ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Alternative Source of Energy &

Sustainable Development
Alternative Energy Sources
1. Solar Power
Alternative energy is any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel.
These alternatives are intended to address concerns about fossil fuels, such as
its high carbon dioxide emissions, an important factor in global warming.
2. Hydroelectric Energy

This has led to the rise of a number of alternative energy sources. While the 3. Geothermal Power
viability of each can be argued, they all contribute something positive when
compared to fossil fuels. Lower emissions, lower fuel prices and the reduction 4. Wind Energy
of pollution are all advantages that the use of alternative fuels can often
provide. 5. Biomass Energy
Here we examine seven of the most prominent alternative fuel sources and 6. Wave Energy
look at the benefits they offer and potential for increased uptake in the coming
years.
7. Tidal Energy
You will notice that water, wind, sun and biomass are all available naturally and
were not formed. Renewable energy resources are always available to be
tapped, and will not run out. This is why some people call it Green Energy.
Renewable Energy
When can energy be called “Renewable”?

1. When its source cannot run out like the sun.

2. When their sources are carbon neutral. This means
they do not produce Carbon compounds such as
other greenhouse gases.
3. When they do not pollute the environment
Renewable energy includes Biomass, Wind, Hydro-power,
Geothermal and Solar sources. Renewable energy can be
converted to electricity, which is stored and transported to
our homes for use. In this lesson, we shall take a closer
look at how renewable energy is converted into electricity.

Illustration of Global Renewable Energy Investment.

Solar Energy
Solar power is energy from the sun. It is considered
'Renewable Energy' because the technology used to convert
the sun's power into electricity. Unfortunately, the sun is not
available in the night, and in some days, clouds and rains and
other natural conditions prevent the sun's powerful rays from
reaching us. This means, it is not always available. This is why
we cannot rely on solar energy alone.

Solar Cells - Solar cells are devices that convert light energy
directly into electrical energy. Solar cells are also called
photovoltaic cells. Larger arrays of solar cells are used to
power road signs, and even larger arrays are used to power
satellites in orbit around Earth.

Solar Panels - Solar panels are different from solar cells.

Solar panels do not generate electricity directly. Instead they
heat up water directly. A pump pushes cold water from a
storage tank through pipes in the solar panel. The water is
heated by heat energy from the Sun and returns to the tank.
They are often located on the roofs of buildings where they can
receive the most sunlight.
Hydroelectric Energy
Moving water has kinetic energy. This can be transferred
into useful energy in different ways. Hydroelectric power
store water in dams.

Working of a dam

1. The Dam is built to retain the water. More electricity

is produced if the water is more in the reservoir
2. Sluice gates can open and close to regulate the
amount of water that is released into the pipes.
3. Potential energy in the retained water is transferred
into kinetic energy by water flowing through the
pipes with high speed.
4. The force and high pressure in the water turns a
series of shafts in a generator.
5. Spinning shafts in the generator charges millions of ● Hydropower is a renewable energy source that doesn't cause global warming
coils and magnets to create electricity, which is because it doesn't release dangerous greenhouse gases.
regulated by a transformer. ● China is the largest producer of hydroelectricity, followed by Canada, Brazil, and
6. This is then transported via cables to homes and the United States
factories. ● Hydropower is the most important and widely-used renewable source of energy.
Geothermal Energy
Deep down in the earth's crust, there is molten rock.
Molten rock is simply rocks that have melted into liquid
form as a result of extreme heat under the earth.
Geothermal technology takes advantage of the heat
close-to-earth-surface temperatures to generate power.

In places with hotter 'close-to-earth-surface'

temperatures, deep wells can be drilled and cold water
pumped down. The water runs through fractures in the
rocks and is heated up. It returns to the surface as hot
water and steam, where its energy can be used to drive
turbines and electricity generators.
Wind Energy
The wind has huge amounts of kinetic energy, and this can be transferred into
electrical energy using wind turbines. The wind turns the blades, which spin a
shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity. The electricity is sent
through transmission and distribution lines to a substation, then on to homes,
business and schools.

Wind turbines cannot work if there is no wind, or if the wind speed is so high it
would damage them. Wind turbines are usually sited on high hills and mountain
ridges to take advantage of the prevailing winds.

● The largest wind turbine in the world, located in Hawaii, stands 20 stories
tall and has blades the length of a football field.
● An average wind speed of 14 miles per hour is needed to convert wind
energy into electricity.
● One wind turbine can produce enough electricity to power up to 300
homes.
● Wind energy is the fastest growing segment of all renewable energy
sources.
Biomass Energy
Biomass fuels come from things that once lived: wood, dried vegetation,
crop residues etc. Plants used up a lot of the sun's energy to make their
own food through photosynthesis. They stored the foods in the plants in
the form of chemical energy. As the plants died, the energy is trapped in
the residue. This trapped energy is usually released by burning and can
be converted into biomass energy.

How is biomass converted into energy?

