I. IntroductionThe problem of future demand estimates become pressing when data were needed for the formulation of national and international energy policies; very sophisticated procedures were developed to make energy forecast (Dostrovsky, 1988).A small but growing number of people in developed and developing countries get their electricity from solar cells that convert sun light directly into electricity; they can be attached like shingles to a roof, used as roofing, or applied to window glass (Miller, 2005).
According to Miller solar-cell prices are high but falling.Based on many scientist and executives of oil and automobile companies, we are in the beginning stage of a hydrogen revolution to be phased in during this century as the Age of Oil (Miller, 2005). ‘Energy efficiency’ is a measure of the ‘formed useful energy’ by an ‘energy-conversion device’ in relation to the energy that ends-up which is transformed to a ‘low-quality’, basically ‘worthless heat’ (Miller, 2005).According to Miller, if a person replace an incandescent bulb that is only 5% efficient with a compact fluorescent bulb that is 20% efficient, a person can get the same amount of light using one fourth as much energy; this reduces pollution and carbon dioxide emissions and saves money on electric bill. According to Miller, some critics like to paint proponents of conserving energy as calling for personal sacrifice, giving up cars, freezing in winter, wearing sweaters, and burning up in summer; this is an incorrect and misleading view of energy conservation, which is implemented by using existing technologies and developing new ones that waste less energy.
Based on Miller, about 84% of all commercial energy used in U.S is wasted and about 41% of the energy used is wasted automatically because of the degradation of energy quality imposed by the second law of thermodynamics.We can save money and energy by buying more energy efficient cars, lighting, heating systems, water heater, air conditioners, and appliances. According to Miller, some energy-efficient models may cost more initially, but in the long run they usually save money by having a lower life cycle cost.
II. Renewable vs. Non-renewableBy beginning of the 15th century the daily per capita energy consumption was more than double the level in the Greek and Roman times (Kemp, 2004). Up to that time all the energy being used was renewable energy capable of being replace after use.
According to Kemp, since their continued supply depends upon annual or seasonal rhythms, which make it difficult to concentrate and use them in large amounts, renewable energy resources are generally considered environmental friendly. Non renewable energy is the name given to those forms of energy that cannot be regenerated once they have been used and is commonly applied to fossil fuels which released huge amounts of energy when burned (Kemp, 2004). Although petroleum is the dominant source of energy in modern society, most energy use involves a mixture of sources.The fossil fuels has many advantages in terms of availability, efficiency, cost and ease of use, but they also contribute to most of the earth’s environmental problems; in an attempt to reduce the latter, consideration has been given to redeveloping renewable resources which were used prior to the industrial revolution and are generally seen as less threatening to the environment (Kemp, 2004).
According to Kemp, additional benefits include the ability of renewable resources to contribute to economic growth in the developing world through sustainable development and diversification and security of supply needed to meet real or politically contrived shortages in conventional fuels.About 20% of the world’s current energy consumption is supplied by renewable energy, including hydroelectric and biomass (Kemp, 2004). The United Nations estimates that by 2050renewables could supply 60% of the electricity required and 40% of the energy provided directly by fuels. Fossil fuels would continue to supply the bulk of the energy consumed, and it is widely considered that despite their many desirable traits renewable are unlikely to replace or even seriously challenge the dominance of non-renewable energy sources since they cannot supply energy in the quantity and with the efficiency demanded by modern society (Kemp, 2004).III. Methods to Conserve and Help the EnvironmentThere are many ways on how to conserve energy and some of them include: insulating and plugging leaks of homes and buildings through holes and cracks; using energy efficient windows; stopping other heating and cooling losses; heating houses more efficiently; heating water more efficiently; using energy-efficient lighting; cutting-off electrical devices when not using them; and setting strict energy-efficiency standard (Miller, 2005).
Stop Other Heating and Cooling LossesLeaky heating and cooling ducts in attics and unheated basements allow 20-30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy to escape and draw unwanted moisture and heat into the home; careful sealing can reduce this loss Miller, 2005). According to Miller, some designs for new homes keep the ducts inside the home’s thermal envelope so that escaping hot or cool air feeds back into the living space.Use energy Efficient AppliancesIf all households in the United States used most efficient frost-free refrigerator now available, 18 large (1,000-megawatt power plants could close; microwave ovens can cut use for cooking by 25-50%; clothes dryers wit moist sensors cut energy use by 15%, and front loading washers use 50% energy than top-loading models but cost about the same (Miller, 2005).Cut off Electrical Devices when not using themAccording to Miller, cut-off lights, computers, TVs, and other appliances when they are not needed and cutting off their instant-on feature can make a big difference in energy use and bills.IV.
Government EffortsThere are many ways in which the government can help and be involve in conservation efforts and some of them includes, implementing rules and regulations which will suggest people on how to conserve energy, funding research and studies about new ways and technologies in constructing appliances and machines which are more efficient compared to the traditional ones, and looking for the strict implementations of standards set by the government in making or building infrastructures which are energy and cost efficient and effective.V. ConclusionBy following the rules, regulations, and standards set by the government in saving energy, man’s goal of saving energy can be attain and thus a bright future can be achieved.
