Energy conservation
Energy conservation
In the recent past, there has been lots of question about climate change all over the world. It has been reported by scientists that the world is heating up at a faster rate than it was some years ago. The problem of Global Climate Change is more severe than the Cold war. This is because so many countries are required to solve the problem, and it is difficult to reach a consensus, unlike the cold war where few countries were involved. Therefore, several forums have been held so as to reinvigorate the Kyoto Protocol (Victor, 90). The Federal Government has set certain standards for curbing the emissions produced by automobiles. Air pollution has to be reduced through severe maintenance and inspection (Congress of the United States, 93). This has been mostly attributed to the increased use of energy all over the world. Conservation of energy thus means decreasing the use of energy but still achieving equivalent result. This is achieved when mankind starts using energy more efficiently.
Energy crisis
It is important to examine energy crisis before discussing energy conservation. Energy crisis is any increase in the price of energy supply to an economy. There are many causes of energy crisis, some of which are addressed below. These include marker failure which results due to monopoly and market manipulation. These crises may also occur due to issues such as strikes from the union workers or government embargoes. Other factors such as overconsumption of fuel and disruptions at the refineries also lead to energy crisis. Other minor interruptions are caused by pipeline bursts and other accidents while transporting these fuels. Infrastructural damage due to bad weather and terrorists attack on important infrastructures may end up causing a global shortage in energy. Other causes may result from changes in the government regime, collapse of a monarchy or a coup may affect the supply of fuel in any given country (Pareto and Pareto, par 1 2).
Effects of energy crisis
Failure in energy markets results to shortage in energy supply. Black outs follow the consumers of the resource released during the times of low supply despite the causes. The rise on gas prices affects the consumers at the household. Another effect is felt in those countries which rely most on tourism for their economy. Once there is an energy crisis, there follows also changes in the tourism trends since the rise in prices of fuel and gas are transferred to the consumer (Pareto and Pareto, par 3).
Due to these shortages, there is need for conservation of the available sources. Because some crisis never occur since they were planned, there is always need to have a department that deals with energy crisis in any country. Crisis management may be enforced by the authorities with curfews set so as to increase conservation of energy at the same time reducing its consumption. Worst cases may see the nation facing serious power rationing. Some facilities may need to shut down their operation so as to save on energy consumption leading to a humanitarian crisis (Watson, par.20-22). Energy crisis will always require mitigation measures to be put in place. Fuel reserves are therefore required to supply fuel in times of a crisis, energy policies may then be set up in each country so as to achieve greater intensity in the energy sector (Pareto Pareto, par.2).
Energy conservation Importance
It is very important to conserve energy because most of the energy sources are limited. Once they are exhausted, then it becomes difficult to have them replaced. Conserving the available energy sources or through using the renewable sources would ensure that the future generations ability to use the same resources is not being compromised. It is very important to conserve our non renewable sources of energy because their continued use has got its own implications on the environment. For instance, consumption of energy derived from fossils has got a negative impact on air and water. Pollution in the sea and the air are among the effects of the fossil fuel usage. This is normally through carbon dioxide emission which causes green house effect (EPA 2)
The green house effect is a situation whereby, carbon emitted from the burning of oil, coal and also gas in motor vehicle engines, heating systems and power stations rises to the atmosphere and as a result acts as a transparent blanket which contributes or leads to global warming. The results of the global warming have been witnessed whereby weather patterns have changed and consequently, it has impacted negatively in the lives and health of human beings. Other effects which result from the global warming might include the rise in sea levels which affects the coast line operations and also major changes in the patterns in which vegetation grows which may leads to some plant species becoming extinct (EPA 2).
Another reason as to why there is need to conserve energy is because of prevention of the environment we live in. Considering the case of sulphur dioxide emission into the atmosphere, the effects associated with it are not minor. Once this gas combines with water and the dissolved oxygen in the clouds, a reaction takes place resulting to acid rain precipitation. The effects of the acid rain include killing of marine life and vegetation as well as reacting with limestone rocks which have been used I buildings thus causing destruction to them (EPA 2).
