Introduction.
This report aims to identify the sustainable technologies that could be developed in New Zealand, to solve energy problems that are experienced by the residents in different cities. This is a case study of New Zealand, which is an island country to the south west of the Pacific Ocean. Despite the comparatively low population and the abundance of natural resources, the country is still among the leading Importer of energy sources. The country is majorly dependent on fossil fuel, hydroelectric and geothermal power as a source of its energy for domestic and industrial use. The increasing gas prices and the overdependence on imported goods and products create an economy that is volatile for the country. Approximately 70% of the energy supply in the island comes from hydrocarbon fuels and about 30% is derived from renewable sources. Coal is mined in New Zealand from four underground and 21 open cast mines, with majority of the reserves in the south land lignite deposits. Additionally, Taranaki basin produces gas and oil for the country. The low oil and gas production is supplemented by importation from other oil producing countries. Hence the nation is rendered vulnerable to spills, geopolitics and price swings.
However, there are other unexploited sources that could be harnessed to produce energy to be used on activities that require low energy. It is important to note that fossil fuel and hydrocarbon are non-renewable and once depleted there will be no other source of energy for the nation. In view of this fact, it is inevitable for the state to identify and develop alternative and sustainable sources of energy. The transition and adoption of these alternatives may be difficult but the community can pull together to help curb this problem. The nation has created an energy policy which has outlined the nation’s commitment to provide platforms and investment strategies that are based on clean energy. The state has a vision to achieve 70% of clean energy sources by the year 2030.
Alternative sustainable technologies that are clean can be pursued to solve the energy problems in New Zealand. Some of the greatest solutions to the problem include exploration and development of geothermal and hydroelectric energy. However, this endeavour could take time and resources and may result in geographical eventualities that may be disastrous to the nation. Other prime sources of sustainable energy include; wind, wave, hydro, solar and biomass. There is a great possibility for approximately 70% of the country’s source of energy to come from renewable sources. Of all the mentioned sources of sustainable technologies, solar technology is a more feasible and achievable option.
New Zealand espouses the best environment in which solar energy can be harnessed particularly for domestic purposes and small industrial uses. The island experiences long periods of sunshine with minimal freezing. Additionally, the country offers 35% solar tax credit. The solar installations support variety of electricity needs including water heating, air conditioning, lighting and cooking.
Solar power technology
The technology can be broadly classified as either active or passive solar; this depends on technique for capturing, conversion and the distribution of solar energy. The active solar techniques include use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the solar energy. On the other hand, passive solar techniques basically involves orienting buildings and equipment towards the sun , selecting the materials that have ideal light dispersing properties and thermal mass properties and designing naturally air circulating spaces. The Active solar technologies have a tendency to increase energy supply and thus are considered supply technologies. Passive solar technology always reduces the need for alternate source and is therefore generally considered as demand side technologies.
Solar technology can be applied in almost all sectors of the economy. They gain application in industry, communication, architecture and planning, transport, housing and environment.
Solar technology has influenced the architecture and urban planning in a number of ways. The passive solar technology involves orientation of buildings and equipment to the sun, this has influenced the planning and designing of urban areas and cities to be able to utilize solar energy and create well lit spaces that are naturally temperature regulated. The solar energy can also be tapped and converted to produce electricity, ventilation, water heating and air conditioning to these buildings and spaces. This significantly reduces the dependence on other sources of electricity. Agriculture and horticulture can also optimize the capture of solar energy for optimization of productivity of plants. The use of greenhouses is a typical example. The green houses convert the solar energy to heat thus allowing year round production and growth. Additionally, the transport sector has in the recent past adopted solar technology in some of their products. Some vehicles use solar for their auxiliary power for air conditioning to reduce on fuel consumption.
However, the major application of solar energy is solar thermal energy. This technology can be used for water heating, air conditioning and ventilation. In New Zealand, air conditioning, heating and ventilation account for 30% of the total energy used in commercial buildings and approximately 50% in residential houses. A portion of this energy can be offset by using solar technologies for heating cooling and ventilation. Thermal mass materials such as cement, stone, and water can be used to store energy and thus regulate temperature in the buildings. This has been used in arid areas in the past to store heat and keep buildings cool during the day ad radiate the stored heat in the night keeping the buildings warm. In cold areas the materials can be used to maintain warmth in the buildings without using auxiliary heating and cooling equipment.
Solar thermal is mainly used for solar water heating. This application has been used in many states and countries over the last century. This application involves the use of solar water heaters installed in premises and residential areas. This significantly reduces the amount of energy used in residential, commercial and industrial buildings for water heating.
Solar power can also be used for electricity generation; this venture requires massive installation of photovoltaic or concentrated solar panels to convert solar energy into electricity. This technology is feasible in New Zealand given the geographic location and climatic condition. The photovoltaic technology can be effectively implemented in this region. It can be installed in small scale levels in homesteads, commercial and industrial premises.
