The Energy Crisis

The energy crisis is not that we are losing all of the earth's energy as the energy in the universe stays constant at all times but that we are converting it all from high grade energy into low grade energy, namely heat.

This contributes to global warming - the greenhouse effect.

The main problem that we face today is that we are burning all of our fossil fuels. If the world consumed energy at the same rate as "the west", oil would only last us three years. This also has a social implication - the third world has to live badly in order for the "first" world to live well.

As it is, assuming no change in consumption, oil is likely to last for another thirty years while coal is expected to last for another three hundred years. To extend these times, we must either conserve energy, either by "turning off that light" or making more efficient devices. Another way would be to find new deposits of fossil fuels. However, these ideas would never solve the problem. The only real solution are substitutes for fossil fuels.

Alternatives to fossil fuels are: Nuclear Power; Solar Power, Tidal Power, Geothermal Power and Wind Power.

Nuclear power comes in two different types: Fission - Current technology. Used in nuclear weapons. Involves splitting atoms up; and Fusion - 100 years away. This is very difficult to realise. However, it is the technology of the H-bomb. It involves fusing together hydrogen atoms.

Solar Power involves either solar panels to change the sun's light energy into electrical energy or photosynthesis in plants to create and ferment sugar cane to turn into alcohol and burn.

Tidal energy involves utilising the suns gravitational energy. Large dams are built at estuaries to restrict the flow of water back into the sea when the tide goes out. Water must flow through turbines as it flows back to the sea. This can cause flooding and prevents boats using the river.

Similarly, wave power works my means of floats resting on the sea. They create energy as the bob up and down.

Wind power works by means of large windmills which convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. The only problem with this is the magnitude of a wind farm in order to "replace" a conventional power station.

Geothermal energy involves sending cold water down towards the centre of the earth and bringing it up as steam. This works because temperatures increase by 1ºC for every 100ft you go down towards the centre of the Earth. The only problem with this is that we do not know the implications of cooling down the earth's core.

Main Index | Physics | Biology | History | Formulae | Misc | Why?

LinkExchange Member

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page