Thursday, February 19, 2009
One persons waste is another persons... energy?
This week in class we learned about how the methane gas released from wastes in landfills can be converted to energy and put into the grid. I thought this concept was extremely interesting and a good idea. I looked on the EPA website and found that there are over 445 landfill gas energy projects (lgep) that are already operational across the US with over 500 potential projects in the works. The EPA estimates that the lgeps generate about 11 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The fact that there are many projects in the works is evidence that they operational ones are working effectively. I believe that these projects are a good way for us to move away from fossil fuels for creating energy. One thing I was curious about in relation to these projects is to what happens once the landfills stop producing methane gas? Would the equipment be able to be moved to another landfill and used or would it become waste itself? I am also curious as to how much maintenence is required for lgeps. Despite these questions I really like the idea of using our waste in a beneficial way.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Solar Energy in California
Solar Energy In California
This week I decided to read an article on solar energy. After reading the article I was able to make some connections between the use of solar energy and wind power. Both renewable energy sources are relatively new to the US. For example, we have yet to build an offshore wind farm and the article mentions that the solar power plant will be the first of its kind here. Both energy sources also require a lot of money to build them. This was one of the main issues mentioned in the article. One of the quotes that it mentioned was, "Everybody’s for reducing greenhouse gases until you start having to pay for it". Even though there is this huge green movement right now, I always wonder if this movement is just a fad. Especially with the economic times the country is going through right now I have the feeling that less and less people are going to want to put their money towards funding renewable energy projects. I think that once people are actually able to see the benefits of the plants then they will be more likely to fund future projects. The bad thing about that is that it is going to take a good amount of time before that happens.
This week I decided to read an article on solar energy. After reading the article I was able to make some connections between the use of solar energy and wind power. Both renewable energy sources are relatively new to the US. For example, we have yet to build an offshore wind farm and the article mentions that the solar power plant will be the first of its kind here. Both energy sources also require a lot of money to build them. This was one of the main issues mentioned in the article. One of the quotes that it mentioned was, "Everybody’s for reducing greenhouse gases until you start having to pay for it". Even though there is this huge green movement right now, I always wonder if this movement is just a fad. Especially with the economic times the country is going through right now I have the feeling that less and less people are going to want to put their money towards funding renewable energy projects. I think that once people are actually able to see the benefits of the plants then they will be more likely to fund future projects. The bad thing about that is that it is going to take a good amount of time before that happens.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thoughts on Nuclear Power
Sweden and Nuclear Power
I recently read the above article about nuclear power and how countries are beginning to think about reinstating, updating, and using old nuclear power plants. The article talked about how Sweden and Britain in particular are thinking about doing this to help reduce environmental pollution and for energy security. I think that using nuclear power as a means to reduce greenhouse gases is a great idea; however, isn't nuclear waste extremely toxic? And from what I've heard , at least in the US, is that safe places to dispose of nuclear waste are running out of room. I've heard that because of this waste is sometimes simply driven back and forth across the country because there is nowhere else for it to go. I'm not sure if it is true but if it is, it would defeat the purpose of using nuclear power as a means to reduce emissions because I'm sure that driving across the country would not be an efficient means of doing that. I believe that before countries start putting money towards updating their nuclear reactors and power plants that they need to make sure there is somewhere for the waste to go.
I recently read the above article about nuclear power and how countries are beginning to think about reinstating, updating, and using old nuclear power plants. The article talked about how Sweden and Britain in particular are thinking about doing this to help reduce environmental pollution and for energy security. I think that using nuclear power as a means to reduce greenhouse gases is a great idea; however, isn't nuclear waste extremely toxic? And from what I've heard , at least in the US, is that safe places to dispose of nuclear waste are running out of room. I've heard that because of this waste is sometimes simply driven back and forth across the country because there is nowhere else for it to go. I'm not sure if it is true but if it is, it would defeat the purpose of using nuclear power as a means to reduce emissions because I'm sure that driving across the country would not be an efficient means of doing that. I believe that before countries start putting money towards updating their nuclear reactors and power plants that they need to make sure there is somewhere for the waste to go.
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