Kathy Gaston Sustaining My Community With Renewable Energy Assignment 4: ESS Analysis
E = I am wanting to know if the town that I live in could be made into a sustainable energy community. E>A The atmosphere has to be more stable because pollution would be less with renewable energy. What pollutants could be eliminated by using renewable energy? According to the website for the Union of Concerned Scientists entitled, Clean Energy, generating electricity from renewable energy rather than fossil fuels offfers significant environmental as well as public health benefits. Wind, solar, and hydroelectric systems generate eelectricity with no associated air pollution emissions. In, addition, wind and solar energy requires essentially no water to operate and this do not pollute water resources or strain supply. It also does not compete with agriculture, drinking water systems, or other important water needs, (www.ucsusa.org revised 04/08/13). This is a very important issue in my community.
E>H Living by one of the largest lakes in Kansas, my community would have access to a large body of water. How large of a water resource is needed to produce hydroelectric power? The Green Mountain Energy Company saays, low iimpact hydro, a form of hydropower that minimizes negative impact on the environment, is increasingly being chosed for development of new dams, or expansion of old ones. These smaller scale hydropower systems can be installed in small rivers or streams with little or no discernable changes. Some qualifier for these hydro systems are: river flow,and water quality. So, I think our large lake would possibly qualitfy as a site for hydro power.
E>L A wind turbine would more than oikely be the source of choice for producing electricity to sustain my renewable energy community. Is the land around my community able to support a wind turbine, and other large structures need for my sustained energy community? From the Wind Energy Development web page of frequently asked questions, it states that many state and local municipaliities have ordinances governing the erection of tall structures suchas wind turbines. That would lead one to believe that studies are being done and if there were problems in a certain area, it would be wise not to build on that site. It was written on the site(Wind Power three E's) that communities and developers must conduct a site characterization and investigiation before erecting any turbines and can build only on areas that have undergone remediation.Therefore, any questions able stability of the site would have been answered right awayfor the project.
E>B Wind turbines and other structures would need to be introduced into my community. Would the natural habitat, such as wildlife and fish , be affected in my community? Birds are affected very little, as far as death rate, by wind turbvines. Bats have greater issues. According to (ohsoline.com, 2012 1,1) government agencies such as the EPA and the Bureau of Land Management are studying ways that wind turbines affect wildlife with noise, pollution, and the disruption caused by flickering lights. However, nist if the negative affects of the wind turbines can be miigated by the proper placement of the turbines. Hydropower on the otherhand, is nonpolluting, but does have environmental impacts. Hydropower facilities can have large environmental impact by changing the environment and affecting land use, home, and natural habitats in the dam area. Most hydroelectric power plants have a dam and a reservior. These structures my obstruct fish migration and affect their population. Operating a hydroelectric power plant my also change the water temperature and the river's flow. These changes may harm native plants and animals in the river and on land. Reserviors my cover people's homes, important natural areas, agricultural land and archeological sites.(USGA Water Science School, 14-Feb-2013) What would the cost be for a project in my community like Greensburg? I did not find any information about the cost of Greensburg going Green. From what I did read they were blessed with many groups that could see the opportunity to build back a town and make it 100% renewable energy powered, 100% of the time. Also, local, state, and federal agencies seemed to be at Greensburg's disposal for assistance and guidance. Greensburg was a unique situation and they got to take advantage of many resources that other communities wouldn't get to take advantage of so cheaply. What would be a feasible time frame for making an established community into a sustainable energy community? Accord the USA Today Green Living magazine article entitled, After Devastating Tornado, town is reborn'green', reconstruction is nearly complketed after 6 years. They are 100 % renewable energy users 100 % of the time. So, I would think that would proabably be a good time frame to consider for most comparible communities.
E = Families in a rural North Central Kansas area could work together to create a sustainable environment that is economically feasible. E>A Atmosphere would have to be improved because pollution would be less using renewable energy. Would wind, geothermal or solar benefit the immediate atmosphere the most? According to the Sierra Club, solar energy is the " cleanest, most abundant renewable energy source available." (http://content.sierraclub.org/coal/solar)
E>H Local hydrosphere would be minimally affected due to size and location involved. Would small creeks/tributaries be affected by using renewable resources? It would depend on the type used. Solar and wind energy would have no effect on small creeks/tributaries in a rural area. However, geothermal might, depending on whether water was cycled back into the 'well' or into a nearby pond. Shallow sources in this area would be used to run geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling homes. (http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables)
E> B = Solar, geothermal and wind energy would have minimal effect on the flora and fauna locally. What renewable resource would have the least negative / most positive effect on the biosphere? Of solar, wind and geothermal energy resources, the location would determine the effect on the environment. A roof mounted solar system would have little, if any, negative effect on the biosphere, whereas wind and geothermal location would disrupt the immediate biosphere. (www.eere.energy.gov/wind/lodfs)
E> L = Lithosphere would have some disruption due to type of renewable energy source used. Which renewable resource would disrupt the land/soil the least? Solar would have the least effect on the soil/land if mounted on a roof top. However, if it was located directly on the earth, it would reasonably disrupt as much as a wind turbine placement depending on the size involved. The same would hold true for geothermal energy. '...the ground disturbance for wind farms is minimal compared with coal mines and coal-fired stations. If wind farms are decommissioned, the landscape can be returned to its previous condition.' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_wind_power)
E>A>H>B = The increased air current with a wind turbine or geothermal water distribution will have an effect on the amount of water available for the local flora and fauna. Will installing a wind turbine or geothermal system decrease the amount of water available for local flora/fauna? The increased air current activity from a wind turbine does increase evaporation of nearby water so there would be less available for plants and animals. (http://environmental researchweb.org/cws/article/news) A single wind turbine would have minimal affect on the available water supply. Geothermal energy system would not effect water supply if recirculated within the system.
E>A>H>L>B = Solar, wind and geothermal energy are compatible for a rural North Central Kansas neighborhood. What types of renewable energy are more compatible for a rural North Central Kansas neighborhood? All three main types of renewable energy are compatible for North Central Kansas. Of solar, wind, geothermal and hyroelectric, only hydroelectric would not be feasible. Each type of renewable energy would work well and cut down on fossil fuel usage. Solar is a valuable renewable energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gases and stimulate the economy regardless of where it is utilized. (htt;://www.greenmountnain.com/solar-energy) Once installed, it is l00% pollution-free when it is produced or consumed. Solar, wind and geothermal all have minimal adverse effects on the hydrosphere and biosphere
Looks like some of you are ahead of the game! That's great, just be sure to credit others in your final assignment. :) I can see that you all are getting pretty good at the ESS analysis, as well.
I will be out of town until August 3rd, but I will be able to check email at least once, if you need to contact me. Or you can call and leave a voice message, and I will get back to you when I get back in a service area. Good luck!
Rhonda Farwell Sustaining my Community with Renewable Energy Assignment 4
ESS Analysis
Event= Would the benefits of a community sustained by renewable resources outweigh the negative effects?
E>A Using renewable resources would reduce the pollutants put into the atmosphere. Are there any pollutants put into the atmosphere from renewable resources? Compared with natural gas, which emits between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (CO2E/kWh), and coal, which emits between 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of CO2E/kWh wind emits only 0.02 to 0.04 pounds of CO2E/kWh, solar 0.07 to 0.2, geothermal 0.1 to 0.2, and hydroelectric between 0.1 and 0.5. (http://www.ucsusa.org/)
E>H Using renewable resources would reduce the pollutants put into the rivers, lakes, streams and ponds. Are there any pollutants put into our hydrosphere by renewable resources? No negative effects to the hydrosphere could be found. Most traditional methods of fossil fuel, mining, extraction, and cooling use a vast amount of water and can pollute our oceans, rivers, and lakes.
