Environmental Impact Of Renewable Energy

Environmental Impact Of Renewable Energy – After studying the science of energy and energy conversion, students will evaluate some of the environmental impacts of pig farming and explore techniques to minimize negative human impacts by producing biogas from animal manure. Grades 9-12

Anaerobic digestion: A series of biological processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable materials in the absence of oxygen. One of the final products is biogas

Environmental Impact Of Renewable Energy

Biomass: Plant or animal material used to produce energy or as feedstock for various products in various industrial processes

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Fossil fuel: A natural fuel, such as coal or oil, formed from the remains of living organisms in the geological past

Energy comes in many forms to perform various tasks. Petrol and diesel vehicles, tractors and generators. Electricity runs lights, irrigation systems, pumps, and heating and cooling systems. Propane and natural gas can be used as fuel for water heaters or propane dryers. Many of these sources of energy are non-renewable, meaning they have limited availability and can be depleted before being replenished. Fossil fuels are the most common non-renewable energy source. Fuel is a substance that stores energy. Renewable energy is defined as energy that can be renewed or replaced through natural reproduction or other processes. Biomass is an example of a renewable resource. The inexhaustible sources of energy include solar, wind, water (water) and geothermal energy.

In order for energy to be useful, it is converted from the source and then transferred from one place to another. For example, solar panels collect energy from the sun and then convert it from light energy into heat and electricity. Biomass is organic matter from plants and animals. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb and store energy from the sun. The resulting organics are then directly burned or converted into liquid biofuels or biogas that can be burned as fuel. Consider the following example:

Animal husbandry produces protein-rich foods for consumption, such as meat, milk and eggs. These products come from farms of all sizes and types and are produced by animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and turkeys. Animal husbandry also produces many by-products. By-products are incidental or secondary products that arise when producing or synthesizing something else. For example, pork is the main product produced on pig farms. However, other products such as pharmaceuticals (pharmaceuticals), leather, brushes, pet food, cosmetics, etc. are also returned as secondary products. Organic by-products or “wastes” from animal husbandry include solid and liquid fertilizers, used litter, and spilled feed.

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Sources Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Proper manure management is the responsibility of all livestock farms, regardless of the animals they raise or the size of their operations. In manure management, best management practices help protect the environment, improve animal health and welfare, and provide useful nutrient transfer to the soil. Feces contain macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulfur. The nutritional value of manure depends on animal species, feed ration and manure collection method, but manure is part of many nutrient recycling programs.

Farm manure management strategies vary by animal species and the type of housing the animals live in. Management strategies include plans for how waste will be captured, stored, treated and used.

While manure can be a useful by-product for livestock farms, its management presents some challenges. For example, manure can affect water quality if not managed properly. Excessive application of fertilizers to farmland increases the risk of surface water contamination. GHG emissions from manure account for 10 percent of global GHG emissions from livestock production.

A final challenge to be mentioned in manure management is that odors can affect residential areas located near livestock farms. There are many factors that influence odor intensity, including farm location, animal species, animal housing type, and weather (especially humidity and wind). Technology and research are helping to improve farmers’ strategies for effectively managing fecal waste.

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Advances in agricultural technology over the past few decades have enabled farmers to feed growing populations by increasing yields and farm efficiency. Improved knowledge of science and genetics helps farmers selectively breed farm animals for greater efficiency. In addition to better animal nutrition, modern animal farms also produce large amounts of meat, milk and eggs. Farms can be relatively small or large in size. Regardless of size or method of production, animals generate waste that needs to be disposed of. Technology is finding solutions to efficiently use animal waste to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

The science of anaerobic digestion derives energy from animal manure (feces). Basically, manure and other organic waste are packed into airtight containers, and special anaerobic bacteria (which live without oxygen) consume the waste and emit methane. Methane is a highly flammable gas (like propane) that can run generators efficiently. This process has the following advantages:

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When sharing statistics, emphasize to students that there are limitations to a thorough and objective assessment of the impact of human activity on our environment. Later in the course, students are encouraged to think critically about the application of statistics and the limitations of what they are telling us.

Introduce students to a career in environmental engineering, a branch of engineering that uses a broad range of scientific disciplines including chemistry, biology, ecology, geology, hydrology, microbiology and mathematics to manage human impacts on the environment . Watch Fertilizer Management at Smithfield Swine Production for examples of challenges environmental engineers face in swine production and their role in protecting the environment and helping farmers become more sustainable.

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If students start asking questions about the efficiency of generating electricity from biomass, such as animal manure, encourage them to ask more questions. Is it economical to generate electricity from a biogas digester?

