Tag: Policy

The Carbon Footprint of Wind Energy

The Carbon Footprint of Wind Energy

10/18/19

“What is the carbon footprint of wind energy?”

As we discussed earlier in the carbon footprint of solar energy, even the greenest of technologies have an environmental impact. Wind energy is no exception to this rule. During manufacturing, rare-earth minerals have to be scavenged up and forged to produce the technology, creating CO2 emissions in the process. Although these problems are caused by the creation of wind turbines, research has shown that their operate produces only a 90th of greenhouse gases of coal plants and a 40th of natural gas plants (Dolan et. al 2012), making their energy payback period as quick as six months in some areas! (Haapala and Prempreeda 2014). As a result, when discussing The Carbon Footprint of Wind Energy, one must realize that most of it is simply concentrated in the manufacturing phase.

References

Dolan, S. L., & Heath, G. A. (2012). Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Utility-Scale Wind Power. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 16(s1), S136–S154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-9290.2012.00464.x

Karl R. Haapala; Preedanood Prempreeda. Comparative life cycle assessment of 2.0 MW wind turbines. International Journal of Sustainable Manufacturing, 2014 DOI: 10.1504/IJSM.2014.062496

Why Hydropower Infrastructure Needs Maintenance

Why Hydropower Infrastructure Needs Maintenance

10/14/19

“Why does hydropower infrastructure need maintenance?”

Hydropower is one of the cornerstones in the energy world. However, like everything in the physical world, it is subject to wear and tear, especially in the face of unpredictable droughts and floods. As a result, engineers will have to keep on top of hydropower infrastructure to make sure that everything operates smoothly. This is Why Hydropower Infrastructure Needs Maintenance.

Progressive vs Regressive Carbon Tax

Progressive vs Regressive Carbon Tax

10/06/19

“How can we make a carbon tax more equitable?”

Carbon taxes are a hot topic in the energy community. Although it is touted as one of the most efficient and bipartisan ways to combat climate change, an improper implementation can result in massive inequalities. If it ends up taxing lower income individual individuals more such as a gas tax, then it would be considered a regressive tax. If it taxes wealthy individuals more, such as a tax on boat oil. Then it would be considered a progressive tax. When implementing such solutions, governments must consider if it is a Progressive vs Regressive Carbon Tax.

The Economic Impact of an Energy Crisis

The Economic Impact of an Energy Crisis

10/05/19

“What is the economic impact of an energy crisis?”

Energy is the lifeblood of an economy, whether it be the petroleum that moves vehicles or the energy that powers our homes. So when there is an energy crisis, commercial activity falters, resulting in an economic crisis. This is The Economic Impact of an Energy Crisis.

Energy Crisis

Energy Crisis

10/04/19

“What happens when there is a severe energy supply bottleneck?”

Energy Supply is supposed to be constant. However, in extreme geopolitical scenarios, energy supplies might suddenly reduce to bottlenecked levels, creating what is known as an Energy Crisis.

How the Speed of the Energy Transition Is a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

How the Speed of the Energy Transition Is a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

09/13/19

“How might the speed of the energy transition be a self-fulfilling prophecy?”

One of the most hotly-debated topics in the world right now is how fast the transition from a coal and fossil-fuel based energy paradigm to a cleaner renewable ones will be. Many say that it will be fast and exponential thanks to the precipitous price-drops in solar PV technology and others say that infrastructure lock-in will slow it to a crawl. However, the public’s belief in how fast the transition will go will modify support and pressure for new technologies and systems to be available. Therefore, if people believe that it will go fast, it will! This is How the Speed of the Energy Transition Is a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.

Resilience Vulnerabilities

Resilience Vulnerabilities

09/12/19

“How can we identify internal vulnerabilities in infrastructure?”

In the physical world, imperfections can be found in every little structure. This also holds true for infrastructure. Resilience Vulnerabilities are the parts of infrastructure that may be liable in case a situation happens. Examples include not having backup generators or having structurally weak cement for the building.

Infrastructure Resilience Workshops

Infrastructure Resilience Workshops

09/09/19

“How can we coordinate workshops to practice resilience?”

With the advent of climate change, infrastructure operators are going to think about how they can practice and implement resilience. One way to accomplish this is to hold Infrastructure Resilience Workshops, where multiple governing parties can come together and decide how to quantify and implement their resilience goals. To illustrate, a utility and a hospital may come together to discuss what assets will be prioritized and how to keep patients safe in the case of a blackout.

Why International Cooperation will be the Basis of Fighting Climate Change

Why International Cooperation will be the Basis of Fighting Climate Change

09/06/19

“Why can the world only fight climate change if it works together?”

Out of all of the threats to the world, one stands out in particular, climate change. The very systems that support the industrialized world is causing its demise through this very phenomena. And since these systems span international boundaries, multi-governmental institutions will need to be created and work in tandem to reduce carbon emissions. This is Why International Cooperation will be the Basis of Fighting Climate Change.