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