Monday, July 28, 2008

Research

Should we develop alternative energy?


GilJae Yeo






EAP2, Writer’s Workshop
Thomas Leveret
July 28, 2008


Abstract
The topic of this paper is the fact that we should develop alternative energy because oil is an exhaustible resource. It argues that the scientists should develop alternative energy; also, the government should help our scientists and companies. There are three ways they should do this. The first is that the scientists should develop hydrogen, and the second is that the scientists should develop natural gas vehicles. Finally, the scientists should develop electric power.











Have you ever used a natural gas vehicle? Does it cause an environmental problem? I became interested in natural gas, because I will learn about alternative energy in Core class. Nowadays, the world should develop alternative energy. The reason we develop alternative energy is that oil is an exhaustible resource. According to Murray (2008), oil costs have become more expensive because of war. And, Dr. Salameh says that if the war ended, it would prevent the rising of oil price. We should try to develop hydrogen energy because it is not an exhaustible resource. Moreover, hydrogen gas has many benefits. “This option for transportation has never been more relevant, considering the air quality and low carbon emission benefits of natural gas vehicles” (Vaughan, 2008, para. 13). Also, many companies are trying to make hydrogen vehicles because it can make a good environment. According to Walton (2008), many companies and researchers are investing in the hydrogen test project, which will bring us a green environment. Also, “But like experiments with alternative fuels, the price is very high and the long-term outcome is unknown. Proponents of hydrogen technology have long had a chicken-and-egg dilemma over whether to build million-dollar fueling facilities or to wait until more vehicles are in use” (Walton, 2008, para. 7). This energy has been made more popular because it can be an alternative energy.

Nowadays, the world needs alternative energy, because oil is an exhaustible resource and oil costs are increasing more and more. Thus, the scientists should develop alternative energy, for example by doing hydrogen development, natural gas development, and electric development.

First, the scientists should develop hydrogen, because hydrogen has many kinds, and by developing hydrogen they can take advantage of many kinds of skills. Moreover, the gasoline has been an exhaustible resource, so we need to develop alternative energy. According to Bozorqmehr (2008), “Under the order, most Iranians will be limited to about 26 U.S. gallons (100 liters) per month. The ministry also announced the price would be raised by more than 20 percent to 11 cents per liter (about 42 cents a gallon)” (para. 7). Nowadays, the world is focusing on global warming. Many people do not want to influence the environment in a destructive way. The hydrogen cars have more protection of the environment than gasoline. According to Walton (2008), “During a careful fueling process, technicians check for leaks of the highly flammable hydrogen – leaks both in the bus and the fuel pump. Because a fossil fuel, methane, is used to make the hydrogen, the buses are about 12 percent cleaner than gasoline or diesel when their entire carbon footprint is measured” (paras. 12-13). The gasoline cars can make air pollution because the gasoline cars emit exhaust gas. However, the hydrogen cars do not make air pollution. For example, we can use thermochemistry cycle, the sun resolution, and electric resolution. In my country, we have LPG cars, but it is not safe, because it is easy for LPG to explode when people shoot at fuel tanks. Hydrogen cars now suffer from fuel tank explosions. Many scientists have tried to develop a fuel tank which is made strongly. Also, we should think about the fact that when people use hydrogen cars, they must be made safely. In Canada, they have made stronger fuel tanks than before, because they want to commonly use hydrogen cars.

Second, the scientists should develop natural gas. The natural gas causes no environment problem. According to Vaughan (2008), “Natural gas for transportation is exempt from excise tax, which is a good start. What needs to be added are fiscal measures such as tax credits, accelerated depreciation for return-to-base commercial fleets and signals to the auto makers to demonstrate that the government is prepared to create some room for alternative-fuel vehicles” (paras. 15-16). Also, natural gas does not explode easily. For example, in my country, we try to use natural gas vehicles. Some cities wanted to change to natural gas vehicles because they affect the environment less and they do not want to destroy the environment. According to Vaughan (2008), “Natural gas vehicles are eligible for state incentives and federal tax credits. Special access privileges for airport taxis and shuttles operating on natural has have reduced emissions and improved local air quality. High-occupancy vehicle lane access enhances the benefits of natural gas vehicle ownership. Southern California requires that fleets operating 15 or more vehicles purchase the best available commercial technology. In this environment, natural gas vehicles have flourished” (paras. 26-27). So, the government should support our scientists and companies. Some countries do not worry about this problem. However, it could make serious problems. For example, when you need to use another country`s technology, they may give it to you. It means they do not teach their technology, and they just sell their products. If the government supports our country, it will allow us to spend less money and have their good technology.

Finally, the scientists should develop electric power. Nowadays, many scientists have tried to do electric development, because it could be an alternative energy to gasoline. For example, we can use power from water and wind. Nowadays, we are using electric energy a lot, and we do not want to affect the environment. It could help us. According to Oliver (2008), “It`s small, affluent, tech-savvy and it has a very obvious pollution problem – Hong Kong is arguably and ideal destination for electric cars. And despite the absence of a car-marking industry the city can now boast a home-made electric car all of its own. MyCar, a two-seater micro car, will roll of the production line for the very first time in October and will be available for purchase” (paras. 1-2). The electric has better utility value than gasoline, because these resources are not exhausted, and do not affect the environment. Also, in my country they tried to get electric power for transport development. It saves energy and improves water resources. So, we need to have electric development.

Some people say that alternative energy is not cheaper than oil, so they think alternative energy would not be efficient because people would spend more money on alternative energy. However, it is wrong thinking, because the oil is a non-renewable resource, so one day in the future it would be definitely gone. According to Howden (2007), “BP’s review shows that world demand for oil has grown faster in the past five years than in the second half of the 1990s. Today we consume an average of 85 million barrels daily. According to the most conservative estimates from the International Energy Agency that figure will rise to 113 million barrels by 2030” (para. 15). So, we should reduce the use of oil and should develop alternative energy little by little from now on.

In conclusion, many people use oil. Gasoline is an exhaustible resource, so the scientists should develop alternative energy such as hydrogen, natural gas, and electric. It could make an alternative to gasoline. Moreover, not as much as gas, anyway. Thus, we should try to use these resources, because now we have a big problem about global warming. Also, the government should help scientists, because it is not only scientists solving the problem, but also the government that has concern about this problem.










Reference

Bozorqmehr, S.(2007, June 28). Protesters torch Iran gas stations. CNN.com Retrieve on July 20, 2008 from http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/27/iran.fuel/index.html?iref=newssearch
Howden, D. (2007, June 4). World oil supplies set to run out faster than expected, warn scientists. Commondreams.com. Retrieved on July 20, 2008 from http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/14/1874/
Murray, J. (2008, May 25). Oil: A global crisis. The Independent. Retrieved on June 28, 2008 from http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/oil-a-global-crisis-834023.html?service=Print
Oliver, R. (2008, June 22). What can steer us to driving electric? CNN.com. Retrieved on July 14, 2008 from http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/22/eco.electrichongkong/
Vaughan, M. (2008, May 1). Who killed the natural gas car? The Globe and Mail (Canada). Retrieved on July 3, 2008 from Lexis-Nexis
Walton, M. (2008, March 19). Florida airport tests hydrogen engines. CNN.com. Retrieved on July 9, 2008 from http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/03/18/hydrogen.buses
Zerella, J. (2008, June 30). Boaters affected by rising oil costs. CNN.com. Retrieved on July 14, 2008 from http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/30/boating.fuel/index.html?iref=newssearch

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