Assignment

1. Discuss the importance of energy conservation and transformation to the environment. 2. Write to the production of renewable energy resources i. Biomass

ii.

Solar energy and their importance to the environment

Solution
Q. 1 Before Deeping into the core of the question lets define the key words in question I.e. Energy, conservation and transformation. By definition: energy is the ability to do work. As regards to this two rules always held when energy was used to produce motion or work. These are called the two Laws of Thermodynamics which stated that a) One of our observations about energy is that the total quantity of mass and energy combined in the universe is always the same. b) Energy can change forms and mass and energy may even change into each other, but the total quantity remains the same The above fact is called the principle of Conservation of Energy, or the First Law of Thermodynamics. Energy conservation is the act of saving energy, which includes energy related to warming something, lighting something or moving something. More specifically, conserving energy can be achieved by: reducing the amount of energy you use, and efficient use of energy. Also it is the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of wildlife and of natural resources such as forests, soil, and water or the maintenance of a physical quantity, such as energy or mass, during a physical or chemical change. Energy transformation is the process of energy changing from one form to another. This process is happening all the time in the world around us and even in us. When we consume food our body utilizes the chemical energy in the bonds of the food and transforms it into mechanical energy, a new form of chemical energy or thermal energy.
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The Importance of Energy Conservation and Transformation to the Environment Why is energy conservation important? We depend on energy for almost everything in our lives. We wish to make our lives comfortable, productive and enjoyable. Hence even if the outside temperature rises a little, we immediately switch on the air conditioner to keep our house cool. This is again using up of energy. Unfortunately, what we do not realize is that we have starting taking things for granted and we have started wasting energy unnecessarily. Most of us forget that energy is available in abundance but it is limited and hence to maintain the quality of life, it is important that we use our energy resources wisely. If we do not conserve energy, the energy will exhaust and we will have nothing to use. Also, energy conservation is also important when it comes to climate change. Currently, erratic climates and climatic changes are the greatest threats that we are facing today. Hence it is important to conserve energy. On a broader scale, energy conservation is important because it is not just beneficial for you but it will also contribute a lot for the whole world. Energy conservation is not just about saving the money you spend for electricity. Every single conservation act contributes a lot to the preservation of the environment. Every time energy is conserved, we are also helping a lot on minimizing the use of our available natural resources and preventing further damage to the planet we live in. Another importance of energy conservation is the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases which greatly contributes to global warming. Global warming is something that does not bother people so much because they are too busy with the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Yet, the worsening situation of the ozone layer depletion will affect every single individual. Preventing emission of greenhouse gases can stop the climatic changes that global warming gives us. Should we still wait until the effects are unbearable before we all contribute to the conservation of energy?. Importance of Conserving Energy A first reason for conserving energy is that we use energy that often comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Industry, transport and the generation of electricity largely use fossil fuels. When these fuels are burned they release carbon dioxide that has been sequestered away for millions of years. This extra CO2 is adding to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and contributing to an enhanced greenhouse effect. This is causing the planet to warm up dangerously. Another reason for conserving energy is to save the non renewable ones, which using them cause greater harm to environment. We are often reliant on non renewable sources of energy e.g. oil to run our industries, transportation, etc. after all we have abundant renewable ones in every square meter. The more we dig deeper and farther in exploring oil the higher the problem we cause to the environment, we destroy the