E>A Using wind energy for a community would have substantial positive effects on our environment. What are some environmental benefits of wind power? Wind energy system operations do not generate air or water emissions and do not produce hazardous waste. They also do not deplete natural resources such as coal, oil, or gas. They do not cause environmental damage through resources extractions and transportation. (http://www.culturechange.org) How many years before the cost implemented is less than the cost gained? Although the payback would be site specific based on several variables such as the topographical survey, wind profile, height of hub, turbine lifecycle, energy output, and overall cost (http://windenergydevelopmentllc.com/fac-wind-facts), a wind turbine typically takes only a few months (3-8, depending on the average wind speed at its site. (http://culturechange.org). How large is a typical wind farm and how much energy do they produce? An average one megawatt wind turbine will produce enough energy for the annual needs of 350 average households. Turbines may range from 660 kilowatts to over 3 megawatts of capacity. (http://www.windenergyamerica.com/faq.html). Greensburg, Kansas, a city of 1400, with wind turbines of 12.5 megawatts, is 100% renewable, 100% of the time. (http://www.greensburgks.org/) (http://www.kansasenergy.org) What are the negative effects of wind power? Wind turbines make some noise and are sometimes considered a visual nuisance. Concerns have been raised about the impacts on migrating birds, however date has shown the relative risk is minimal. (http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables/)
E>H Using hydroelectric power is relatively limited in its growth because of its physical requirements to make it effective. What are the positive effects of hydroelectric power? Hydroelectric power does not burn fuel, so there is minimal pollution; water to run the plant is free by nature; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; relatively low costs to maintain and operate; is renewable as rainfall renews the water in the reservoir; and the technology is reliable and proven over time. (http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html) What are the negative effects of hydroelectric power? Hydroelectric power has a high investment cost; is hydrology dependent; may flood land and wildlife habitat; may cause loss or modification of fish habitat or migrations; may change reservoir and stream water quality; and in some cases may displace local populations. (http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html)
E>L Using geothermal is limited for communities because only a small fraction of the earth may be profitably exploited. What are the positive effects of geothermal energy? Since, no fuel is required for geothermal, costs for purchasing, transporting and cleaning up plants are quite low. Geothermal systems does not create any pollution as it releases some gases from deep within the earth which are not very harmful to the environment. (http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages) What are the negative effects of geothermal energy? Since this type of energy is not widely used, the unavailability of equipment, staff, infrastructure, training pose hindrance to the installation of geothermal plants across the globe. Not enough skilled manpower and availability of suitable build location pose serious problem in adopting geothermal energy globally. To get geothermal energy, requires installation of power plants, to get steam from deep within the earth. This requires a huge one time investment, and requires hiring certified installers, and skilled staff would be needed to be recruited and relocated to plant location. Moreover, electricity towers, stations need to be set up to move the power from geothermal plant to consumer. Geothermal sites can run out of steam over a period of time due to drop in temperature or if too much water is injected to cool the rocks and this may result huge loss for the companies which have invested heavily in these plants. Due to this factor, companies have to do extensive initial research before setting up the plant. (http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages)
E>A Using solar energy to support a community would have substantial positive effects in our environment. What are the positive effects of solar energy? Solar is quiet, produces no pollution, affordable, and can be sited almost anywhere. Solar generating devices are very reliable and can last a long time - especially photovoltaic cells, whose components have no moving parts. (http://www.aaa.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables) What are the negative effects of solar energy? Solar required large arrays, which take up large areas of land and require tremendous up-front capital investments. Because it relies on direct sunlight, solar is subject to interruptions in supply at night and during cloudy weather and must be backed up by another source. Production of photovoltaic cells also involve the use of toxic materials. (http://www.aaa.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables)
E>B Communities can be supported by renewable resources. Are there any communities that are 100% supported by renewable resources besides Greensburg Kansas? Greensburg was the only community that I could find that was 100% sustained by renewable resources: wind and solar. However San Francisco, Lancaster, and San Jose have made it their official goal to reach 100% sustainable within the next decade. There are several countries that have towns and communities that are or are close to 100% supported by renewable resources. These include Iceland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Scotland, and the Pacific island of Tokelau. (http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/22/100-renewable-energy-becoming-the-new-normal/
E > A > H > L Green communities strive to minimize waste. This could encompass emissions into the atmosphere, dumping of waste into water and/or putting waste into a landfill. http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/gccheck.htm
E > L > A > H Green communities work toward sustainable land use: Sustainable land use planning involves decisions on crosscutting and multi-layered issues that affect air quality, water quality, access to transportation options, economic vitality, and quality of life. It is critical to promote the creation and development of communities containing an array of types and uses of buildings and spaces to meet the diverse needs of residents’ daily lives. http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/view/page.basic/class/tag.topic/land_use
E > B According to the UN Habitat, around half of the world’s population is concentrated in cities that is set to rise to 60% within a couple decades. Green communities function with the ambition of meeting a number of societal goals which affect humans: • Actively Involve Citizens from ALL Sectors of the Community through Open, Inclusive Public Outreach Efforts • Ensure that Public Actions Are Sustainable, while Incorporating Local Values and Historical and Cultural Considerations • Create and Maintain Safe, Clean Neighborhoods and Recreational Facilities for ALL • Provide Adequate and Efficient Infrastructure (water, sewer, etc.) that Minimizes Human Health and Environmental Harm, and Transportation Systems that Accomodate Broad Public Access, Bike and Pedestrian Paths • Ensure Equitable and Effective Educational and Health-Care Systems https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_city E > B Wildlife benefit from having cleaner air and water in areas surrounding the city, and many green communities incorporate areas for wildlife to thrive within the city limits. http://www.sustainablesites.org/ E > A A large part of the green cities initiative focuses on climate protection: The Climate Protection Agreement is part of the base structure for a green city. Through the Agreement, cities agree to three points of action:
1. Attempt to meet or exceed the targets set forth in the Kyoto Protocol for their own cities through anti-sprawl policies to the restoration of forests to educating the public on environmental issues; 2. Encourage state and federal government to establish policies to meet or exceed the greenhouse gas reduction target set by the Kyoto Protocol for the United States – which was a reduction of the levels from 1990 by 7% by 2012; 3. Encourage legislation to reduce greenhouse gases and establish a system for handling national emission of greenhouse gases. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-green-city.htm E > B Fear of the unknown may be the biggest hurdle to overcome when planning and building a green community. http://www.ecomii.com/building/cons-of-green-building
Event= Investigate sustainable energy sources, building ideas and community planning ideas to focus on a greener alternatives for the future.
E>H Hydropower uses waterpower through dams to create electricity. This form of power production needs a body of water near by. It can be a form of flood control, be used for irrigation and is a renewable resource. “Hydropower accounts for about four-fifths of renewable generation and will continue to dominate the world's renewable portfolio into the foreseeable future, according to the IEA's "Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report" for 2013.” (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=renewable-energy-predicted-to-boom-surpass-natural-gas&WT.mc_id=SA) E>B>H>G Building of dams does impact the wildlife and surrounding natural formations during the building process, and a large new structure becomes part of the landscape. “However, hydroelectric facilities can still have a major impact on aquatic ecosystems. For example, though there are a variety of methods to minimize the impact (including fish ladders and in-take screens), fish and other organisms can be injured and killed by turbine blades.” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-of.html E>B>H Some wildlife will benefit from the dammed supply of water and it will create new ecosystem and a large resource of water for animals and migratory birds. E>B>W Solar energy converts the renewable resource of sun power into electricity.“The environmental impacts associated with solar power can include land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing, though the types of impacts vary greatly depending on the scale of the system and the technology used — photovoltaic (PV) solar cells or concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP).” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-of.html E>G Geothermal energy uses the heat energy of the earth. “Geothermal power is cost effective, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly, but has historically been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries. Recent technological advances have dramatically expanded the range and size of viable resources, especially for applications such as home heating, opening a potential for widespread exploitation.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_energy E>A Geothermal energy can be obtained in a closed system so that the air that is used from the wells are returned to the wells and not put it to the atmosphere which almost no emissions are released into the environment.
E>A>B>G Wind Energy is a renewable resource that is especially appealing in windy places like Kansas. “Harnessing power from the wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate electricity as it produces no toxic pollution or global warming emissions. Wind is also abundant, inexhaustible, and affordable, which makes it a viable and large-scale alternative to fossil fuels” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-of.html E>A>B Biomass can be used to produce electricity. Biomass is the burning of agricultural waste, forest waste, manure and other waste products. The advantage is that it is a renewable resource, but it does release global warming emissions. Emissions from Biomass plants can vary. Emissions generally better than coal but worse than natural gas. Gasification systems can reduce emissions and with future technology this form of renewable energy maybe able to be made cleaner. E>A “Hydrokinetic energy, which includes wave and tidal power, encompasses an array of energy technologies, many of which are still in the experimental stages or in the early stages of deployment. Published research suggests that they would be below 0.05 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour . To put this into context, estimates of life-cycle global warming emissions for natural gas generated electricity are between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour and estimates for coal-generated electricity are 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour.” This type of energy production would reduce carbon emissions and may become even more efficient as technology develops.
