Renewable energy sources-2
Activities
B. Read the text and answer the following questions.
In a speech at the 90th Science Congress, internationally acknowledged scientist and former Indian president Mr APJ Abdul Kalam mentioned a very important aspect of mankind's future energy crisia. He pointed out that the era of wood and bio mass has almost come to an end. The age of oil and natural gas would soon be over within the next few decade. Massive burning of world's coal reservas may lead to a worldwide ecological disaster because coal burning emits the higheat amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Ukraine's (former Soviet Union) Chernobyl disaster in 1986 has exposed that nuclear energy can be potentially dangerous too. So according to Kalam, the only solution that mankind can look to is the massive use of solar energy in future because it has some advantages over other forms of renewable energies.
Now, why has Kalam put so much importance to the issue of energy? The energy sources have always been a major factor of change throughout history, The world's petroleum consumption has increased from 3 billion barrels amually in 1930 to 50 billion barrels annually today. In the next quarter century, the world's population is expected to be about 8 billion which is 30 percent higher than today. Developing countries will grow their economics about two times faster than industrialised countries. Global economic growth is expected to continue at 3 percent per year. Consequently, the global demand for energy will grow at about 1.7 percent per year on an average. It indicates a 50-percent rise of energy consumption by 2030. If the world's daily petroleum consumption is 220 million barrels now, it will rise to 335 million barrels by that time. The present reserve of hydro-carbon energy resources is limited and it will not be sufficient to meet the future energy challenges of the world. And hence, leading industrial countries have taken initiatives to tap alternative energy sources mainly known as green or renewable energy sources. The bottom line of Kalam's speech indicates the concern of mankind in the 21st century.
[Statistics from: Rex W. Tillerson]
Questions
C. Make sentences using the substitution table.
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Chernobyl disaster The energy industries The global petroleum consumption Major industrial economies Scientists The era of wood and biomass The energy sources |
have has |
taken been emphasized increased exposed come |
the use of renewable energy sources. the potential danger of nuclear energy. a major factor for change throughout history. to three billion barrels per year. initiatives to tap alternative energy sources. to an end a major factor of change throughout history |
Chernobyl disaster has exposed the potential danger of nuclear energy.
The energy industries have been a major factor for change throughout history.
The global petroleum consumption has increased to three billion barrels per year.
Major industries economies have taken initiatives to tap alternative energy sources.
Scientists have emphasized the use of renewable energy sources.
The era of wood and biomass has come to an end.
The energy sources have been a major factor of change throughout history.
D. Complete the following passage with words from the box. There are more words than necessary.
suggested radiates would effective conducted either energy affected crisis tap were
To answer the energy in the world, scientist, professor, and former Indian president Mr APJ Abdul Kalam has that solar energy can be harnessed by establishing space stations in outer space in order to. solar power round the clock.
Mr Kalam said that the sun about 10 trillion times the energy which a humans consume across the world today.
If we able to extract even a small portion of this energy from the sun, it be sufficient to secure the energy demands of our future.
Pointing out that space based solar power plants do not get by weather, the scientist said that it would thus be far more in efficiency and power generation than the surface based systems.
Professor Kalam suggested that the energy should be transmitted from space back to earth through microwave or any other technology like laser. Careful research of the impact and safety concerns would have to be in this regard.
E. Massive burning of world's coal reserves may lead to a worldwide ecological disaster ...'-- Do you support this view? Explain why/why not.
Yes, I agree that, “Massive burning of world’s coal reserves may lead to a worldwide ecological disaster…” because coal burning emits the highest amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Carbon emissions contribute to climate change, which can have serious consequences for humans and their environment. It raises global temperatures by trapping solar energy in the atmosphere. This alters water supplies and weather patterns, changes the growing season for food crops and threatens coastal communities with increasing sea levels. Thus, with the increase of carbon, global warming will increase and it will have adverse effect on earth. It will also disrupt the ecological balance.
G. True or false? If false, write the correct answer.
H. What questions would you like to ask Mr Islam about solar panel , solar unit, energy sources, 'alternative power supply system', its capacity, its advantages and disadvantages, etc? Make a list of your probable questions.
1. How can I charge it?
2. How long will it take to charge?
3. How long can I use it for?
4. For what purposes can I use it?
5. How many times can I use it?
6. Are there any safety measures?
7. What is its capacity?
8. What are its disadvantages?
J. What is your opinion of the solar system as the alternative source of power supply?
I think it will be the best alternative of conventional electricity. In future, there will be more shortage of electricity. Solar energy can fill the shortage with its renewable energy.