Alternative vs. Traditional Fuel Sources Essays

Alternative vs. Traditional Fuel Sources Essays Alternative vs. Traditional Fuel Sources Essay Alternative vs. Traditional Fuel Sources Essay Alternative vs. Traditional Energy Sources The use of alternative energy sources versus the use of traditional energy sources has become one of the country’s, if not the world’s, most heated debate in recent years. For the purposes of this paper, the term â€Å"alternative energy† refers to any form of energy that is not derived from fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources like wind farms, solar cells, hydroelectric dams, biomass fuels, and nuclear power have been considered to be attainable sources that will be able to sustain the global population’s high demands. Traditional energy sources like oil, gas and coal are what the modern world knows and is most comfortable with, as its established fountain of fuel. Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of one power source over another is a complicated process. There are many factors to consider, including everything from understanding the environmental effects of a particular type of power production and consumption, to addressing the power needs of the people and finding methods for delivering the power. Looking at both sides of this issue and surmising which argument seems to hold more water will allow for a reasonable conclusion to be made in favor of one side versus the other. One reason why people support alternative energy sources is because they are better for the environment. As stated in Alternative Energy porcon. org â€Å"Complete elimination of CO2 could occur as early as 2040† (Can). The use of wind farms, solar-electric systems, and nuclear power plants would greatly assist in this elimination as they do not pollute the air with nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, dust or greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. It is believed that the United States should decarbonize itself and stop the spread of global warming. The global population needs to become â€Å"Greener†, which is a marketing term that means cleaner, thus no pollution is involved. Alternative energy production does not create damaging environmental impacts, unlike fossil fuel production, specifically oil. A prime example of this environmental devastation was the major crude oil spill in March 1989, with the grounding of the tanker Exxon Valdez in Prince William Sound, off the Alaskan coastline, spilling an estimated 10. million gallons of crude oil (Exxon). Another reason why people support alternative energy sources is because they are renewable. There are many different types of renewable energy sources, including biomass, wind, solar, hydropower, and geothermal heat. A prime example of this renewable energy source is solar energy which is naturally supported by the suns strong light as well as heat or wind energy which i s naturally supported by the earth’s global winds. Ethanol is also an excellent source of clean and renewable alternative energy. Looking at the article â€Å"Exploring new energy strategies† it was reported that a third-generation Texas oilman is leading the way to swapping oil and gas production for cleaner, renewable energy strategies (Jervis). Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources because the earth contains a finite amount of these fuels. Because energy is usable power, the sources of the energy can be used up. For example, if a power plant that generates electricity by burning coal runs out of coal, then it can no longer generate electricity until more coal is put into the power plant burners. Renewable energy, on the other hand, is energy that is replaced at the same rate that it is used. A third argument for the use of alternative energy versus traditional energies is the cost in which it takes to produce it. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute â€Å"U. S. nuclear power plants in 2006 supplied the second-highest amount of electricity in the industry’s history while achieving record-low production costs†. When looking at the numbers â€Å"nuclear-generated electricity typically clears the market for less than 2. cents/kwh (kilowatt hour)†¦as compared to the production costs alone for natural gas-fired power plants averaging 7. 5 cents/kwh† (Nuclear). Along the same lines as nuclear power generated energy is the fact that other alternative energy sources are highly cost effective. Wind and sunlight are free and hydroelectric power is very inexpensive once a dam is built. Conversely traditional gas and oil production processes are very expens ive for energy generation and there are large price swings with the burden of supply and demand. The bottom line for the global society as a whole has always been, and is foreseen to always be, about what it will cost. If a viable alternative source is identified to provide the same energy output at reduced consumer cost, it should be strongly considered if not fully implemented. A final reason why people support alternative energy sources is because they believe that renewable energy technologies will be capable of meeting the entire need for electricity in the United States as well as throughout the world. According to the U. S. Department of Energy â€Å"residential energy use in the United States will increase 25 percent by the year 2025† (Walker). It is necessary to spend the required monies on these renewable energy technologies, which will allow the country to create the needed alternative energy sources to combat this eventual