The continued prosperity and economic development of some countries e.g. the first world nations has traditionally been associated with growth in energy production and consumption. Ideally the use of energy is intended to enhance the quality of life.
It is becoming apparent that the production and consumption of energy is also responsible for an increasing deterioration of the environment. The imposition of air pollution standards has accelerated a shift in the use of fossil fuels towards those that have clean burning characteristics e.g. low sulphur oils and natural gasses. This in turn has led to worldwide and domestic scarcity of petroleum products and natural gasses.
Coal is the only fossil fuel whose reserves are not likely to be depleted in the near future but if the trend will remain like this i.e. over exploitation of coal due to scarcity of petroleum and natural gasses then it might not last long. Burned without modification, coal will also cause pollution of the environment through emission of sulphur
Oxides and particulates those are not acceptable under global air pollution standards. Increased reliance of coal as a substitute for petroleum and natural gasses as an alternative source of energy may cause another serious environmental pollution due to surface mining.
The nuclear power plants reactors may be a better option for the fossils fuel problems that the world is facing right now but though nuclear power plants produce no air pollutants, they discharge 50% more waste heat than the fossil fuel. Electricity remains the most widely used source of energy in the world. The increasing demand of electricity compared to supply has led to shortfalls, massive breakdown of equipments, shortages and delays are some of the problems facing electricity utilities and the headache of providing future capacity. The impact of environmental restrictions on power plant sitting and on process of meeting the rising demand of energy supply will continue to haunt this industry.
All this problems can be traced ultimately to the continued increase in the consumption and demand for energy globally. The development of solutions towards the energy requirement and the global energy burden has drawn all stakeholders back to the drawing board, in order to strategize on ways of trying to meet the future demands.
Many projections and forecasts have been drawn but the major factors that have contributed to this unequaled rise in energy demand and the shortage includes:-
- Restrictions to most of fossil fuels/petroleum products due to environmental pollution
- Emergence of new technology
- Environmental constraints
- Increased use of energy
Climate change is the biggest contributor to cause and effect of biodiversity change. Climate change is one of the most determinants of change in distribution and abundance of the eco – system e.g. agriculture, forests, marine life etc. change in biodiversity affects the benefits that humans derive from the eco-system e.g. food production, fuels, water, cultural services and many environmental processes.
De- forestation and conversion of forests land for agriculture production increases carbon emission from land clearance which in turn leads to climate change. The ability of human beings to adapt to climate change depends so much on the diversity of species within functional groups. Loss of biodiversity increases both the severity of climate change and ability of humans to adapt to it. The role of living organisms and plants in the production of green house gasses is well comprehended. Climate change is affecting bio-diversity to an extent that species distribution and abundance, reproduction in animals and plants, birds and animal’s migration patterns, severity and frequency of disease and pest outbreak is increasing.
Below are some examples of renewable/ alternative energy sources with their advantage and disadvantages.
Type of Energy Advantages Disadvantages
Energy development in any country is the ability to provide sufficient primary and secondary energy sources. Technologically and industrialized states mainly in the west have become exceedingly dependent on external energy sources for:-
- Transportation
- Production/manufacture of goods
- Delivery of services
- Comfort i.e. ventilation, air conditioning, heating etc.
Renewable energy sources are from natural resources such as sunlight, water, wind, rain and geothermal, this form of energy can be replenished. Climatic changes and increasing oil prices are some of the reasons the governments are encouraging their citizens to use renewable energy. Renewable energy technologies are mainly suited in the rural areas where supply of energy e.g. electricity may be impossible. An estimated 30 million people around the world uses solar, P.V systems, biogas derived from household scale digesters.
Wind, water and solar sources of energy can sustain the global energy needs up to year 2030 and has advantage over other sources of energy because it reduces consumption by over 30%. These sources also last as long as we live in this planet unlike the non renewable source like fossils fuels and others that continue to deplete at an alarming rate.
Electric cars have no maintenance cost and their battery is changed by solar energy from their rooftops.
Benefits to Eco-System
- Increase Energy Efficiency
- It’s aimed at reducing the amount of energy required to provide services and produce products.
