I thought I would share this photograph I found online.

David Thoreau's Thoughts

In Where I lived, and what I lived for, it is interesting how Thoreau wrote about if we stayed home then we wouldn’t want things like railroads (Thoreau 2007). The essay also had brought up how the rest of us think we need to have all these technological things, but really we don’t need any of it; we survived without them before they were invented. I think this relates to the energy predicament because we did survive before electricity, but it makes our lives easier. Also, the energy problem and protecting the earth makes some people in the world feel urged to live without any technology like Thoreau did in the essay. I personally think that the people could reduce their energy uptake instead of completely cutting themselves off. I think this essay is moving, but doesn’t make me want to go out and live in cabin. I might for a little bit, but it would just be for fun. Overall the essay seemed well put together with all the examples of technology we can live without, but it doesn’t make me want to make life changes. Also Thoreau did not live deep in the woods and even got pie frequently; according to Cohen's introduction of Thoreau (In 50 Essays-- where I found the essay--). Hearing that has a negative effect and Thoreau is looking for epiphany when they read his essay

Thoreau,D.(2007).Where I lived and what I lived for. In S. Cohen (Eds.), 50 Essays. (2nd ed., pp424-430).

Hydropower

I chose to write about hydropower because back in my hometown,in Alaska,we have a hydro power plant. I wanted to learn more about what hydro power and if it is better for the environment. Apparently it is better than using up fossil fuels, but it is also harmful to the environment in a different way than green house gases. Hydro power can be harmful to the wild life, plants, and can actually get in the way of people’s homes. Although it is harmful, it is also a good renewable resource, because it uses a dam to build up energy in the water by only letting some water pass through. When the water is released it spins turbines to create energy. The dams in the hydro power plants can hold water in so that it can build up enough pressure to create energy or it can hold water in till energy is needed. The hydro power is a good idea but it does have bad side effects. Overall it is better than using up more fossil fuels.

Hydropower.(2008). Retrieved April 4, 2010, from http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=hydropower_home-basics-k.cfm#hydropower_where-basics

Government's Plan on Biofuels

This article describes the action that the Obama Administration is taking to address the issue of climate change and use of fossil fuels. The plan is to do more research on bio fuels so that the U.S. gas industry and change over to cleaner energy resources. They are also going to have a public facility where it is open the public to use for research on bio fuels. Over all the goal of this article is to let the reader know that there is research being done and there will be a facility that is for the public to use.

Department of energy to invest nearly $18 million for advanced biofuels user facility. (2010). Retrieved April 5, 2010, from http://www.energy.gov/news/8809.htm

Energy analysis

The article is about a technique that to measures how much energy is consumed everyday to check if there is one thing that uses up all the energy in a building full of offices. The test will then allow you to see if there is any one particular thing using up your energy; such as using machinery wrong, or if you have heat or air conditioner problems. Then after you get the information you can figure out what to change or fix so that you can save energy.

Seem,J.E. (2007). Using intelligent data analysis to detect abnormal energy.Energy and buildings,39, 52-58.doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.03.003

Paper making

The author discusses about two tests done on two methods of producing paper. The tests are conducted by using a simulator to determine which method saves the most energy throughout the production of paper. Also, the goal is to find a way save energy while getting rid of the by products from the paper making process. In all the paper is about how to save energy while producing paper. (Applied Energy, 2009)

Cardosoa, M.,Oliveiraa, K.D.D., Costaa, G.A.A., Passosb, M.L. (2009).Chemical process simulation for minimizing energy consumption in pulp mills.Applied energy, 86, 45-51. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.03.021

The government

The author explains how the government is working on figuring out different renewable resources to replace the fossil fuels we are using up and that cannot be replaced. The author goes into details about how they want to use wind turbines and other methods to save energy. The overall goal is to find a way to reduce green house gases, but also find an inexpensive way to change over from fossil fuels to renewable energy by using wind turbines.

Casten, T.R., Smith, J.A.(2009)Finding the cheapest clean power options.The electricity journal,22, 69-76.doi:10.1016/j.tej.2009.10.014