Alternative Energy Sources
In this post I will be looking into the various alternative energy sources and how they can have a positive or negative effect on my current design project. An alternative energy source is defined as a method of producing energy that does not involve the burning of fossil fuels. These methods can be much less harmful to the environment, reducing the anthropogenic emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, lowering the pollution daily life causes. Fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil and natural gas contain high levels of carbon. When burned, they release carbon dioxide which pollutes the atmosphere and increases global warming.
One major alternative energy source is solar energy which involves harnessing the sun's energy. This can be done by simply using the sun as a source of light or heating. Architecturally, the positioning of windows to allow the sun's natural light and heat into the building can be classed as an alternative energy source. My current design project involves the use of a system called ‘Smart Light’ on the façade of a building to harness the sun's natural source of lighting. The system deflects direct sunlight into rooms in the core of the building, that do not have windows. This reduces the need for artificial lighting which may be powered by the burning of fossil fuels.
“Smart Light redirects sunlight into ‘light locked’ building interiors.” (Quick, 2013).
Solar panels are another technology that can be used to collect, convert and store solar energy in the form of electricity. Solar panels are a good option for someone who is looking to reduce their electricity bills and cut their carbon footprint at the same time. It is a common misconception that solar panels require clear, sunny days to produce energy, but while they operate most efficiently in these conditions they can also produce a considerable amount of energy on cloudy days and during the winter provided there is still some solar light. The graph below shows the amount of energy gathered by a 3kWp system that is south facing.
Wind energy has been harnessed as an alternative energy source for centuries. Sail boats use the natural power of the wind to propel them towards their destination, while windmills have been used in farming to mill grain and pump water. In the present day, wind turbines are used to convert this energy into electricity. There are a few advantages and disadvantages when it comes to wind farms. On a positive side, wind turbines produce no air pollution once they are in place. However, residents in the vicinity of wind farms often complain that they are noisy and pollute the view of the landscape. Some of the biggest wind turbines have a rotary diameter of over 120 meters. Finally, they involve a large amount of environmental research. For example, they cannot be placed in a location that obstructs bird migration as birds have been know to fatally collide with them.
Bibliography
Quick, D. (2013) SmartLight redirects sunlight into ‘light-locked’ building interiors. Available at: http://newatlas.com/smartlight-natural-lighting-electrofluidic-cells/29694/ (Accessed: 20 January 2017).
Rinkesh (2017) What are alternative energy sources. Available at: http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/alternativeenergysources.php (Accessed: 20 January 2017).
Solar panels: Costs, benefits, installation (2016) Available at: http://www.greenmatch.co.uk/solar-energy/solar-panels (Accessed: 28 January 2017).