From Rooftops to Algae Pools: Orlando’s Vision for Carbon-Free Energy

This article starts off by addressing the obvious, Orlando has been a long time destination

for tourists. However, it is now trying for a new ‘title’ and goal, to wear down on carbon based

energy. The first example that is provided of Orlando’s attempts to clean up their energy is

within the ponds found all over the city that collect the runoff from rainstorms. Within the ponds

there are floating solar panels that rise and fall in the water and send power to the grids across

the city. Another example is the 18-20,000 solar panels that sit on top of traffic lights to help

power the lights. Another attempt is seen in the way that city officials capture the emissions and

put them into algae pools rather than releasing them into the air. Orlando itself has set a goal to

generate all of its electricity from carbon free sources by 2050. Their first step towards this goal

is to have 8% of electricity generation come from solar energy by 2020.

Overall I think this article does a great job of recognizing Orlando’s next steps to cleaner

energy generation. I would suggest reading this if you want to get a sense of what big cities are

beginning to do in order to reduce their carbon emissions. I would change the layout of this

article a little bit and make it more organized in order to help flow into the positive information

rather than gives bits and pieces here in there. I think it was interesting to learn about the unique

technique of using algae pools to capture emissions, and I also liked learning about how many

solar panels they have began to install across the city. Finally I think that the statistics they

provided were really strong and were able to give me, and hopefully others, more insight into

how they are actively working on this issue as a city.

From Rooftops to Algae Pools: Orlando‘s Vision for Carbon-Free Energy. (2018,
August 30). Retrieved October 9, 2018, from The New York Times website:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/30/business/energy-environment/
orlando-carbon-climate.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FSolar%20Energy&action=
click&contentCollection=energy-environment®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&versi
on=latest&contentPlacement=10&pgtype=collection
 Energy Department Announces $11.4 Million for new projects to Advance Drilling for
Geothermal Energy
This article begins by stating that on October 9th, 2018 the U.S Department of Energy

announced projects to advance geothermal energy development that will total to be about $11.4

million. These projects will be for the advancement of research and technology for geothermal

systems and geothermal energy in America. The article then includes a quote from the U.S

senator Rick Perry saying, “​Geothermal energy is a clean and efficient base-load energy

resource, making it an important part of our nation’s diverse energy portfolio.” in order to

emphasis the importance of continuing this research. The article then continues on to provide

some basic information of geothermal energy as it is now in the U.S. It states that geothermal

energy is currently mainly used in western states where about 3.8 GW is put on the electricity

grid. One of their main goals is to continue the innovation of these technologies in order for them

to be more affordable, and used more frequently. The article then concludes with a list of

projects that have already been scheduled.

I think this article is interesting to read because it gives a very recent and important

update to America about how the government and energy department is planning on stepping

away from nonrenewable energy sources. I like how they include the specific projects in order to

give people a sense of where all of this money is being put forth, and also gives people the

opportunity to decide how they personally feel. Overall I would recommend taking a look at this

article to get a sense of what is going on ​now​ and how it could possibly affect us later on.

Energy Department Announces $11.4 Million for New Projects to Advance Efficient
Drilling for Geothermal Energy. (2018, October 9). Retrieved October 11,
2018, from US Department of Energy website: https://www.energy.gov/articles/

energy-department-announces-114-million-new-projects-advance-efficient-drilling-geothermal
 Global warming will boost UK wind power, study suggests

This article first starts off discussing the effects of climate change. For example, rising

sea levels due to melting ice caps, desertification, and mass extinction of species all due to

extreme increase in temperatures. The article then goes on that these effects aren’t always

noticed by all. However, scientists suggest that due to the increase in wind within the UK, due to

the change in temperature, they could benefit immensely off of wind turbines. By using the data

from the 282 wind that are already onshore from over the past 11 years they predict that the UK

could have a 10% increase to their wind energy generation if temperatures continue to rise.

