Session 8 - a change of energy source

Brief Overview/Summary of the themes/topics addressed during the session

We are now in hard times. There is not enough energy for all. Supply does not meet the ever-increasing demand. But, we do have hope. And this is what session 8 is all about. Ideas and innovations have given us hope to achieve sustainability as well as development. A video showed at the start of the lesson left a message – it’s all about rethinking ideas. And I believe that this is necessary to come up with efficient sustainable alternatives.

We face this constant worry of finite resources, finite energy and the eventual use-up of these. And we face this every day as we continually consume energy. This is why we need renewable sources – so that we will be able to eradicate these issues and survive.

Interesting Observations and Ideas (ideas and concepts that captured your attention)

Professor Shahi threw a very captivating idea in our heads – that solar energy is the next big thing.

“The sun provides more energy to the Earth in one hour than humankind currently uses in an entire year!”

If we can learn to capture all these energy, we would not have to worry about using up our limited resources, and having no more energy for the future.

Professor further emphasized that it was as if the Sun is saying to us “Use me! Use me!” every single day, and if we can “use” the Sun, we will be on our way to sustainability. This idea resonates with me because it is close to our hearts. We live in a country with a full-blown of sunshine almost every day of the year. Such energy is so precious and so available, and yet while some of us attempt to use it, others complain about its immense heat and their discomfort.  

In Australia, many have entered the system in which the solar power system is integrated into their grid system. How it works is that, citizen uses solar energy to power their homes, and if there is surplus solar energy, the energy goes into the grid system to power other homes. And by doing so, the electric bills are reduced and the government also gives renewable rebates. This form of system acts as an incentive to encourage more people to use renewable energy.

(Take a look at this website for more details on this system)

But, what we should take away from this example is that solar energy does indeed have the potential to allow us to be sustainable. We simply have to have the willingness to accept this change and invest in it. As this area of technology improves, cost will be reduced and energy absorbed may be maximized, and we will eventually be on the road to sustainability, provided that the people are willing to move away from conventional methods of attaining energy.

Key Take Away Points (the 2 or 3 key messages from the session that you intend to keep in mind going forward)

One key message that I found was important in the session was that China is ranked top leader in investment in clean energy. This means that China is actively trying to find and use alternative energy (green energy) today. And this is because China has been facing constant environmental problems, such as the heavy air pollution in Beijing.

Having learnt this information about what China is now doing to use clean energy, I believe we have learnt something important – if we do not start investing and sourcing for renewable energy now, China’s present environmental problems may be our future. Because Singapore, like China, also do have many plants and industries, and we have to constantly keep a watch out on these plants to make sure that they do not do anything damaging to our environment. But, this is only a short-term plan because there will be some form of damage as long we are using our finite resources to attain energy.

Yet, in Singapore, we also face a big problem with sustainability. How can we become sustainable when one of our biggest niches is oil refinement technology? Large international petroleum companies invest heavily in Singapore, providing jobs as well as economic benefits, and if Singapore adopts sustainable measures (like electric cars), there is a high possibility that we will lose such economically beneficial partnerships, and thereby lose market position.

This then comes down to the decision to go for monetary benefits or for environmental benefits. I think that going green and being sustainable is an inevitable path to survive and that Singapore, and eventually the entire world would have to take this route. There will be a change in dominance – petroleum companies may become “falling stars”, unless they innovate to become more sustainable.

“100% renewable energy by 2050”

was one of the big idea that was shown in class. It is a strong direction towards sustainability. And I think it will be a milestone for mankind.

But this is not a one step, fast or easy goal. Instead, it is something that will require tedious thinking and a global effort to achieve. We have already, in place, several approaches to be sustainable, such as through education, subsidies, incentives, taxation (on companies generate negative externalities), industry agreements as well as investment in new technology. These steps show that we are on our way to sustainability.

A good example would be Apple, which has in fact attained the goal of functioning on 100% renewable energy in two of their data centers. It is applaudable that a tech giant like Apple is also implementing various measures and investing heavily in renewable energy. With more large corporations leading the way towards sustainability, I believe that there will indeed be a change in the way we get our energy in future. I think the 100% renewable by 2050 plan for the entire globe will actually be successful.

(For clearer footage, please go to Apple's website)

However, I think a key message to keep in mind is that it is essential for everyone to collaborate in order to achieve sustainability. And to do so, we have to be open to adopt such new technology. 

Issues for Further Discussion (stuff you wish had been considered or given more air-time in class – and why)

I think it would have been interesting to hear more about other green technology and other methods that are available to help us to reach the goal to use 100% renewable energy. There are many more projects (hydro, geothermal, wind…) that are going on to attain more renewable energy efficiently.

It also got me thinking that other than the present projects, can we actually make use of natural disasters to generate energy? Natural disasters, though destructive, are also great energy sources. On this webpage, the author discusses briefly about his ideas to use energy from natural disasters (earthquake, tsunami, hurricanes…) to generate electricity. I think this would be an interesting topic to discuss about. Indeed, it would be fascinating if we could capture energy from lightning and change it to fit our use.

There are many things around us that we can make use of. It is all about innovation and the courage to take risk. 

Personal Ratings for Session (how you would rate the session on a scale of 0 to 10. Feel free to be as subjective as you like in your assessment)

I want to give this session a 10/10. I really enjoyed all the new ideas about alternative energy (green). The ideas from the presentations by individuals were refreshing and captivating. It is truly exciting to hear about existing new technology. There is a clearer sense of where the world is heading. And maybe, we do not need to worry so much about sustainability in the near future because of the various green technologies surfacing.