Community planning also includes building space and materials. E>A>H>G The best way to eliminate environmental impact is to not build at all. If building must occur than small buildings take up less space and add less to sprawl. If possible is better to renovate the inner city than rather than continue to build new suburbs. E>B>A Small close buildings reduce the need for destroying more natural land and reduce the need for long commutes. Renovating old city areas with green roofs and technology can beautify a city area and reduce the need to keep building out. E>H By equipping buildings to catch rain/ gray water that can be used in toilet flushing, plant watering, washing cars and other uses to E>A>B Building materials can provide more efficient use of heat and energy thus reducing the amount of energy used. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building) E>B>A By stacking residential living above businesses it makes dual use of parking, is more efficient to heat and cool and also takes up less space brining businesses and living closer together and reducing the need for cars and daily work commutes.
E>B>A “A green building may cost more up front, but saves through lower operating costs over the life of the building. Some benefits, such as improving occupant health, comfort, and productivity, reducing pollution and landfill waste are not easily quantified. Consequently, they are not adequately considered in cost analysis.” http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/greenbuilding/basics.htm E>A>B Designing buildings to take advantage of natural light, use recycled or sustainable building materials, energy efficient heating and cooling systems as well as energy efficient machines and lighting can require less energy usage. E>A>H “Buildings are the largest contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming—and making buildings more energy efficient is one of the most immediate and measurable ways to address this growing concern. The advantages of “green buildings” are well documented: 30 percent energy savings, 35 percent carbon savings, 30-50 percent water savings, and 50-90 percent waste cost savings.” http://www.aia.org/practicing/groups/kc/AIAS076321 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an organization which provides Green Building Rating System. LEED has rating systems for different types of projects including existing structure and historical buildings. By making modifications to buildings we could significantly reduce emissions and see a reduction of water needs.
E>G The reserves of coal, oil and natural gas took a long time to generate and will eventually run out. “The reserves to production (R/P) ratio provides an indicator of how long proved coal reserves will last at the current rate of extraction. BP calculated this to be 112 years for coal at the end of 2011.” http://www.worldcoal.org/resources/frequently-asked-questions/ “Probably in excess of 50 years before oil production drops below half what is currently. Counting natural gas in total hydrocarbons, probably 90 to 140 years before total hydrocarbon use drops to below half what it is currently.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2012/07/09/how-many-years-of-oil-do-we-have-left-to-run-our-industrial-civilization-keeping-in-mind-that-oil-is-a-resource-and-has-an-economical-end/
ESSA for creating a Sustainable Community Event - Converting a traditional community to a sustainable community. E> L New construction in sustainable communities protects the environment by taking existing flora and fauna into account. Planners will choose not to locate developments near wetlands, streams, slopes, significant soils, parklands, threatened or endangered habitats, or below floodplains. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM E>A Construction will improve and protect the atmosphere by reducing carbon emissions. Planners build near public transportation, walkways, or bike paths. City developers create walkways and bike paths to make their use feasible. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM E>A>B Decreased carbon emissions regulates atmospheric temperature and climate which will return rainfall and plant growth to previous amounts. Increased numbers of producers will support increased numbers of consumers in all levels of the food chain. E>B>A Sustainable communities balance the amount of plant space with building space, maintaining habitats and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Sustainable community planners arrange for 50% space for new plants and implement controls for erosion and sedimentation during construction. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM E>H Sustainable community planning reduces the requirement of the community for water. Water conserved by implementing irrigation systems the reuse water, developing systems that reuse gray water, and requiring low flow water attachments in buildings. Planning also designs for the collection of storm water for use. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM E>A Geothermal energy provides cleaner air by reducing the need for energy from burning fossil fuels. Geothermal energy uses the steam from hot water beneath the Earth’s surface or circulating air beneath the Earth’s surface to produce energy or heat and cool buildings. There are no emissions from geothermal energy. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-geothermal-energy-works.html E>B Sustainable communities may reduce energy costs for individual families by reducing water usage, energy usage and fuel costs. Sustainable communities require buildings to be near public transportation, walkways or bike paths, decreasing single car travel; requiring the use of water reduction measures and encouraging alternate energy solutions such as solar or geothermal heat. Families may also be healthier from the use of products that have low pollution factors, such as paints and wood products. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM E>L Waste management in sustainable communities reduce the amount of land required for landfills. Recycling efforts will not only help solve landfill problems, but reduce the natural resources required to produce more metal and plastic products. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM E>B The long-term impact to the economy makes up for the cost of building green. Building green costs an average of 2% more than traditional building. Energy costs are reduced an average of 33% which would make up for the increased building costs. This is equivilant to $7-8 per square foot of energy savings. Employment is also shifted from fossil fuel energy jobs to jobs in green energy at an average of $1 per square foot of green construction. This is the same as saying that one green office creates 33% of one full time job per year. These savings demonstrate the the additional cost of building green is paid back within 5 years. http://www.goodenergies.com/news/-pdfs/Green%20Buildings%20Study%20Press%20Release%20FINAL_5.pdf
1. Are some types of renewable energy more functional/reasonable/worthwhile in some areas than others? One must exclude hydroelectric energy because water is not a renewable resource in the sense of long term. The places that could utilize hydroelectric as a source of energy have more than likely already dammed up that waterway. So let’s consider the following options: geothermal, solar, and wind. Geothermal is certainly a resource many locations could benefit from, the greatest benefit to this type is the intensity of heat stored under the ground. The most intense heat sources are around the Pacific Rim where the greater seismic activity is located most generally near active or geologically young volcanoes. Additionally, areas of extremes, cold or hot, seem to benefit the most, like Texas and Wyoming. The earth’s crust must be thin enough for the heat to escape through. Of the three ways in which energy is extracted only closed loop systems do not emit pollutants, specifically hydrogen sulfide. Kansas can be a candidate for geothermal but it would probably not be the best location. Interesting fact from the Union of Concerned Scientists website, “The amount of heat within 10,000 meters (about 33,000 feet) of Earth's surface contains 50,000 times more energy than all the oil and natural gas resources in the world.” Solar energy - In 2010 Arizona State University conducted a study to determine what states would be best served with creating and exporting solar energy. Kansas did not make the top ten lists in either consumption or availability. In regards to Kansas, solar energy is somewhat like wind, the sun does not shine all the time (dusk to dawn and when it is cloudy) so a backup source of energy would need to be utilized. There are several ways in which solar energy can be harnessed and some are fairly inexpensive: solar panels, solar water heaters, solar architecture, solar lighting, solar chimneys, and solar cookers. The website www.acwf.org is an excellent resource to see what types of renewable energies would be available in certain towns in Kansas. The central United States is a wonderful resource for wind energy. The US Department of Energy provides a colorful map with potential wind power that is easy to read. Western Alaska and the central corridor from North to South appears to be a great resource based on their research. If a person divided the United States into thirds, east to west, the outer two-thirds do not have as great potential for harnessing wind as the inner third. Based on research, some areas show more potential for some types of renewable energy than others. This diversification allows for greater technological advances in all areas, leading to manufacturing and jobs. http://ourfiniteworld.com/2013/03/20/renewables-good-for-some-things-not-so-good-for-others/ http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-geothermal-energy-works.html http://ournewclimate.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-water-renewable-resource.html https://asunews.asu.edu/20101122_business_solarrankings http://www.acwf.org/renewable-energy-kansas http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp
2. Are there cons to NOT converting to renewable energy? The Conserve Energy Future website has broken down pros and cons for renewable energy. The cons they mention include the following: • It is not easy to set up a plant as the initial costs are quite steep. • Solar energy can be used during the day time and not during night or rainy season. • Geothermal energy which can be used to generate electricity has side effects too. It can bring toxic chemicals beneath the earth surface onto the top and can create environmental changes. • Hydroelectric provide pure form of energy but building dams across the river which is quite expensive can affect natural flow and affect wildlife. • To use wind energy, you have to rely on strong winds therefore you have to choose suitable site to operate them. Also, they can affect bird population as they are quite high. This site has great energy information but everything seems to come down to the idea that some types are more suitable in some areas than others. This is something that can totally be worked around. http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/ http://www.ecology.com/2011/09/06/fossil-fuels-vs-renewable-energy-resources/
