Methods
The search or an alternative source of energy is needed due to the increasing populations of the world, higher demand in electricity and the depletion of the resources of the Earth.
The whole scope of the available solutions was available through the study of journals, scientific magazines, online articles and periodicals, and books on the topic of applying alternative sources of energy so as to find the best possible solution
In view of the global warming problem, this issue has been extensively studied by many scientists. I will utilize their vision on some available alternatives.
This is needed in order to determine which solution will best mitigate and facilitate the solution to the problem.
In order to determine how reliable the energy source is, I will conduct a feasibility test of all the possible alternatives, so as to conclude which would be more rational for further development.
Results
World population is increasing so fast that it seriously threatens the environment and the balance of power in nature. The more people there are, the more energy we need to satisfy their every need. This is one of the most pressing problems in the modern world. This problem cannot be a simple solution: it is the result of a complex (aggregate) impact of social, economic and political reasons, which must be considered as a whole.
Energy is vital for many of our basic needs, such as cooking, heating and transport. Energy production has a significant impact on the environment, so we have to very carefully use its sources. What energy sources we choose, depends largely on the future social and environmental conditions on Earth (Schwendiman).
Highly developed, rich countries in the production of energy use fuel resources (coal, oil and gas). Part of the electricity is generated by nuclear power plants running on radioactive uranium, part by hydroelectric power. However, energy technology these days seriously harms the environment. Thus, due to the combustion of fuel we observe acid rain and the greenhouse effect more frequently (Seba). A nuclear power plant of the old generations causes significant radioactive contamination and constantly threatens by the possibility of an accident. In underdeveloped countries, the main source of energy for domestic use is firewood; Oil is only used in industry and transport. This will create serious environmental problems associated with deforestation and soil erosion (Schwendiman).
The most feasible solutions founds in research of the scholarly articles comprise the use of solar energy and the harnessing and improving of nuclear energy. Their application in everyday use can change the way the whole world lives and uses energy (Seba).
Solar Energy
Use the sun's energy possible without turning it into electricity. In order to "to heat up" a cold room or to heat water, you can directly use the warmth of the sun. Units collecting, preserving and transmitting this heat are called solar collectors (Boxwell). In its simplest form it looks like this: on the roof or on the south wall a panel consisting of thin tubes is mounted. It has a special storage tank with an influx source of water. The sun heats the tubes which heat the water, the water (the temperature of which in the system through the use of a mirror tray can reach 60-90 ° C) is stored in the tank and is then used for heating or hot water (Seba). Homes equipped with such systems (which usually are additionally fitted with solar cells) are called "solar houses". On the one hand, this house is more expensive than normal, but on the other - it allows to drastically reduce utility bills – by 50-70% (Boxwell).
However, there are also more serious systems. One of these was built in the US state of New Mexico in 1978 and is still in operation. It is called the National Solar installation for thermal testing (NSTTF) (Boxwell). It belongs to the Pentagon and is used to test the heat resistance of civil and military rockets. NSTTF consists of a 60-meter-high tower-target and 220 heliostats, measuring 6x6 meters each. These mirrors, like Archimedes installation, direct their sunbeams into a single half meter spot on the top of the installation where the temperature on sunny days rises up to 2000 ° C. Only 2.5 times less than the Sun's surface, and 2 times higher than the temperature of burning napalm. The installation mirror area is 8500 m2 and a thermal output of 5 MW (Boxwell).
Nuclear power
Nuclear power plants are an important element in the system of modern world power. Technical support of an NPP is, no doubt, is of the utmost scientific and technological importance to the progress of humanity. In case of trouble-free operation there is virtually no pollution of the environment, in addition to heat (Murray and Holbert). However, as a result of nuclear power plant operation, we receive radioactive waste as the outcome, posing a potential threat to all living things. Encouraging is the fact that the volume of radioactive waste is relatively small, they are very compact and can be stored in conditions, which guarantee the absence of leaks (Seba). NPP are much more economical than conventional thermal power plants, and, most importantly, in the event of their correct operation - a clean energy source (Murray and Holbert).