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soil structure, burnt or compressed the fertile soil, emission by the machine cause the climate to warm up by making it uncomfortable etc. Energy transformation is the process of changing energy from one form to another. This process is happening all the time, both in the world and within people. When people consume food, the body utilizes the chemical energy in the bonds of the food and transforms it into mechanical energy, a new form of chemical energy, or thermal energy. Energy transformation is an important concept in the application of the physical sciences. The ability for energy to be transformed automates lights, entertains, and warms the world in an astounding multitude of ways. The concept of energy transformation can be illustrated in a number of common activities. An engine, such as the engine in a car, converts the chemical energy of gas and oxygen into the mechanical energy of engine movement. A light bulb changes the chemical energy of the bulb into electromagnetic radiation, or light. Windmills harness the energy of the wind and convert it into mechanical energy in the movement of the turbine blades, which is then converted to electrical energy. Solar panels transform light to electricity. According To Law of Conservation Of Energy Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but can be converted from one form to another. or when a process occurs then before, during and after the process, the amount of energy of the universe remain same. PROOf:consider a body of mass m which is at rest at point A and at height h from ground. The total energy of the body at point A will be.. T.E=K.E+P.E therefore..K.E=0 P.E=mg T.E=0+mgh or T.E=mgh Q.2 The USA Department of Environmental Protection (2005) states that, "Renewable energy is a source of energy that can never be exhausted. We can obtain renewable energy from the sun (solar energy), from the water (hydropower), from the wind (windmills), from hot dry rocks, magma, hot water springs (geothermal) and even from firewood, animal manure, crop residues and waste (Biomass.) On the other hand, non-renewable energy "comes from sources that can't be replenished in a short period of time. We get most of our energy from nonrenewable energy sources, which include fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, coal and from nuclear energy."
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Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies. Renewable energy will not run out ever. Other sources of energy are finite and will some day be depleted. i. Why is Biomass important? Biomass is a term that highly refers to materials, particularly living materials, which are converted to a usable form of energy. The type of materials that are most likely being used to produce such type of energy are wood, waste and alcohol fuels. Biomass is commonly planted and grown to produce heat and energy and provide electricity. In this context, biomass is otherwise known as a living biomass, where plants are grown to continually generate heat and provide energy. Biomass is basically composed of gases of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Although minute quantities of other elements can also be found, the three previously mentioned gases are the primary bases that comprise biomass. Biomass is most frequently produced from five identified sources. These are garbage, wood, waste, landfill gases and fuels based on alcohol Environmental impacts of biomass energy As with all forms of energy production, biomass energy systems raise some environmental Issues that must be addressed. In biomass energy projects, issues such as air pollution, impacts on forests and impacts due to crop cultivation must be addressed on a case by case basis. Unlike other nonrenewable forms of energy, biomass energy can be produced and consumed in a sustainable fashion, and there is no net contribution of carbon dioxide to global warming. One example is a closed loop system in which carbon dioxide will be taken up by new plant growth at the same rate that it is released by using the harvested biomass for fuel. (Jefferson, 2006; Robu et al., 2005) Such bioenergy crops would have little or no net contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. On the other hand, when fossil fuels are burned, carbon is released that has been stored underground for millions of years, making a net contribution to atmospheric greenhouse gases. Therefore, if managed carefully, biomass energy has significant environmental advantages over the use of fossil fuels. An appropriate level of biomass energy use can have less environmental impacts than our current means of energy production (Demirbas, 2001). Advantages of Biomass Biomass can be used for fuels, power production and products that would otherwise be made from fossil fuels. It does not add CO2 to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed with fuel thereby reducing atmospheric damage. Global warming.
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It can be used to generate electricity with the same equipment or power plants that are now burning fossil fuels. It is sensible to use waste products where we can. Biomass fuel generally tends to be cheap. Using biomass sources places less demand on the Earth's resources. The use of biomass energy has the potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Format to the Production of Renewable Energy (Biomass) The harnessing of energy from biological mass (biomass) is a simple process. The waste wood and other sources are gathered in big trucks. The waste is then transported to a biomass plant. Here, the waste is fed into furnaces where it is burned. The heat created is used to boil water and the energy from the steam is used to rotate turbines and generators. The second method, through which energy is created, is called Landfill Gas. When garbage is burned or is allowed to decompose it gives off methane gas. Pipelines are put into the landfills (pits in which garbage is burned) and the methane gas is collected. It is then used to make energy in power plants. The use of biomass can help reduce Global Warming. Plants use and store carbon dioxide (CO2) when they grow. When it burns or decomposes, it releases the CO2. Replanting plants, crops or trees etc. ensures that the C02 is reused. If the plants are not replanted the biomass will disrupt the natural carbon equilibrium and thus continue to contribute towards Global Warming.

