Activity 3.2.3.1 Solar Power and Energy Policy

Six-Point Critical Analysis of Current Event

 

 1. Exploratory                                

The article states that "In northern Georgia, near the Tennessee line, the city of Dalton made its fame as the carpet capital of the world" (Hsu & Kelly,2019). The article also mentions that Dalton has diversified into hardwood, tile, laminate, and other materials, and is home to the largest solar panel assembly plant in the Western Hemisphere, representing a $150 million investment (Hsu & Kelly, 2019). The growth of solar in Georgia is attributed to market forces such as the availability of cheaper and better solar technology, ample sunshine, and available land (Hsu & Kelly, 2019). From the Silicon Ranch Hazlehurst II Project on Georgia Farm Bureau TV, the new project in Georgia by Green Power EMC states, “New Project will help produce enough energy for approximately 8,500 EMC households”. In this project, more than 250,000 hours are being spent by construction workers. The project also includes nearly 13 miles of electric cable. (Silicon Ranch, 2017).

2. Diagnostic                                   

The motives or causes behind Georgia's booming solar industry can be attributed to several factors. One significant factor is the absence of state-level mandates for renewable energy, which is unlike many other states in the country. Additionally, the growth of solar in Georgia is not primarily driven by public concern over climate change or the need to curb greenhouse gases. Instead, powerful market forces such as the availability of cheaper and better solar technology, ample sunshine, and available land are the main drivers of this growth (Hsu & Kelly, 2019).

 3. Cause and Effect                       

The causal relationship between the growth of solar in Georgia and the availability of cheaper and better solar technology, ample sunshine, and available land is significant. The article mentions that these factors are driving demand for massive, utility-scale solar projects across the American Southeast, making it the largest region for solar installations in the next five years (Moskowitz, as cited in Hsu & Kelly, 2019). This causal relationship highlights how market forces can influence the adoption and growth of renewable energy sources.

 4. Priority                                        

The most important issue highlighted in the article is “the economic and environmental impact of Georgia's solar industry”. The investment in solar technology, such as the construction of the largest solar panel assembly plant in the Western hemisphere, has created jobs and boosted the local economy in Dalton. Additionally, the growth of solar energy in Georgia has implications for the state's energy landscape, providing access to renewable energy at competitive prices and reducing dependence on traditional forms of energy (Hsu & Kelly, 2019).

5. Application                                 

Georgia's solar industry's growth has implications for individuals and organizations seeking access to renewable energy sources. For example, Facebook's decision to build a data center in Georgia was influenced by the availability of renewable energy at competitive prices (Clements, as cited in Hsu & Kelly, 2019). This highlights how the solar industry's expansion in Georgia can directly impact large corporations and their energy-sourcing strategies.

6. Critical                                         

The article challenges assumptions about the factors driving the growth of the solar industry in Georgia. While public concern over climate change or state-level mandates for renewable energy is often seen as key drivers, the article highlights that market forces such as the availability of cheaper and better solar technology, ample sunshine, and available land play a significant role in this growth (Hsu & Kelly, 2019). This challenges the assumption that government policies or public opinion are the primary drivers of renewable energy adoption.

 

Reference:

 Hsu, A., & Kelly, M. L. (2019). How Georgia became a surprising bright spot in the U.S. Solar industry. National Public Radio. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2019/06/24/733795962/how-georgia-became-a-surprising-bright-spot-in-the-u-s-solar-industry

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

[I used OpenAI to generate citations in APA format and checked my work for clarity and conciseness.]

Silicon Ranch. (2017). Silicon Ranch Hazlehurst II Project on Georgia Farm Bureau TVLinks to an external site. [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/217896697

 

 

 

  

Activity 3.2.3 – Alternative Energy – Solar Energy

 

Solar panels on the roof. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto. Copyright: Justin Horrocks

Alternative Energy Definition:

Alternative energy is an energy source produced from natural sources and considered an alternative to fossil fuels. Alternative energy has the potential for long-term sustainability and has a lower impact on the environment, combating climate change and promoting energy independence. 

Arguments for Alternative Energy in General:

Alternative energy can also be referred to as "clean energy" because it does not cause any environmental pollution to produce it. It also comes from natural sources that are unlimited, which ensures that the processes to produce this type of energy are continuously renewed.  Unlike fossil fuels, alternative energy sources emit minimal greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), making them a cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy option.

Alternative energy is produced from sunlight, wind, rain, waves, etc. I chose to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy because the sun is the ultimate source of energy that sustains all living beings.

