Month: March 2016

The movie Pandora Promise is a film that is based on Nuclear power. Throughout the movie, the debate between the average person’s theory and science experts is the main topic. This film is around 87 minutes long, so make sure you have good internet connection or else you will struggle to watch the film as I did. This film was directed by Robert Stone. Coal and Oil are the main sources of energy, which are considered the norm. This film includes people such as Michael Shellenberger, Mark Lynas, Gwyneth Cravens, Stewart Brand, and Richard Rhodes. These people are important for the film and for the audience especially because they all once were against nuclear energy. This film tries to explain why alternative energy sources are important to be used rather than continuing to use the frequent source. There are two main parties involved in this debate, one are the expert scientists that are constantly researching about nuclear energy, then there are the environmentalist also known as the anti-nuclear energy group.

As a non-scientist, or an average person, i really do not know much about energy sources. Before this class, and film, i did not know which energy source was the worst to our atmosphere and the human population. I did not know which source was used the most. The reason why anti-nuclear activists exist is because they refuse to open up to new sources. They are not ready to accept changes because the norm seems a lot safer. In the film, one was interviewed and asked for an example of numbers that would be a lot simpler for the audience, but the expert responded it will never be any simpler unless someone actually studies it or investigates. Like everything, when it is in its beginning stages there will always be room for error. The average person have become so scared about nuclear energy because of its history involving disasters. Because of the radiation that it releases into the atmosphere. Little does the common person know that the source that causes the most deaths in time of existence is Coal, Oil, Natural gas, Hydro, Solar, Nuclear, then Wind. Ironically, Nuclear is second to last being the least harmful to population and it beats solar energy. Anti-Nuclear activists are just so used to the norm, it is as if we have adapted to living just by the source of coal and oil. Based on the film, around 13,000 people die per year within the United States due to the use of Coal. World wide it is estimated that around 3,000,000 people die per year because of Coal.

Conclusion:

If people took the time to actually investigate how each source of energy actually works, they will be able to understand more. We tend to make judgments and decisions based on emotions and opinions rather than actual facts. We would understand what the “norm”, in this case Coal and Oil, actually does to the human population. It is hard for scientists themselves to be able to convince people to change their minds. It is important to know all the facts before making decisions or else we will be misled to the wrong solutions. I truly understand how energy sources are used after seeing this film and class discussions. Most importantly, this film has clarified why people would go against Nuclear energy and why people would change their mind on nuclear energy and becoming in favor for it.

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Above is a picture that shows what the Chernobyl plant and the city of Pripyat looked like after the disaster occurred. This picture was taken on April 26, 1986.

The Chernobyl plant was created and officially opened in 1977. It was located in the city of Pripyat, Ukraine. The plant was energized by nuclear energy, which was intended  to become a new source for energy and turning the energy into electricity for the nation and across the world. The Chernobyl plant only lasted from 1977 to year 2000 when it was closed. Within the year 1986, the plant became a disaster in the city of Pripyat. The cause of the disaster was concluded by investigators that there was a designed reactor that had flaws. Not only was the flawed reactor was one of the issues but it was also being operated by personnel that was not train enough. This was one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world.

The release of radiation that was released into the atmosphere from the nuclear explosion had a huge negative impact on the environment and the people on the planet, especially the people who lived around the area. The people that lived in the city of Pripyat were not evacuated until 36 hours after the disaster happened. It caused thousands of people to die.The workers who were currently inside the plant when the disaster occurred were contaminated and killed. It also caused thousands of women to have defective births. The radiation affected everyone and everything that was within the range of 800,000 miles from the plant. About 150,000 people’s homes had to be relocated. It is estimated by experts that around 70,000 people were dangerously poisoned both in and out of their body. Millions acres of farms and forests were contaminated, being a bad thing because crops already produced had to be thrown away. Forests that may have been used for projects or even animal housing was contaminated, harming animals.

