38
edits
Solar Energy: Difference between revisions
→Introduction
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
There are a lot of different ways to create energy, but because of the limited capabilities, it is important to use sustainable energy. Our earth gets more and more abuse, because of the globalisation, flying by plane, using cars etc., on the other hand the globalisation can help us to get new systems for using new ways for getting energy and to get all the materials for it. But the global warming and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere brings extreme weather events and rising sea levels (Curtis, Fred: Climate, Peak Oil, and Globalization: Contradictions of Natural Capital), just to name some of the consequences. | There are a lot of different ways to create energy, but because of the limited capabilities, it is important to use sustainable energy. Our earth gets more and more abuse, because of the globalisation, flying by plane, using cars etc., on the other hand the globalisation can help us to get new systems for using new ways for getting energy and to get all the materials for it. But the global warming and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere brings extreme weather events and rising sea levels (Curtis, Fred: Climate, Peak Oil, and Globalization: Contradictions of Natural Capital), just to name some of the consequences. | ||
The other problem are the limited capabilities. Oil is getting low | The other problem are the limited capabilities. Oil is getting low and also it is getting more expensive. The oil price already rose from $20 per barrel in 2001 to $70 per barrel in 2006 (Curtis, Fred: Climate, Peak Oil, and Globalization: Contradictions of Natural Capital). In the future oil will become a product of luxury. | ||
In the future we will either run out of oil or it it will be too expensive for everybody, so that only rich people can use it. Also because of the ecologically harmful power stations electricity will be getting more expensive, and eventually run out (http://www.handelsblatt.com/ (14.11.2009)). | In the future we will either run out of oil or it it will be too expensive for everybody, so that only rich people can use it. Also because of the ecologically harmful power stations electricity will be getting more expensive, and eventually run out (http://www.handelsblatt.com/ (14.11.2009)). So either we will run out of the capabilities, we will have to pay high prices for it or we will harm our world even more. | ||
Especially because of the globalisation, the transportation and the high standard of living we will use more and more electricity capabilities. That is why it is important to think about other ways to produce energy. | Especially because of the globalisation, the transportation and the high standard of living we will use more and more electricity capabilities. That is why it is important to think about other ways to produce energy. | ||
One form of sustainable energy is the sun. Solar energy is one of the sustainable methods. There are also more techniques like wind power or using water for getting energy. The following paragraph will be written about solar energy; what it is, how it works and what the advantages and disadvantages are. In the beginning I briefly will describe in short form the technical way of this system, afterwards there will be a short term, then briefly talk about some other forms of sustainable energy systems. Following | One form of sustainable energy is the sun. Solar energy is one of the sustainable methods. There are also more techniques like wind power or using water for getting energy. The following paragraph will be written about solar energy; what it is, how it works and what the advantages and disadvantages are. In the beginning I briefly will describe in short form the technical way of this system, afterwards there will be a short term, then briefly talk about some other forms of sustainable energy systems. Following I will move on to the advantages and the disadvantages of using solar energy. And at the end there will be written a conclusion this way of using sustainable energy. | ||
In the 18th century the solar cell was invented by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, a successful naturalist, who came up with the solar cell, similar to the one which is used today. In the 19th century Augustin Mouchot was the first person who used the convex mirror. This was the first step to refining this technique. It was also the first time that the energy of the sun was used for electricity (http://www.ht-handelsagentur.de (14.11.2009)). | In the 18th century the solar cell was invented by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, a successful naturalist, who came up with the solar cell, similar to the one which is used today. In the 19th century Augustin Mouchot was the first person who used the convex mirror. This was the first step to refining this technique. It was also the first time that the energy of the sun was used for electricity (http://www.ht-handelsagentur.de (14.11.2009)). | ||
Solar energy means the energy which is produced by atomic fusion. We now know that the energy of the sun does not decrease, it stays constant. Parts of the energy get reflected and other components of the energy get absorbed and are changed into heat energy. And the remainder gets through down to the earth. How much of the sun energy reaches the earth depends on the humidity, the cloudiness and the length of the way the sunbeams needs to put back. The energy of the sun is five thousand times more then the energy mankind needs. This already is one good reason to use the energy of the sun. | Solar energy means the energy which is produced by atomic fusion. We now know that the energy of the sun does not decrease, it stays constant (Hennicke, Peter: Erneuerbare Energien, München 2007). Parts of the energy get reflected and other components of the energy get absorbed and are changed into heat energy. And the remainder gets through down to the earth. How much of the sun energy reaches the earth depends on the humidity, the cloudiness and the length of the way the sunbeams needs to put back. The energy of the sun is five thousand times more then the energy mankind needs (Hennicke, Peter: Erneuerbare Energien, München 2007). This already is one good reason to use the energy of the sun. | ||
Instead of using energy from the sun, the alternative exists to use wind power or energy from water – using the tides, wave energy or the energy of rivers. However, these requirements are not yet being met throughout the world. Energy from the sun is sufficient all over the world and even in the very north of Europe or in the south of America, the sun could deliver enough energy to meet human energy demands if we were to effectively use it. | Instead of using energy from the sun, the alternative exists to use wind power or energy from water – using the tides, wave energy or the energy of rivers. However, these requirements are not yet being met throughout the world. Energy from the sun is sufficient all over the world and even in the very north of Europe or in the south of America, the sun could deliver enough energy to meet human energy demands if we were to effectively use it. | ||
Depending on the season and the sunset times, in Europe there are between 200 and 1000 W/m² of energy available from the sun. One way to save the energy is through the use of a collector: the energy from the sun’s rays are gathered in a collector and then travel to a heat transfer system, and from there to the end-user, or alternatively stored for future use. A simple analogy of this process is the garden hose. In summertime the sun can heat up the water in the garden hose to a temperature of 60° C, even in the north of Europe. This demonstrates how the sun’s energy could be used for heating water - for swimming baths or showers at home. These technologies need effective heat insulation so that energy is not lost during the night or on cooler days. | Depending on the season and the sunset times, in Europe there are between 200 and 1000 W/m² of energy available from the sun. One way to save the energy is through the use of a collector: the energy from the sun’s rays are gathered in a collector and then travel to a heat transfer system, and from there to the end-user, or alternatively stored for future use. A simple analogy of this process is the garden hose. In summertime the sun can heat up the water in the garden hose to a temperature of 60° C, even in the north of Europe. This demonstrates how the sun’s energy could be used for heating water - for swimming baths or showers at home. These technologies need effective heat insulation so that energy is not lost during the night or on cooler days (Hennicke, Peter: Erneuerbare Energien, München 2007). | ||
Another system is the solar cell - an electrical component which converts the sun’s rays into electrical energy. An example of this technology is a solar-powered calculator, as commonly used throughout the world. | Another system is the solar cell - an electrical component which converts the sun’s rays into electrical energy. An example of this technology is a solar-powered calculator, as commonly used throughout the world. | ||