usage of each as an alternative source of energy. Solar and

wind energy are both at the mercy of the weather, making their generation of electricity

intermittent. Although solar power plants are in the sunniest and driest parts of the country, as

soon as the sun goes down or slips behind a cloud, the power stops and a back up source of

electricity would have to kick in. This back up source would have to be generating electricity at

all times, in case of unexpected weather and nighttime use (Hiserodt 17). The locations of wind

farms are strategically placed in areas with the most wind, making the supply relatively reliable.

Unlike the sun, the wind still blows at night, but even the windiest places still have breaks

between powerful gusts. Consequently, both energies need to be supplemented by a more

reliable source until their storage is possible. In contrast, the supply of geothermal energy can be

accessed in many locations where, according to Marylin Nemzers video Geo Thermal Energy:

A Renewable Option high temperature reservoirs are discovered by teams of geologists and

used whenever it is needed. The access of the earths heat is easier though in volcanic regions or

hot spring areas (Kuo 5). The only effect on the supply of this source is the layers of earth

between the surface, where the energy is needed, and the rock that contains the heat to be

utilized.

Its obvious that the world has an ever-increasing need for electrical power. The global

population is expanding beyond the capacity of coal-fueled power plants, making the need to

generate a more efficient source of energy essential to the future. Renewability has become the

most desired quality in the search for a new world power. Alternative energies are still

developing and require more work before they are able to replace traditional sources of energy,

but as long as the improvement continues, the hope for a cleaner, sustainable future is within
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reach. The more progress that takes place in decreasing costs, increasing environmental

protection, and stabilizing the supply of alternative sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal

energy, the closer the world comes to realizing the goal of a steady, renewable power.

Works Cited
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Baring-Gould, Ian, dir. Energy 101: Wind Turbines windpoweringamerica.gov. U.S.

Department of Energy, 3 August 2010. 30 September 2012

Hiserodt, Ed. "Solar Power Generation: Boon Or Boondoggle." New American (08856540) 26.9

(2010): 17-20. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.

https://login.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=49174417&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Kuo, Gioietta. "Geothermal Energy." World Future Review 4.1 (2012): 5-7. Academic Search

Complete. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.

https://login.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=76099701&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Nemzer, Marilyn, dir. Geothermal Energy: A Renewable Option geothermal.marin.org.

Geothermal Education Office, 1997-2011. 30 September 2012

Patrizia, Charles A., Candice Castaneda, and Alexandra D. Konieczny. "Blowing In The Wind--

Difficult Issues Facing Wind Generation." Infrastructure 49.4 (2010): 3-7. Academic

Search Complete. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.

https://login.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=53016597&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Peeters, Eric. "Faster Than Light." TCE: The Chemical Engineer 837 (2011): 34-35. Academic

Search Complete. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.

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https://login.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=60075793&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Stein, Steve. "The Environmentalist's Dilemma." Policy Review 174 (2012): 49-62. Academic

Search Complete. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.

https://login.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=79168260&site=ehost-live&scope=site