 

Above i have attached a simple map of what Ukraine looks like and where exactly Pripyat was located. It is clear that other nations that were next to the city of Pripyat were effected. Nations such as Poland, Belarus, and maybe even Russia.

A more recent nuclear disaster that occurred was the explosion that occurred in Japan during March 2011. The plant was named Fukushima Daiichi, located in Okuma, Japan. What triggered the disaster was the earthquake, which was caused by the tsunami that caused the plant to overheat and begin to function incorrectly.  The plant began to over heat which cause the reactors to explode. Even the backup diesel generators were not able to function correctly because of the high temperature within the plant. When comparing to previous nuclear disasters, this has to be the most prepared incident that was well handled.  Fortunately the worst thing that happened during the disaster was that about 100,000 people who were evacuated and their homes were relocated. Unfortunately around 1,000 people who were allowing the evacuation to happen died.

This is a picture of the explosion of the nuclear disaster. Remember that this disaster happened within a decade ago. The technology that has been developed compared to the technology from the passed is a lot more advanced. This is part of the reason why it was easier to control and decrease the number of people who were and would have been effected.

References :

http://www.history.com/news/historys-worst-nuclear-disasters

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-accident.aspx

Iceland is one of the world’s most coldest above ground and warmest underground regions. The use of Geothermal energy has increased greatly throughout the years by Iceland and because of that, the world now may be considering finding ways to  generate geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is heat that is produced from the center of the earth. No one can end the heat, and no one can actually be too close to it. Reason for that is because it believed that the center of the world is roughly heated to 5,000 Celsius, being way too hot for the human body. Under Iceland, there are two tectonic plates, which are also known as giant rocks. It is estimated that the tectonic plates separate from each other every year by two centimeters. This research has been developed by the United Nations University (UNU). When the tectonic plates separate, it allows the lava to get closer to Iceland’s surface. This is how hot water and steam is produced under Iceland’s ground.

Iceland uses a technology that functions as separators for the steam. In order for the steam to be used, it must be as dry as possible or else it cannot be transferred into electricity. Once the separators have taken every last droplet out from the steam, it is put into turbines so that electricity can be produced. Iceland electricity is 26% produced off of geothermal energy, which is mostly used to power heavy industries. Geothermal energy is definitely used for small industries as well. Many new business within Iceland have been able to open and succeed because of the facilitation of geothermic energy. Businesses such as restaurants are able to use geothermic energy by using the steam that comes from underground. They are able heat up almost any food they please as long as they enclose the food with the steam because it is really hot. Not only can they use the steam, but they can also set up their use of steam being outside. Which allows the owner to have a lot more space to work with inside his actually restaurant.

Geothermal energy is a very useful alternative source for sources such as coal, and natural gasses. Geothermal energy is one of the renewable sources of energy in which is less harmful to our atmosphere. In Iceland there are famous, touristic blue pools which have been created with geothermic water, which is natural heated naturally (directly from the ground). Many enjoyed the pool because of the water temperature but the pools are actually recommended by health specialists for those who need therapy for their body. Studies have concluded that the warm temperature pools in Iceland helps the human body as therapy, by relaxing the muscle.  Above is a picture from Iceland’s “blue lagoon”. If you look closely, to the right of the picture you will spot a bar in the middle of the pool, which is awesome!

 

Iceland also uses geothermal energy within the city to provide hot water for homes. Many homes are now equipped with pipes that go from their home to power plants that will transfer warm water. It enables homes to use water that warms up to about 73 degrees Celsius. Up to this day, it estimated that 90% of Iceland homes are conducted by geothermal energy. This is why the usage of geothermal energy has increased significantly. Not only has the continent of Europe, but all over the world has become a lot more aware about geothermal energy. Geothermal has become something that every country, that can afford the research and technology is willing to invest in because it will benefit on a long run financially (economically), and health (earth’s environment).