Advantages of Solar Energy: 

• Unlimited Production: Solar energy is renewable and abundant, providing more than enough energy to meet global needs.
• Environmental Impact: Solar energy has minimal environmental impact compared to fossil fuels since it does not emit any greenhouse gas emissions during the process.
•  Sustainability:  While fossil fuels can run out over time, solar energy is potentially sustainable as "the sun is likely to be around in billion years". 
• Diverse Applications: Solar energy can be used to generate electricity, heating, and passive cooling "making it versatile."

Disadvantages of Solar Energy and Limitations:

• Intermittent Nature: Solar energy is "intermittent", as it can be generated when the sun is shining, making energy storage a challenge. 
• Land Use and Ecosystem Impact: To produce solar energy, solar panels need to be installed and it requires a vast amount of land. Large-scale solar installations, such as solar farms have the potential to impact ecosystems and it also requires proper handling of potentially hazardous fluids and water use. 
• Environmental Impact of Manufacturing: The manufacturing of solar panels can generate hazardous waste and use conventional fuel sources neutralizing the environmental sources.

Reference:

Johnston, Matthew (2022). "Solar Energy: Benefits and Drawbacks". Investopedia. Accessed 7 June 2024 https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/053015/pros-and-cons-solar-energy.asp

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.

Solar panels on the roof. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto. Copyright: Justin Horrocks Accessed through https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/considering-getting-solar-panels-here-are-the-right-questions-to-ask/2018/03/09/3190c71a-20c0-11e8-94da-ebf9d112159c_story.html

Activity- 3.2.2.2 Clean Coal? Myth or Reality.

       "Clean coal" is a term that gets thrown around a lot when we talk about reducing the environmental impact of burning coal. The idea is to use technologies that make coal burning less harmful to the environment. However, the reality is that making coal "clean" is not as straightforward as it sounds. There are significant challenges and risks associated with the process, which raise doubts about whether coal can truly be considered "clean."

        One of the main challenges with "clean coal" technologies is capturing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during the combustion of coal. When coal is burned, it releases a lot of CO2, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Coal is marked as "Toxic" when it reaches a level of 5.0% or 50,000 ppm (USDA). Capturing this CO2 before it enters the atmosphere is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of coal burning. However, capturing CO2 from coal combustion is not easy. Unlike natural gas, which has a higher concentration of CO2 in its flue gas, coal flue gas contains only about 14% CO2, making it more difficult and expensive to capture (World Nuclear). Additionally, the high temperature of coal flue gas poses further challenges to effective carbon capture and storage.

       Moreover, the process of refining coal, which is necessary to make it suitable for burning, can also have negative environmental and health impacts. For example, the use of chemicals like calcium bromide in coal refinement can lead to water pollution. A notable incident occurred when a utility company discovered calcium bromide leakage into nearby water sources, affecting over a million people in the greater Charlotte area. The contamination of drinking water with carcinogens highlights the serious consequences of coal refinement on communities and the environment.

       In addition to water pollution, coal combustion also releases other harmful pollutants into the air, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. These pollutants can contribute to environmental degradation and pose health risks to nearby populations. Despite efforts to reduce these emissions through technologies like scrubbers and selective catalytic reduction, coal-fired power plants remain significant sources of air pollution.

      Furthermore, the extraction of coal through methods like mountaintop removal mining has devastating consequences for local ecosystems and communities. "Mountaintop removal mining" involves blasting the tops off mountains to access coal seams, which results in habitat destruction, soil erosion, and the burial of streams. This destructive practice not only harms wildlife and biodiversity but also affects the livelihoods and well-being of nearby residents, who may suffer from health issues and reduced access to clean water sources (Reuters). 

        Given the environmental and health risks associated with coal combustion and refinement processes, it is essential to transition away from coal and towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Renewable energy options such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power offer viable alternatives to coal and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Additionally, investing in energy efficiency measures and promoting conservation can help decrease reliance on coal-fired power plants, leading to a healthier and more environmentally sustainable future for all.

      Finally, while "clean coal" technologies aim to reduce the environmental impact of coal burning, they come with significant challenges and risks. The difficulties of capturing CO2, along with the environmental and health impacts of coal refinement and combustion, raise doubts about the feasibility and effectiveness of "clean coal" as a sustainable energy solution. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources is essential for mitigating climate change and reducing pollution, and it requires concerted efforts from governments, industries, and individuals to make it a reality.

Reference:

McLaughlin, Tim (2018, December 3) Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-coal-pollution/

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

[I used Open AI to check for any kinds of writing errors. I made changes accordingly after getting feedback.]

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Carbon Dioxide Health Hazard Sheet https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2020-08/Carbon-Dioxide.pdf

World Nuclear Association (Updated November 2021) https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/energy-and-the-environment/clean-coal-technologies.aspx