Running Head: LITERATURE REVIEW/ RESEARCH PAPER FINAL 1

Literature Review/ Research Paper Final

Felipe Daniel Urzua-Alvarado

University of Texas at El Paso

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Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to present a balanced view of energy consumption in the

United states. I created four research questions that helped me correctly analyze the topic. At

first, I addressed how much energy is being spent in the United States. After stating this

information, I looked at the mainly sources of energy in the United States. Then, I analyzed

different sources to see the effects that the production of energy has on the environment. Lastly, I

brought up to attention the main research question which is the different perspectives experts

have about which type of energy should the citizens in the United States pay more attention. In

conclusion, in this research report I give the different point of views that experts and

organizations have about energy consumption. I stayed un-bias through all the research paper

and it is up to the audience to decide which ideas they might like better.

keywords: renewable energy, non-renewable energy.

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Humans have made huge accomplishments such as going to the moon or as simple as

connecting our cellphones to a charger in an outlet from our houses. These accomplishments all

required an essential thing: energy. You may not notice but we all consume energy with different

uses. In the United States we use energy for heating and cooling, transportation, and operating

appliances. As the population increases, more energy is being produced and consumed. This

event is called energy consumption and it is growing exponentially due to a higher demand.

Business Dictionary defines energy consumption as an amount of energy consumed in a process

or system, or by an organization or society. In other words, energy consumption is any type of

energy used or wasted by citizens of a country. Furthermore, Rinkesh (2013) states in his article

that:

The U.S. department of energy has divided energy users into 3 categories: Residential

and Commercial, Industrial and Transportation. Residential and commercial uses energy

to light up their homes, for heating and cooling purposes and to fulfill their daily basic

needs. Industrial sector mainly consume energy for lighting up of offices, running

machines, for heating and cooling purposes. Transportation sector uses energy for

uploading and downloading of goods and services from one place to another. Their

mainly source of energy is oil on which transportation sector depends. (para. 2)

Rinkesh clearly states how energy is being spent through the United States. In this Literature

Review/ Research Paper I will present a balanced view of energy consumption with these four

key research questions I developed: how much energy is being spent in the United States, what

are the mainly sources of energy in the United States, what are the effects that the production of

energy has on the environment, and which type of energy should citizens in the United States

pay more attention.

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How Much Energy is Being Spent in the United States?

It is essential for this Literature Review/ Research Paper that I address how much energy

is currently being spent in the United States. People might think that the United States does not

spent huge amounts of energy because as seen from the skies most of the cities in the United

States are not completely illuminated in the night. I even see it on my local town, El Paso, where

there is a huge difference between our border city Ciudad Jurez, Mexico and the local Texas

town. At night, Ciudad Jurez is completely more illuminated at night than El Paso, Texas.

Anyone might think that Ciudad Jurez might spend more energy due to this fact.

NASA article by Evans and Stefanov (2008) explains:

Although the area of El Paso, with an estimated population of slightly more than 600,00

is roughly on the order of the area of built-up Ciudad Jurez, the density of settlement

evidenced by the distribution of lights, is much less. (para. 12)

This idea might

have us thinking

that the United

States is ahead of

other countries

when it comes to

saving energy but

in reality, the

United States is

sure trying to save

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energy but we spend more energy than any other country. Figure 1 clearly illustrates how the

United States are ahead of everyone when it comes to energy consumption. Figure 1 also shows

how the average person in the United States spends 98,418 kilowatt hours a year versus an

average person from a different part of the world spends 21,213 kilowatt hours a year. Many

would assume that the greater the population the greater the energy consumption but China with

a population of 1.38 billion compared to the United States consumes less energy as shown in

figure 1 (The Statistics Portal). In the United States, Wood (2016) explains how energy is

measure by Btu (British Thermal Units) and is said that Americans would spend approximately

150 million British Thermal Units just in transportation. An article from the Department of

