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Solar Energy To The Electric Car To Traffic:

A Look Into The Impacts of Sustainable Energy

Problem - Global warming and harms on environment

The biggest threat to civilization in the 21st century is global warming, specifically in politically correct terminology climate change. The effects of global warming emissions are immense and dangerous. As a society, most people are ignorant to the facts or misunderstand the scientific technicality of global warming and its detriment. Since a lot of the global warming emissions are not tangible it can be difficult for most to grasp and imagine the significance. As a small group within the world, expert scientist have tried their best to describe climate change using charts, graphs, statistics and pictures to illustrate the terrible direction we are heading. Scientific research has shown that global warming has effects on rising temperatures, rising sea levels, strength of storms, and changes in precipitation patterns. According to scientist from NASA the oceans have been warming, the top 700 meters of the ocean have increased in temperature 0.302 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969 (“Climate Chance: How Do we Know?,” 2016). This is obvious evidence to an outsider than climate change is occurring because 0.3 is a huge temperature increase for the ocean. Further, proof of global warming exist is proven by the union of concerned scientist, there research has shown the global average temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 130 years ( “Global Warming Science,” Para. 4). The animals in the sea, the farmers in the rolling plains, and the daily commuter in the city can feel the impact of these effects. It has been debated, but proven that global warming is altering the direction of the planet. According to many scientists the main cause of global warming emissions are from that of man-made Carbon Dioxide being released into the atmosphere. There has been a drastic increase in fossil fuel consumption over the past 30 years, therefore, increasing CO2 levels, which have a direct impact on rising temperatures, ultimately proving CO2 is the main cause (“Time for Change,” Para 1). Next, there has been an increase of CO2 in the atmosphere, which has hit above 400 parts per million, at this current level the CO2 is 120 ppm greater than pre- industrial times (“Magill,” 2015). Further proving the man-made CO2 and how it has increased causing negative effects. Carbon Dioxide can be released into the atmosphere by several different means but two of the biggest contributors include electricity creation by combustion of fossil fuels and vehicle transport by combustion of fossil fuels. Fossil Fuels make up 80 % of the worldwide energy demand (“Time for Change,” Para 2). While, 93% of CO2 emissions are from fossil fuels combustion. In was found that electricity generated by the combustion of fossil fuels contribute about 37% CO2 into the atmosphere (“EPA,” 2016). Moreover, combustion of fossil fuels by vehicle engines release about 31% CO2 into the atmosphere (“EPA,” 2016). In order to cut back on pollutants released into the environment by electricity harnessed by fossil fuels and CO2 released by vehicle transportation, which make up 68% amount of total man-made CO2 production in the U.S. (“EPA,” 2016). Furthermore, by creating solar panels to harness energy for the creation of electricity combined with the production of the electric vehicle, the U.S. can lead the way in global change.

Sustainable energy and solar energy – impacts it can have

There is an answer to global warming; sustainable energy. When discussing sustainability it can be daunting because it is a very broad topic. In terms of sustainable energy, one can being discussing wind, solar, hydro as sources to harness energy. There is one similarity that all forms of harnessing sustainable energy have in common that is all forms provide many positive impacts to society. Sustainable energy can help improve public health, environmental quality, economic growth, and reliability of energy sources. According to author Magill research at Harvard University claimed that low carbon energy sources can save a region upwards to 200 million dollars annually in public health (“Magill,” 2015). Although, there are many forms of sustainable energy, each having several strengths and weaknesses, solar energy may have the biggest window for growth in terms of its potential benefits. Solar energy has become an emerging innovation as a source to harness energy from the sun and convert into electricity. The sun is the greatest source of energy in the world and the ability to collect energy from the sun can make sustainable energy limitless. According to a professor of chemical engineering at Tufts, on a sunny day the sun can provide 1,000 watts of power per square meter (“Panzer,” 2013). The one downside to sun powered energy is the sun can be blocked by cloud, storms, season, which would not allow for maximum radiation of sunrays. But, with recent developments in solar cell efficiency and storage added with the large amounts of square footage solar panels can be placed (i.e. rooftops, roadways), there is a tremendous upside and potential to implementation of solar panels. Currently Solar panels have the ability to harness and store 200 watts of power (“SolarCity,” 2016) and the average residential home owner uses about 10,000 kWh (“U.S. E.I.A.,” 2014). This would mean the current technology and current power usage would require a homeowner to have approximately 50 solar panels in order to completely power their house. Furthermore, another downside to the solar panel is the cost debate, a discussion based on the economic viability of solar panels, and how the cost of purchase and installation/ efficiency of panel is not feasible for the average family. The cost for purchase, installation, and maintenance can reach up to 40,000 dollars for 8kWh worth of solar panels (“Maehlum,” 2015). With recent improvement of efficiency and innovation of installment and tax incentives there has been more opportunity for the average person to get involved with solar energy. One must see overtime the benefits of solar panels as an investment both on the environment and economically. If solar panels are installed 5kWh of power can save the environment of 6,000 lb. of carbon emissions and tax incentive can reach upwards to 10,000 dollars (“Maehlum,” 2015). Overall, improvements of panel aesthetics helps enforce the potential of solar panels and there impact.