The tables below show a simple process through which biomass energy can be formed

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Biomass energy sources

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ii. Solar Energy: is the energy from the sun. It is important in nature as it is require in almost every life process, if not, all life processes. Plants and animals, alike, use solar energy to produce important nutrients in their cells. Plants use the energy to produce the green chlorophyll that they need to survive, while humans use the sun rays to produce vitamin D in their bodies. However, when man learned to actually convert solar energy into usable energy, it became even more important In the future, solar energy may well be the primary form of energy. This could lead to a clean environment, less money spent on utilities, and a healthier world. Why is solar energy important? It has the potential to allow technology and nature to co-exist peacefully The most important issue of all is probably why solar energy is important to you, personally.

Fossil fuels, like gas and oil, are not renewable energy. Once they are gone they can't be replenished. Someday these fuels will run out and then mankind will either need to come up with a new way to provide power or go back to life as it was prior to man's use of these things. Fossil fuels create massive pollution in the environment. This pollution affects waterways, the air you breathe, and even the meat and vegetables that you eat.

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These fuels are expensive to retrieve from the earth and they are expensive to use. Other, more Eco-friendly energy sources like wind and solar energies are relatively inexpensive and easy to produce.

The Solar Energy has the following Characteristics Lower Rates of Waste and Pollution Photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems minimize the amount of waste production. For example, the entire process of converting coal to electricity produces a lot of dust, discarded solid waste, spillages of toxins and harmful emissions, as well as wasting energy, heat, land and water. Pollution from non renewable fuels is inevitable. Emissions such as Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide and Carbon Dioxide all can have a negative effect on farming, peoples health and water. Ecosystems are also at risk of being destroyed. Furthermore, pollutants from kerosene used for lighting purposes is reduced with the use of solar power systems, as well as the decrease in use of diesel generators for the production of electricity. Offsetting Green House Gases PV Solar power systems produce electricity without giving off carbon dioxide. One PV Solar system can offset approximately six tons of CO2 emissions over a twenty year life span. Reduction of Energy Usage Solar power improves energy efficiency and is therefore very beneficial for Third World countries. Solar power electricity reduces the costs of conventional power for built up cities, and is cheaper for industrial and commercial purposes to run their operations. This leaves the use of PV systems to generate power for most of the developing world's population in rural areas. Decrease in Disposing of Dry-Cell Batteries Small dry cell batteries are used for appliances such as portable radios and flashlights, but are most commonly used in rural areas where there is lack of electricity .However, the lead from these disposed dry cell batteries can have damaging effects on soil and water. Solar power reduces the need of using disposable dry cell batteries and therefore decreases the risk of contamination. Solar Energy Is Versatile Solar energy cells can be used to produce the power for a calculator or a watch. They can also be used to produce enough power to run an entire city. With that kind of versatility, it is a great energy source. Some of the ways solar energy is being used today are: Cars, domestic and business activities with less effect to the environment.
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Solar Energy Is Important as Clean Energy Since solar energy is completely natural, it is considered a clean energy source. It does not disrupt the environment or create a threat to Eco-systems the way oil and some other energy sources might. It does not cause greenhouse gases, air or water pollution. The small amount of impact it does have on the environment is usually from the chemicals and solvents that are used during the manufacture of the photovoltaic cells that are needed to convert the sun's energy into electricity. This is a small problem compared to the huge impact that one oil spill can have on the environment. In the future, solar energy may well be the primary form of energy. This could lead to a clean environment, less money spent on utilities, and a healthier world. Why is solar energy important? It has the potential to allow technology and nature to co-exist peacefully.

Diagram illustrating a literal biomass source of power bulb

Solar energy is abundant. Its a totally renewable source of energy. The power comes from the sun. The sun is free and inexhaustible. The supply will last as long as the sun lasts. Using the sun helps us to be in tune with nature and the cycles of our planet. Humans need to strive to work with the environment- not against it. When we use roof top panels our supply grows in line the demand. The most important aspect of solar energy is the positive effect on the environment. There is no noise, very little pollution, and no greenhouse gases. Again the sun is a renewable source of energy so there is no strain on the environment. The surface of our planet absorbs the energy equivalent of a barrel of oil for every square meter from our sun. Solar energy emits no carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases. There is no damage to our ecosystem the way oil drilling does. The only pollution is from the manufacturing of the equipment and is nothing compared to current pollution output from fossil fuels.

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References Richard Feynman, in the Feynman Lectures on Physics (1964) Volume I, 4-1 Harper, Douglas. "Energy". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved May 1, 2007. Smith, Crosbie (1998). The Science of Energy a Cultural History of Energy Physics in Victorian Britain. The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-76420-6. Lofts, G; O'Keeffe D; et al. (2004). "11 Mechanical Interactions". Jacaranda Physics 1 (2 ed.). Milton, Queensland, Australia: John Willey & Sons Australia Ltd. p. 286. ISBN 0-7016-3777-3. Feynman, Richard (1964). The Feynman Lectures on Physics; Volume 1. U.S.A: Addison Wesley. ISBN 0-201-02115-3. Ristinen, Robert A., and Kraushaar, Jack J. Energy and the Environment. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006. . Uic.edu. Retrieved 2010-12-12.

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