This article talks about the energy sources being put in use around the world and what goes into them. It also discusses the possibilities in the future and their inverse effect.
This article can be used as a side by side comparison between the different sources of energy used today. This is relevant because the majority of the techniques are not implemented to its potential in the United States. It starts by describing the liberation and freedom that comes with sustainable energy for oneself. Living without worry and dependency both on others and financially is a very powerful thing. It starts with solar the most commonly known form solar, it brings up the solar field in Germany. This field can power about 2000 homes and that is just one field. Everyday solar is becoming more practical as the technology gets better the equipment gets less expensive, produces more energy and can be implemented in more places. It has gone from only viable on satellites to become the solution for remote areas where the infrastructure does not exist as well becoming a source from house to house. While this technology is not at its peak it is still very viable and is underused because of the lack of incentive when it could prove incredibly useful for energy impoverished areas. The next method was using wind and again while the United States has the most potential for this technology we are lacking. Wind power is not viable everywhere but where they can be installed these wind towers can produce two megawatts which is about half the solar field in Germany in one tower according to the article. While aesthetically displeasing the sheer amount of potential it has, it is only a creative idea away from becoming popular. Including a smaller version which is being used in some spots, although they do not create too much energy, it seems an in between version could prove useful. The next is biomass and through the readings there are many proven downsides but there is still room for it to help. As the article states none of these sources can do it exclusively but collectively there is more than enough. Biomass while harmful at the household level can prove useful as a collective group. The majority of the United States has a lawn to go along with their house that is always kept. A switch from the traditional ryegrass to switchgrass could prove monumental. Switchgrass is one of the best bio-energy out there, and Coincidentally it is native to the United States and can pretty much grow anywhere here. While one house would give nothing the collective millions of households would be able to produce immense amounts of biofuel. This directly relates to my project because I have been wondering about passive ways to fuel communities. Towns around mine are already required to cut their grass and put them in separate bags to be collected. The last two techniques touch on some of the potential sources for the future. Nuclear energy being the first, while this has been used for some time the technique of repurposing has not reached its peak potential. If this was done from the beginning it could have saved enough material to match what is left. While this does not touch on sustainability or vulnerable areas, it is still a very useful source of energy. The last idea was fusion energy, the most promising but also the furthest away from fruition. The energy that brings the sun to life could unforseen potential and dangers which is why it has no place in renewable energy for now.
Source
Parfit, Michael. “Energy Article, Energy Conservation Information, Future Fuels Facts -- National Geographic.” Energy Article, Energy Conservation Information, Future Fuels Facts -- National Geographic. National Geographic Society, May 31, 2016. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/universe/after-oil-ener....
Cite as
Michael Parfit, "Powering the Future", contributed by Logan Young, The Energy Rights Project, Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography, last modified 10 May 2020, accessed 27 April 2024. https://energyrights.info/content/powering-future
Critical Commentary
This article talks about the energy sources being put in use around the world and what goes into them. It also discusses the possibilities in the future and their inverse effect.
This article can be used as a side by side comparison between the different sources of energy used today. This is relevant because the majority of the techniques are not implemented to its potential in the United States. It starts by describing the liberation and freedom that comes with sustainable energy for oneself. Living without worry and dependency both on others and financially is a very powerful thing. It starts with solar the most commonly known form solar, it brings up the solar field in Germany. This field can power about 2000 homes and that is just one field. Everyday solar is becoming more practical as the technology gets better the equipment gets less expensive, produces more energy and can be implemented in more places. It has gone from only viable on satellites to become the solution for remote areas where the infrastructure does not exist as well becoming a source from house to house. While this technology is not at its peak it is still very viable and is underused because of the lack of incentive when it could prove incredibly useful for energy impoverished areas. The next method was using wind and again while the United States has the most potential for this technology we are lacking. Wind power is not viable everywhere but where they can be installed these wind towers can produce two megawatts which is about half the solar field in Germany in one tower according to the article. While aesthetically displeasing the sheer amount of potential it has, it is only a creative idea away from becoming popular. Including a smaller version which is being used in some spots, although they do not create too much energy, it seems an in between version could prove useful. The next is biomass and through the readings there are many proven downsides but there is still room for it to help. As the article states none of these sources can do it exclusively but collectively there is more than enough. Biomass while harmful at the household level can prove useful as a collective group. The majority of the United States has a lawn to go along with their house that is always kept. A switch from the traditional ryegrass to switchgrass could prove monumental. Switchgrass is one of the best bio-energy out there, and Coincidentally it is native to the United States and can pretty much grow anywhere here. While one house would give nothing the collective millions of households would be able to produce immense amounts of biofuel. This directly relates to my project because I have been wondering about passive ways to fuel communities. Towns around mine are already required to cut their grass and put them in separate bags to be collected. The last two techniques touch on some of the potential sources for the future. Nuclear energy being the first, while this has been used for some time the technique of repurposing has not reached its peak potential. If this was done from the beginning it could have saved enough material to match what is left. While this does not touch on sustainability or vulnerable areas, it is still a very useful source of energy. The last idea was fusion energy, the most promising but also the furthest away from fruition. The energy that brings the sun to life could unforseen potential and dangers which is why it has no place in renewable energy for now.