In view of the applications that the solar power technology can be put to, the adoption and implementation of the technology will go a long way in solving energy problems in New Zealand. The technology can also be applied easily because of the following aspects. First, the island is a region which is isolated and exploration of alternative sources of energy my not be feasible. Solar energy on the other hand requires fewer preconditions for development, the technology can easily be incorporated in new building codes, and installation can also be done in existing establishments. Secondly, the island experiences long duration of sunlight, this provides a sustainable environment for development of solar technology. These opportunities provide a head start in the development of solar technology in New Zealand .
Effective and large scale adoption of this technology will go a long way in solving energy problems in the country, it will provide clean energy that has no impact on the environment and also provide alternative source of energy that is cheap and affordable to the citizens. Eventually, the initiative will enhance economic sustainability of the nation due to reduced expenditure on oil and other expensive sources of energy.
Quadruple bottom line
Environmental aspect
The operational process of solar power capturing, conversion and distribution has minimal impact on the environment. The technology has no liquid or gaseous emissions. The technology is one of the cleanest energy sources in the universe. Furthermore, the use of solar power has no local or global weather change and thus not affecting or contributing to climate change. Additionally, the installation of the technology requires less space and minimal alteration of land use activities.
Potential negative environmental impacts of the technology may arise from the manufacture of equipment that is used by the technology. These may include photovoltaic materials which are made from silicon, lead, cadmium and mercury. Most of these materials are potentially harmful to the environment and to human beings. Therefore caution should be taken in the production of these materials. Alternative materials can be used if any to minimize the environmental impact of these materials. In case of the use of chemicals and other toxic substances in the plants, caution should be taken and safety increased to minimize occupational hazards.
The devices and equipment that are used by solar technology have a long life span therefore minimizing waste and disposal. The materials last long and they can be recycled once their tenure expires. This has significant positive environmental impact.
As mentioned earlier, the technology has no emissions thus having no health impacts and they are user friendly.
Economic aspect.
The use of solar energy in the last decade has tremendously increased. Most countries are adopting solar energy both in large and small scale.
Countries with the most installed solar energy in MW
However the price of equipment and devices is still high due to few countries that monopolize in the production of these devices. There are less than 100 mega manufacturers of PV systems globally, 40 - 50 battery manufacturers, 10-15 water processor manufacturers and 7 silicon suppliers. This gives them an opportunity to control market prices which has remained considerably high.
The increase in demand for the technology indicates a high potential for success in solar technologies in the future.
Social aspect
The prices of crude oil have been on the constant rise globally. Oil determines the economic and social stability of almost every nation on the world. Price fluctuations have led to inflations globally. The overdependence on oil resource will eventually result in depletion, given the fact that it is a limited and nonrenewable resource. Alternative sources of energy must be explored to minimize the eventualities expected from the over dependence. Solar energy is clean, sustainable and renewable energy source that will enhance inter-general equity. It can never be depleted for millions and millions of years to come. The use of solar energy will also reduce the over dependence on other sources of energy such as hydroelectricity, fossil fuel and hydrocarbon fuels.
Use of solar energy comes with reduced job opportunities compared to other energy sources. However in the New Zealand context, job opportunities in the energy sector will be increased, this is because there is other energy production plants in the country, the introduction of solar power will increase job opportunities. The intensification of solar power for instance concentrated solar panels has potential employment opportunities.
The New Zealand government has provided a platform for the investment and development of the solar power technology. The state has provided incentives to enhance adoption of this technology; the state offers 35% solar tax credit
Future developments
The exploration and development of solar power technology is a vital endeavour for the future of the state and the planet as a whole. There are greater opportunities with this technology that can still be harnessed sustainably. 8.2 million Quads of solar energy hits the earth every year and only 400 quads are utilized annually in the entire globe. 0.0005% of the earth’s surface needs to be covered with solar panels to be able to power it. This is a really small percentage. Furthermore, a total of 75 million barrels of oil can be saved annually and approximately 35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide saved annually by using solar power.
This can be achieved through policy formulation in the state to ensure mainstreaming of sustainable technologies in daily activities. The country and nations globally can provide incentives to enhance the adoption and development of solar power technology. Research is also a requirement to find alternative sources of material for the production and manufacture of solar panels, PVs and solar heaters.
In conclusion, solar power technology is perhaps the most sustainable, clean and affordable source of energy. It could be easily harnessed to supplement and reduce overdependence on crude oil as a source of energy. It has great opportunities for expansion in the future and it is renewable, thus reducing damage to the environment and providing resource security to the future generation. However, it is imperative to note that despite the advantages, there may exist minimal disadvantages which should be considered.
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