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Macroproblems Require Microsolutions: The Case For Microgrids In The U.S. Energy Infrastructure, David Howie
Macroproblems Require Microsolutions: The Case For Microgrids In The U.S. Energy Infrastructure, David Howie
Student Theses 2015-Present
This paper explores the shortcomings of the modern United States Power Grid in the face of climate change and worsening climate conditions, and seeks to explore how alternative styles of power grids could be viable replacements for current designs. The power grid is one of the most fundamental aspects of modern life, without it there would be no reliable energy supply to power devices and machinery. Oftentimes when energy generation is discussed in the United States, it only focuses on the source of generation for the energy, not the transmission of the energy. The lack of complete discussion around this …
Renovating America's Electrical Grid: Renewable Sources And Resilient Delivery, Justin O'Hare Giffee
Renovating America's Electrical Grid: Renewable Sources And Resilient Delivery, Justin O'Hare Giffee
Student Theses 2015-Present
Since the late 1800s, America’s electrical grid systems have relied primarily upon fossil fuels for sources of electricity. Due to the outdated structural foundations and glaring holes in distribution networks, the existing electrical grids struggle with electricity escaping, and modern issues such as cybersecurity, resilience, and weather-related events associated with climate change. This essay discusses ongoing problems with current electric grid systems and aims at explaining the importance of incorporating renewables as a solution for these problems into a new grid system. In the first chapter, a detailed explanation is provided regarding the current issues present in America's grid systems. …
A Greener Shade Of Blue And Yellow: Sweden's Path To Environmental Leadership, Katherine Delfay
A Greener Shade Of Blue And Yellow: Sweden's Path To Environmental Leadership, Katherine Delfay
Student Theses 2015-Present
In 2021, Sweden was identified as the world’s most sustainable country and coined as a leader in global climate action. This paper analyzes the approach that Sweden takes to maintaining their sustainability as a nation and establishing environmentalism as a core value. Sustainability has deep roots in the country’s political and economic sectors, giving Sweden potential to be the world’s first net-zero nation. The first chapter demonstrates Sweden’s proportionately low environmental impact compared to other developed nations. The United States is used as a point of comparison throughout this paper in order to emphasize the progressiveness of the Swedish government …
Remedying Renewable Energy Research: Implementation Of Green Chemistry In Laboratories, Julia Mayes
Remedying Renewable Energy Research: Implementation Of Green Chemistry In Laboratories, Julia Mayes
Student Theses 2015-Present
One of the pillars of environmental studies is the analysis of the natural world and the research being done to rectify harmful human activity on it. Laboratory components in the fields of chemistry, biology, ecology, among others, are powerful tools for learning about the way our environment works and assessing how human activities harm it. More advanced laboratories conduct research in the pursuit of new technologies to mitigate anthropogenic climate change. Concurrently, this work yields large quantities of waste. While laboratories are inherently valuable to the field of environmental science, the waste created by them raises a question of net …
Turbines Spinning Towards A Better Future: The Expansion Of Offshore Wind Farms In The United States, Noah J. Stiles
Turbines Spinning Towards A Better Future: The Expansion Of Offshore Wind Farms In The United States, Noah J. Stiles
Student Theses 2015-Present
Wind power is increasingly being used as a source of renewable energy in order to create electricity for the power grid in the United States. Among renewable energy sources, wind power comes second to hydropower in the creation of electricity for the United States, though it is on track to pass hydropower. While there are many wind farms on land, companies and the United States government are beginning to look at offshore wind farms. This paper explores the wind energy sector in the United States, while also examining wind energy’s contribution to the power grid, and its financial and natural …
Solar Panels: Lighting Our Future Path, Charles M. Woessner
Solar Panels: Lighting Our Future Path, Charles M. Woessner
Student Theses 2015-Present
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy resources accounted for 13% of electricity generation in 2015. This figure is appallingly low, and needs to be raised in order to combat the effects of climate change. This thesis discusses the problems within America’s current model of electricity production, and what can be done to update our inefficient model into one that is much more efficient and environmentally friendly. Using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, scholarly independent research, and economic projections, this thesis identifies the reasons behind the failure of the United States Government in not moving away …