The great energy content of the fuel used. 1 kg of uranium is enriched to 4%, which the complete burnout releases energy equivalent to the burning of about 100 tons of high quality coal, or 60 tons of oil. The ability to reuse the fuel (after regeneration). Fissile material (uranium-235) can now be used again (as opposed to fossil fuel ash and slag) (Murray and Holbert). With the development of technology of reactors on fast neutrons in the future a transition to a closed fuel cycle, will mean there will be no waste at all. Nuclear energy does not contribute to the greenhouse effect (Seba). Every year, nuclear power plants in Europe can avoid the emission of 700 million tons of CO2. Thus, intensive development of nuclear energy can be considered as one of the indirect methods of combating global warming (Murray and Holbert).
Solar Energy
The construction of "solar houses" in the Western hemisphere is gradually becoming a solid trend (Schwendiman). There are people willing to pay that extra $ 10 000 for the house ($1 500-$3 000 dollars for solar collectors and 7,000 dollars for the panels). And yet, for these few customers the investments pay off only after 7-10 years (Boxwell). That is why the governments of developed countries, worrying about the future develop and help their citizens in financing the program of "solar roofs". The names of these programs in each country is more or less the same (Boxwell). The first was launched in 1990 in Germany. The country is now a leader in the construction of "solar houses". It was called "1000 solar roofs" (subsequently renamed "2000 solar roofs"). After Germany, a similar project, only under the name "100 000 solar roofs" has been adopted for all countries members of the EU. In Japan, the promotion of solar energy has been begun with the program "70 000 solar roofs". And finally, the last project was born in the United States and has been called "one million solar roofs" (Schwendiman).
Nuclear power
Currently, in almost all reactors the fuel cycle is designed for 12-18 months, after which the uranium is removed from the core and recycled (Schwendiman). However, the fact is that almost all the energy that was stored in the fuel, after remains within the residues. In fact, we could receive 160 times more energy from the same amount of fuel. Scientists have developed a fourth generation of reactors that can re-use the already spent fuel. The first of these reactors will be launched in approximately 20 years, but since we are considering the prospect of nuclear energy for a billion years, the wait is not very long (Murray and Holbert).
What would mean the emergence of new reactors? All existing nuclear waste can be recycled (Schwendiman). The price of the nuclear kWh will decrease from $0.2 cents to $0.00125 cents. This will allow uranium prices to rise by 10 times, 100 times, or 1000 times, without significantly increasing the cost of electricity (Murray and Holbert).
Uranium is not the only fuel that we can use for nuclear power. We may also use thorium, another strong element in the fuel cycle of the reactor of full use. Thorium is more than three times more common in the earth's crust than uranium. In addition, thorium is much cheaper than uranium (Murray and Holbert). In fact, thorium is so cheap that it's current price can be negative: some people will pay you to get rid of it because it is radioactive.
This criteria has been chosen as a criteria for analysis due to the fact that we have a global problem and the solutions that needs to be found will be implemented in al parts of the world.
Solar energy. Although an already developed system, it will not be as effective in say the Lower and Middle Highlands in Scotland (due to the frequent cloudness and rare sunshine) and Phoenix, Arizona (where the number of sunny days annually is over 300).
Nuclear energy. This solution does not have any problems being implemented in ay part of the world, it be either the steppe, forest, desert or Arctic Circle. This type of the solution is virtually universal in terms of localization.
Power output
The power output for bot solutions is rather significant. However, clearly nuclear energy generates more power, which is why scientists forecast the decrease of cost for electricity in the event of a nuclear energy solution
Damage to the environment and people.
There are concerns regarding the nuclear energy, however experts are trying to make people see that the ‘correct’ use of nuclear power, following of protocol and all the safety precautions by the trained staff will undoubtfully be deemed as clean energy. The use of solar power has no evident effect upon the environment.
The feasibility test has to be made for two alternative solutions: solar energy and nuclear energy.
Solar energy
Functionality. The solar energy solution is highly feasible due to its functionality and easy implementation on the roofs of the buildings and special “solar farms” in the deserts. Whole cities can be transferred onto the use of solar energy.
Political. The focus and implementation of solar energy is a strong political move. Those who are in favor of clean energy and its use from a replenishable source can easily use it in their advertising and marketing campaigns. As to the end user, they will simply be glad that the government has initiated such a program, especially if the government has taken the obligation to financially help its citizens.
Technical Feasibility. The technology has already been developed, with scientists still pondering over how they can decrease this solution in size and get the best maximum benefit. The technology is present and has only to pass the beurecratic procedures to be massively implemented in the society. Expertise. An assessment to the technical expertise needed to develop, operate, and maintain the candidate system.
