The article “Catching Rays in California, and Storing Them” by Matthew L. Wald can be found in The New York Times. Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/24/business/energy-environment/catching-some-rays-in-california-and-storing-them.html?ref=earth
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At a slow pace the Earth is dying. Due to such issues as deforestation and the combustion of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases are building up in the atmosphere, causing global warming. Before it is too late, there needs to be a decrease in our pollution of the Earth. One way of doing this would be the use of solar energy, which is starting to take effect in California.
The article listed above describes the forthcoming installation of many batteries in California by utility companies, which will store surplus solar energy. With many solar panels taking in energy from the sun, there is often an oversupply of energy, which, according to Clyde Loutan (senior adviser for renewables integration at the California Independent System Operator, which runs the state’s power grid), can be “just as destabilizing as a shortage” of energy. The extra energy created during the sun’s peak can be used around sunset, a solution for problems in the past caused by the rapid decrease of generation and increase of demand which occurs at that time.
Though the use of these batteries could be beneficial in several ways, there are still negative effects that detract from just how great these batteries are. For one, generators which run on natural gas will still be used. Though one positive step is made in the form of solar energy, the combustion of fossil fuels will still occur, though at a decreased rate. The batteries are also very expensive, and could cost billions of dollars for California. This is why the use has been limited so far. Overall, just because the batteries have a few flaws, they are not enough to justify that the batteries would have an overly negative effect. The combustion of fossil fuels would be decreased, which is a step in the right direction. Also, the issue of cost should not be considered much, as similar amounts of money are being spent on less significant causes. To lessen pollution and be more eco-friendly should be one of the greatest priorities if future generations are to have an Earth to live on.
The idea of batteries storing solar energy relates to our unit on the Carbon Cycle. In that unit, we discussed how the combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere causing global warming. In relation to the buildup of greenhouse gases, we discussed ways in which the Earth could be sustained. They are conserving energy by burning less fossil fuels, managing forests properly, and developing alternate energy sources. Through the storage of solar energy on batteries, two out of the three ways are fulfilled. Less fossil fuels are burned, and the sun is now used as an energy source.
In all, I fully support the use of the batteries. There are simply so many benefits from their use that there would have to be more reasons against them in order to have doubt that they would have an overall negative effect. Humans should be doing all that they can to preserve the Earth for future generations. These batteries will not single-handedly solve the problem, but their use gets us closer to that goal.
I really enjoyed reading your post. I like that you pointed out the batteries won't stop the combustion of fossil fuels, but rather decrease the rate at which they are being burned. The reason we're having such a hard time finding ways to make our habits less damaging to the Earth, is that all our ideas are hard to adapt to. Humans would rather carry on living the way we do, seeing as all the damaging things we do to our Earth is easier than changing our ways to help the planet. Fortunately, solar powered energy doesn't need to be replaced like batteries, so this will benefit the stubborn, lazy people because they'll never have to change their batteries. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNice job Rick. Started off with a great title and the post was extremely informative and not boring. This new battery they are putting in sounds like it would be awesome. I can't wait for those to be mass produced and less money. You did a great job relating the story back to class. I liked how you pointed out solar panels wont stop the combustion of fossil fuels it will just slow it down. Great post keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteI like that you didn't pretend that these were the answer to our problems but would slow down the combustion to help us have more time to find alternative fuels. It was good that you pointed out how cost wasn't that big of a deal because lots of money goes to things less important than saving the Earth. Good job
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job on your post. I like how you added the negative sides of using things like solar panels and other batteries. I also like how you added you opinion and I actually fully agree with your opinion and I think anything that will help slow down the dying of the earth from fossil fuels, should be used. Your post was very detailed and gave me a great summary of the article that you read so I didn't have to go back and clarify anything. Great Job.
ReplyDeleteYour title got me interested very quickly because I've always known that batteries, although useful, are generally bad for the earth. As I continued reading, however, I realized that solar-powered batteries are a much safer alternative. I have used solar-powered batteries at camp, and they work just as well (if not better) than normal batteries, which makes them the obvious choice. Unfortunately, the cost of solar-powered batteries, as you mentioned, is too high for them to be commonly used. Your post was very well written and very detailed, and definitely explored an important issue.
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