3. Building codes – Are there some older communities, versus places like Greensburg that had to start from scratch anyway, that can transform existing buildings to green without having a tremendous burden from renovation costs? Yes, this can be done in a fairly simple and inexpensive manner. Existing buildings can be converted by replacing lighting fixtures, mechanical systems, and toilets. Especially when remodeling, these would be changes taken into consideration initially resulting in a greener builder from the start. New construction has a higher initial cost but it is reported most of those higher upfront costs are recouped within the first few years of use. The Inhabitat website reports , “According to the highly-anticipated report (from the Preservation Green Lab), it can take up to 80 years for a new, energy-efficient building to overcome the environmental impact of the construction process.” This is certainly an argument in converting existing buildings to be environmentally green(er) rather than contributing to CO2 emissions and landfills. http://www.lowesforpros.com/convert-an-old-building-to-a-green-one http://inhabitat.com/new-report-details-why-existing-buildings-are-greener-than-new-ones/preservation-green-lab1/
4.Are there building codes that will only allow new construction that have green components as part of the design? “LEED certification is widely recognized, and some local jurisdictions have incorporated it into their building codes. The U.S. General Services Administration, for example, requires all Federal new construction and major renovation projects to meet LEED Gold standards,” according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics website. This was the only website that I could find that addressed future construction, except Greensburg Kansas. I looked at the website for Wichita, Kansas, www.greenwichita.org and they abide by the rules and regulations set forth by U.S. Green Building Council. There does not seem to be specific locations within Wichita that will only allow green building for new construction. http://www.bls.gov/green/construction/ http://www.greenwichita.org/Organizations/LocalGreenOrganizations/USGreenBuildingCouncilWichita.aspx
5. Are there certain parts of the US in which green components are more readily available, making the cost much more affordable in that area, when taking into account shipping and transporting? This question can be looked at on a large market scale and on a personal scale. In looking at personal use, there are Energy Star geothermal heat pumps available on the market. Government federal tax credits are available through the end of 2016 for this and other products that meet the Energy Star qualifications. Energy Star has a building program that can certify new construction, putting the responsibility on them to acquire the necessary supplies and hardware for building. This would eliminate a lot of the leg work on our part in finding supplies. Globally, the companies that appear to own the market on geothermal, as well as other types of renewable energies, are self sufficient. Not only do they own the energy they also explore prospective resources, develop projects, and maintain the facilities. CBS News noted in a newscast May 2009, there are five companies that handle the geothermal market and their holdings don’t usually stop with simply geothermal. For instance, Enel Green Power North America delves in geothermal, wind, and solar energy. Terra-Gen Power LLC focuses on geothermal, wind, and solar generation. For the private investor there are several companies globally that sell solar and wind components. A google search provides several companies that welcome questions and even estimates of how much one can save with any particular renewable energy resource. With the tax credits available the costs incurred with shipping and transportation are minimal.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new_homes_partners.showAreaResults&s_code=KS&msa_id=1056|Great+Bend%2C+KS http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-34241340/the-five-geothermal-companies-to-watch/ www.bergey.com 6. Do contractors have to be green certified? What would that mean? Who makes the guidelines for this certification? No, contractors do not have to be green certified. A contractor wanting to offer green services and prove to the investor they are committed can get certified in a number of ways. Five of the most common certification companies are the following: National Association of the Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Advantage, and Associated Builders and Contractors. Each certifier has their own way in which they offer certification; it may be on the job training, bookwork paired with studying and finishing up with a test, while other companies require a series of courses to be completed with a personal recommendation upon completion. There is not one specific organization that certifies, but companies like LEED are very specific in what they offer for certification. http://www.msabc.net/wfd/GBP_InfoPacket.pdf http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/green/green-contractors-need-green-certification1.htm http://www.greenconstructionatwork.com/Tools_Resources/Green_Contractor_Certification.aspx
1. What are the costs associated with installing green energy sources in an established community? One source suggests that overtime it is going to become cheaper to install renewable sources of energy because the cost of coal is increasing due to more challenging mine sites and the cost of renewable such as wind is decreasing because the technology is decreasing. Because turbines must be installed in remote locations there is a high cost associated with installation of them. Government subsidies make green energy more appealing. When there are subsidies available people are more likely to install these energy sources. However, when the government is not offering incentives the cost is high and people are less interested. There is starting to be an increase in the installations of passive solar energy on homes and businesses. However, because to use passive solar energy you need a specially designed and oriented building this does not apply to existing infrastructure.
2. What disruptions will there be to electrical services during the upgrades? Disruptions could possibly come later. In order to use solar or wind power you must have sun or wind. So there might be days when the resource isn’t available. If energy from a traditional source isn’t available instead then there will be a disruption.
3. Are green energy sources a long term solution or, will replacement and upgrades that are needed down the road be so costly that it’s not practical to go green? (I don’t really know how to word this…) A geothermal pump can last between 20-50 years depending on the type of pump installed. Solar panels can last up to 40 years if properly maintained. Typically the lifespan is shorter. There are just now beginning to be solar panel recycling programs.
4. What environmental impact do green energy sources have? They aren't all completely environmentally friendly. Geothermal energy requires between 1,700 to 4,000 gallons of water per megawatt hour. That is a lot of water. Often the water contains high amounts of sulfur and is non-potable after it has been used. The water can be pumped back into the reservoir and reused. Water also has to be pumped back into underground water sources to ensure that the land doesn’t collapse. In some places non-potable waste water is used to run the geothermal plants. Geothermal plants also have emissions of hazardous materials. These can be pumped to the ground in a closed system pump or released to the atmosphere in an open system pump. These gasses include hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane, and boron. Hydrogen sulfide produces acid rain. Mercury is also produced in geothermal plants. The emissions of these gases from geothermal plants is less than what you would see from a typical coal plant. Solar power plants require a lot of land. This can cause loss of habitat. With wind turbines land can be shared however solar panels stretch out over larger distances. The need for land use can be reduced by placing panels in areas such as old mine fields or areas that have already been destroyed or by using rooftop units. Hazardous materials are used in the manufacturing of solar panels. No emissions are produced by solar cells. They contain large amounts of silicon. Wind turbines can impact habitat for some animals. They also can cause problems for bats. They take a much smaller area than solar collectors and have no emissions like geothermal plants have.
5. Will the energy remain in the community or will it be sold on the grid? From Rhonda: Are there any communities that are 100% supported by renewable resources besides Greensburg Kansas? Greensburg was the only community that I could find that was 100% sustained by renewable resources: wind and solar. However San Francisco, Lancaster, and San Jose have made it their official goal to reach 100% sustainable within the next decade. There are several countries that have towns and communities that are or are close to 100% supported by renewable resources. These include Iceland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Scotland, and the Pacific island of Tokelau. (http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/22/100-renewable-energy-becoming-the-new-normal/
6. Is it practical to try to update existing infrastructure? Passive solar heating requires buildings to be built and designed with the sun in mind. However, it is possible to install solar panels to existing buildings for the purpose of heating and cooling. Geothermal heat pumps can be added to existing infrastructure. From Laurie: Community planning also includes building space and materials. E>A>H>G The best way to eliminate environmental impact is to not build at all. If building must occur than small buildings take up less space and add less to sprawl. If possible is better to renovate the inner city than rather than continue to build new suburbs. E>B>A Small close buildings reduce the need for destroying more natural land and reduce the need for long commutes. Renovating old city areas with green roofs and technology can beautify a city area and reduce the need to keep building out. E>H By equipping buildings to catch rain/ gray water that can be used in toilet flushing, plant watering, washing cars and other uses to E>A>B Building materials can provide more efficient use of heat and energy thus reducing the amount of energy used. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building) E>B>A By stacking residential living above businesses it makes dual use of parking, is more efficient to heat and cool and also takes up less space brining businesses and living closer together and reducing the need for cars and daily work commutes.
Kathy Gaston
ReplyDeleteSustaining My Community With Renewable Energy
Assignment 4: ESS Analysis
E = I am wanting to know if the town that I live in could be made into a sustainable energy community.
E>A The atmosphere has to be more stable because pollution would be less with renewable energy.
What pollutants could be eliminated by using renewable energy?
According to the website for the Union of Concerned Scientists entitled, Clean Energy, generating electricity from renewable energy rather than fossil fuels offfers significant environmental as well as public health benefits. Wind, solar, and hydroelectric systems generate eelectricity with no associated air pollution emissions. In, addition, wind and solar energy requires essentially no water to operate and this do not pollute water resources or strain supply. It also does not compete with agriculture, drinking water systems, or other important water needs, (www.ucsusa.org revised 04/08/13). This is a very important issue in my community.