This course was created in support of Smithfield Foods, Inc. National Agriculture in the Classroom. For more than two decades, Smithfield has advocated for sustainability standards, including its industry-leading commitment to be carbon-negative in company-owned U.S. operations by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its U.S. value chain 30% reduction. Learn more about the company’s overall sustainability program available at smithfieldfoods.com/sustainability.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.6 Accurately acquire and use a variety of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient to prepare reading, writing, speaking, and listening for college and careers; Demonstrates independence in gathering lexical knowledge when expressing important unfamiliar terms.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4 Interpret words and phrases used in text, including identifying technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyzing how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

Pdf) A Review Of Renewable Energy Sources, Sustainability Issues And Climate Change Mitigation

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1 Prepare and participate effectively in various dialogues and collaborations with different partners, building on the ideas of others and expressing their own ideas clearly and convincingly. Renewable technologies are considered sources of clean energy whose optimal use minimizes environmental impact, generates minimal secondary waste, and is sustainable based on current and future economic and social needs. The sun is the source of all energy. The main forms of solar energy are heat and light. Sunlight and heat are transformed and absorbed into the environment in many ways. Some of these transitions lead to the flow of renewable energy sources, such as biomass and wind. Renewable energy technologies offer an excellent opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming by replacing conventional energy sources.

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All energy sources have some impact on our environment. Fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – cause far more damage than renewable energy by most measures, including air and water pollution, public health damage, wildlife and habitat loss, water use, Land use and emissions, global warming.

However, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydropower also have environmental impacts, some of which are significant.

The exact type and extent of environmental impact depends on the specific technology used, geographic location and many other factors. By understanding the current and potential environmental issues associated with each renewable energy source, we can take steps to prevent or minimize these impacts as they become an essential part of our electricity supply.

Renewable Energy Sources And Their Environmental Impacts / 978 613 9 99170 9 / 9786139991709 / 6139991706

Harnessing wind energy is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate electricity because it produces no toxic pollution or global warming emissions. Wind energy is also abundant, inexhaustible, and inexhaustible, making it a sustainable and widespread alternative to fossil fuels.

Despite its enormous potential, the various environmental impacts associated with wind power must be recognized and reduced. These include land use issues and challenges to wildlife and habitats.

Environmental impacts associated with solar energy may include land use and habitat loss, water use, and use of hazardous materials in production, although the type of impact varies widely depending on the size of the system and the technology used (solar photovoltaic (PV) cells) or Solar Power Plant Concentrated Thermal Energy (CSP).

The most developed geothermal power plants (called hydrothermal power plants) are located near geological “hot spots” where hot lava is close to the Earth’s crust and produces hot water.

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In other areas, enhanced geothermal (or hot dry rock geothermal) systems, including drilling into the Earth’s surface and digging deeper geothermal resources, may provide more widespread access to geothermal heat.

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Environmental Impacts Of Renewable Energy


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Author by : Frank R. Spellman
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2014-12-02
Publisher by : CRC Press

ISBN :

Description : Renewable Energy Has a Good Side and a Bad Side Evaluate BothAll energy sources affect the environment in which we live. While fossil fuels may essentially do more harm, renewable energy sources can also pose a threat to the environment. Allowing for the various renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal, Environmental I...






Sustainability And Environmental Impact Of Renewable Energy Sources


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Author by : R E Hester
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2007-10-31
Publisher by : Royal Society of Chemistry

ISBN :

Description : The world's dependence on fossil fuels is widely acknowledged to be a major cause of rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Thus there is an urgent need to develop energy sources with lower environmental impact, with attention focusing on renewable energy sources. Concise, authoritative, up-to-date and readable, this book reviews various energy technologies, as well as taking a critical look at the political, social and economic aspects. Throughout, the emphasis is on renewable energy sources (wind, wave, solar, biomass, etc), but a discussion of fossil fuels and nuclear power is also presented. This timely book, written by recognised experts, will be welcomed by those in the energy industries as well as by policy-makers, consultants and engineers. Students and lecturers will also find the material invaluable....






The Power Of Renewables


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Author by : Chinese Academy of Engineering
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2011-01-29
Publisher by : National Academies Press

ISBN :

Description : The United States and China are the world's top two energy consumers and, as of 2010, the two largest economies. Consequently, they have a decisive role to play in the world's clean energy future. Both countries are also motivated by related goals, namely diversified energy portfolios, job creation, energy security, and pollution reduction, making renewable energy development an important strategy with wide-ranging implications. Given the size of their energy markets, any substantial progress the two countries make in advancing use of renewable energy will provide global benefits, in terms of enhanced technological understanding, reduced costs through expanded deployment, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to conventional generation from fossil fuels. Within this context, the U.S. National Academies, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), reviewed renewable energy development and deployment in the two countries, to highlight prospects for collaboration across the research to deployment chain and to suggest strategies which would promote more rapid and economical attainment of renewable energy goals. Main findings and concerning renewable resource assessments, technology development, environmental impacts, market infrastructure, among others, are presented. Specific recommendations have been limited to those judged to be most likely to accelerate the pace of deployment, increase cost-competitiveness, or shape the future market for renewable energy. The recommendations presented here are also pragmatic and achievable....






