ASSIGNMENT

San Diego County and Sources Energy Sources



San Diego County and Sources Energy Sources

Introduction

Renewable energy sources are those that occur continuously and are inexhaustible on a human scale: solar, wind, hydro, and biomass and geothermal. These are the sources of supply that are environmentally friendly. This does not mean they do not cause negative effects on the environment, but they are infinitely less when compared to the environmental impacts of conventional energy (fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal, nuclear energy, etc...).

Discussion

The three primary types of energy sources used in San Diego, California are Natural Gas (34 %), Hydroelectric (6 %) and Nuclear (5 %). Natural gas has proved an important factor in developing the California state, with strong economy and populations that enjoy good living conditions (McNamara, 2002). Ensuring sufficient supply of natural gas in California is a matter of great importance for future economic development of the state.

Energy Sources and the Environment

Natural Gas

Natural gas is the fossil fuel with lower environmental impact of all used, both at the stage of extraction, processing and transportation, as in the use phase. Regarding the extraction phase, the only environmental impact is bound to the wells in which natural gas is linked to oil fields without re-injection systems. In such cases the gas is considered as a by-product and burned in flares. On the other hand, the transformation is minimal, limited to a purification phase and in some cases, elimination of heavy components, without emission of effluents neither production of slag.

Hydroelectricity

All forms of energy production have an impact on the environment. During the year of construction of hydroelectric facilities, the environment is disturbed. The work may, for example, alter fish habitat and flood land. However, a good selection of the project site and a rigorous planning and management of hydroelectric reduce these impacts. Moreover, comparison of the impacts of hydropower projects with those of nuclear power plants, natural gas or coal shows that hydropower is, from all major sources of electricity in California, one that is of least damaging consequences for the environment.

Infrastructure and reservoirs that are part of the hydroelectric plants have undeniably affected the lives of local community in San Diego, California. Aware of the situation, the Californian hydropower industry is working closely with representatives of these communities, both at the planning stage to the construction of a project. These consultations are aimed at finding ways to mitigate some negative impacts (reforestation, creation of wetland areas, and restoration of aquatic fauna) and ensure that communities benefit from economic and social benefits of the project, i.e. a better quality of life, jobs, business opportunities and long-term revenue.

Nuclear

Nuclear power is today the only source capable of supplying large amounts of electricity without contributing significantly to climate change. By not generating carbon dioxide, nuclear power saving 8 % of CO 2 emissions worldwide. In United States, the nuclear plants prevent the annual emission of 40 million tons of carbon dioxide. From the point of view of environmental protection, nuclear plants have always been ...