Solar Power Sustainability in UAE - Essay Example

Solar Power Sustainability UAE By Table of content Table of content 2 Solar Power Sustainability UAE 3 3Introduction to solar energy sustainability in UAE 4 Literature review 6 Description of the solar power sustainability UAE 8 Benefits of implementation of the solar project 9 Recommendation 11 Conclusion 11 References 13 Appendices 14 Solar Power Sustainability UAE Abstract In theenvironment, sustainability is the act of using the natural resources efficiently without affecting their availability to the current generation and the future generation. The sustainability of the ecology is measured using three ecological pillars that are the social pillar, economic pillar and the environment pillar. These three should interact in a sustainable way ensuring that the human activities cause aminimum or no harm to the environment (Goal#4). The sole source of energy in the earth is the sun. It is from the sun that human beings can get a renewable source of energy that is environmentally friendly. From the law of conservation, it is explicitly stated that energy is neither created nor destroyed. This law simply means that energy is bale to change the state, but it cannotbe destroyed. How to handle energy wastes is the key factor that calls for environmental protection. In Dubai and UAE, solar energy is a potential source of energy. It is because of the extreme hot climatic condition in United Arab Emirates, and the sun is always available. According to reports, UAE is the leading in cleaner energy production. Most countries rely on non-renewable sources of energy like the petroleum products, fossil fuels and trees (Goal#5). These non-renewable sources of energy are the leading contributors of the greenhouse gases that are affecting the environment at large through causing global warming and climate change. Also, the nonrenewable sources of energy are not sustainable because they can be depleted because of the increasing demand. Scientists say that the available fuel may not be able to support the future generation because the degree at which they are being exploited is higher than the rate at which the earth can generate more fossil. According to projections that have been done by experts, solar energy can help UAE to save billions of money. Therefore, this assignment will be focusing on the solar power sustainability in UAE; discussing more on the benefits of using this type of energy source. Introduction to solar energy sustainability in UAE The DEWA, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, has been supplying hydroelectric power to a population greater than, 600,000 citizens. Due to the increasing human population, the demand for power has risen and water source for energy is not able to supply enough electricity without rationing. Due to this power supply constraint, there was a proposal for shifting the energy source to solar energy. The solar energy supply was established in 2008, April with an objective of reducing the usage of other energy sources(Gordon, 2001). This project was geared towards supporting sustainability in harvesting natural resources from the environment. Basically, environmental engineering is a multidisciplinary approach that is aimed at sustainability in natural resource management and preventing any form of environmental pollution in collaboration with environmental policies (Goal#3.2). The earth gives the natural resources in their clean and perfect state. But, once human beings harvest the resources from the environment, the returns are usually toxic to the environment. It is because of the poor waste management that is a contributing factor towards unsustainability management of the natural resources.In environmental engineering, there is the aspect of fixing the past damages in the ecosystem and working towards sustainability in the future. For instance, environmental remediation focuses on cleaning the zones that have been polluted and reducing the toxic substances that have been released into the atmosphere. Both solid and liquid waste should be managed in a way that they cause least disturbance in the surrounding and promote the natural regeneration of materials. Most efforts are geared towards controlling pollution in water, land and air so as to recover the environmental damages. According to the theories of sustainability, the economic, social and environment interplay to ensure efficient usage of the natural resources. In the early 1870s, metal industries used to manufacture metal products without using cleaner production technology. Also, there was least or no knowledge of environmental protection; hence pollution from such factories continually depleted the ozone layer. Today, these impacts are been felt by the current generation, and if the pollution and use of non-renewable sources of energy intensifies, the future generation will be at risk (Goal#2.3). Appendix 1 Gallus In Touch, 2010. Therefore, the purpose of sustainability will be compromised. The disadvantage of pollution is that it is trans-boundary, meaning, the pollutants can move across all countries and water sources. In the past, groundwater was the safest and cleanest source of water. But in the recent years, groundwater in some areas has been detected with traces of contaminants and metal elements. It is a clear indication that the waste that is dumped on the surface finds its way into the ground water region. Of all