E>H Living by one of the largest lakes in Kansas, my community would have access to a large body of water.
How large of a water resource is needed to produce hydroelectric power?
The Green Mountain Energy Company saays, low iimpact hydro, a form of hydropower that minimizes negative impact on the environment, is increasingly being chosed for development of new dams, or expansion of old ones. These smaller scale hydropower systems can be installed in small rivers or streams with little or no discernable changes. Some qualifier for these hydro systems are: river flow,and water quality. So, I think our large lake would possibly qualitfy as a site for hydro power.
E>L A wind turbine would more than oikely be the source of choice for producing electricity to sustain my renewable energy community.
ReplyDeleteIs the land around my community able to support a wind turbine, and other large structures need for my sustained energy community?
From the Wind Energy Development web page of frequently asked questions, it states that many state and local municipaliities have ordinances governing the erection of tall structures suchas wind turbines. That would lead one to believe that studies are being done and if there were problems in a certain area, it would be wise not to build on that site. It was written on the site(Wind Power three E's) that communities and developers must conduct a site characterization and investigiation before erecting any turbines and can build only on areas that have undergone remediation.Therefore, any questions able stability of the site would have been answered right awayfor the project.
E>B Wind turbines and other structures would need to be introduced into my community.
Would the natural habitat, such as wildlife and fish , be affected in my community?
Birds are affected very little, as far as death rate, by wind turbvines. Bats have greater issues. According to (ohsoline.com, 2012 1,1) government agencies such as the EPA and the Bureau of Land Management are studying ways that wind turbines affect wildlife with noise, pollution, and the disruption caused by flickering lights. However, nist if the negative affects of the wind turbines can be miigated by the proper placement of the turbines.
Hydropower on the otherhand, is nonpolluting, but does have environmental impacts. Hydropower facilities can have large environmental impact by changing the environment and affecting land use, home, and natural habitats in the dam area. Most hydroelectric power plants have a dam and a reservior. These structures my obstruct fish migration and affect their population. Operating a hydroelectric power plant my also change the water temperature and the river's flow. These changes may harm native plants and animals in the river and on land. Reserviors my cover people's homes, important natural areas, agricultural land and archeological sites.(USGA Water Science School, 14-Feb-2013)
What would the cost be for a project in my community like Greensburg?
I did not find any information about the cost of Greensburg going Green. From what I did read they were blessed with many groups that could see the opportunity to build back a town and make it 100% renewable energy powered, 100% of the time. Also, local, state, and federal agencies seemed to be at Greensburg's disposal for assistance and guidance. Greensburg was a unique situation and they got to take advantage of many resources that other communities wouldn't get to take advantage of so cheaply.
What would be a feasible time frame for making an established community into a sustainable energy community?
Accord the USA Today Green Living magazine article entitled, After Devastating Tornado, town is reborn'green', reconstruction is nearly complketed after 6 years. They are 100 % renewable energy users 100 % of the time. So, I would think that would proabably be a good time frame to consider for most comparible communities.
Resources:
http://ga.water.usgs.gov
http://issuu.com/greentown/docs
http://www.greensburgks.org
http://www.greenmountain.com
http://ohsonline.com/article/2013/01/01wind-power.aspx
http://usatoday.com
www.ucsusa.org
Assignment 4 ESS Analysis with research
ReplyDeleteE = Families in a rural North Central Kansas area could work together to create a sustainable environment that is economically feasible.
E>A Atmosphere would have to be improved because pollution would be less using renewable energy.
Would wind, geothermal or solar benefit the immediate atmosphere the most?
According to the Sierra Club, solar energy is the " cleanest, most abundant renewable energy source available." (http://content.sierraclub.org/coal/solar)
E>H Local hydrosphere would be minimally affected due to size and location involved.
Would small creeks/tributaries be affected by using renewable resources?
It would depend on the type used. Solar and wind energy would have no effect on small creeks/tributaries in a rural area. However, geothermal might, depending on whether water was cycled back into the 'well' or into a nearby pond. Shallow sources in this area would be used to run geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling homes. (http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables)
E> B = Solar, geothermal and wind energy would have minimal effect on the flora and fauna locally.
What renewable resource would have the least negative / most positive effect on the biosphere?
Of solar, wind and geothermal energy resources, the location would determine the effect on the environment. A roof mounted solar system would have little, if any, negative effect on the biosphere, whereas wind and geothermal location would disrupt the immediate biosphere. (www.eere.energy.gov/wind/lodfs)
E> L = Lithosphere would have some disruption due to type of renewable energy source used.
ReplyDeleteWhich renewable resource would disrupt the land/soil the least?
Solar would have the least effect on the soil/land if mounted on a roof top. However, if it was located directly on the earth, it would reasonably disrupt as much as a wind turbine placement depending on the size involved. The same would hold true for geothermal energy. '...the ground disturbance for wind farms is minimal compared with coal mines and coal-fired stations. If wind farms are decommissioned, the landscape can be returned to its previous condition.' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_wind_power)
E>A>H>B = The increased air current with a wind turbine or geothermal water distribution will have an effect on the amount of water available for the local flora and fauna.
Will installing a wind turbine or geothermal system decrease the amount of water available for local flora/fauna?
The increased air current activity from a wind turbine does increase evaporation of nearby water so there would be less available for plants and animals. (http://environmental researchweb.org/cws/article/news) A single wind turbine would have minimal affect on the available water supply. Geothermal energy system would not effect water supply if recirculated within the system.
E>A>H>L>B = Solar, wind and geothermal energy are compatible for a rural North Central Kansas neighborhood.
What types of renewable energy are more compatible for a rural North Central Kansas neighborhood?
All three main types of renewable energy are compatible for North Central Kansas. Of solar, wind, geothermal and hyroelectric, only hydroelectric would not be feasible. Each type of renewable energy would work well and cut down on fossil fuel usage. Solar is a valuable renewable energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gases and stimulate the economy regardless of where it is utilized. (htt;://www.greenmountnain.com/solar-energy) Once installed, it is l00% pollution-free when it is produced or consumed. Solar, wind and geothermal all have minimal adverse effects on the hydrosphere and biosphere
Looks like some of you are ahead of the game! That's great, just be sure to credit others in your final assignment. :) I can see that you all are getting pretty good at the ESS analysis, as well.
ReplyDeleteI will be out of town until August 3rd, but I will be able to check email at least once, if you need to contact me. Or you can call and leave a voice message, and I will get back to you when I get back in a service area. Good luck!
Rhonda Farwell
ReplyDeleteSustaining my Community with Renewable Energy
Assignment 4
ESS Analysis
Event= Would the benefits of a community sustained by renewable resources outweigh the negative effects?
E>A Using renewable resources would reduce the pollutants put into the atmosphere.
Are there any pollutants put into the atmosphere from renewable resources?
Compared with natural gas, which emits between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (CO2E/kWh), and coal, which emits between 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of CO2E/kWh wind emits only 0.02 to 0.04 pounds of CO2E/kWh, solar 0.07 to 0.2, geothermal 0.1 to 0.2, and hydroelectric between 0.1 and 0.5. (http://www.ucsusa.org/)
E>H Using renewable resources would reduce the pollutants put into the rivers, lakes, streams and ponds.
Are there any pollutants put into our hydrosphere by renewable resources?
No negative effects to the hydrosphere could be found. Most traditional methods of fossil fuel, mining, extraction, and cooling use a vast amount of water and can pollute our oceans, rivers, and lakes.
E>A Using wind energy for a community would have substantial positive effects on our environment.
What are some environmental benefits of wind power?
Wind energy system operations do not generate air or water emissions and do not produce hazardous waste. They also do not deplete natural resources such as coal, oil, or gas. They do not cause environmental damage through resources extractions and transportation. (http://www.culturechange.org)
How many years before the cost implemented is less than the cost gained?
Although the payback would be site specific based on several variables such as the topographical survey, wind profile, height of hub, turbine lifecycle, energy output, and overall cost (http://windenergydevelopmentllc.com/fac-wind-facts), a wind turbine typically takes only a few months (3-8, depending on the average wind speed at its site. (http://culturechange.org).
How large is a typical wind farm and how much energy do they produce?