- Home insulations help in reducing the amount of energy used in cooling or heating houses.
- Use of energy saver bulbs and fluorescent bulbs.
- Energy efficiency will help to create a national security benefit or savings by reducing the amount of energy imports from other countries.
- Transmission
Evolving technology – use of fuel cells in cars, will greatly improve power transmission in achiness and in turn foster development due to efficiency.
- Electricity
- Alternative sources of energy to include natural nuclear reactors, biomass etc. should be encouraged and developed.
- Develop a good electricity distribution network that will transmit electricity from production to end user with minimum wastage.
- Chemical Compounds
Scientists developed have developed chemical/ biological forms of energy e.g. hydrogen fuel, synthetic hydrocarbon fuels, batteries etc. which forms an alternative form of energy with less environmental impact compared to fossils and other natural gasses.
- Electrical Capacitance
Electrical energy may be stored in capacitors which release high intensity forms of energy when required.
- Storage
Develop new methods of energy storage – transform electrical energy into forms of potential energy for easier storage and to avoid wastage.
- Vehicles
Battery electrical vehicles have been developed and they use other forms of alternative energy e.g. wind, solar, geothermal etc. Compressed air vehicles that will be propelled entirely by compressed air have been developed.
SUSTAINABILITY AND TRIPPLE BOTTOMLINE
Sustainability has turned out to be a vital ingredient of business tactical plan, contractors, utilities, manufacturers and service providers not only are they anticipated to execute financially well, but are also anticipated to be superior business people in their communities and the entire world. Additionally to economic benchmarks, organization accomplishment is calculated on a company’s success regarding the environmental and shared goals. The triple bottom line point of view helps companies stay aggressive and significant in the current worldwide situation.
Sustainability of electrical utility
As the environment changes climatically, the debate for corporations industry and regulators by electrical utilities is becoming more significant. They are looking at as a chance to embrace sustainable industry practices and boost consumer service, whilst reducing their ecological brunt. Lots of utilities are committing a considerable portion of their primary expenditures to more than fulfillment with environmental system. They are practically justifying the special effects that power generation, sharing, and utilization may have on the ecological unit in which they function.
Renewable energy
Current statewide directive entail that good percentages of power generation comes from recyclable resources, inspiring utilities to put renewable venture at the head of a maintained trade approach. Most utilities which are community and public owned are captivating the lead in investing in a range of renewable sources. Main sources of renewable power include solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydro energy.
Sustainability and Efficiency of Energy
Programs that not only provide changing light bulbs and customer refund are being instigated by utilities. Power effectiveness programs are being assessed to the end, well thought-out from generation to allocation, till the end consumption of energy. Information given by the organization for Electrical Efficiency account and State Electric Efficiency Regulatory Frameworks on July the year 2010, illustrate that power effectiveness enticement exists in only 21 states.
Cooper’s role
Its intention is to assist grow our consumer triple bottom line for example Cooper’s incorporated volt var structure has demonstrated latent to conserve power by mechanizing var means of supplying to contribute with particular alterations that are in demand 24-7.
The energy effectiveness tendencies are optimistic and increasing. As power utilities appear unique test of escalating power requirement, high commodity expenses, higher substitute costs, aging communications, increasing country and nation’s policy, and increasing anxiety concerning climate change, the manufacturing is refurbishing its premeditated planning to seize and realize one basic necessity: improved sustainable business practice. Utilities are holding on to the doctrine of maintaining by devoting in renewable power; accomplish energy effectiveness agenda, and greening of their supply sequence and supplier. This current form of maintenance and the meeting of the triple bottom line lessen costs and recovers prepared efficiencies, while attracting a company’s ecological and community performance.
References
Andrews, B. J. (1996). An Introduction of Environmental Chemistry. Cambridge, MA:.
Fishman J., a. K. (1990). Global alert. NY, NY : Plean Press.
Industries, C. (2009). Corporate Social Responsibility .
Internationa, K. (2008). KPMG International Survey of Co-operate ResponsibilityReporting .
J., K. (1993). Energy and Problems of a Technica Society 2nd ed. NY, NY Wiley.