the pollution, ground water pollution is the hardest to clean because of its longest residence time. Literature review Globally, the human environment has an estimate of 40% of the energy consumption at the primary level. The UAE has been a little bit reluctant in enforcing energy conservation in its economic environment. All living things depend on energy so as to run their normal lives, and human beings need more of the power to run machines and for households. In the past, the UAE has been spending billions of money towards supporting over 600,000 consumers in the country. Since the country is highly industrialized, it is lying in the top ten countries on the basis of usage of electricity and the second highest country that emits carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide is an important gas that supports living things on earth, but it becomes a menace when the concentration is above normal(Gordon, 2001). Carbon dioxide is a leading contributing gas towards greenhouse gases. Continuous accumulation of this gas leads to a global; warming effect that brings about the global warming. High demand for electricity does not only focus on the increased market, but it is an indication that more of the environment is been degraded. Economically, it also reflects that the country is spending more money on electricity generation. In Dubai, a greater population of the energy consumer depends on the natural gas that is imported from other states and hence, purchases the gas at high prices. Also, the government feels the economic burden towards sustaining the availability of the natural gas to consumers. Abu Dhabi, the capital city of UAE, and it has been leading to cleaner energy production. Abu Dhabi began its clean energy in 2006, through the establishment of Masdar, which was at the forefront in propelling solar power usage. The solar harnessing will help the UAE country to save on cost attached to importing the natural gas (Goal#1.2). The lunar energy can be used in the house to carry out heating services in the house. The advantage of using the solar energy is that it is renewable and readily available. The UAE is geographically located in an area of desert climatic conditions where the sun is always available. The sun is hot enough to generate high rates of electricity that will be able to serve the residents of the Abu Dhabi and the rest. A well designed solar harnessing system will be able to supply energy to all consumers sustainably without rationing. Hydroelectric power generation is also a clean energy source from a renewable source that is water. But it has attracted a lot of environmental issues surrounding the construction of thedam. For example, the Three Gorges dam in India was constructed with the aim of providing power to the citizens and industries. But the dam is the most notorious because it has led to the most destructive floods that have killed many people and resulted in the loss of properties. Not only in China, also there are other countries are facing environmental problems as a result of dam construction to produce electricity. Therefore, there is need to enhance the solar power project because it has been tested and seen to be cleaner energy production. The Abu Dhabi is at the forefront ofpromoting solar power harvesting. The following is an example of solar energy usage; a comparison between Switzerland and UAE between 1990 and 2010. Appendix 2 The Political Economy of Abu Dhabi’s pursuits in Renewable Energy, 2012 Description of the solar power sustainability UAE The Solar station called Shams is based in the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This power plantcan produce 100 megawatts that can supply energy to a good number of consumers.The solar energy in UAE is a clear indication that the country is valuing developments, and it is focusing on making the environment clean and greener. The Masdar Company was the first to introduce the use of solar energy technology in Abu Dhabi. Solar energy is highly beneficial because it is a sustainable source of energy since it is renewable (Goal#2.2). And the current generation can use it and still be available for the future generation without compromising its available and quantity. Previously, the United Arab Emirates used to depend on nonrenewable sources of energy like the gases and oils. These sources of energy led to economic burden because the oil and petroleum because of the process of production. Also, thesethings are producing gases that are polluting the atmosphere. Solar energy does not require a complicated process of production because the conversion of the sun rays to thepower that can be used in the house and the industries. The solar energy project was proposed because of the increasing demand of power and the economic burden. The people population is increasing at a rapid degree, and this has contributed to the depletion of natural resources that are continuously being harvested from the environment (Goal#4). According to research, fossil fuel is being extracted at ahigher rate than the rate of decomposition and conversion of organic matter to form oil and natural gas. Shifting from petroleum and gas sources of power seems to be economically challenging. But the future is usually bright because it will help the country to save on power expenses. This technology is a smart for the UAE and other countries since it will assist in keeping the environment and clean and