Perspectives on

Alternative Energy
By David Bennett, Obi Nwachuku & Wei
Chieh Wong

What we wish to learn

What are the pros and cons of both
renewable and nonrenewable energy?
Is the implementation of renewable energy
in modern society realistic?
We will use coal as an example of
renewable energy; solar and wind power
for nonrenewable energy

World Energy Use

Coal Pollutes
Coals combustion adds
more carbon dioxide
emissions to the
atmosphere than any
other resource (38.2% of
ALL CO2 IN THE WORLD
from coal plants in 1999)
Coal plants also emit
toxins such as sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxide,
carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons, and the list
goes on
www.ecolo.org

Coal: Health Effects

http://english.people.com.cn/200510
/04/eng20051004_212470.html

Coal: Health Effects

Coal mining deaths are common
In 2004, 6,434 Chinese miners died on the
job
The pollution from nearby factories often
enters houses and gets trapped inside due
to poor ventilation

Coal: Pros
The only thing that keeps some countries,
such as China, using coal is because its
A) Cheap: about 4 cents for every kilowatthour of energy produced, or 3,600,000 J
B) Efficient: when coal is burned, about
40% of its energy is converted into
electricity

So, is coal worth it?

Pros
Its cheap
Its efficient

arts.no

Cons
It pollutes
It releases lots of
CO2 = lots of global
warming
Mining it is dangerous
Strip mining destroys
the environment
Its non-renewable

Clearly,
an alternative form of energy is called for!

www.juliantrubin.com

Wind Power?
While coal is terrible for the environment,
wind power is not only a renewable
resource, but it also doesnt pollute!

nebardi.wordpress.com

Wind Power?
In fact, wind is also pretty cheap: its only
3-4.5 cents/kilowatt-hour (kWh)
BUT, thats because its making its money
back over timethats the bonus of
renewable energy
Of course, it is expensive to install in the
first place, around $800,000 for a big 750
kW turbine
But over time, itll get even more back

Wind Power?
Wind power has about 20% conversion
efficiencyonly about half as much as coal
power
There are two
factors in
determining how
much power youll
get: wind speed,
and wind consistency
www.bpa.gov

Wind Power?
Of course, wind power does have its
drawbacks:
A) Wind farms take up a lot of space
B) They can dominate a landscape that might
otherwise have aesthetic value
C) They can kill birds or interfere with television
reception

www.smh.com.au

www.bobnewell.net

So what?
Overall, wind power looks good!
But, its hard to implement in a rapidly
developing country without much money
(like China or India)
And, wind power probably wouldnt be
able to meet such huge power demands
However, implementing it little by little, and
hoping that it becomes more efficient and
cheaper FAST seems logical

How aboutSolar Power?

Solar power is also a renewable form of
energy

earthweek.berkeley.edu

Solar Energy?
But, its a little more expensive than the
others, at 30 cents/kWh
In addition, while coal and wind power
could operate all day (and night) long,
solar energy is only effective during a few
hours in the day

profile.myspace.com

Solar Energy?
The suns energy is typically harnessed
through photovoltaic cells to convert the
suns power into usable energy
These cells convert the suns energy into
electricity at 10-15% (not the best)
Large, flat expanses of land are usually
needed, BUT they can also be
conveniently placed
on rooftops
www.gia.hu

Solar Energy?
The good news is, theres great payback
over time!

So dont sell it short

Solar Energy?
A common use of solar energy is to heat
homes

www.greenenergy.org.uk

Solar energy, good stuff?

It might be a little too expensive and not
cost-effective enough to replace coal
power in developing countries yet, but
theyre working on it!

oz.irtc.org

So, which is the best?

For price, its two against one.

Comparison of Prices for Energy obtained

Cost (cents) per kilowatts per hour

(kWh)

30
25
20
Photovalic Power
15

Coal Power
Wind power on shore

10
5
0

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/ieohecon.html

Wind power off shore

So, which is the best?

However, when we project into the future, things get closer!
Comparison of cost of different forms of energy,
projected until 2010

Cents per kilowatt-hour

60
50

coal

40

wind (class 4)
wind (class 6)

30
20

photovalic (utility
scale)

10

photovalic (solar
thermal)

0
1995

2000

2005

2010

Year

http://www.worldenergy.org/wecgeis/images/pubs/tech_papers/17th_congress/1_4_2203.gif
www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_energy/ACFF6pMpQ.pdf

BUT
Whats important is that we STOP global
carbon dioxide emissions, saving our
lungs and stopping global warming.
We made a projection as to how much the
carbon dioxide levels will go down as we
start using more renewable energy

As we use more renewable energy, carbon

dioxide concentration goes down!
1: Atmospheric CO2 ppmv

1: Atmospheric CO2 ppmv

1:

550

1:

450

1:

550

1:

450

1
1

1
1:

1:

350
2006.00

2018.50

Page 1

2031.00
Y ears

2043.50
2056.00
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350
2006.00

2031.00
Y ears

2043.50
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90% Fossil Energy , 10% Renewable Energy

100% Fossil Energy

1: Atmospheric CO2 ppmv

1: Atmospheric CO2 ppmv

1:

2018.50

Page 1

1:

455

435

1
1:

405

1:

395

1
1:
Page 1

1:

355
2006.00

2018.50

2031.00
Y ears

2043.50
2056.00
9:17 PM Tue, Dec 05, 2006 Page 1

80% Fossil Energy , 20% Renewable Energy

355
2006.00

2018.50

2031.00
Y ears

2043.50
2056.00
9:14 PM Tue, Dec 05, 2006

70% Fossil Energy , 30% Renewable Energy

Conclusion
Its not easy to quantify exactly which
renewable resource is bettereach has its
pros and its cons
The fact is: anything is better than coal!
Renewable energy may not replace fossil
fuels overnight, but a push towards them
is mandatory if we are to stop global
warming