An average one megawatt wind turbine will produce enough energy for the annual needs of 350 average households. Turbines may range from 660 kilowatts to over 3 megawatts of capacity. (http://www.windenergyamerica.com/faq.html). Greensburg, Kansas, a city of 1400, with wind turbines of 12.5 megawatts, is 100% renewable, 100% of the time. (http://www.greensburgks.org/) (http://www.kansasenergy.org)
What are the negative effects of wind power?
Wind turbines make some noise and are sometimes considered a visual nuisance. Concerns have been raised about the impacts on migrating birds, however date has shown the relative risk is minimal. (http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables/)
E>H Using hydroelectric power is relatively limited in its growth because of its physical requirements to make it effective.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the positive effects of hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectric power does not burn fuel, so there is minimal pollution; water to run the plant is free by nature; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; relatively low costs to maintain and operate; is renewable as rainfall renews the water in the reservoir; and the technology is reliable and proven over time. (http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html)
What are the negative effects of hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectric power has a high investment cost; is hydrology dependent; may flood land and wildlife habitat; may cause loss or modification of fish habitat or migrations; may change reservoir and stream water quality; and in some cases may displace local populations. (http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html)
E>L Using geothermal is limited for communities because only a small fraction of the earth may be profitably exploited.
What are the positive effects of geothermal energy?
Since, no fuel is required for geothermal, costs for purchasing, transporting and cleaning up plants are quite low. Geothermal systems does not create any pollution as it releases some gases from deep within the earth which are not very harmful to the environment. (http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages)
What are the negative effects of geothermal energy?
Since this type of energy is not widely used, the unavailability of equipment, staff, infrastructure, training pose hindrance to the installation of geothermal plants across the globe. Not enough skilled manpower and availability of suitable build location pose serious problem in adopting geothermal energy globally. To get geothermal energy, requires installation of power plants, to get steam from deep within the earth. This requires a huge one time investment, and requires hiring certified installers, and skilled staff would be needed to be recruited and relocated to plant location. Moreover, electricity towers, stations need to be set up to move the power from geothermal plant to consumer. Geothermal sites can run out of steam over a period of time due to drop in temperature or if too much water is injected to cool the rocks and this may result huge loss for the companies which have invested heavily in these plants. Due to this factor, companies have to do extensive initial research before setting up the plant. (http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages)
E>A Using solar energy to support a community would have substantial positive effects in our environment.
What are the positive effects of solar energy?
Solar is quiet, produces no pollution, affordable, and can be sited almost anywhere. Solar generating devices are very reliable and can last a long time - especially photovoltaic cells, whose components have no moving parts. (http://www.aaa.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables)
What are the negative effects of solar energy?
Solar required large arrays, which take up large areas of land and require tremendous up-front capital investments. Because it relies on direct sunlight, solar is subject to interruptions in supply at night and during cloudy weather and must be backed up by another source. Production of photovoltaic cells also involve the use of toxic materials. (http://www.aaa.org/spp/cstc/briefs/renewables)
E>B Communities can be supported by renewable resources.
ReplyDeleteAre there any communities that are 100% supported by renewable resources besides Greensburg Kansas?
Greensburg was the only community that I could find that was 100% sustained by renewable resources: wind and solar. However San Francisco, Lancaster, and San Jose have made it their official goal to reach 100% sustainable within the next decade. There are several countries that have towns and communities that are or are close to 100% supported by renewable resources. These include Iceland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Scotland, and the Pacific island of Tokelau. (http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/22/100-renewable-energy-becoming-the-new-normal/
E = Effects of building a 'Green Community'
ReplyDeleteE > A > H > L Green communities strive to minimize waste. This could encompass emissions into the atmosphere, dumping of waste into water and/or putting waste into a landfill.
http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/gccheck.htm
E > L > A > H Green communities work toward sustainable land use: Sustainable land use planning involves decisions on crosscutting and multi-layered issues that affect air quality, water quality, access to transportation options, economic vitality, and quality of life. It is critical to promote the creation and development of communities containing an array of types and uses of buildings and spaces to meet the diverse needs of residents’ daily lives.
http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/view/page.basic/class/tag.topic/land_use
E > B According to the UN Habitat, around half of the world’s population is concentrated in cities that is set to rise to 60% within a couple decades. Green communities function with the ambition of meeting a number of societal goals which affect humans:
• Actively Involve Citizens from ALL Sectors of the Community through Open, Inclusive Public Outreach Efforts
• Ensure that Public Actions Are Sustainable, while Incorporating Local Values and Historical and Cultural Considerations
• Create and Maintain Safe, Clean Neighborhoods and Recreational Facilities for ALL
• Provide Adequate and Efficient Infrastructure (water, sewer, etc.) that Minimizes Human Health and Environmental Harm, and Transportation Systems that Accomodate Broad Public Access, Bike and Pedestrian Paths
• Ensure Equitable and Effective Educational and Health-Care Systems
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_city
E > B Wildlife benefit from having cleaner air and water in areas surrounding the city, and many green communities incorporate areas for wildlife to thrive within the city limits.
http://www.sustainablesites.org/
E > A A large part of the green cities initiative focuses on climate protection:
The Climate Protection Agreement is part of the base structure for a green city. Through the Agreement, cities agree to three points of action:
1. Attempt to meet or exceed the targets set forth in the Kyoto Protocol for their own cities through anti-sprawl policies to the restoration of forests to educating the public on environmental issues;
2. Encourage state and federal government to establish policies to meet or exceed the greenhouse gas reduction target set by the Kyoto Protocol for the United States – which was a reduction of the levels from 1990 by 7% by 2012;
3. Encourage legislation to reduce greenhouse gases and establish a system for handling national emission of greenhouse gases.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-green-city.htm
E > B Fear of the unknown may be the biggest hurdle to overcome when planning and building a green community.
http://www.ecomii.com/building/cons-of-green-building
Event= Investigate sustainable energy sources, building ideas and community planning ideas to focus on a greener alternatives for the future.
ReplyDeleteE>H Hydropower uses waterpower through dams to create electricity. This form of power production needs a body of water near by. It can be a form of flood control, be used for irrigation and is a renewable resource. “Hydropower accounts for about four-fifths of renewable generation and will continue to dominate the world's renewable portfolio into the foreseeable future, according to the IEA's "Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report" for 2013.”
(http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=renewable-energy-predicted-to-boom-surpass-natural-gas&WT.mc_id=SA)
E>B>H>G Building of dams does impact the wildlife and surrounding natural formations during the building process, and a large new structure becomes part of the landscape. “However, hydroelectric facilities can still have a major impact on aquatic ecosystems. For example, though there are a variety of methods to minimize the impact (including fish ladders and in-take screens), fish and other organisms can be injured and killed by turbine blades.” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-of.html E>B>H Some wildlife will benefit from the dammed supply of water and it will create new ecosystem and a large resource of water for animals and migratory birds.
E>B>W Solar energy converts the renewable resource of sun power into electricity.“The environmental impacts associated with solar power can include land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing, though the types of impacts vary greatly depending on the scale of the system and the technology used — photovoltaic (PV) solar cells or concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP).” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-of.html
E>G Geothermal energy uses the heat energy of the earth. “Geothermal power is cost effective, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly, but has historically been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries. Recent technological advances have dramatically expanded the range and size of viable resources, especially for applications such as home heating, opening a potential for widespread exploitation.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_energy
E>A Geothermal energy can be obtained in a closed system so that the air that is used from the wells are returned to the wells and not put it to the atmosphere which almost no emissions are released into the environment.
E>A>B>G Wind Energy is a renewable resource that is especially appealing in windy places like Kansas. “Harnessing power from the wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate electricity as it produces no toxic pollution or global warming emissions. Wind is also abundant, inexhaustible, and affordable, which makes it a viable and large-scale alternative to fossil fuels” http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-of.html
ReplyDeleteE>A>B Biomass can be used to produce electricity. Biomass is the burning of agricultural waste, forest waste, manure and other waste products. The advantage is that it is a renewable resource, but it does release global warming emissions. Emissions from Biomass plants can vary. Emissions generally better than coal but worse than natural gas. Gasification systems can reduce emissions and with future technology this form of renewable energy maybe able to be made cleaner.
E>A “Hydrokinetic energy, which includes wave and tidal power, encompasses an array of energy technologies, many of which are still in the experimental stages or in the early stages of deployment. Published research suggests that they would be below 0.05 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour . To put this into context, estimates of life-cycle global warming emissions for natural gas generated electricity are between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour and estimates for coal-generated electricity are 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour.” This type of energy production would reduce carbon emissions and may become even more efficient as technology develops.