reduce the impacts of global warming. Benefits of implementation of the solar project The solar power is not only environmentally beneficial, but it has other advantages. For instance, solar energy has helped the country to save millions of dollars. Also, the consumers save on fuel expenses because there are no monthly bills for electricity. In a home setup, one will just install a solar panel and continue enjoying the available power from the sun. The panel is a fixed cost asset where one will be able to enjoy its services for anextendedperiod.The solar energy is more reliable because the sun in UAE is consistentthan fossil fuel. Every day the sun will rise, and this will continue throughout the year. The panelcan store excess power and use it in days where the sunshine is little or during a rainy season (Goal#2.3). For the environment to be saved from the continuous degradation, the world needs to shift to the renewable sources of energy that are friendly with the environmental. Technically, for every production there must be a waste produced, and it needs to be disposed of in a clean way. Solar energy uses a rechargeable battery, and they are long lasting. Maintenance of thisequipment is easy as compared to the engines that use oil. Waste management is posing a significant challenge to the sustainability of the earth to support human life health. Once the environment is clean, people will not suffer from health problems and defects. Also economically, people will be stable, and billions of money will be saved. These are the three pillars that integrate to gear a country towards sustainability (Goal#3.2). Sustainability has several advantages to both the environment and the human beings. It helps in promoting the quality of life of the residents in the country. If the environment on earth is clean,the people will be healthy and will not suffer diseases that are as a result of a dirty and contaminated environment. A sustainable source of energy will promote an efficient economic stability if the residents and the community. Solar energy is affordable because there are no monthly bills. Even though the initial cost of the equipment can be overwhelming but the long term benefits are useful.Since the source is renewable and reliable, the consumer will be able to have on expenditure (Goal#1). Most importantly, the source is inexhaustible, and the future generation will be able to harness this energy source without depleting the source.Also, it promotes intergenerational equity enhancing conservation use of natural resources. The concept of sustainability shows the importance of practicing sustainable activities, and it benefits the whole society. It alsoprotects the community from disaster outbreaksthatare associated with dam construction and mining fields that collapse and cause a hundred of thousand deaths in the community. Recommendation More consumers should be encouraged to use the solar energy because it helps to alleviate global warming effects. It enhances a clean and a green environment that supports life efficiently without compromising the availability of the resources to the future generation.This will be achieved through thecreation of awareness and teaching the community of the benefits of the solar energy. The government should subsidize the initial coast of purchasing the solar panels and equipment to encourage more people to shift to this form of power supply. The initial cost can be overwhelming, and many people may shy away from purchasing the solar panel. But with the help of the leadership, they can be bought at an affordable price (Goal#2). Through this, many people will embrace it and reduce the global net of carbon dioxide concentration. Pollution from fossil fuels is trans-boundary. Therefore, all countries are called upon to embrace this cleaner energy production so as together the global warming effect can be fought. It will be more efficient if all the parties participate in this project (Goal#3). The policy-making bodies should support and promote solar harnessing in conjunction with planting f more trees in their respective countries. Conclusion Solar energy is one of the projects that will global help alleviate the impacts of global warming. Carbon dioxide gas and other greenhouse gases that are been produced from other sources of energy are the contributing factors to the climate change. The sustainability concept is concerned with the welfare of the social, environment and the economic aspect. Sustainability is the only assured way of making sure that the natural resources are efficiently used by the current generation and will be available for the future generation. Choices that are taken today will gear towards sustainability or deplete the natural resources. Shifting the source of power and energy will help the world fight extinction in natural resources and propel the word towards sustainability. References Air pollution, Goal#4. Biochemical cycles, Goal#1.2. Environmental Engineering, Goal#3.2. Gordon, J. M. (2001). Solar energy: the state of the art. London: James & James. Hazardous waste management, Goal#5. Hydrologic cycle, Goal#1. Law of Conservation of Matter, Goal#2.3. Materials energy & balances, Goal#2.2. Mathematics of growth and population estimation, Goal#3. Units of Measurement for Pollutant concentration, Goal#2. Appendices Appendix 1………………………………………………………………………………………...5 Appendix 2………………………………………………………………………………………...8 Read More