Energy of the United States by Wood (2016) states that If I told you that you used 149

million British Thermal Units (Btu) of energy last year on transportation, you would be left

scratching your head (para. 3). Furthermore, Wood (2016) gives a visible perception of how

much energy the average American spends by explaining that what if I told you that your

personal energy consumption needs would require the equivalent of 15,000 pounds of coal to be

burned every year? I bet you could picture it a bit better (para. 4). We are talking here about

huge amounts of energy being consumed in the United States. Another key thing to keep in mind

about energy consumption in the United States is that these numbers will probably go up as the

population increases. Rinkesh (2013) explains that According to the U.S. Energy

Administration (EIA), the demand for global energy is projected to grow 44% between 2005 and

2030, driven by robust economic growth and expanding populations in the worlds developing

countries (para. 3). In other words, there will be a greater demand for energy not only in the

United States but in the whole planet.

What are the Mainly Sources of Energy in the United States?

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Throughout the history of humans, we have created different ways of producing energy.

Energy mostly come in electrical, heat, and nuclear energy. Even though there are a lot of

different methods of producing energy, most of the world share the same methods. Energy

sources can be divided between two groups: Renewable and Non-Renewable sources. Rinkesh

(2013) states renewable sources are obtained via natural sources by stating that Renewable

Sources include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydro power (para. 4). Furthermore,

Rinkesh (2013) explains how solar and wind are the most popular in this type of energy source

and states that Solar energy is the major source of energy among all the nationsWind energy

is used in large farm fields where they can use windmills to provide power for the

accomplishment of agricultural task (para. 4). In the other hand, Non-Renewable energy comes

mostly with a process that requires the burning of raw material. Rinkesh (2013) provides

examples of Non-Renewable sources by stating that:

Non-Renewable Sources include fossil fuels (Coal, Oil, and has) and Nuclear energy.

Theyre called fossil fuels because they were formed over millions of years by the action

of heat from the Earths core and pressure from rock and soil remains (or fossils) of

dead plants and animals. Fossil fuels are relatively essay to use to generate energy

because they only require a simple direct combustion.

As seen in our daily lives, electricity is the most common usage of energy in the United States.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014) defines the U.S. electricity system as

a complex network of power plants, transmission and distribution wires, and end-user of

electricity (para. 1). In addition, the EPA (2014) states that Electricity in the United States is

generated using a variety of resources. The three most common are coal, natural gas, and nuclear

power (para. 3). Also, Figure 1 illustrates the main sources of electricity in the United States. It
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can clearly be seen that coal is the largest source of electricity. Natural gas follows with an

approximately 1/5 percentage of the entire source of electricity.

What are the Effects that the Production of Energy has on the Environment?

As explained in the previous paragraph, energy does not limit its creation because it can

be obtained and produced with different processes and materials. As seen in Newtons Third

Law, every action has a reaction and this idea applies as well to the processes of producing

energy. Whether it is a positive or negative impact, every method has an impact on the

environment. Rinkesh (2013) explains how the process Non-Renewable sources have been

exploded a lot and causing damage to the environment by stating that:

Much of our energy needs are met by fossil fuels viz. coal, natural gas and oil. These are

created within the earth by the process of fossilization. It takes many millions of years for

the transformation to complete. In the 21st century, we have used this energy faster than

the earth can replenish it. (para. 1)

In addition, Rinkesh (2013) states that There are many countries, which have recorded

significant reduction of these sources and are currently suffering from the side effects of drilling

these energy reserves from deep ground (para. 1). Another example of the effects on the

environment with Non-Renewable sources is the electricity system of the United States. The

EPA (2041) states that the environmental effects of the electricity system can include:

Emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, especially when a fuel is

burned

Use of water resources to produce steam, provide cooling, and serve other

functions.
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Discharges of pollution into water bodies, including thermal pollution (water that

is hotter than the original temperature of the water body) (para. 8).

