Blog 7

 Renewable Energy

Energy sources are divided into 2 main categories: Renewable energy and Nonrenewable energy. Renewable energy uses Earth’s resources, such as solar, wind, water, etc., to ensure clean energy. Only 13% of electricity comes from renewable resources. The U.S. Department of Energy works towards a cleaner and more reliable energy future. There has also been debate about whether renewable energy sources could ever fully replace fossil fuels to provide a cleaner world. One example of a renewable energy source is hydropower. This is the process of converting the movement of water into electricity. Another example is solar power. Solar power has become more and more popular in recent years. It harnesses the energy from the sun and converts it into thermal energy or electricity. This is seen in both commercial and residential design. Solar panels are being installed on the roofs of buildings to power the buildings.

Another example of renewable energy is wind power. This is when the kinetic energy of the wind is converted into mechanical energy through turbines. There are wind power plants throughout the United States. These are very beneficial because they don’t take up much space and can usually be placed throughout fields. The downside to wind power is that it is very dependent on the weather.

Nonrenewable Energy

Nonrenewable energy comes from resources that have a fixed supply. We are using them faster than they are being made by nature. This is often seen in the form of fossil fuels. An example of this is oil. Oil is a fossil fuel that is mainly found in the Middle East. It is used in 99% of vehicles and 40% of the current energy in the U.S. It is usually extracted from the ground through drilling and then shipped globally. 

Another example of a fossil fuel is natural gas. Natural gas is obtained through fracking. This is a process where water, sand, and chemicals are used to fracture rocks, causing them to release the natural gas from within. This process can also cause toxic waste through the process of fracking, which can endanger the local water supply. Natural gas is the fastest-growing fuel source for electric power.

Another very common fossil fuel is coal. This was much more common in the past, but is still used today. Coal is obtained through underground mining. It takes millions of years to form and about a millennium to reconstruct after being used. This is why it is considered a Nonrenewable resource. It is also a large cause of pollution. 42% of the world's electricity is created from coal. Another Nonrenewable resource is hydrogen. This is used mainly as a fuel source for automobiles. Nuclear energy is another common Nonrenewable resource. Many Nuclear power plants can be found throughout the United States.

Heating Systems

HVAC systems include heating, cooling, and ventilation systems that help with human comfort in buildings. Some types of heating systems include hydronic, air, electric, wood stoves, and fireplaces. Hydronic systems include water boilers. This is seen mainly in large buildings and multi-building complexes. Other hydronic systems include radiators. These are seen more in residential buildings. An electric system could include heated flooring. This is seen more in residential buildings. A furnace is another example of an electric system. These are forced air systems and are also most common in residential projects. Wood systems can include wood stoves or fireplaces. These can be seen in residential or commercial settings to provide a comforting feeling. 

Cooling Systems

Cooling Systems are achieved in a space in 3 main ways: avoiding heat, passive cooling strategies, and mechanical cooling. Some mechanical cooling systems include central stations, split systems, and a through-the-wall unit. Ensuring that clients stay cool in the space you design for them is very important. Creating a space that has adjustable heating and cooling is very important to provide a comfortable environment for your clients.

Hydropower Example

I chose to further research hydropower because there is a hydroelectric dam in my hometown. I got to tour the dam in grade school. It was so cool to walk through the dam and see all the amazing machines used to create electricity. It is a 36.4-megawatt rated project. Water flows through large turbines within the dam. Spinning generators work to help power over 18,000 homes and businesses in 61 communities in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. This project took a dam that was 5 decades old and turned it into a hydroelectric project that not only provided renewable electricity, but also provided recreational amenities. Red Rock campground is set around this dam. This creates a family-friendly environment around it as well. Hydropower is a very effective and clean way of generating electricity.