increase in residential usage. An excellent example of this is the 410 million dollar construction project that includes 86 wind turbines on Wolfe Island near Cape Vincent, New York (2008). The renewable energy resources throughout the United States, let alone the entire world, are limitless and virtually untapped. It would be highly short-sighted not to entertain the notion that something other than fossil fuels would be able to meet the foreseeable growth in the global energy demand. One reason why people support fossil fuels as its energy source is due to the fact that oil, coal, and gas are available and already established in the industry for generating electricity. Even though the sun is by far the oldest source of energy, which has provided the earth with heat and light for million of years; it is fossil fuels that dominate as the world’s industrial power generator. According to Daniel Yergin â€Å"The world is not running out of oil† (29). There are trillions of barrels of oil that are yet to be recovered. This growth of oil recovery is projected to come from both OPEC (Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries) and non-OPEC members. The current energy producing industries would have to invest tremendously in establishing alternative means of production, while receiving very little on its return. One of the disadvantages that wind and solar power have, when compared with traditional methods, is that they would require the installation of multiple generation plants to meet the current demand. Furthermore, those same alternative energy technologies would require large amounts of land for small amounts of energy generation. Another reason why people support fossil fuels is because coal-produced energy is inexpensive and the technology is becoming more advanced. According to David G. Hawkins, Daniel A. Lashof, and Robert H. Williams â€Å"Implementing CCS (CO2 capture and storage) at coal-consuming plants is imperative if the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is to be kept at an acceptable level† (65). Emissions from coal-based power plants have been dramatically reduced through the use of advanced technologies, even as the use of coal for generating electricity has â€Å"nearly tripled over the last 30 years† (Hawkins 68). When looking at the numbers â€Å"Today’s coal-based electricity generating fleet is 70% cleaner than it was in 1970† (Should). Coal is at the nucleus of the long-standing debate about the energy future of the world. Many countries economic growth are largely fueled by coal, mainly due to the fact that it remains cheap and abundant; regardless of its pollution and environmental impacts. A third reason why people support fossil fuels is because drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) would reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, which in turn would strengthen our nation’s economy. According to Larry E. Craig â€Å"As gas prices continue to rise and political instability in the Middle East worsens, the United States must increase its domestic oil production† ( 43). He goes on to state â€Å"The ANWR in Alaska is estimated to have as much as 16 billion barrels of oil under its coastal plain† (43). When looking at the numbers according to prices-oil. org â€Å"as of April 9th, 2009 the price per barrel of oil, most of which is imported from foreign countries, is approximately $51 and forecasted to increase in price from there† (Daily). The United States has spent an exuberant amount of taxpayer’s dollars on imported fossil fuels. It is said that this dependency will put our nation at risk if we continue to base our economy on oil imported from unstable regions of the world. A final reason why people support fossil fuels is because alternative energy sources like solar cells, wind turbines, and biomass plantations can not replace the highly reliable fossil fuel power stations that require 24 hour a day, 365 days a year usage. As stated by James Howard Kunstler â€Å"Based on everything we know right now, no combination of so-called alternative fuels or energy procedures will allow us to maintain daily life in the United States the way we have been accustomed to running it under the regime of oil† (100). Gas, oil and coal are easily obtained and have very sound distribution systems already established for the current power usage levels. Alternative power generation sources are fairly new and do not have those established distribution systems in place. It is one thing to be able to produce the necessary power the global population demands; it is another to be able to disseminate it to those who need it. There is a portion of the world’s population that supports traditional energy sources, like oil and coal versus alternative energies, like wind and solar. Those alternative energy sources suffer because they are deemed undependable and only usable as intermittent sources of energy. In many areas of the United States, alternative energy sources are not feasible, and deemed insufficient to sustain the generation plants for wind and solar requirements. Another example of this alternative energy disadvantage is ethanol, which in some circles is not believed to be a net energy producer. On the other hand, traditional energy production sources can run out. A prime example of this is when a combustion engine car runs out of gasoline, it loses its power and can no longer operate until more fuel is put into the system. At the same time, renewable energy can be replaced through natural processes or through sound management practices, and so it