Energy conservation techniques
One of the techniques is by changing what one uses. There are several energy conservation measures which can be employed to ensure energy conservation is implemented right from the home. These techniques include the following one may chose to walk or ride on a bicycle for the shorter distances which he needs to commute. This would ensure that, the contribution of carbon dioxide through automobiles is greatly reduced. In lighting at homes, offices and other areas, one can opt to use the compact fluorescent bulbs which are longer lasting and their energy use is very efficient. These bulbs are expected to last ten more times than the ordinary incandescent light bulbs. Instead of one using a clothes dryer, one may go for the open air drying techniques and thus save on electricity. One should do a market search in order to determine the various appliances available. It is advisable for one to buy energy efficient appliances although theses appliances may cost a little more. However, it will be possible to cover up the extra cost through the utility bill savings (EPA 2).
Another alternative is by change of what one does. For instance, during the winter, one can acquire a programmable thermostat which can automatically regulate the temperatures inside the house. The temperatures can be set at 68 F during the day s operations and 55F when one retires to bed. In order to minimize on the loss of heat in the house, the ceiling will need to be insulated same case to the walls and floor of the house. Instead of using air conditioning facilities, it is good enough to have a tree planted next to the window to serve the purpose of an air conditioner (EPA 2-3).
Recycling of waste such as newspapers, plastics and others will require less energy than a fresh production. It is therefore necessary to recycle whatever can be recycled before thinking of making a brand new commodity as this technique would ensure that conservation of energy is being considered first. Another technique to employ is washing of clothes in bulk and only in cold water. If machines are to be used, then there is the need to set the machines, dishwashers as well as the clothes driers in the energy saving mode (EPA 2-3).
One may also conserve energy by improving on house keeping habits. For instance, one may need to set the water heaters at a temperature of 120 F and not at 150 F. It is always good to put off lights when leaving the house or in rooms which are not in use. Ventilations and entry points to rooms which are not being used and thus must always be kept closed to avoid loss of energy in spreading to all the rooms and no one would use them. House windows and drapes may need to be closed after hot days or after sunset in order to avoid losing the warmth acquired during daytime. These windows must always be properly sealed to avoid air leaking into the house or heat getting lost to the outside through the leaking points. This would reduce the costs of heating or cooling by around 40 percent as the leaks contribute to a lot more in the conditioning of a room (EPA 3).
A very important technique in energy conservation is through education. One needs to get knowledge on the issue of energy conservation. Information can be got form several sources such as the power companies, journals, magazines and books which talk about energy conservation. Once this knowledge has been acquired, it will contribute to enhanced conservation if it is shared with friends, family members, neighbors and friends (EPA 3).
Building design
The temperature and illumination control of a building largely depends on the building location and its surroundings. These include the trees, landscaping activities and buildings or hills which can shelter the building from wind and sunlight. In designing any building, the climate must well be thought of. For instance, in the cooler climates, a building designed with windows facing the southern direction is subjected to more light which means more energy from the sun. In energy conservation, this reduces the amount of energy being used thus encouraging conservation of the available energy and its sources. In the design of a roof, it is often well to install a dark roof in the building because dark roofs may become hotter up to 39 C than the roofs with a reflective covering. The heat absorbed is transmitted into the building thus reducing the need for mechanical heaters in the house. An effective energy efficient design may encompass switching devices using the passive infrared technology for switching off lights in areas which are not in use such as toilets and bathrooms, corridors and office blocks in non working hours. In this design, a computerized system of building management links all these parts for centralized management (Pogany).
The commercial sector is now slowly adopting the smart meters for internal monitoring of energy use in buildings. This mode of monitoring and presentation is highly dynamic and it is quite presentable. In existing building, power quality analyzers which estimate the power usage, harmonical distortions, swells and interruptions among others can be installed. The intention of doing all this is to improve or make the building more efficient in power usage terms (Green Energy Efficient Homes 2).
In the industrial sector, in the process of using electricity in the industrys process, heat is produced as a byproduct. The heat can be trapped and recycled for steam production, heating or other processes which may be requiring some little energy. This process may be very efficient in conservation of energy since it converts over 90 percentage heat to usable source of energy. Similarly, there are advanced boilers in the industry and furnaces which work with less fuel but operating at high temperatures and at the same time producing fewer pollutants yet being very effective and very competent. In the operations of an electric motor which constantly uses electric energy, there can be integrated in them a drive for adjusting their running speed so as to give out energy compatible to the immediate load.
