Renewable Energy Ruhi Molay

1- ABSTRACT

The unprecedented increase in average temperature of the Earth has initiated problems ranging from radical whether shifts to declining agriculture yields. The paramount problems that will be faced in the sooner time period has necessitated the wide spread usage of energy sources that are replenished. Accordingly, the present study will focus on forms of renewable energy sources, causes of global warming and will call the attentions of the readers towards mechanisms of cost reduction for renewable sources. The study will be finalized with general remarks on the matter and will broadcast the perspective of the author himself.
Keywords: Sustainable energy sources, global warming, climate changes, temperature, green house impact.

2- INTRODUCTION

2.1. 1

Renewable energy is a replenished energy sourced from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat. Wind power, hydropower, solar energy, bio-fuel and geothermal energy are the major forms of renewable energy (Santer, Boyle and Parker, 1996).
2.2. Global Warming

Global warming is the unfortunate consequence of the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near surface air and oceans since the mid of 20th century.
2.3. Global Warming Facts

Abrupt regional changes in whether conditions are among the most noticeable repercussions of global warming. Severe droughts that have lasted many years have changed many civilizations and have altered the concept of stable climate. The resulting picture of unstable ocean-atmosphere has initiated debates concerning the human involvement through greenhouse gases and aerosols (Santer, Wigley, Barnett and Anyamba, 1996).
Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) between the start and the end of the 20th century which is expected to rise 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the 21st century. The most dramatic result is that global warming will continue beyond 2100 even if emissions stop due to the heating capacity of the ocean and the long life time of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Schellnhuber, 2004).
The changes in sea levels, expansion of tropical deserts, unexpected shifts in extreme whether conditions, extinction of some species and decline in agriculture area productivity are the priority issues of global warming. Water scarcity in some regions, changes in mountain snow pack, and adverse health effects from whether changes are the expected results. Social and economic impacts of global warming will be strengthened as population grows at unprecedented levels in affected regions (Lacis, Wuebbles and Logan, 1990).
Economic affects of global warming will be realized at industrial level: agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries industries will face shifting structures. Other sectors vulnerable to climate change are energy, construction, insurance, tourism, and recreation industries. Market sector impact in terms of demand will equal to plus or minus few percent of the world GDP however the aggregate impact of climate change on most of these sectors is uncertain due to sensitivity problematic of the prediction methods (Keeling, 1998).
2.4. Problem Statement

Normal energy sources have limited usages and pose problems of extinction. In addition to this issue, normal energy resources are not environmental friendly; the side effects of such usages exacerbate the impact of emissions hence the global warming.

2.5. Purpose of the Study

The present study pinpoints the results of temperature rising, deforestation, extinction of some species, and abrupt whether conditions. The balance of the nature is distorted and the negative impediments of global warming will be lessened via using renewable resources. Hence, this study aims at analyzing the usage of naturally renewable resources with the focus capitalized on possible costs as well as on advantages that will be obtained.
3. BAKCGROUND

3.1. Literature on Renewable Energy
Defined as the development of energy from natural resources that are constantly replenished, renewable energy uses wind power, hydro power, solar energy, biofuel and geothermal energy as major sources.
3.1.1. Wind Power

The long term potential of wind power is the generation of energy that is five times higher than the current global electricity production which will require large lands for wind tribunes. During the operation, wind tribunes do not produce any greenhouse gases (Hegerl 2000).
3.1.2. Hydro Power

Since water is denser than air (800 times more), energy in water can be exploited. Hydro electric, micro hydro, damless hydro, and ocean energy are major forms of water energy (.
3.1.3. Solar Energy

Solar energy is the process of capturing, converting and using energy from the sun through solar radiation. Solar technologies are categorized as active or passive and these methods necessitate large amounts of resources (Cubasch and Voss, 2000).
3.1.4. Biofuel

Bio-fuel, which is usually bio-alcohol in liquid form, is made by fermenting the sugar components of plant materials and with advanced technology, trees and plants are also used as sources for ethanol production.
Bio-diesel, which is made from vegetable oils and animal fats, are used as pure fuel for vehicles as well as diesel additive to reduce levels of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in diesel-supported vehicles (Fleming, 1998).
3.1.5. Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is obtained by tapping the heat of the earth through the crust. Though the building of power stations is expensive, operating expenses are quite low which encourages the usage of this energy form. In some areas, geothermal energy is closer to earth than in others and in such circumstances hot water can be brought to the surface and be used as energy source in much effective ways (Geerts, 1999).
3.2. Literature on Global Warming
Defined as the average increase in the temperature of Earth, the roots of global warming and its affects are exacerbated by the following externalities:
3.2.1. Greenhouse Gases

The Greenhouse Effect is the process by which absorption and emission of radiation by gases warm the earth’s lower atmosphere and surface. Water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane are among the major green house gases. Human activity has increased the amount of green house gases in the atmosphere, leading to strengthened green house impact. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere show increasing tendencies due to burning of fossil fuels and land-use changes all of which makes the future rate of carbon dioxide rise depend on uncertain economic, social, technological and natural developments (Cortijo, 1999).
3.2.2. Global Dimming

Global dimming, which is a reduction in the amount of irradiance at Earth’s surface, has been a factor of rising global warming especially from 1960s and onwards. Aerosols produced by volcanoes and pollutants are the main causes of the global dimming (Bony, Lau and Sud, 1997).
3.2.3. Solar Variation

Variations in solar output have been identified as the causes of changes observed in climate, yet as compared to green house impacts, the accountability of solar variation is quite small (Schellnhuber, 2004; Hoyt and Schatten, 1997).
3.2.4. Loop-Back Mechanisms

The tendency of warming increases the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere which, in a loop back, increases the impact of global warming. Also, the amount of heat radiated from the Earth increases vein with the increase of temperature in surface and atmosphere of the Earth (Fleming, 1998).
4. GLOBAL WARMING SIGNALS

4.1. Impediments of Global Warming

Other than the obvious and known problems of global warming below are among the most dangerous issues that are faced and that will bear more wide-spread impact in short time period:
Sulfate aerosols lead to clouds that have more droplets. These droplets involve radiation affects and they are of uniform size all of which make the natural rain droplets disappear gradually.
Soot aerosols directly absorb solar radiation which results in heating of the atmosphere and cooling of the surface. Soot aerosols are usually observed in tropical parts of Asia in the form of brown clouds (Penner, Dickinson and O’Neill, 1992).
5. ARGUMENTS AGAINST RENEWABLE ENERGY
5.1. Counter Arguments on Renewable Energy

· Difficulties in adopting government policies hinder the renewable energy development.
· Lack of information dissemination for consumers.
· Huge capital costs and initial investment requirements- especially for power station buildings-. Inadequate financing options are also among the discouraging factors.
· There will be difficulties in introducing new energy methods especially in fields controlled by the market monopolies.
· Since renewable energy will require scientific and technical skills; there will be problems of quality personnel recruitment (Hegerl, 1996).
Above mentioned factors are usually put forward by researchers and academicians who believe that renewable energy sources are additional cost creators with inefficient mechanisms embedded. However, with government supported regulations and mechanisms, the above mentioned costs can be escaped:
Quota Mechanisms force companies to use a certain degree of their energy demand from renewable sources hence increasing the competition. The underlying purpose of this mechanism is to transfer the producer surplus to consumers with decreased prices resulting from intense competition.
Contract Bidding Mechanisms force companies to supply portion of renewable energy resources from companies that have been granted the contracts by governments. The idea is to develop technology via fierce competitive environment.
Tariff Mechanism is the process of setting prices for electricity produced via renewable technologies. This mechanism aims at enabling renewable energy producers operate economically at different tariff levels pre-set.
Tax Credits encourage companies to invest in renewable technologies by allowing them to write-off the related investment expenditures. This mechanism is usually co-implemented with the above mentioned support tools (Keeling, 1998).
6. CONSLUSIVE REMARKS

6.1. General Points on the Issue

Many environmental-conscious organizations and governments work to implement a future renewable fuel mix. When the cost inefficiencies are reduced, the market demand for renewable sources will increase. Government legal sponsorships, loan programs, tax impositions for carbon dioxide usages, and support of venture investments among official bodies are recent trends reflecting positive attitudes towards renewable energy (Stott, 2000).

6.2. My Perspective on the Issue

As natural resources are exposed to threat of extinction and contraction, capitalizing on these resources for energy production will be a fruitless deed sooner. Though the development, introduction and adaptation process of renewable energy from conventional methods will pose challenges, the support mechanisms and cooperative acts of governments with private enterprises will ease the process.







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