Overall this article provides great information and statistics. However, I think that the

author could have done a better job providing background to the UK based off of past energy

generation standpoints. I thought it was interesting how an increase in temperature could increase

wind, which would then allow for an increase in energy production from the existing turbines. I

would hope that the UK has plans to install even more wind turbines in order to start harvesting

even more energy and start to switch over to this method completely.

Global warming will boost UK wind power, study suggests. (2018, May 17).
Retrieved October 9, 2018, from Independent website:
https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/
wind-power-uk-global-warming-climate-change-british-antarctic-survey-a8354956.htm
l
 America Still Uses A Lot Of Nonrenewable Energy: The Pros And Cons

This article begins by addressing the obvious, renewable sources are being to rapidly

grow. However, America still relies heavily on the nonrenewable sources such as coal, natural

gas, oil, and uranium. The article states that it is almost impossible to imagine today’s western

standard of living without these non-renewables. The article then addresses that each type of

nonrenewable has their pros and cons. Finally the article finishes out with 5 different types of

nonrenewable energy sources, hydrocarbons, oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium, and discusses a

few pros and cons to each and how to adapt in order to change energy sources faster.

Overall I really like this article because I think it had minimal bias and really focused on

statistics and facts in order to let its readers decide how they felt about these different sources of

energy. I also think it was written in a professional manner where it addressed the two different

sides, renewable and nonrenewable, and provided insite to each. I would recommend looking at

this article in order to get information on specific types of nonrenewable sources, and in order to

further your own research into one of the different sources mentioned.

America Still Uses A Lot Of Nonrenewable Energy: The Pros And Cons. (2017,
January 20). Retrieved October 10, 2018, from Forbes website:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/uhenergy/2017/01/20/
were-still-using-a-lot-of-nonrenewable-energy-that-has-pros-and-cons/
#1544f6b565d2
 Company suspected of using plant closures to get subsidies

The article begins with the strong statement, “​Coal plant closures have become routine in

2018. American utilities plan to close roughly 13.5 gigawatts of coal capacity this year, the

second-highest annual total on record.” The article then continues on to talk about how power

companies have had very small impacts on the decisions being made due to bankruptcy, but

these frustrations have led aggressive lobbying and demand to help ally their coal and nuclear

facilities. Due to the possible closure of the massive facilities in politically important states they

have begun to strategize by pairing up with companies directly linked with Trump. The rest of

the article touches on the different ways the coal plants are attempting to resist retirement and

how to fight back against the FirstEnergy company in order to remain in business.

I felt as if this article was centered towards the right wing side of politics and had a bias

in favor of coal. However, I felt that the information was represented well and seemed to be

accurate based off of statistics and what I have previously read in the news. If someone were to

use this as a primary source of knowledge I would recommend also researching another article

from the other point of view in order to compare and contrast them.

Company suspected of using plant closures to get subsidies. (2018, September 6).
Retrieved October 10, 2018, from E&E News website: https://www.eenews.net/
stories/1060095945
 Foretelling the Future of Oil

The future of oil seems as if it will soon be coming to an end from the way this article discusses

it. The article talks a lot about how due to the planned goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

they believe that the oil industry will slowly begin to die down. However, large companies aren’t

worried about lack of business. They are hopeful that they’re distribution of natural gasses will

remain strong looking into the future and the cleaner ways of producing energy. They are also

hopeful that the bubbles that sometimes arise from oil wells will be able to be used for the

production of hydrogen for fuel cells that will help limit the amount of gas needed in cars.

Overall the oil companies and contenders are not looking to completely banish oil, but look for

other ways to use it that cause less harm to the environment.

I think this article does a nice job discussing how oil can be good and be bad for our

environment. I also think that it comes from a pretty non bias source and does a good job

representing both sides/standing from a neutral perspective. I would recommend this article to

people who want more insight into the oil companies and how they work regarding around new

regulations and goals set for the future.

Foretelling the Future of Oil. (2018, October 9). Retrieved October 10, 2018,
from The New York Times website: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/09/
business/
foretelling-the-future-of-oil.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOil%20and%20Gas
oline&action=click&contentCollection=energy-environment®ion=stream&module=stre
am_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection