Question

What type of energy generation would be the best for the state of Virginia (in order to replace coal and other fossil fuels, on which we are now dependent)? __________________ Defend your answer, in detail- what, in your opinion, makes it the ‘best? What is one negative aspect to your answer

Answer 1

Its not just Virginia but also other parts of US and other countries are also dependent on fossil fuel consumption. Since coal, natural gas, oil and other fossil fuels are the major source of energy generation in the world, they irreparably harm the environment. The gases which are generated on burning these fossil fuels will lead to greenhouse effect which further causes catastrophic changes to the environment. Hence it is very important to choose a much more sustainable, renewable and less risky solutions for energy generation. Some of the alternatives are, water, biomass, solar energy, wind and goethermal energy.

1. Water

• water technologies can be used to generate hydropower.
• It is a renewable source of energy.
• water from rivers and oceans can be used to generate electricity with the help of turbines
• If there is any appropriate source to build large dams at virginia then this can be a very good alternative

2.Biomass

• In this method recently dead biological material like plants and plant-based materials can be used as an energy production method at industries
• on combustion, it helps in the formation of biogas which further is a good energy source

3. Solar energy

• Here suns rays are used for the production of energy
• Since the earth receives almost 174 petawatts of suns radiation, it can be a good source of energy generation

4. Wind energy

• Wind energy is produced in large hectors of land with the help of wind mills.
• It can be used for individual buildings

5. Geothermal energy

• It is the utilization of earth heat for energy production
• Geothermal power plants and heat pubs are required for using heat from the surface of the earth to produce heat

Even though any of these renewable sources can be used to generate energy, at a place like Virginia, which has a rich source of water supply from lakes rivers, groundwaters, and oceans, water, in my opinion, is the best suitable method to generate energy.

• Water power or Hydropower is a method of generating water from a fast funning water source
• The first-ever hydropower generation was carried out at Niagra waterfalls and this energy was used to light the street lights at this area.
• Today Niagra waterfalls is the largest producer of electricity in New York.
• Since the development of water power requires a continuous source of moving water, Dams and reservoirs should be constructed to have a smooth flow of water.
• Water energy can also be produced from wave power which is captured from waves of the surface of the ocean using special buoy
• it's said that 10 power buoys can produce energy to light 1000 homes at a time
• Tidal power is another method of capturing the energy of flowing waters with the help of turbines
• Hydropower is considered the most leading renewable power generation system for now and in the future

Negative aspect

even though it is considered one of the best renewable method to produce energy, there a lot of social and environmental impacts due to the building of dams.

Large dams can ruin ecosystems

For building a dam thousands of people may have to be displaced which in turn can affect their livelihood

It can also lead to droughts and floods.