Community planning also includes building space and materials. E>A>H>G The best way to eliminate environmental impact is to not build at all. If building must occur than small buildings take up less space and add less to sprawl. If possible is better to renovate the inner city than rather than continue to build new suburbs. E>B>A Small close buildings reduce the need for destroying more natural land and reduce the need for long commutes. Renovating old city areas with green roofs and technology can beautify a city area and reduce the need to keep building out. E>H By equipping buildings to catch rain/ gray water that can be used in toilet flushing, plant watering, washing cars and other uses to E>A>B Building materials can provide more efficient use of heat and energy thus reducing the amount of energy used. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building)
E>B>A By stacking residential living above businesses it makes dual use of parking, is more efficient to heat and cool and also takes up less space brining businesses and living closer together and reducing the need for cars and daily work commutes.
E>B>A “A green building may cost more up front, but saves through lower operating costs over the life of the building. Some benefits, such as improving occupant health, comfort, and productivity, reducing pollution and landfill waste are not easily quantified. Consequently, they are not adequately considered in cost analysis.” http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/greenbuilding/basics.htm E>A>B Designing buildings to take advantage of natural light, use recycled or sustainable building materials, energy efficient heating and cooling systems as well as energy efficient machines and lighting can require less energy usage.
ReplyDeleteE>A>H “Buildings are the largest contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming—and making buildings more energy efficient is one of the most immediate and measurable ways to address this growing concern. The advantages of “green buildings” are well documented: 30 percent energy savings, 35 percent carbon savings, 30-50 percent water savings, and 50-90 percent waste cost savings.” http://www.aia.org/practicing/groups/kc/AIAS076321 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an organization which provides Green Building Rating System. LEED has rating systems for different types of projects including existing structure and historical buildings. By making modifications to buildings we could significantly reduce emissions and see a reduction of water needs.
E>G The reserves of coal, oil and natural gas took a long time to generate and will eventually run out. “The reserves to production (R/P) ratio provides an indicator of how long proved coal reserves will last at the current rate of extraction. BP calculated this to be 112 years for coal at the end of 2011.” http://www.worldcoal.org/resources/frequently-asked-questions/
“Probably in excess of 50 years before oil production drops below half what is currently. Counting natural gas in total hydrocarbons, probably 90 to 140 years before total hydrocarbon use drops to below half what it is currently.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2012/07/09/how-many-years-of-oil-do-we-have-left-to-run-our-industrial-civilization-keeping-in-mind-that-oil-is-a-resource-and-has-an-economical-end/
ESSA for creating a Sustainable Community
ReplyDeleteEvent - Converting a traditional community to a sustainable community.
E> L New construction in sustainable communities protects the environment by taking existing flora and fauna into account. Planners will choose not to locate developments near wetlands, streams, slopes, significant soils, parklands, threatened or endangered habitats, or below floodplains. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM
E>A Construction will improve and protect the atmosphere by reducing carbon emissions. Planners build near public transportation, walkways, or bike paths. City developers create walkways and bike paths to make their use feasible.
http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM
E>A>B Decreased carbon emissions regulates atmospheric temperature and climate which will return rainfall and plant growth to previous amounts. Increased numbers of producers will support increased numbers of consumers in all levels of the food chain.
E>B>A Sustainable communities balance the amount of plant space with building space, maintaining habitats and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Sustainable community planners arrange for 50% space for new plants and implement controls for erosion and sedimentation during construction. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM
E>H Sustainable community planning reduces the requirement of the community for water. Water conserved by implementing irrigation systems the reuse water, developing systems that reuse gray water, and requiring low flow water attachments in buildings.
Planning also designs for the collection of storm water for use. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM
E>A Geothermal energy provides cleaner air by reducing the need for energy from burning fossil fuels. Geothermal energy uses the steam from hot water beneath the Earth’s surface or circulating air beneath the Earth’s surface to produce energy or heat and cool buildings. There are no emissions from geothermal energy. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-geothermal-energy-works.html
E>B Sustainable communities may reduce energy costs for individual families by reducing water usage, energy usage and fuel costs. Sustainable communities require buildings to be near public transportation, walkways or bike paths, decreasing single car travel; requiring the use of water reduction measures and encouraging alternate energy solutions such as solar or geothermal heat. Families may also be healthier from the use of products that have low pollution factors, such as paints and wood products. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM
E>L Waste management in sustainable communities reduce the amount of land required for landfills. Recycling efforts will not only help solve landfill problems, but reduce the natural resources required to produce more metal and plastic products. http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000008rMSlEAM
E>B The long-term impact to the economy makes up for the cost of building green. Building green costs an average of 2% more than traditional building. Energy costs are reduced an average of 33% which would make up for the increased building costs. This is equivilant to $7-8 per square foot of energy savings. Employment is also shifted from fossil fuel energy jobs to jobs in green energy at an average of $1 per square foot of green construction. This is the same as saying that one green office creates 33% of one full time job per year. These savings demonstrate the the additional cost of building green is paid back within 5 years.
http://www.goodenergies.com/news/-pdfs/Green%20Buildings%20Study%20Press%20Release%20FINAL_5.pdf
1. Are some types of renewable energy more functional/reasonable/worthwhile in some areas than others?
ReplyDeleteOne must exclude hydroelectric energy because water is not a renewable resource in the sense of long term. The places that could utilize hydroelectric as a source of energy have more than likely already dammed up that waterway. So let’s consider the following options: geothermal, solar, and wind. Geothermal is certainly a resource many locations could benefit from, the greatest benefit to this type is the intensity of heat stored under the ground. The most intense heat sources are around the Pacific Rim where the greater seismic activity is located most generally near active or geologically young volcanoes. Additionally, areas of extremes, cold or hot, seem to benefit the most, like Texas and Wyoming. The earth’s crust must be thin enough for the heat to escape through. Of the three ways in which energy is extracted only closed loop systems do not emit pollutants, specifically hydrogen sulfide. Kansas can be a candidate for geothermal but it would probably not be the best location. Interesting fact from the Union of Concerned Scientists website, “The amount of heat within 10,000 meters (about 33,000 feet) of Earth's surface contains 50,000 times more energy than all the oil and natural gas resources in the world.”
Solar energy - In 2010 Arizona State University conducted a study to determine what states would be best served with creating and exporting solar energy. Kansas did not make the top ten lists in either consumption or availability. In regards to Kansas, solar energy is somewhat like wind, the sun does not shine all the time (dusk to dawn and when it is cloudy) so a backup source of energy would need to be utilized. There are several ways in which solar energy can be harnessed and some are fairly inexpensive: solar panels, solar water heaters, solar architecture, solar lighting, solar chimneys, and solar cookers. The website www.acwf.org is an excellent resource to see what types of renewable energies would be available in certain towns in Kansas.
The central United States is a wonderful resource for wind energy. The US Department of Energy provides a colorful map with potential wind power that is easy to read. Western Alaska and the central corridor from North to South appears to be a great resource based on their research. If a person divided the United States into thirds, east to west, the outer two-thirds do not have as great potential for harnessing wind as the inner third.
Based on research, some areas show more potential for some types of renewable energy than others. This diversification allows for greater technological advances in all areas, leading to manufacturing and jobs.
http://ourfiniteworld.com/2013/03/20/renewables-good-for-some-things-not-so-good-for-others/
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-geothermal-energy-works.html
http://ournewclimate.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-water-renewable-resource.html
https://asunews.asu.edu/20101122_business_solarrankings
http://www.acwf.org/renewable-energy-kansas
http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp
2. Are there cons to NOT converting to renewable energy?
ReplyDeleteThe Conserve Energy Future website has broken down pros and cons for renewable energy. The cons they mention include the following:
• It is not easy to set up a plant as the initial costs are quite steep.
• Solar energy can be used during the day time and not during night or rainy season.
• Geothermal energy which can be used to generate electricity has side effects too. It can bring toxic chemicals beneath the earth surface onto the top and can create environmental changes.
• Hydroelectric provide pure form of energy but building dams across the river which is quite expensive can affect natural flow and affect wildlife.
• To use wind energy, you have to rely on strong winds therefore you have to choose suitable site to operate them. Also, they can affect bird population as they are quite high.
This site has great energy information but everything seems to come down to the idea that some types are more suitable in some areas than others. This is something that can totally be worked around.
