Energy concerns encompass the continued use of non-renewable energy sources and environmentally damaging sources. Considering these sources and the alternatives has become a neccessary need to sustain the eco-system and provide for the growing energy needs. Solar energy, fission, fusion, wind, and clean burning alcohol are current components in consideration. The nuclear aspect of energy production has real concerns in radiation contaminationa nd storage. The production costs and the components that are used in the production of nuclear fuel are expensive and damaging to humans and animals. The use of clean burning alcohol has all but been forgotten with the onset of mass oil production. Solar and wind are gaining attention and interest for the independence and sustainability in production of renewable energy.
Energy
We currently
have many nuclear plants in the US and around the world. Simple common
sense tells us that these are very dangerous to our environment and
to human and animal life. Chernobyl should have served as a serious
wake-up call to the energy community. However, not much has changed
and they should be held accountable. In the days of grade school when
energy was introduced in science class, we were told about the sun’s
energy, fusion, fission, and if we were lucky alternative energy sources.
If we
stop and think for a moment, why would we rape our planet? Even the
most skeptical of us would acknowledge that the food chain is affected
by environmental factors. Who would not want an energy source that
is free, non-polluting, and runs the least risk for environmental
concerns? The answer to this is simple. Our technological advancement
alone warrants our move beyond this ignorance.
Solar
According
to an analyst, "Joe", who had extensive experience with energy sources, it
is time to change our energy sources or face serious consequences.
This individual explained that after years of experience with nuclear
plants, oil fields, and other energy related sources, his conclusion
was that we should convert the all plants to solar immediately. He
confided in me that radiation has leaked into the environment and
the water shed. He said that cancer would continue to rise. He said
that it may already be too late. He was also in strict opposition
to the oil companies and felt that there would be a day of reckoning
against them.
We discussed
how solar could be used. In reality, we could take one of the western
states and set up a solar hub that would collect all the energy needed
for the United States. This energy can be stored and dispersed. This
could be a free energy source. Imagine little old ladies not worrying
about their energy bills! Now this should excite those that truly
are in the energy business to create energy. We also discussed water
and how it is very important for humans to use water that has been
cleansed by reverse osmosis. Creating clean sources of energy would
contribute to cleaner water for everyone. He indicated that our water
shed was in serious trouble.
Fission
When I
taught math for one of the industries, I would have discussions with
some of the engineers. I became good friends with one such engineer,
who held at least one patent, and we discussed nuclear power. I remember
having discussion about why it was “wrong”. His argument
was that this advancement was worth the risk. I asked him if Chernobyl
was worth the risk. I asked him if it had the potential to harm human
life if it was worth the risk. I tried to be sensitive knowing that
he had worked on nuclear devices and had great respect for the intricacies
of nuclear energy. However, he did yield when we discussed the fact
that human life if far more sacred than scientific advancement. I
think he was taken aback by my less than nerdy stand on science. This
was something that he may not have been exposed to in our brainy circle
at the time. We had great respect for each other, and I often looked
at him as a father figure, so our disagreement on this issue did not
hinder our discussions on technological advancement.
My stand
had been that if we can not contain the radiation then we have no
business creating the power. This is something that Einstein realized
before he died and regretted the harm that might come about from the
knowledge he was encouraged to explore. In his final days, he focused
on quasi-science and has been quoted as trying to understand the mind
of God.
Fusion (Current Cost- Billions)
Fusion
fuels have often not gotten as much attention as fission. The only
acceptable form of fusion would be one that releases no neutrons and
thus would not be a danger of radiation contamination. Dr. Bussard,
a pioneer in fusion, indicates that the only proper fuel in fusion
energy would include 3 helium atoms and no neutrons released and where
the source would be heavy isotopes of hydrogen. He also indicates
that the Helium 3 could be recycled back through an exhaust system.
The molecules must be thrust together within a very small space to
get the fusion to take and a strong magnetic force have been achieved
using a magnetic confinement machine. The “bumping” of
particles need about 1000 “jumps” to create a fusion.
The current approach of fusion is highly radioactive, expensive, the
machines are giant, and unpredictable results are obtained.
However,
in nature, fusion exists in the stars and the sun. By looking at this
process in nature, we can see that it uses gravity as the force to
bring the particles together in fusion. Nature does this in an efficient
way. Dr. Bussard wishes to use this as an example to create fusion
with an electric field force that would act like gravity. This “Electric
Fusion” would contain a core where the fusion would take place.
This space would be significantly smaller than current methods. It
would utilize quasi-spherical magnetic fields which trap the electrons
and then the ions would be oscillated across the “core”
until fusion takes place. Dr. Bussard indicates that this system would
be like a “spherical colliding-beam device”. The fusion
material would then form in the system walls while the fuel gas input
would be at well edges.
He also
discusses another approach, using the ion fusion power generating
in the central region including the “wiffel ball” effect,
“magrid” effect with consideration of effectiveness. After
much engineering for a device, they created one that they feel would
take this method to more practical applications. He feels that this
energy method should yield cheap or free electric power, be clean
“burning”, that ethanol would replace gasoline, it would
create a possible burn for nuclear waste, use fresh water from the
sea, and have many other benefits. Dr. Bussard feels that the third
world nations would then become an economic player by creating the
cane crops used in this process. He also sees that this would destroy
the gasoline market and eliminate the oil cartels. Desalination plants
would become cheap and clean water would then encourage agriculture.