Economic Feasibility
Cost to develop. The technology has already been developed, thus funds can be allocated for a search to improve the system on the market
Payback period (discounted): The payback period for the people will be at the level of 7-10 years.
Net present value: the value of the “solar home” is at the level of $10 000 USD. However, through the government program to decrease the consumption of electricity, 30% is returned to the residents, given that they participate in the electricity-generating program.
Detailed calculations: the total costs for each participant will be approximately $7 000 USD.
Schedule Feasibility
The construction process will take 3 days per residence, considering 5 people will be working in the team.
Nuclear energy
Functionality. The nuclear energy is also highly feasible due to its relative cleanliness and low cost of the product. Thus this solution is quite functional for the government to implement.
Political. Considering that nuclear power is directly connected to the representation of power, this would be a clearly feasible choice.
Technical Feasibility. The technology of the 4th generation nuclear reactor is on the final stage of development. It is still not ready, however, the project assumptions on the possibility that these new reactors will be able to re-use the fuel that has one through the first cycle have been proven by testing in laboratory conditions.
Economic Feasibility
Cost to develop. The technology has not yet been fully developed and there is no information on the total amount invested in the development of this technology.
Payback period (discounted): there is no information on the payback period.
Net present value: the information that is available only claims that in the future 1kWt will cost more than 10 times cheaper than it is now, not $0.02 cents, but $0.00025.
Detailed calculations: data unavailable.
Schedule Feasibility
The plans are to have the 4th generation reactors producing nuclear energy in operation in 20 years time.
Works Cited
Boxwell, Michael. Solar electricity handbook : a simple practical guide to solar energy : how to design and install photovoltaic solar electric systems. Coventry: Greenstream Publishing, 2015. Print.
Murray, Raymond L., and Keith E. Holbert. Nuclear energy : an introduction to the concepts, systems, and applications of nuclear processes. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann, 2015. Print.
Schwendiman, Gary. The Future of Clean Energy Who Wins and Who Loses As the World Goes Green. City: Authorhouse, 2015. Print.
Seba, Tony. Clean disruption of energy and transportation : how Silicon Valley will make oil, nuclear, natural gas, coal, electric utilities and conventional cars obsolete by 2030. Silicon Valley, California, USA: Clean Planet Ventures, 2014. Print.
The increase of population and the corresponding increase in the use of resources has been worrying scholars. However, the use of old sources is causing a speedy pollution of the atmosphere and the habitat of the people. Therefore, a speedy search of an alternative, potentially clean source of energy is vitally important for the survival of humanity.
Through the analysis of periodical literature, books on the relevant topics, and critical analysis of experts, we have focused on two sources deemed by us as optimal sources of energy. Solar energy and nuclear energy were concluded to be the most feasible due to their relative low cost and most importantly attractiveness as being clean sources of energy. Considering solar energy everything is clear. Even now the governments are turning to solar power as a replenishable and clean source of energy which can be easily used in large cities by means of installing special solar collectors and solar elements on the roofs of the buidings, both residential and offices. The “1000..”, “2000 solar roofs” programs are easily implemented and can serve good. Most important is to increase awareness of the people regarding this program. If there is no other concern about solar energy, apart from price, the nuclear source of energy, however, caused concern. However, scientist have quickly attempted to decrease the concern of the people through the explanation of how the 4th generation reactor will work. Most importantly is that it will be able to use the fuel, which has already passed the full cycle and thus avid the residue and waste that is still received from the reactors of all previous generations. Their explanation sounded reassuring; however, the time frame these reactors will appear is still way too long. The first reactors of the 4th generation are planned to be installed in 20 years’ time.
We have looked into the ways solar energy is used and can be used. We now know of the state nuclear energy is in, and what works are being conducted to improve the situation. However in order to facilitate an excellent outcome we need to propagate the new policy of saving energy and trying to turn the economies of the world to use clean energy that will not be harmful to our habitat, to our planet and to our future .We should only care about the future and not the present momentary things.
I would like to thank the people who would be reading the report as well as those who helped in providing the necessary information. A special thank you to the experts in the specific fields who have published an insightful material to help better understand the topic and what needs to be done in the future. Hopefully your work will not stop half-way and we together will manage to complete what you have been working on your whole lives.