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/
http://www.ecology.com/2011/09/06/fossil-fuels-vs-renewable-energy-resources/
3. Building codes – Are there some older communities, versus places like Greensburg that had to start from scratch anyway, that can transform existing buildings to green without having a tremendous burden from renovation costs?
ReplyDeleteYes, this can be done in a fairly simple and inexpensive manner. Existing buildings can be converted by replacing lighting fixtures, mechanical systems, and toilets. Especially when remodeling, these would be changes taken into consideration initially resulting in a greener builder from the start. New construction has a higher initial cost but it is reported most of those higher upfront costs are recouped within the first few years of use. The Inhabitat website reports , “According to the highly-anticipated report (from the Preservation Green Lab), it can take up to 80 years for a new, energy-efficient building to overcome the environmental impact of the construction process.” This is certainly an argument in converting existing buildings to be environmentally green(er) rather than contributing to CO2 emissions and landfills.
http://www.lowesforpros.com/convert-an-old-building-to-a-green-one
http://inhabitat.com/new-report-details-why-existing-buildings-are-greener-than-new-ones/preservation-green-lab1/
4.Are there building codes that will only allow new construction that have green components as part of the design?
ReplyDelete“LEED certification is widely recognized, and some local jurisdictions have incorporated it into their building codes. The U.S. General Services Administration, for example, requires all Federal new construction and major renovation projects to meet LEED Gold standards,” according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics website. This was the only website that I could find that addressed future construction, except Greensburg Kansas. I looked at the website for Wichita, Kansas, www.greenwichita.org and they abide by the rules and regulations set forth by U.S. Green Building Council. There does not seem to be specific locations within Wichita that will only allow green building for new construction.
http://www.bls.gov/green/construction/
http://www.greenwichita.org/Organizations/LocalGreenOrganizations/USGreenBuildingCouncilWichita.aspx
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ReplyDelete5. Are there certain parts of the US in which green components are more readily available, making the cost much more affordable in that area, when taking into account shipping and transporting?
ReplyDeleteThis question can be looked at on a large market scale and on a personal scale. In looking at personal use, there are Energy Star geothermal heat pumps available on the market. Government federal tax credits are available through the end of 2016 for this and other products that meet the Energy Star qualifications. Energy Star has a building program that can certify new construction, putting the responsibility on them to acquire the necessary supplies and hardware for building. This would eliminate a lot of the leg work on our part in finding supplies.
Globally, the companies that appear to own the market on geothermal, as well as other types of renewable energies, are self sufficient. Not only do they own the energy they also explore prospective resources, develop projects, and maintain the facilities. CBS News noted in a newscast May 2009, there are five companies that handle the geothermal market and their holdings don’t usually stop with simply geothermal. For instance, Enel Green Power North America delves in geothermal, wind, and solar energy. Terra-Gen Power LLC focuses on geothermal, wind, and solar generation.
For the private investor there are several companies globally that sell solar and wind components. A google search provides several companies that welcome questions and even estimates of how much one can save with any particular renewable energy resource. With the tax credits available the costs incurred with shipping and transportation are minimal.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new_homes_partners.showAreaResults&s_code=KS&msa_id=1056|Great+Bend%2C+KS
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-34241340/the-five-geothermal-companies-to-watch/
www.bergey.com
6. Do contractors have to be green certified? What would that mean? Who makes the guidelines for this certification?
No, contractors do not have to be green certified. A contractor wanting to offer green services and prove to the investor they are committed can get certified in a number of ways. Five of the most common certification companies are the following: National Association of the Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Advantage, and Associated Builders and Contractors. Each certifier has their own way in which they offer certification; it may be on the job training, bookwork paired with studying and finishing up with a test, while other companies require a series of courses to be completed with a personal recommendation upon completion. There is not one specific organization that certifies, but companies like LEED are very specific in what they offer for certification.
http://www.msabc.net/wfd/GBP_InfoPacket.pdf
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/green/green-contractors-need-green-certification1.htm
http://www.greenconstructionatwork.com/Tools_Resources/Green_Contractor_Certification.aspx
1. What are the costs associated with installing green energy sources in an established community?
ReplyDeleteOne source suggests that overtime it is going to become cheaper to install renewable sources of energy because the cost of coal is increasing due to more challenging mine sites and the cost of renewable such as wind is decreasing because the technology is decreasing.
Because turbines must be installed in remote locations there is a high cost associated with installation of them.
Government subsidies make green energy more appealing. When there are subsidies available people are more likely to install these energy sources. However, when the government is not offering incentives the cost is high and people are less interested.
There is starting to be an increase in the installations of passive solar energy on homes and businesses. However, because to use passive solar energy you need a specially designed and oriented building this does not apply to existing infrastructure.
2. What disruptions will there be to electrical services during the upgrades?
ReplyDeleteDisruptions could possibly come later. In order to use solar or wind power you must have sun or wind. So there might be days when the resource isn’t available. If energy from a traditional source isn’t available instead then there will be a disruption.
3. Are green energy sources a long term solution or, will replacement and upgrades that are needed down the road be so costly that it’s not practical to go green? (I don’t really know how to word this…)
A geothermal pump can last between 20-50 years depending on the type of pump installed.
Solar panels can last up to 40 years if properly maintained. Typically the lifespan is shorter. There are just now beginning to be solar panel recycling programs.
4. What environmental impact do green energy sources have? They aren't all completely environmentally friendly.
ReplyDeleteGeothermal energy requires between 1,700 to 4,000 gallons of water per megawatt hour. That is a lot of water. Often the water contains high amounts of sulfur and is non-potable after it has been used. The water can be pumped back into the reservoir and reused. Water also has to be pumped back into underground water sources to ensure that the land doesn’t collapse. In some places non-potable waste water is used to run the geothermal plants. Geothermal plants also have emissions of hazardous materials. These can be pumped to the ground in a closed system pump or released to the atmosphere in an open system pump. These gasses include hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane, and boron. Hydrogen sulfide produces acid rain. Mercury is also produced in geothermal plants. The emissions of these gases from geothermal plants is less than what you would see from a typical coal plant.
Solar power plants require a lot of land. This can cause loss of habitat. With wind turbines land can be shared however solar panels stretch out over larger distances. The need for land use can be reduced by placing panels in areas such as old mine fields or areas that have already been destroyed or by using rooftop units.
Hazardous materials are used in the manufacturing of solar panels. No emissions are produced by solar cells. They contain large amounts of silicon.
Wind turbines can impact habitat for some animals. They also can cause problems for bats. They take a much smaller area than solar collectors and have no emissions like geothermal plants have.
5. Will the energy remain in the community or will it be sold on the grid?
ReplyDeleteFrom Rhonda: Are there any communities that are 100% supported by renewable resources besides Greensburg Kansas?
Greensburg was the only community that I could find that was 100% sustained by renewable resources: wind and solar. However San Francisco, Lancaster, and San Jose have made it their official goal to reach 100% sustainable within the next decade. There are several countries that have towns and communities that are or are close to 100% supported by renewable resources. These include Iceland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Scotland, and the Pacific island of Tokelau. (http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/22/100-renewable-energy-becoming-the-new-normal/
6. Is it practical to try to update existing infrastructure?
ReplyDeletePassive solar heating requires buildings to be built and designed with the sun in mind. However, it is possible to install solar panels to existing buildings for the purpose of heating and cooling.
Geothermal heat pumps can be added to existing infrastructure.
From Laurie: Community planning also includes building space and materials. E>A>H>G The best way to eliminate environmental impact is to not build at all. If building must occur than small buildings take up less space and add less to sprawl. If possible is better to renovate the inner city than rather than continue to build new suburbs. E>B>A Small close buildings reduce the need for destroying more natural land and reduce the need for long commutes. Renovating old city areas with green roofs and technology can beautify a city area and reduce the need to keep building out. E>H By equipping buildings to catch rain/ gray water that can be used in toilet flushing, plant watering, washing cars and other uses to E>A>B Building materials can provide more efficient use of heat and energy thus reducing the amount of energy used. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building)
E>B>A By stacking residential living above businesses it makes dual use of parking, is more efficient to heat and cool and also takes up less space brining businesses and living closer together and reducing the need for cars and daily work commutes.
http://meic.org/issues/montana-clean-energy/cost-of-wind-vs-fossil-fuels/
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/green-energy-replacing-fossil-fuels
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-geothermal-energy.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-solar-energy-works.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-solar-power.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-wind-power.html
http://www.earthenergyservices.com/geothermal-energy-faq.php
http://www.ga4.org/average-lifespan-solar-panels/