Thermoelectric (TE) devices have the ability to create energy by using temperature differences. The difference of temperature comes from an object that may be one temperature whether by nature or because of a technology such as thermoelectric technologies. Thermoelectric technologies are used to be able to conduct energy to change the temperature of an object. Thermoelectric devices consist of two physical effects, the Seebeck effect, and the Peltier effect. The Seebeck effect was named after a man named Thomas J. Seebeck in 1821. The Seebeck effect is determined by the change of voltage divided by change of temperature. The Peltier effect was discovered by a man named Jean C.A. Peltier, during the year of 1834. This effect basically describes how one dissimilar material with heat can pass it to another dissimilar material. This function allows for the temperatures to be reversible which allows the Thermoelectric device to balance and manage temperatures.

TE devices are now being introduced to industries such as the automotive industry. What is happening is, motor companies are beginning to use TE devices within every vehicle’s engine to reuse control the temperate of the engine. Try driving your vehicle for about 20 minutes, without having the air conditioner or the heat on. You will eventually feel warm air entering your vehicle through the vents. What happens is, while you are driving, the engine begins to heat up, so of course it is necessary for the heat to be released or the engine may begin malfunctioning. The difference TE is designed to do is, use the heat the engine releases and turn it into new energy for the car to be bale to use. It serves as a cycle of heat which manages it so it can be used rather than wasted. It is possible that by reusing the heat that is released, it will help reduce emissions because TE is another source that will conduct energy to the vehicle’s engine.

 

Another  example would be mini refrigerators such as the picture provided above. This is an innovation of mini refrigerators created by a company called “Treehugger”. They believe by using a TE device, it will benefit in so many ways, to so many people around the world. The purpose of using a TE device is for a normal, average family to have a cooling refrigerator in a small closed area such as a bed room or even the living room.  TE device will dismiss the amount of noise a regular refrigerator would generate. This company also believes by using a TE device, it will become a lot more clean and healthier for the materials that are put into the refrigerator. This refrigerator will be beneficial not only to the people who cook and need a place to store food in a cool temperature, but also will the doctors and researchers will benefit. As doctors, it is important to them that every piece of material or tool remains clean whether its visually or clean by air.

There were articles and news about possible negatives refrigerators with a TE device may have. Some refrigerators were possibly capable of instead of keeping the food at an appropriate, cool temperature. It would make your food go to waste and with enough time, turn it into poison.

NASA is actually working on a way to use a TE device for the purpose of space traveling. NASA’s goal is to generate power even from an object that generates small temperature gradients. This experiment is interesting because usually an object can stay either high on temperature or very low on temperature. Now the human body can vary in so many ways depending on many situations, whether on the environment, or the mood of someone, or the physically activity. This may be beneficial to the human body because it is possible that the human body will be bale to gain more power for travels to space, improving health conditions by being able to monitor people health’s during the travel. I do not believe the device will be implanted inside the human flesh but it will be implanted near the suits they are given before travel.

References:

https://powerpractical.com/pages/how-do-thermoelectrics-work

http://phys.org/news/2014-08-thermoelectric-devices-electricity-vehicles-machines.html

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/your-refrigerator-running-soon-it-will-be-doing-doing-it-solid-state.html

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/technology-onepagers/human_devices.html

Many in the world are worried about our world being extremely affected by greenhouse gasses, creating global warming. Global warming is a huge danger because if our world reaches a certain high temperature, humans, animals, and land will be at risk of extinction. Certain groups and individuals are really concerned about this issue so they plan on doing something about it. Many experiments, tons of money has been invested into research for the technology of solar panels. Scientist believe that by using sources, and converting them into energy will help decrease the amount of CO2 that is created due to the living organism in this world.  The current sources that are usually used such as oil, coal also known as fossil fuels increase the amount of gasses released into the atmosphere.