Decomposition: Things that can rot, like garbage, human and animal
waste, dead animals and the like can be left to rot, releasing a gas
called biogas also known as methane gas or landfill gas. Methane can
be captured by a machine called Microturbine and converted into
electricity. Sometimes, animal waste can also be converted into
methane by a machine called 'Anaerobic Digester'

Fermentation: Ethanol can be produced from crops with lots of sugars,

like corn and sugarcane. The process used to produce ethanol is called
gasification.
Wave Energy
Wave energy harnesses the kinetic energy in the up-and-down movement of waves. The waves are caused by wind action, and wind action is
caused by the sun heating the surface of the waters, generating air pressure. This means as long as there is the sun, there will be wind and waves,
even though its intensity may vary. Wave energy locations are best where there are strong winds traveling over very long distances. Wave energy is
captured by devices called Wave Energy Devices. There are several types of Wave Energy Conversion devices including the following:

A. Point Absorber: This floating structure moves up and down and in all directions. With some conversion mechanisms inside it, power is
converted and stored in a hub at the base.
B. The Attenuator: This floating device also rides the waves, flapping like the wings of a bird, a movement caused by the pounding waves.
The kinetic energy in the movement is converted into energy and stored.
C. The Oscillating Wave Surge Converter: This device extracts energy from the waves of the water. It is installed below the water surface,
but the current is strong enough to cause it to oscillate.
Tidal Energy
Ocean tides are caused by the earth’s rotation, as well as the
combined gravitational fields of the earth, sun and the moon. This
combination shapes the gravitational pull on the earth’s oceans.
The oceans tidal stream is even more powerful when wind air
pressure systems get involved. Areas with greater current speeds,
narrow straits and inlets, as well as channels between islands are
perfect locations for installing tidal energy structures.

Some tidal structures look a lot like wind energy blades, but this
time, installed under water to harness the kinetic energy in the
oceans currents. Unlike in wind turbines, the blades in tidal energy
devices move a lot slower because of the high density of the water.
However, they carry a lot of power.

Some tidal converters work just like the wind turbines. Kinetic
energy from the spinning of the blades, caused by the currents is
tapped with the help of some converters inside of the spinning
structures to generate electricity.
Energy Conservation
Just a century ago, humans used very little energy because we had less of the things
that use up energy. There were no computers, phones, TV, cars, lights, washing
machines and all that. After the industrial revolution, people started using a lot more
manufactured items such as electronics, automobiles, and home appliances. These
items use a lot of energy, but if we all cut our energy use by half, that would be a
huge savings.

Saving energy can be achieved in a couple of ways:

1. Energy Conservation - This is the practice that results in less energy being
used. For example, turning the taps, computers, lights, and TV off when not in
use. It can also include running in the park instead of running on the treadmill in
the gym. Energy conservation is great because we can all do this everywhere
and anytime.
2. Energy Efficiency - This is the use of technology to produce things that use
less energy for the same result. For example, if a heater is designed to warm
your home with less energy than regular heaters, that would be an energy
efficient heater.
3. Recycling - This involves the use of waste or old materials to make new ones.
For example, we can collect all old newspapers from the town at the end of
every day and turn the papers into fresh paper for printing again. We can
collect all plastic bottles and send them to be used for new plastic bottles, or
children plastic toys. Recycling saves energy because less energy is used to
recycle than to turn new raw materials into new products.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development are those which fulfil the present needs of
mankind without curtailing the needs of future generations. This can be
made possible by maintaining the ecological processes, preserving
biodiversity and consumption of natural resources.

Objectives of sustainable development

The concept of sustainable development has been devised to achieve

the following objectives.

1. Basic needs of life should be available to all human beings.

2. Consumption of natural resources should be utility based.
3. Economic growth should be made within the safeguarded limits,
to safeguard the interests of future generations to come.
4. Ecological processes should continue unabated.
5. The development and maintenance of environment should run
simultaneously.
6. Regional imbalance in conservation of nature should be
minimised or removed.
7. The international fraternity should unite to fight the menace of
pollution.
8. A long-term view should be adopted for a better relation between
the human and species generations
UN and Sustainable Development Goal
The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and
more sustainable future for all. They address global changes including those
related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation,
prosperity and peace and justice. The sustainable development goals are a
collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in
2015 for the year 2030. Various tools exists to track the progress towards the
goals. The sustainable development goals are:
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
6. Clean water and sanitation
7. Affordable and clean energy
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
10. Reducing inequality
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace and justice
17. Partnership for the goals
Question
Part A

1. What is alternative energy? Name any four alternative energy sources.

2. What is green energy? Give example of green energy.
3. What is renewable energy? List a few examples.
4. What is biomass energy?
5. Explain the working of tidal energy.

Part B

1. Write a short note on solar energy.

2. How is hydroelectric energy produced?
3. What is geothermal energy?
4. Write a short essay on wind energy.
5. Write a short essay on sustainable development.
6. What are the step we can take to save energy?

Part C

1. Write an essay on alternative sources of energy.