The use of fossil fuels in generating power poses a huge risk in the environment, which consequently affects the climate of many places in the world. Therefore, many countries have recently opted for alternative energy sources in power generation. These alternative energy sources include hydrogen gas, tidal energy, biomass energy, wind energy, geothermal power, natural gas, biofuels, wave energy, hydroelectric energy, nuclear power and solar power (Ecavo.com, 2020). The three most desirable ones to introduce in South Florida are solar power, wind energy, and hydroelectric energy.
Solar power involves the conversion of energy from the sun into electricity. Solar energy can be collected through solar cells or solar thermal. South Florida can incorporate the use of solar energy in generating power because of the low attitude and dry climate in the area. Solar power however, has its pros and cons. Solar power is a renewable source of energy that can be harnessed anywhere in the world. Unlike other energy sources, solar energy cannot run out because it is available everyday and everywhere. According to Newland (n.d), as long as the sun exists, so does solar power. Additionally, solar power is environmental friendly. The solar power systems and plants do not produce noise, air or water pollution. Besides, the systems do not emit any harmful gases like the greenhouse gases.
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Solar power plants are also easy to maintain and operate because of the lower costs involved. Since the sun, its major source, is free and readily available from anywhere, lower costs are required in operating the solar power plants (Newland, n.d). Besides, after installation of the solar power plants and systems, maintenance is always less costly because the source, which is the sun, is always available. Additionally, solar power saves on electricity bills, safe to use and stores power that can be used during the night. Solar panels can be easily accessed by the low and middle class people at lower prices, which in return will benefit more from the investment. Solar energy plants will also enable create jobs for the people in south Florida thus improving the economy.
However, solar power has its cons. The sun being its main source, solar energy cannot be collected at night, and the amount of energy collected during the day varies depending on the time of the day and the season (Newland, n.d). This is challenging because during seasons like winter, there is always low solar production which makes solar energy ineffective for south Florida. Additionally, installation and materials needed for solar power is costly. This will pose a challenge to the low income generators in the state. Besides, the installation of a solar power plant requires a lot of space thus may affect many things in the targeted area. Solar panels are also not good at converting solar energy to electricity, and the solar cells can deteriorate when in use for a long period of time.
Wind energy is also suitable for south Florida. Wind energy, just like solar power, is a renewable source of energy. Wind is the main source of energy used and can be generated unlimitedly and freely. Additionally, wind energy is non-pollutant and clean. It will enable conserve the environment because it also does not lead to the production of green house gases which are always dangerous (Daniels, 2015). Wind energy is environment friendly compared to burning of fossil fuels to generate power. Besides, the cost of maintenance of the turbines and generating wind is very low. Establishing a wind energy plant often takes a smaller piece of land as compared to other alternative energy sources. Off shore wind turbines will be best for generating electricity in south Florida because off shore winds blow uniformly and harder than on land.
Wind energy however, poses various challenges that may influence electricity generation in south Florida. First, establishing a wind energy plant is very expensive. According to Daniels (2015), the cost of installing turbines and wind facilities is high. Additionally, wind energy varies basing on the weather condition. Electricity is only produced by the turbines when the wind blows. Therefore, during calm seasons, the amount of power produced is always low. Wind turbines always generate a lot of noise which is unpleasant and distractive to those living around the wind energy plants. Besides, wind turbines pose danger to the flying animals, which may reduce its population because of blurring visions (Daniels, 2015). Many people also see the turbines as unattractive structures that are not pleasant to look at. Therefore, some view wind energy plants as negative influencers of the landscape view.
Hydroelectric energy will also be appropriate for power generation in south Florida. Like wind and solar energies, hydropower is a renewable source of energy. The availability of water makes it run and it can only stop if the water stops flowing. Additionally, the process of creating electricity from hydropower does not pollute the environment (Sen, 2018). Greenhouse gases are not emitted into the atmosphere, unlike in other alternative energy sources like the use of natural gas. Water is also not polluted during the production. Unlike wind and solar energy, hydropower is a reliable energy source because it is constant. Water constantly and steadily flows during the day and also in the night, which is contrary to the wind and solar where the sun can go down or the wind dies down.
Besides, hydropower can be adjusted because of its reliability (Sen, 2018). The flow of water can be adjusted to produce more energy when required or lower the energy production when it is not needed. This is also unique as compared to other renewable sources like solar and wind energy. Other secondary benefits of hydropower plants include regulation of floods in flood prone areas through construction of dams. The dams can also be used in generating water for irrigation in the nearby areas which will enable the growth of the economy. Therefore, besides the water being used for generating electricity, it can also be used for other secondary activities like recreation and farming.
Hydropower however, has its cons which include higher capital costs for building dams and installation of other required materials. Additionally, suitable locations of the hydroelectric energy plants are limited to certain places, which are mostly not around major towns and cities. Besides, like wind and solar energy, hydropower depends on the amount of water in the area or dam constructed. Therefore, according to Sen (2018), drought and winter seasons can greatly affect the production of electricity in the plants. The dams are beneficial but they also pose a huge risk to the people living around, when they are constructed at higher levels. Heavy rains can cause the dams to flood and break its walls or flood the areas around it leading to deaths of people and destruction of property.
In conclusion, solar, wind and hydroelectric energies are the three most desirable alternative energy sources to be introduced in South Florida. This is because of the geographical location, and the climate of the place. Additionally, the three sources of energy are renewable because the sun, wind and water are free in the environment. These sources of energy are also less costly to maintain, and they conserve the environment because they do not produce greenhouse gases. However, solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy plants are expensive to establish or install. They require huge amounts of capital in setting them up.
References
Daniels,. S. (2015, January 16). Pros & Cons of Wind Energy. http://www.windustry.org/pros_cons_wind_energy.
Ecavo.com. (2020, October 23). 11 Different Sources of Alternative Energy. Retrieved https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/alternative-energy-sources/.
Newland,. D. (n.d). Solar Power 101: Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved https://www.environmentalscience.org/solar-power-101.
Şen, Z. (2018). Hydro energy. https://acikerisim.medipol.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/20.500.12511/1558#sthash.ls1VsLs5.dpbs
