Positive and Negative Aspects of Using Crude Oil in Running Cars - Research Paper

Introduction and Problem Statement

Among many developed and developing countries in the world, the usage of renewable energy has become the primary source for generating electricity. Due to this, therefore, Large amounts of money has been set aside to enable countries to make electricity from renewable energy sources that are more cost-effective. From among the nations that use renewable energy, it can provide this planet of ours with power with minimal energy emission of carbon-related gases at a reduced cost.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

This paper analyses the positive and negative aspects of using crude oil in running cars in the KR (The Kurdistan Region of Iraq). Its primary aim is to persuade the Kurdistan Regional Government for the imperative need of replacing crude oil with alternative energy sources. To do so, it answers the following questions:

Background Information

Developmental structures and economic progression largely depend on the availability of energy. From the times of oil exploration until today, the Kurdistan region has been experiencing energy shortages despite it being one of the oil rich-region (Abdullah & Abdulrahman, 2014). This is attributed to the fact that energy demands continue increasing each day. Power blackouts are the norms of the day in the Kurdistan region of Iraq in some specific times of the year because producing less electricity. The reason for this may be attributed to the economic crisis, and political disagreements between the central government of Iraq based in Baghdad and Kurdistan region amplified the situation further. Due to these problems, the investment in this sector came to an abrupt stop in the year 2014.

Research Question

This paper allocates the following questions

How does the use of the crude oil in cars impact the environment?

How can the alternative source of energy help reduce the impact of the crude oil?

Which technology of renewable energy can effectively remedy the problem?

Research Objectives and Aims

The study aims to look for possible ways renewable energy can be used in running cars instead of fossil fuels. This paper attempts to identify prospective of Kurdistan region to use renewable energy to address energy shortage that it has been facing since time immemorial. The study also tries to assess the use of renewable energy as another possibility of fossil fuel based on the climatic and geographical conditions of the place.

Significance of the Study

This paper postulates that if renewable energy is preferred to nonrenewable sources, then KRG can overcome environmental pollution and improve in power conditions of the region (Abdullah & Abdulrahman, 2014).

Literature Review

Overview

Renewable energy is the energy used over time without being exhausted or power that can be re-used over and over again meaning that this type of energy flows through the ecosystem naturally. The solar energy among much other energy that flows through the system, solar radiation is the leading cause for other energy flows which includes; wind energy, biomass and to some extent potential energy which is trapped in between hydrological cycle. This paper majorly will focus on solar power (direct radiation) as a strategy, because of the climatic conditions of the Kurdistan region. Solar power is one of the most readily available permanent energy sources in the planet and it exist in two forms namely; direct and indirect solar radiation.

Hypothesis Formulation

As stated earlier, this paper will only focus on direct solar radiation and more so focus on solar photovoltaic technology used in the production of this energy. Direct rays from the sun, therefore can be converted to electricity by using the photoelectric effect. For last the two decades researchers have been investigating the advantages of using solar power in residential homes, commercial uses and in industries. The benefits of this technology commercially, economically and in environmental conservation cannot be debated on (Abdullah and Abdulrahman, 2014). In recent technological advancement, Solar-powered cars have been developed meaning that if this technology can be adopted, there will be a reduction in fossil fuel usage and consequently reduce CO2 emission thus reducing global warming effects. Apart from powering cars, photovoltaic technology has reduced the generation of electricity in some other countries like in the USA thus lowering the cost of power. On the other hand, Photovoltaic technologies are accompanied by their shortcomings ranging from environmental degradation, affecting the aesthetic value in building while using it, chemical effects of their material is also a significant concern. The efficiency of this technology is slightly above 20% commercially.

According to Saeed and Qadir, the Kurdistan's geographical position makes it be in a high solar energy potential region. It is located between 3442' N and 3722'N latitudes. Solar energy irradiation in this region is highly abundant. The annual solar radiation is estimated to be 1755.23 kWh/m2/year (Abdul Whid et al., 2010). Such a rate is encouraging for use in running cars.

Methodology

Subjects for Study

This research is aimed at assessing if direct renewable energy overcomes environmental pollution brought about continuous use of fossil fuels in running cars. Financial consideration and environmental impact were the outcomes quantified so that to reach proper findings. Judgments are then extracted from indicators to ascertain if these systems can solve problems facing the region by reviewing literature results.

Measurement

Data obtained from recently concluded studies of solar power demonstrates that photovoltaic technology can be used to power cars, but can produce different power depending on the time of the day and season within the year. Results obtained from an online tool for estimating electricity production by a photovoltaic system (CM SAF) shows that emission of CO2 from electricity produced by PV and others generated by fossil fuel is 0.105kgCO2/kWh at a time coal gives 0.909kg CO2/kWh. These estimate values show that CO2 emission can be reduced by using PV technologies for powering automobiles to fossil fuels.

Data Collection Methods

In this case, data collection was majorly from secondary sources; therefore, the methodology employed, involves a qualitative study which was carried out by a literature review of several trustworthy types of researches. Studies were carried out about the renewable direct solar energy from selected case studies inside the Kurdistan region, which covered abroad comprehension of the subject.

Analysis

Theoretical analysis from recent studies on direct solar energy potential in the Kurdistan region shows that application of this in several areas within Kurdistan region is possible. The carbon footprint of PV technology for power production is about 21% indicating that it is environmentally friendly. Findings further demonstrate that some places Kurdistan region at least 1kW/m2 in all months except December, February and April thus encouraging for the adoption of the technology. Also based on software analysis, climatic potential and presence of open roads the technique can be employed. The came out from this paper shows that the amount in US dollars required in solving this problem of renewable energy is 20% less than the ministry of planning proposed that. Through the use of photovoltaic technology 97% to 79% of CO2 emission is reduced leading improvement of global climate. Financial support both international and nationally to such projects will be very much helpful in reducing global warming.

Conclusion

Several studies and theoretical analysis that had their results showing that the Kurdistan region has a good potential in applying renewable energy master plans in powering running cars and to some extent generating electricity. Photovoltaic system technology is possible if conducted in the region will remedy the problem. The initial cost is relatively high but will be cheaper when the payback period is calculated in the long run indicating that the system is more economical (Abdullah & Abdulrahman, 2014). Also, the global environment is improved therefore deserve to be supported financially by other countries.

References

Abdul-Wahid, S.N., Mahdy, A., & Godu, H.A. (2010). Calculation and Applications of Net Solar Radiation in Iraq. Journal of Al-Qadisiyah for Pure Science, 15(1), 1- 30

Abdullah, S.M., & Abdulrahman, A.A. (2014). Economical Environmental and Performance Analysis for a 200 KW Ground Mounted Photovoltaic System: Koya City