Solar Energy and Wind Energy Discussion Paper Example

Discussion

The two alternatives to fossil fuels are solar energy and wind energy. Both of them are renewable and clean sources of energy hence are recommended to replace the non-renewable sources. The non-renewable sources of energy face a threat of being depleted, but the renewable ones do not face such threats. Solar power is derived from the sun hence it is cheap and readily available compared to the fossil fuel (Inganas & Sundstrom, 2016). While wind energy is derived from the wind which drives turbines and converts it into electricity (Jaber, 2013).

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The two forms of energy experience various barriers such as the high cost of implementation. Solar energy that is harvested in a large scale can meet the same demands as those of the fossil fuels requires sophisticated and expensive means of storage and methods of converting the energy into electricity. Moreover, solar is dependent on the availability of sun rays; hence it is unreliable during seasons that lack sun such as winter and on weather and rainy days (Inganas & Sundstrom, 2016). On the other hand, wind energy is dependent on the presence of wind which has been identified to occur mostly in arid and semi-arid regions which makes it unavailable in all areas. Harvesting of the wind and turning it into electricity has been cited to be expensive, while the amount of energy produced is not sufficient enough to meet the cost of its production (Jaber, 2013).

The government has a role in funding the projects that enhance the availability of renewable energy and the studies being done to get more energy from the already discovered sources. Moreover, the government needs to put in place policies that support the use of clean energy and discourage the use of fossil fuel as the primary source of energy.

Response one (Tricia Powell)

I agree with you Tricia that indeed an investigation into the future points out to the fact that fuel reserves will be depleted. Therefore, it is essential to look for alternative sources of energy that will help in sustaining the development strategies as well as conserving the environment.

Nichole Becerra

Nicole, I agree with you that these alternatives which are environmentally friendly have their shortcomings. The Hydroelectricity, for example, requires the damming of water which may then be problematic to some who would need to use the water. The dams may also pose a danger as they may collapse.

References

Inganas, O., & Sundstrom, V. (2016). Solar energy for electricity and fuels. 45(1), 15-23. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4678122/pdf/13280_2015_Article_729.pdf

Jaber, S. (2013, July 3). Environmental Impacts of. Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, 1(1), 25125-4. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from http://www.jocet.org/papers/057-J30009.pdf