Discussion Assignment

Your posts should cover the questions below in full, and be at least 300 words long. Then reply to and
peer-

review at least three other posts by next Wednesday 11:59PM UoPeople Time, and rate the posts and
replies.

This week, please look online and read the week’s learning guide and the textbook chapters. Then,
research different

forms of alternative (renewable) energy forms available.

Choose two, and then answer the following questions:

1) What does the term “renewable” mean?

a) As mentioned on Energy.gov, renewable energy is considered to be wind, solar,

geothermal, and hydropower. ("Energy Sources | Department of Energy", n.d.) These are

natural occurances that we humans have discovered ways of harnessing and converting

into electricity. Because these resources are natural occuring events and we have learned

how to construct capturing devices does not mean that they do not cause harm to the

environment. Interfering with the environment, however, does not come for free.

2) Which two renewable energy forms did you choose?

a) Two forms that I have readily seen in Mexico are wind and solar energy. In certain areas

of Mexico such as in the state of Puebla, wind turbines can be seen off of a main

highway. It is also becoming more and more popular for buildings and private homes to

install solar pannels as an alternative and subsidiary power source.

3) For each, describe two benefits.

a) Wind

i) We cannot run out of wind energy since wind is generated from the sun. The air is

constantly moving generating varying degrees from a moderate breeze to stronger

gusts of wind.

ii) Turbines can be installed residentially and can help reduce electricity bills and keep

providing energy during power outages. (Mæhlum, 2012)

b) Solar

i) Solar energy is a clean source since the pannels that collect the rays to not give off
any waste. When they are installed, there is no negative run-off that affects the

atmosphere or environment. They also do not interfere with animals causing mortality

rates.

ii) Pannel technology is quickly evolving at a rapid rate that they can now be found in all

shapes and sizes making it possible to install them just about anywhere. Since the cost

of pannels is rapidly dropping, they are much more affordable for a broader consumer

market, which also translates into lower electrical bills. (Rinkesh, 2017)

) For each, describe two drawbacks.

a) Wind

i) Urban turbines have been reported to make lots of noise, therefore it is not viable that

they be built close to urbanized areas. However, this is not the case with offshore

turbines.

ii) The rotating propellers are hazards to wildlife racking up an estimated annual death

toll of 10,000 to 44,000 avain fatalities in the U.S. alone. (Mæhlum, 2012)

b) Solar

i) The major downside to solar energy is the sun is required, meaning, it only functions

during the day. This does not make it a viable option for people living in northern

countries such as Canada, Europe, and most of the U.S. where they have limited solar

exposure during the winter months.

ii) Energy storage is also an issue since storage units still present an elevated cost, are

large, and weigh a lot. Since they are essentially batteries, shelf-life is limited,

batteries eventually need to be replaced, and this incours extra cost. (Rinkesh, 2017)

5) Which of these you feel would best serve your community? Why? Explain.

a) Weighing the options and their pros and cons, I still believe that for Mexico the best

option is solar energy. Installation costs are no longer an issue as they were in the past,

and the versatility of pannels currently being produced create many new options and

possibilities for people to have their own source. Mexico receives on average 12-hours of
sun daily, year round. Although one of the cons of solar energy is that pollution can have

effects of the effectiveness of the pannels, and Mexico City being considered as

notoriously having high levels of pollution, I feel that the actual daily levels would not

have that large an effect. Ultimately, I would say the best option, while technology is still

evolving, would be a mix between current options with a higher percentage in favor of

solar alternatives – 60/40 or 70/30.

) According to The WWF Energy Report prepared by WWF and Ecofys, “by 2050, we could get all the
energy we need from renewable sources.” What is your response to this statement?a) I agree that this
date is reasonable and possible to achieve, as there are countries who are currently proving that society
can function, both literally and economically, without the dependance of fossil fuels relying primarily on
renewable sources. The major factor standing in our way of achieving this, however, (without getting
too political) are the major corporations who currently dominate the market have such a strong stance
that convincing them to change to alternatives will be no simple feat. By the end of 2016, the

top 5 countries that shifted to renewable energy as their primary sources were Sweden, Costa Rica,
Nicaragua, Scotland, and Germany; the top 5 using solar energy included Germany, China, Japan, Italy,
and the U.S. (Climate Reality Project, 2016)Word Count: 722ReferencesEnergy Sources | Department of
Energy. (n.d.) Energy.gov. Retrieved 25 February 2017, from https://www.energy.gov/science-
innovation/energy-sources

Some links to help you get started:

Energy.gov: Wind Energy Renewable Energy Geothermal Basics

United States Environmental Protection Agency - renewable energy

World Bank: Sun Rises on the Solar Sector

Energy Information Administration (EIA) on renewable energy in the USA