This is going to be my first serious entry for the first time after a very, very long time.
The whole universe is made up from an abstract and a concrete object – energy and matter in a strict sense. Most physics and mathematical equations that we have ever encountered are made up to explain the behaviors of energy and matter in one way or another. Take the special theory of relativity itself; E = mc; for E is energy, m is mass and c is the speed of light. The equation simply states that energy and matter are interconnected; energy can be converted to matter with a “if and only if” relationship.
That relationship without doubt strengthened my argument beyond reasonable doubt.
Both objects (if both of these things are allowed to be called as object at all) can be found everywhere where time is defined. The area where time is defined is from the center of the universe to its still expanding edge of course. On our precious planet herself, energy and matter are plentiful where it’s under the water, on land or in the blue sky.
Nevertheless, most the energy presents are wasted without even 1% of its potential tapped successful with full efficiency. Take the unleaded fuel used by the everyday vehicles for a point. The engine, particularly the Japanese-made vehicle, is designed to be at maximum efficiency level allowed by the current technology. Although this may sounds good, the real fact is the current technology does not allow 100% effectiveness. Some of the energy produced (or rather lots of them) are wasted simply by excess heat. There is another case that supports this notion of wasted energy – the production of energy by various power plants. These plants produce energy but this energy is needed to be transported for the plants to the users. During transportation, our technology allows us to reduce the wasting of energy to numerous methods (the usage of transformers for instance) but still, precious amount of energy is still wasted away.
The production of energy is not simply a matter of producing it and transferring it effectively. To produce energy, coal, oil and gas are burned; matters are separated and as a direct result, more carbon dioxide in the air, damaged local ecosystem and the risk of harmful radiation.
The only way to evade these problems is the usage of renewable energy. Renewable energy is a “some type” of energy that could be produced without the need to worry about depleting resources (do not confuse it with the “energy type” that divides energy into heat, potential, kinetics, etc. And certainly, energy can’t be produced. The term “energy production” does not mean the “creation of energy”).
Renewable energy envisions us forever to have the resources needed to produce energy endlessly. Wind, hydro, thermal and solar powers are some of the exciting possibilities. To add to the bright advantage, renewable energy doesn’t pollute badly but then again, they pollute at the lowest imaginable level which literally means no pollution. (The building of dam nevertheless needs to be avoided for although it is considered as an act of producing clean energy, dam destroyed the local ecosystem and forever alters the condition of a habitat.)
When it comes to renewable energy (a subset of clean energy), cost for sure will follow up and discourage its usage. The initial cost of settings up the equipments is no doubt is high but its long term benefits far exceeds its short term cost. As comparison, coal plants need a continuous supply of coal, a resource which we know is fast diminishing. A lack of supply means an increase in price and therefore, the cost of running a coal plant will increase with time. The cost of running solar panels or wind turbines on the other hand per unit time will continue to be lowered as there is no cost other than maintenance. Sure, it is an economic way of making things done.
As you can see, the habit of using renewable energy does not only favor environmentalism idea but it also helps capitalism to do business for the “good for us all”. And the efficiency of wind turbine and solar panel is increasing steadily and there is no hesitation that it efficiency will be raise to a very efficient level.
The future holds a more thrilling option. Fusion, cold fusion and others provide us the option of producing energy without having to worry about where to get the resources. Although I hate Star Trek so much that I would love to go back in time and eliminated Gene Roddenberry, the idea of warp core very much possible, at least in theory. The idea is mainly based in matter-antimatter reaction which I will not indulge myself to explain as I am no physicist. However, the warp core ability to produce substantial amount of energy from matter, in fact from any matter without concerning ourselves with whether the matter is uranium, hydrogen or any other matters is truly magnificent.
If this happens, energy will be as free as air. No cost with no string attached. Simply free. Isn’t that want we want in reality?
p/s – I’ve just joined the UM Solar Car Team’s Power Team. We are mainly resposible for the vehicle power source. Plus, surprisingly, Malaysia Airlnes is one of the sponsors of the team. And, we had USD 1 000 000 last year to develop the car. Talk about a rich club in a rich university.