Many countries believe the use of solar energy is  key method of decreasing fossil fuels. There are many positive and negative sides to this idea but over all it would be best if every nation required solar panels for every household. One of the negatives about the solar energy technology is that, it is not affordable. It cost so much money, most solar panel companies provide payment plans for their clients. In the United States, it is not until that you see a lot more solar panels on top of homes and company buildings. It is because most companies are beginning to experience competition, causing them to either become cheaper in a way or create payment plans. Developed nations encourage new and innovative solar energy efforts, but countries that are part of the underdeveloped or maybe in the developing stages that cannot implement such technology.

The way solar energy is created is by using panels that consist of electrons that are waiting to be put to work. When the sun’s cells also known as photons hit the panel, the electrons begin to move around at a rapid pace, which results into renewable energy for homes and/or other buildings. The sun is another source of energy that is a lot healthier for our world.

Of course different countries have different ideas and capabilities of developing such innovative solar energy but they all have the same goal, which is reducing greenhouse gasses around the world.

This is a picture of a company called Ripasso Energy, which they are located in Sweden. This company is known to have created the most efficient solar panel that conducts the highest percentage of energy. Most solar panel technologies can turn solar energy into reusable energy up to 23% but this Swedish company managed to allow this technology to convert up to 34% of the sun’s energy. This company has proven that one Ripasso dish is enough to power up to 24 homes in the United Kingdom. For one Ripasso dish, about 75 to 85 zero-emission megawatts per hour is conducting per year.

This is a picture of China’s location (Dunhuang) which measures about 590 miles filled with solar panels. This goes to show how much solar energy is consumed over at china. China is the country that produces the most CO2 emissions, and that is not a good thing. Although China is considered a developing country; it is also a huge user of solar energy. China also is also over populated, which is why it is important that they invest in research for improving the use of sun’s energy. For the year of 2015, China planned on installing a total of 14 gigawatts of solar panels throughout its country. There is a total of 55 gigawatts worth of solar panels that are installed throughout the whole world. Chinas population measures around 1.357 billion according to 2013 data. A country with this amount of humans means the demand of energy is extremely high. When demand for energy is extremely high, it also means there are more gasses being released into the atmosphere. A country like China should definitely use other sources to create renewable energy. Aside from solar energy, China has also developed innovative technologies that will use the source of wind in order to convert it into renewable energy.

Germany was once the country with the most solar panels in the world, now it remains the nation with the most solar panels within Europe. Germany provides 35.5 gigawatts worth of energy from the sun. Germany has become very known for its constant work towards the use of sources that can be converted into renewable energy. Germany has been able to have an increase of photovoltaic solar panels by 6 gigawatts per year starting from the year 2010. Germany has been able to start and provide a numerous of job opportunities for the people within Germany. Financing opportunities, companies who are good with PV, and companies have focused on trying to make their people aware of the issue and encouraging people to learn and work on making a change. It is sort of a challenge for Germany because there is a lot of snow in that region. Germany’s technology and research has been concentrated on the issue of snow, covering the contact between the panels and the sun’s photons.

nstalled 3.8 GW of PV solar energy capacity, and the country has added at least 3.3 GW of new solar capacity per year, and more like 6 GW per year between 2010 and 2012. “The combination of a proven feed-in-tariff (FiT) scheme, good financing opportunities, a large availability of skilled PV companies, and a good public awareness of the PV technology, largely contributed to this success,” European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) reported.

Despite a slowdown in 2013, Germany is expected to remain the top solar market in Europe for the coming years, and still boasts a quarter of the world’s installed PV capacity 26 percent, compared to the 13 percent held by each of the next two countries on the list, Italy and China.

1. Blog about new and innovative Solar Energy efforts in different countries around the world. Give specific examples, comment on them, and include 3 references.

References :

http://ecowatch.com/2015/05/20/solar-innovations-revolutionizing-world/

http://fortune.com/2015/06/18/china-is-utterly-and-totally-dominating-solar-panels/

http://pureenergies.com/us/blog/top-10-countries-using-solar-power/