Week 9

First session after our break from Recess week led us to talk about energy! Oh how we need the energy to continue studying till week 14 :((((((( But that wasn't the kind of energy we were talking about today, instead we spoke about the various types of energy, and how important it is for humankind to keep going in the search of new sources of energy, since old ones are running out.

Prof pointed us to one of his many quotes again and today's read this:

The days of fossil fuels are numbered. Renewable energy will drive the Green Revolution.

- Gurinder Shahi

This is definitely true in all sense of it, as sources of energy used in the past are fast depleting, with people consuming more energy than they actually should. This use of energy can be attributed to various sources, like the use of energy as a source of national income, energy for the poor, and energy for transportation technology. Such usages can perhaps be advantageous in helping a country grow economically, but what it fails to realise is that our consumption is more than the availability, leading us to the road of energy deficit in the near future.

Hence, people have turned to research on renewable and sustainable energy, that are better options for everyone to turn to. Renewable technology are naturally replenished, and hence would not run out anytime soon, or ever for that matter. Some of these include solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy. I guess my favourite for Singapore would definitely be SOLAR ENERGY! Since it's always so hot here, we might as well put the heat into some use.

Solar energy has been put in place all over the world, with solar panels covering huge acres of land, and in turn generating a substantial amount of energy! One hurdle for singapore would be our lack of land space, but one solution would be installing these solar panels on rooftops (since we always like to go upwards). From what I know, my alma mater, SAJC, has previously installed solar panels on the rooftops, and it was said that even though it provides only a small portion of energy, it is no doubt still helping to contribute to energy consumption. In fact, SAJC was in the news yesterday about these solar panels! And it was talking about how Dr Amy Khor, senior parliamentary secretary for the ministry of environment and water resources, mentioned that this solar energy project "takes Singapore further in realising its goal of switching to clean energy technologies". Here is a picture of the solar panels, dr amy khor, and my principal, haha.

Apart from solar panels being installed in SAJC, Singapore has also progressed to install solar panels atop Changi Airport's Budget Terminal. It is said to save up to $60,000 annually and can convert about 346,750 kilowatt hours of energy each year! I'd say it's definitely worth the investment and proves that even a small country like Singapore, with limited land space, can still do its part in helping conserve energy globally. And again, here's a photo of the solar panels, with a plane flying in the background!

Also, in reading 5, it brought to my attention the vast number of sources of energy we can tap on! These include wind power, solar power, solar photovoltaic power, geothermal, solar thermal & ocean energy! T'was quite cool, I thought. And perhaps we should indeed turn to such renewable sources of energy, and fully make use of what's given to us naturally.

This brings me to remember about how one presentation mentioned reusing CO2 exhausted from cars, to power cars! It's like you don't even have to use petrol and diesel anymore (and what more about fossil fuels), cause what you produce from your car can drive it! No pun intended. But seriously if such a thing came to light and use one day, it's gonna put oil and petrol companies out of business, and that was something we discussed in class as well. But I like that thought, though, that we can save money on petrol, and use it to buy more cars!!!!!!!! Ok, you know I'm kidding.

One other highlight of the lesson was this animation that Prof showed us, which I thought brought the message of the problems that global warming bring, and how new ideas and new technologies can help conserve what we have. Going green, and using cleaner technologies, friendlier to the environment, can help us use energy more efficiently. Here's the video!

So all in all, my key takeaway for today's session is that turning to alternative sources of energy would be a decision well-made. And it would leave countries with more hope than regret as such sources of technology can conserve the fragile environment that we live in, and is no doubt a good investment.

And to end off, i'd rate today's lesson an 8/10 as I can finally see some use of Singapore's sweltering heat other than making us perspire like mad dogs.