Rachel Weidner

English 102-125
Padgett
7 February 2016

Why Are Alternative Energy Sources A Bad Thing?

Personal Context:

Adam Padgett 3/4/2016 5:38 PM

Comment [1]: Are they? I feel like this
inquiry question was reverse engineered,
which is to say: I think you started with a
thesis and came up with a question. Otherwise,
Im not sure why youd ask this particular
question.

As a student, I first began learning of renewable energy in high school. However, my

teacher focused only on the positives of them. I very well understood renewable
resources several benefits, but wondered if they had any drawbacks whatsoever. Also, I
questioned whether the harmful effects they could potentially inflict on the environment
should go unnoticed. In my daily life, I can see renewable energy in action. Whether Im
driving on an open road and spot large wind turbines turning in the distance, or see a
solar panel on my neighbors rooftop, I am constantly surrounded by alternative energy,
which makes me believe it should not be ignored. It is constantly stressed in the media
and politics that we should be going green and preserving the planets fleeting resources,
which makes this is an important question to investigate.

Sources:

Solars Green Dilemma by Dustin Mulvaney

Adam Padgett 3/4/2016 5:42 PM

Comment [2]: Are we talking batteries?

Adam Padgett 3/4/2016 5:41 PM

Comment [3]: Where are you seeing wind
turbines?
Adam Padgett 3/4/2016 5:41 PM
Comment [4]: Yes, these are becoming
more prevalent, arent they?
Adam Padgett 3/4/2016 5:42 PM
Comment [5]: Not sure if Id say
surrounded

The article primarily provides information on the negative effects of solar panel
production. It focuses on the toxicity, improper disposal, cost, and water waste that factor
into the production of photovoltaics. Mulvaney also describes solutions that are in the
making to improve the wastefulness and dangers of solar panel production.

Mulvaney urges readers to not ignore, but become informed on both the benefits
and drawbacks of solar energy. He is well educated on the subject, and seems to have
great interest in what he is writing about. The article stresses that all aspects of alternative
energy sources should be brought to attention.

Dustin Mulvaney is an assistant professor of environmental studies at San Jose

State University. He focuses on solar energy, biofuel, and natural gas
industries. Mulvaney is clearly educated on the topic of the article, which establishes
credibility and makes the facts and resources provided more reasonable. The magazine in
which the article was published,IEEE Spectrum, is the official magazine of the largest
professional engineering and applied science organization.
Impact of Hybrid Wind and Hydroelectric Power Generation on the Operational
Performance of Isolated Power Systems
by Loukas Daoutis and Evangelos Dialynas

In this article, research on isolated, stationary power systems, which includes both
wind turbines and hydroelectric power plants, is discussed. In the essay, the authors
provide overviews of both energy sources, and investigates their impacts on the

Adam Padgett 3/4/2016 5:43 PM

Comment [6]: Does he have actual
recommendation? Like to use them anyway?
Or is there a call to find better production
methods?

environment. Daoutis and Dialynas also provide a specific example, called the MonteCarlo simulation approach, that can calculate the reliability of a power system.

The main point of Daoutis and Dialynas essay is to reflect on the recent research
of the topic. The piece presents information on increasing technology that could make
alternative energy sources more efficient and eco-friendly.

Loukas Daoutis and Evangelos Dialynas are two electrical engineering specialists
who received education from the National Technical University of Greece. The essay was
originally published in volume 79 of the journal of Electric Power Systems Research.
Since the piece is based primarily on statistical research and evidence, little bias is
displayed from the authors.
Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy by the U.S. Department of Energy
Wind energy, which is produced with large turbines that can capture wind and
convert it to power, is another well-known alternative energy source. The U.S.
Department of Energy published an official list of its advantages and disadvantages.
Some advantages are that it is clean, sustainable, and wind is abundant. Some challenges
are that wind turbines can threaten wildlife, and that wind sites are often located in
remote locations.

The published list of the advantages and challenges of wind energy is primarily used
to inform its readers. While it doesntargue whether the energy source is good or bad, it

exists to educate readers and shows that wind energy cannot be beneficial to the
environment without having some drawbacks.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a cabinet-level department of the United States

Government. The department researches energy and environmental challenges
through transformativesciences in order to increase the countrys prosperity. The
departments specific list on wind energy is strictly factual, and shows no bias at all
considering there is information present in both support of and against the energy source.

Feasibility:

Alternative energy sources having a negative impact on the environment is arguable

considering there are studies and facts that exist to support it. There are two clear sides to
the argument, and both have valid reasons to be fought for. Between the three sources
explained earlier, the issues of weather and finances are brought to attention in all of
them. These seem to be the most important influential factors that affect the energy
sources efficiency. This affects my perspective of the topic because I am now more
educated on the issue at hand. Also, despite all the great things my teacher had once
taught my class about renewable energy, I now understand that the more negative impacts
it has cannot and should not be ignored. In consideration of this, I feel the need to revise
my research question. I am considering changing my focus to the statistics of peoples
knowledge. I could narrow down and explore how people are getting information on
renewable energy, and if are they getting facts from both sides of its argument. I could

then focus my argument more on why people should know that alternative energy sources
are not always perfect and one hundred percent effective.
Rachel,
I think youve really found a compelling and interesting topic here. Your inquiry could
take you in multiple different places, which is a very good think. Your inquiry as it
stands, seems a bit broad for me. It seems like youve already answered the question of
are there harmful effects of renewables? the answer is yes. That is clear. So maybe you
could ask, what should we do about toxic byproducts of renewables? or should we
continue to mass produce renewables if there are toxic byproducts? The problem with
these questions, it seems, would be that answer is: we should invent new, better
technology. And so, where is the exigency? So, thats your task at this point: find the
exigency, and make sure your inquiry is seeking that exigency, if that makes sense.
Maybe your question could be about what are the specific ramifications of the toxic
byproducts of renewables? I dont know. Just spitballing here. Looking forward to
seeing how this develops.