On the side of automobiles, there are several ways of improving their energy efficiency. One of the ways is through drag minimization using improved aerodynamics so as to increase the vehicles fuel efficiency. Another way to cutting on the vehicles fuel consumption is through reduction of the vehicle weight. One of the ways of doing this is the use of composite materials. By inflating tires well and using the advanced type, gasoline usage can be saved and the fuel economy improved by over 3 percent.
Another better system to use is the use of hybrid system of cars and the electric cars. Some of the cars employ regenerative braking so as to utilize energy which in other normal cars is wasted away. The emergence of plug-in hybrids has increased the capacity a car battery can have. With this plug-in technology, one can drive for at least 40 miles using electricity alone and without the need to recharge. Also, installed in these cars is a gas engine which comes in to aid when the battery runs down.
Issues with energy conservation
One of the issues resulting from the energy conservation is the Jevons paradox. This is a situation whereby the critics argue that improvements on technology enhance energy efficiency rather than reduction on energy use. This paradox occurs in two ways the increase in energy reduces the cost thus encouraging more consumption. Secondly, this increase in efficiency leads to growth of the economy. This leads to energy use being pulled towards the whole economy. This doesnt mean that the result is negative. Efficiency in fuel consumption implies a greater and higher quality of life and production (Carl 3).
Businessmen and other experts in business argue that bright lighting is very essential in purchasing. However, health wise, it has been shown that headaches, high blood pressures and even stress including workers errors are more propagated in over illuminated places. Natural daylight generally increases productivity in workers while at the same time reducing the amount of energy being utilized (Bertodi Paolo 5).
With the rise in technology, telecommuting has become a significant chance in conserving energy because many people will have to work from their homes thus reducing the burden to commute every day to their places of work. Though the electric motors have done a very great deal in the moving machine industry, they contribute to great loss in electricity of about 10-20 percent which is converted into mechanical energy. Another issue in conservation of energy is the misinformation consumers have on energy saving. Also the research the consumers have to undertake on whatever is there on the market is too costly in terms of the time it takes. This makes it better for them to purchase cheaper products which use fossil fuels. It the technological advancements are to be embraced then it will change the existing behavior of the people (Bertodi Paolo 5)
Advantages of energy conservation
There are a number of advantages in energy conservation. For instance when energy conservation is taken into action, budgets which are connected to those utilities are lowered. These savings from energy conservation have got a very significant impact more than other initiatives geared towards big investments. Also, energy conservation makes the equipments and machines last longer. This is because the operations per year have been reduced hence less replacements and servicing. As a result of this, the requirements on capital budget are reduced (Woodroof 2).
Another advantage on conservation of energy is reduction on maintenance costs. This is because, a machine running fewer hours per year requires less maintenance materials as well as labor requirements. Energy conservation helps in reducing the risk of price spikes during energy supply (Woodroof 2). All the above points are reflecting on the financial benefits. There are however many other advantages of energy conservation as explained below.
In countries where selling of credit emissions from the environments markets is allowed, these organizations can make their claims of emission reduction. Once they sell their carbon credits, they raise revenue for the organization. Energy conservation also helps organizations built up their names in public thus acquiring good reputation in the public as they can differentiate themselves for being environment friendly (Woodroof 3)
Because of this, the organization which conserves energy can attract a lot of people thus end up retaining the best employees, clients and suppliers among others. In conserving the environment, the firm can save a lot from the risk of legal penalties due to environmental degradation (Woodroof 2). This is because if an organization generates less waste, environmental regulations are evitable. The unforeseen legal costs and political risks can therefore be kept at a check.
Conclusion
In response to future crisis in petroleum and other energy sources, green energy principles and sustainable living must be emphasized more. Alternative fuel sources such as fuel cell technology biodiesel, hydrogen fuel and others should be researched more. Some mechanisms which are more efficient such as the Negawatt power can lead to a more current generation. This term is often used in describing the increased efficiency in trading and consumption in order to increase the market supply rather than to increase the plant capacity to generate power. Energy is a very usefully commodity for any society and all should be done to conserve it so as avoid any form of energy crises.
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