In the other hand, we have Renewable-Sources that can create energy through solar panels or

dams. Rinkesh (2013) describes these energy sources as widely available and environment

friendly. They cause a little or almost no pollution (para. 1). Rinkesh (2013) also suggests that

sources like solar or wind are environmentally friendly because to convert sunlight into energy or

using wind power does not create pollution. Even though these sources may appear to not do

harm to the planet earth, other experts do not agree on this idea. Lefebvre (2013) explains how

Renewable-Sources can have a negative effect on the environment by stating that Dams,

whether large or small, have undeniable impacts on local ecosystems, and it is perfectly

legitimate to express concern about this (p. 23). Having said that, the U.S. Dept. of Energy

(2008) describes the wind source has a positive source on the environment by stating that it

Avoids air pollution and reduces GHG emissions: reduces electric sector C2 emissions by 825

million metric tons annually (p. 13). Having said that, it is clear that experts have different

positions on the environmental effects of Renewable and Non-Renewable Sources.

Which Type of Energy Should Citizens in the United States Pay More Attention?

Many experts have brought attention to which type of energy should the United States

start pay more attention. Some may tend to lean to the Non-Renewable sources because these

could be really cheap to labor with and is easier to manufacture as humans have used these ways

longer than the Renewable sources. Rinkesh (2013) explains how coal, a type of Non-Renewable

energy source, has several pros by stating that it is:

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Plentiful: Especially within the United States. Cost to use is lower than other

forms of energy

Fairly Efficient: Out of the potential energy present in coal, a high percentage of it

is utilized when coal is burned (para. 4).

Rinkesh (2013) compares and contrast coal to a Renewable Source, solar energy, and persuades

to use solar energy by providing key elements of it and stating that it is:

Sustainable: As long as the sun comes up, more energy will be produced. It is

impossible for future generations to be deprived of the resource since we cant use

it up.

Great Choice for Remote Locations: Often cheaper to set up solar than run high

voltage lines to remote areas off the power grid (para. 13).

However, not everyone agrees on solar energy as the future source of the United States. Lefebvre

(2013) agrees that the United States should use hydropower to generate energy by stating that:

Hydro resources are naturally replenished and clearly represent a form of renewable

energy in any meaningful sense of the term. Hydro use is sustainable; using it today does

nothing to deprive future generations of this source of energy, in clear contrast to the

consumption of oil, gas coal or uranium (p. 143).

In addition, Lefebvre (2013) suggests that hydro resources are cheap and consumers that use it

pay the lowest electricity rates. Lefebvre also argues that different types of Renewable-Sources

aside of hydro often fail due to the cause of the relative big cost they possess. On the other hand,

the U.S. Department of Energy (2008) has a different position and argues the United States

should plan to have in the future a wind power based energy system and explains how it avoids
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several of the negative effects of the actual energy generation by stating that it Reduces

cumulative water use in the electric sector by 8% (4 trillion gallons) potentially reduces

demand for fossil fuels, in turn reducing fuel prices and stabilizing electricity rates (p. 13). In

addition, the U.S. Department of Energy states that Wind power would be a critical part of a

broad and near-term strategy to substantially reduce air pollution, water pollution, and climate

change (p. 13). All things considered, it is clearly that not everyone agrees with a particular

method of producing energy. Experts stand different positions and each one has its point of view

of how the United States should get their energy from.