Renewable Energy And Wildlife Conservation


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Author by : Christopher E. Moorman
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2019-09-10
Publisher by : JHU Press

ISBN :

Description : Brings together disparate conversations about wildlife conservation and renewable energy, suggesting ways these two critical fields can work hand in hand. Renewable energy is often termed simply "green energy," but its effects on wildlife and other forms of biodiversity can be quite complex. While capturing renewable resources like wind, solar, and energy from biomass can require more land than fossil fuel production, potentially displacing wildlife habitat, renewable energy infrastructure can also create habitat and promote species health when thoughtfully implemented. The authors of Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation argue that in order to achieve a balanced plan for addressing these two crucially important sustainability issues, our actions at the nexus of these fields must be directed by current scientific information related to the ecological effects of renewable energy production. Synthesizing an extensive, rapidly growing base of research and insights from practitioners into a single, comprehensive resource, contributors to this volume • describe processes to generate renewable energy, focusing on the Big Four renewables—wind, bioenergy, solar energy, and hydroelectric power • review the documented effects of renewable energy production on wildlife and wildlife habitats • consider current and future policy directives, suggesting ways industrial-scale renewables production can be developed to minimize harm to wildlife populations • explain recent advances in renewable power technologies • identify urgent research needs at the intersection of renewables and wildlife conservation Relevant to policy makers and industry professionals—many of whom believe renewables are the best path forward as the world seeks to meet its expanding energy needs—and wildlife conservationists—many of whom are alarmed at the rate of renewables-related habitat conversion—this detailed book culminates with a chapter underscoring emerging opportunities in renewable energy ecology. Contributors: Edward B. Arnett, Brian B. Boroski, Regan Dohm, David Drake, Sarah R. Fritts, Rachel Greene, Steven M. Grodsky, Amanda M. Hale, Cris D. Hein, Rebecca R. Hernandez, Jessica A. Homyack, Henriette I. Jager, Nicole M. Korfanta, James A. Martin, Christopher E. Moorman, Clint Otto, Christine A. Ribic, Susan P. Rupp, Jake Verschuyl, Lindsay M. Wickman, T. Bently Wigley, Victoria H. Zero...






Rethinking The Environmental Impacts Of Renewable Energy


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Author by : Alexander Clarke
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2016-08-25
Publisher by : Routledge

ISBN :

Description : Renewable energy is important as a substitute for finite fossil fuels and inflexible nuclear power and could conceivably power the world. However, this is challenging as the world is currently 80% dependent on fossil fuels, and renewable sources produce only about 15% of total energy. Conversion technologies for use with many of the eight different primary sources of renewable energy are only just emerging as viable technologies. While renewable energy sources will not run out, and their use involves little or no release of carbon dioxide or ionising wastes, they do have local environmental impacts of their own. This book analyses the nature of environmental impacts from renewable sources. A novel method of assessing impacts is explored based on a set of parameters centred on how diffuse or concentrated the energy flow is. The approach that is developed will inform engineers, designers, policy makers and planners as well as researchers in the area....






Environmental Impact Of Renewable Energy Sources


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Author by : Energy Technology Support Unit (Great Britain)
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 1979
Publisher by :

ISBN :

Description : ...






Unintended Consequences Of Renewable Energy


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Author by : Otto Andersen
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2013-10-24
Publisher by : Springer Science & Business Media

ISBN :

Description : Energy technologies in the future will need to be based on renewable sources of energy and will, ultimately, need to be sustainable. This book provides insight into unintended, negative impacts and how they can be avoided. In order to steer away from the pitfalls and unintended effects, it is essential that the necessary knowledge is available to the developers and decision makers engaged in renewable energy. The value of this book lies in its presentation of the unintended health and environmental impacts from renewable energies. The book presents results from cross-disciplinary research on the implementation of alternative fuels in the transport sector, namely hydrogen, electricity and biodiesel. This is followed by an assessment of environmental impacts from the production of solar cells. Critical reviews on the use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the energy technologies is then provided, with the formation of nanoparticles during combustion of bio-blended diesel and their toxic effects, discussed in detail....






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