He even credits this invention with ending the wars of the Middle
East which he calls, “Oil Wars”. He indicates that the
profit potential could also be as high as 100 billion per year. These
methods however, are still in development and not yet ready for commercial
use and the costs are extreme.
The only
clean fusion method includes:
P + 11B--- 3 4He Output= 8.70 mgV
6Li +6Li --- 3 4He (p, 2He cycle) Output =10.44MgV
*It should
be noted that all other combinations give off some form of harmful
radiation and should therefore not be considered.
Wind
Wind is
free, renewable and stable. This source of energy is really better
for our environment than even clean burning fusion. There is no risk
of explosion and repairs can be made very easily. The maintenance
costs are even low once established. T. Boone Pickens advocates such
a resource and has recently stood against the odds to bring the discussion
of wind power to the table. He indicates that our use of oil is growing
at a staggering rate. In 1970, the US imported 24% and the import
is now in the neighborhood of 70%.
A 2005
study conducted by Stanford University concluded that the abundant
potential for wind power would satisfy global needs at least 7 times
the current need. Pickens believes the investment to build wind turbines
in the high wind areas of the US would pay off and be worth the initial
investment. His campaign is growing and gaining national attention.
While there are many who have advocated this for many years, it just
might take a powerhouse individual like Pickens to get results. (www.pickensplan.com)
Clean
Burning Alcohol
David Blume,
an ecological expert, has addressed the issue of the prohibition and
what he calls its true purpose. The model A and T car was a duel fuel
system and could burn both alcohol and oil/gasoline. With the push
for prohibition, the oil industry got an 18 year head start that allowed
its establishment to what we know today in the industry. The use of
alcohol is clean burning and can be made from numerous sources including
apples. This source of fuel could be made locally, is relatively inexpensive
in comparison to oil, and would make people independent of large corporate
controlled fuel sources.
The idea
is that as long as we have the sun then plants would participate in
photosynthesis and then be able to be turned into a usable alcohol
fuel. A distillery was standard equipment on farms in the onset of
the agricultural movement. Farmers could them make their own alcohol,
to light the home, as a solvent, and as a fuel. The advent of gasoline
from oil first started in the cities and the duel fuel was necessary
for those traveling back and forth. With the push of the prohibition,
a switch to gasoline then became the only fuel source for vehicles.
The first
cars using alcohol had 105 octanes and gasoline only had 50 at that
time. Even from the beginning, alcohol fuel was obviously superior,
good for the environment, and less expensive and less likely to be
subject to a monopolized control. Henry Ford once said, "if we
can't be the farmers customer, how can he be ours?" He was opposed
to the gasoline movement and is said to have had disputes with its
founder. Unfortunately, with a 4 million dollar donation from a private
donor, the Women's Christian Temperance Movement fought to pass prohibition.
This stopped the manufacturing of alcohol for any reason. This same
movement was attempted in France and Germany with no success. Perhaps,
this has even influenced our attitude towards alcohol today.
In Germany
around the 1800's, they were using alcohol as fuel. They started cooperative
alcohol fuel distilleries. This aided in keeping the potato market
stable. In return, you would get 1/3 of the alcohol back. A mash byproduct
could also then be used as a fertilizer or feed. Germany could then
export this alcohol, get rid of their subsidies, and it was good for
the environment. They even produced alcohol burning vehicles. Paul
Federate, a representative of American farmers, went to Germany to
help learn how to build these distilleries. He came back to America
and the farmers gathered at the Washington Grange, but unfortunately,
the state police were called in by a private citizen. They arrested
the grangers as they sang the Star Spangled Banner. They were accused
of having dangerous German ideas. The plans were confiscated. It was
many years before the idea was revisited. Standard Oil was broken
up in 1911 accused of being a monopoly and tried in federal court.
The four successor companies were Exxon, Mobil, Amoco, and Chevron.
Alcohol
can also be made out of waste "food". The sugar is a food
for the yeast that makes the alcohol. This method can produce 192
proof alcohol for about 30 cents per gallon. 1/3 of alcohol is oxygen,
requires less oxygen to burn, and may need an engine adjustment to
take advantage of an earlier firing of the fuel.
(For more
information on this story- www.coasttocoastam.com-
Thursday July 17th, 2008 show with David Blume)
The current energy uses are heavily reliant on a costly market of dangerous and often non- renewable resources. Exploration of alterantive energy sources are both viable and essential to the environment, wildlife, and humanity. The lack of development of solar, wind other non contaminating or environementally damaging sources have contributed to the lack of varietied sources for consumers. Our environment has become a seroius indicator of our lack of tolerable energy sources. It has become neccessary to address this issue with more than discussion and to move to an action plan that will move the culture of energy to a new era.
Source: Should Google Go Nuclear? Clean, cheap,
nuclear power (no, really). http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1996321846673788606
retrieved on August 5th, 2007.
America is addicted to foreign oil. retrieved on July 23, 2008 from:
http:pickensplan.com
Earth
Changes. Coast to Coast am. Retrieved from http://www.coasttocoastam.com
on July 23,2008.