is a source of power that does not run out. A perfect example of this renewable alternative energy is the energy that is generated from the sun, which comes in an abundant supply everyday. A major criticism of the use of alternative fuel sources, specifically wind power, is that they are not as environmentally friendly as some have led us to believe. According to Eric Rosenbloom â€Å"Especially vulnerable are large birds of prey that like to fly in the same sorts of places that developers like to construct wind towers† (78). He goes on to mention â€Å"Noise is another big problem†¦the resulting sound of several towers together has been described to be as loud as a motorcycle, like aircraft continually passing overhead, a brick wrapped in a towel turning in a tumble drier, or as if someone was mixing cement in the sky† (81). On the other hand, fossil fuel energy sources have been the predominant source of the real pollution problem. As Stanely Scobie writes, â€Å"natural gas development is poised to begin at an intensive level†¦air pollution from drilling operations and massive withdrawals of water from rivers (used in production) show no respect†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (1). Coal, gas, and oil are significant contributors to acid rain, which is produced by the release of harmful carbon dioxide gases; as well as damage to the earth’s ozone layer, which is caused by the discharge of nitrous oxide. To compare the environmental impacts of these two energy producing sources, the message is clear; either the world’s population deals with a little noise or with deadly gases. The quest for faster, easier, and more efficient ways of meeting the needs of a growing human population has led to increasingly high energy demands. However, the resources currently being used for generating energy are running out. Something other than, or in addition to, traditional energy sources is required to meet the increasing needs of the world’s growing population. That something is alternative energy sources. Replacing those traditional energy sources with the likes of biomass fuels, solar cells and wind farms are the tools and technologies that are necessary to accomplish such a task. Yet, despite the aforementioned alternative tools and technologies, global industries still obtain most of their energy sources from fossil fuels. The world deserves options when it comes to energy sources. Its citizens have the right to choose what can and will provide what is needed to ensure that future generations have a cleaner and safer environment while sustaining their energy needs. Throughout recorded history, humans have searched for ways of putting energy to work for their benefit. For the past few decades the nation, as well as the world, has become increasingly aware of its energy usage and the effects it has had on the environment and the earth as a whole. In addition, it is apparent that the United State’s dependence on foreign oil is creating some meaningful ramifications for its economic structure as well as its national security configuration. Currently the argument remains that the continued use of traditional energy sources is still the way for the global population to proceed to meet the earth’s overwhelming needs, but the need for alternative means can not be ignored. It is a discussion that has many pros and cons which continue to be debated on both sides of this passionate topic. Solutions to our energy problems do exist, but it will take a variety of alternative technologies and the willingness to change how the earth’s energy is to be found. Change is not always easy or attainable, but in some cases, like this one, it is a goal that is increasingly necessary and ultimately accomplishable. â€Å"2008 U. S. Great Lakes Seaway Ports Tonnage-Traffic Review. † Seaway Compass Newsletter. Winter 2009. 31 Mar. 2009 . â€Å"Can Alternative Energy Effectively Replace Fossil Fuels? † ProCon. org. 31 Mar. 2009 . Craig, Larry E. â€Å"Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Would Reduce U. S. Dependence on Foreign Oil. † Is the World Heading toward an Energy Crisis? Ed. Daniel A. Leone. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven, 2006. 43-47. â€Å"Daily Oil Prices. † WTI Daily Chart. 9 Apr. 2009 . â€Å"Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. † History Facts Valdez, Alaska. 26 Apr. 2009 . Hawkins, David G. , Daniel A. Lashof, and Robert H. Williams. Clean Coal Technology is the Future of Energy. † Coal. Ed. Michael Logan. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven, 2008. 62-74. Jervis, Rick. â€Å"Exploring New Energy Strategies. † USA Today 12 Mar. 2009: A3. Kunstler, James Howard. The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-First Century. New York: Atlantic Monthly, 2005. Nuclear Energy Institute. â€Å"Record-Low Production Cost For Nuclear Powe r. † The Energy Bog. 20 Feb. 2007. 26 Apr. 2009 . Rosenbloom, Eric. â€Å"The Use of Wind Energy Should Not Be Increased. What Energy Sources Should Be Pursued? Ed. Stuart A. Kallen. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven, 2005. 73-85. Scobie, Stanley. â€Å"Natural Gas Rush: It’s Time for the Feds to Step Up. † Sierra Atlantic Spring 2009: 1+. â€Å"Should the US Use Clean Coal as an Energy Source? † ProCon. org. 31 Mar. 2009 . Walker, Cameron. â€Å"The Future of Alternative Energy. † National Geographic. 28 Oct. 2004. 1 Apr. 2009 . Yergin, Daniel. â€Å"The World is Not Running Out of Oil. † Energy Alternatives. Ed. Barbara Passero. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven, 2006. 29-39.