Solar energy and the electric car

Not only does the creation of solar panels and the electric car help cut back CO2 emissions, but with the combination of using both to work together there is a potential to speed up the development of a sustainable future. As the innovations of solar panels and electric cars become more prevalent and beneficiary, it is more obvious the great impacts to the sustainable energy market solar energy will have. Generally, using alternate forms of harnessing energy such as fossil fuels to create electricity are dangerous to the environment, but cheap to produce in comparison to solar energy harvesting. Fossil fuels are a terrible resource to use for creation of electricity because it generates a lot of carbon dioxide, which is poison to the atmosphere. The Energy Information Administration recorded coal and natural gas contributed to 33% of total harnessed electricity (U.S.E.I.A,” 2016). Therefore, using solar energy to generate electricity can not only increase the amount of electricity created but also decrease alternate power sources from being used. Next, the ability to capture sunlight on top of ones roof and convert it to electricity that not only powers he or she’s home, but also can be stored is significant and powerful. Lastly, after capturing energy via solar panels and storing electricity within ones house, he or she will have the ability to charge their vehicle at home and be off grid. The process of solar energy into battery storage into electric vehicle is something Elon Musk of TeslaMotors has stated to develop with his master plan (“Musk,” 2016).The electric vehicle may be the biggest invention of our generation. The electric vehicle has the potential to cut out millions of pollutants that are harmful to all aspects of the planet. Make note, the electric vehicle will only have a tremendous impact on the environment if the electricity is harness from sustainable energy (i.e. solar power) not fossil fuels (i.e. coal).

Electric car, driver safety and traffic.

Many see the innovation of electric car as an electric passenger vehicle, which has zero carbon emissions. This is true, but there is a greater window for opportunity that comes with the electric car. First, it’s not just the electric car, the innovation should be viewed as an electric vehicle, which mean buses and trucks. Trains, planes, hyperloops can also be included, but I’m going to stick to vehicles. Second, electric vehicles not only effect the carbon emissions, but have the potential to have a profound effect on driver safety, driver comfort, and traffic. Furthermore, the design of electric vehicles is critical to understanding the different impacts. Since an electric car does not require a big gasoline operated engine, which sits at the front or back of car there can be a big increase in safety. Also, electric cars can be created lighter with aluminum metals. For example the Tesla model S has the drivetrain located at the bottom of the vehicle allowing for the center of gravity to be lower. Also, the Model S has aluminum framing, which would allow for better crash absorption (“TeslaMotors”, 2016). The combo of an aluminum frame and motor less car allows for a better crumple of the frame in collisions, therefore reducing vehicle death and increasing safety. This design can also be implemented on buses and trucks therefore, reducing the weight of the vehicles and the damages to the pavements less momentum in crashes. In terms of driver comfort an electric car can provide for a better driving experience because the car runs smoother without a big engine. Lastly, traffic can be impacted in terms of road design and autonomous vehicles. Autonomous electric vehicles can help change the design and restrictions of certain roadway design features, which can help increase vehicle capacity on roads and intersections. Also autonomous vehicles can improve the way signal timers are operated. Overall, there is a connection between the electric vehicle and roadway safety and traffic.

Conclusion.

Overall, the evolution when one sits in traffic and contemplates driving or when one suffers a devastating car crash they may look for answers. So far these answers have come in the form of more law enforcement, wider roads, and bigger vehicles. While, these inefficiencies may look great in the short term they have proven to be detrimental to the overall goal of safe roads and low traffic. There is a better way to reduce deaths by vehicle crashes. There is a better way to decongest intersections and critical congestion points on highways. The solution simply starts with providing the consumers of the world with the capabilities of sustainable energy. Further this discussion to solar energy and the ability to store the rays of the sun in a battery pack in ones garage. This simple process will ultimately unlock consumers’ options of purchasing an electric car and using their own harness electricity to supply it. As a society once we accept this process it will be easier to implement the proven concept into the retail world and into other vehicles. Electric vehicles have the potential to increase driver safety, while lowering global warming emissions. The impacts of the electric car don’t stop with driver safety or lower greenhouse emissions. The potential to use autonomous driving and the electric vehicle design features for the redesign of roadways and intersections will improve traffic congestion. Finally, when looking to solve simple issues if one takes a step back and looks at the more complete view he or she may find that the answer may lie in another discipline. The solution for traffic may possibly be sustainable energy.

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