In conclusion, in this Literature Review/ Research Paper I presented a balanced view of

energy consumption and addressed how much energy is being spent in the United States, what

are the mainly sources of energy in the United States, what are the effects that the production of

energy has on the environment, and to which type of energy should citizens in the United States

pay more attention. It was clearly stated that the United States spends more energy than any

other country of the world. Then, it was presented how energy sources are presented in two

types: Renewable and Non-Renewable Sources. These two possess a completely different

process of generating energy. Renewable sources can be obtained with the four elements of

nature where Non-Renewable sources are mainly obtained with fossils. It was later explained

how these two types of sources have an impact on the environment. Ones can have a positive

effect such as solar energy and other ones create a negative effect such as coal. Lastly, it was

presented the different point of views experts have about the future generation of energy in the

United States. Here is where controversies surround this topic. Several organizations suggest

different types of methods to generate energy but others might not agree. Through all these

years, this topic has brought up a higher attention and it is possible that the generation of energy
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in the United States could change directions. Aside of conducting a research on energy

consumption, I also conducted a primary research to gain more information. I interviewed via

email former Electrical Engineer, Eduardo Estrada, to know about energy in his work (see

Appendix A for more detail).

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Resources
20% wind energy by 2030. [electronic source]: increasing wind energys contribution to U.S.

electricity supply: executive summary. (2008). [Washington, D.C.]: U.S. Dept. of

Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, [2008].

Energy Consumption. BusinessDictionary.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017, from

BusinessDictionary.com website: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/energy-

consumption.html

EPA (2014). About the U.S. Electricity System and its Impact on the Environment. Retrieved

from https://www.epa.gov/energy/about-us-electricity-system-and-its-impact-

environment#main-content

Evans, C., & Stefanov, W., (2008). Cities at Night: The View from Space. Retrieved from

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/CitiesAtNight/

Lefebvre, J. (2013). Renewable Energy: Myths and Obstacles: Sustainable Energy Development

and Hydropower Rehabilitation. Editions MultiMondes.

The Statistics Portal, (2016). Population in China Statistics & Facts. Retrieved from

https://www.statista.com/topics/1276/population-in-china/

Rinkesh, (2013). Energy Sources. Retrieved from https://www.conserve-energy-

future.com/energysources.php

Rinkesh, (2013). What are Renewable Sources of Energy? Retrieved from

https://www.conserve-energy- future.com/types-of-renewable-sources-of-energy.php
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Rinkesh, (2013). What are Non-Renewable Sources of Energy? Retrieved from

https://www.conserve- energy-future.com/nonrenewableenergysources.php

Rinkesh, (2013). What are Alternative Energy Sources? Retrieved from https://www.conserve-

energy- future.com/alternativeenergysources.php

Rinkesh, (2013). Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources. Retrieved from

https://www.conserve- energy-future.com/renewable-and-nonrenewable-resources.php

Rinkesh, (2013). Who uses Energy? Retrieved from https://www.conserve-energy-

future.com/energyconsumption.php

Evans, C., & Stefanov, W., (2008). Cities at Night: The View from Space. Retrieved from

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/CitiesAtNight/

Visual Economics, The Averages American's Annual Energy Consumption [Advertisement].

(2012, November 17). Retrieved from https://thumbnails-visually.netdna-ssl.com/the-

-americans-annual-energy-consumption_50290ad20c6dd_w1500.jpg

Wood, D. (2016, June 3). How Much Do You Consume? Retrieved from

https://energy.gov/articles/how-much-do-you-consume
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Appendix A
Email Interview
In this Literature Review/ Research Paper I included a primary research interview. In this

interview I asked a former engineer about the types of energy they used in his workplace. Also, I

asked him if he considers a specific type of energy convenient for the type of work they do.

Interview 1 shows all the details of the questions asked to the former engineer.

Interview 1

What is your name?

Eduardo Estrada

Where do you work and what position do you have?

I work at EXB Solutions and I am a Sr. Systems Engineer

What type of Energy is being consumed where you work?

Radio Frequency power commonly known as RF.

Could you approximately tell me how much energy is being used?

Power consumption is about 600KW per hour.

What methods do you use with Energy?

DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and RF modulation

Do you think a different source of energy could be used?

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A different source cannot be used because this is how satellites communicate to ground

stations.

Do you have any source of energy preference?

RF power is where the present and the future of wireless technology is at and that is my

preference for energy source.