![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/cop17durban\/files\/2011\/10\/dailyenergycurve.21-300x213.gif\")
<\/a>A graph of energy demand across the span of a day<\/p><\/div>\n
Many, including myself, are demanding a looking for a “renewable energy revolution<\/strong>” and a low carbon economy\u00a0<\/strong>in this country\u00a0and the rest of the world. \u00a0For the future of our children and our planet, this is something that is an absolute\u00a0necessity, but often what it lost in this thought is the concept of Base Load <\/strong>or Base Demand<\/strong>. \u00a0For those who may not know, Dictionary.com defines base load <\/strong>as “the constant or\u00a0permanent\u00a0load on a power supply”. \u00a0Essentially, all those things are run all day in your home (i.e.\u00a0refrigerators, heat, a\/c, clocks, etc.), place a demand on energy supply all of the time. \u00a0Now, how does a renewable energy system work with base load? Not very well. \u00a0At present, our base load energy requirements, as well as peak demand <\/strong>and intermediate cycling load<\/strong>\u00a0are met by fossil fuels, nuclear energy and hydro-electric power generation. \u00a0At the moment renewable energy sources, solar, wind or tidal, can not meet this demand for base load energy demand due to a couple of reasons. \u00a0The first is the\u00a0inconsistencies in energy generation; \u00a0the sun is not always shining, the wind is not always blowing, there are not always big waves in the oceans. \u00a0Now to try and deal with these problems scientists have been developing different forms of energy storage<\/strong>. \u00a0This, as it is, is the second problem with renewable energies trying to meet base load demand. \u00a0Energy storage technologies, aside from having other problems, are best suited to address intermediate cycling load and peak demand, not the base load. \u00a0So, the question becomes, how do we meet base load energy demands, while using low CO2 emitting technologies?<\/p>\n There are a number of different ways to answer this question. \u00a0I believe the first step in addressing the demand for base load energy is to lower the base load demand. \u00a0To do this two\u00a0techniques\u00a0are require, conservation<\/strong> and energy<\/strong> efficiency<\/strong>. \u00a0Energy conservation is something that is done in the home on a personal level. \u00a0Unplugging chargers, turning off lights, lowering the heat, increasing the temperature on air conditioning are just a few things that can be done. \u00a0It is\u00a0difficult\u00a0to change human behavior though, \u00a0people are often set in their ways and enjoy their\u00a0amenities. \u00a0To address this we can “trick” people with energy efficient luxuries. \u00a0When I sat trick, I do not mean to actually fool people into using energy efficient items. \u00a0By making energy efficient “blank” the standard, people will be able to, more or less, continue to enjoy their luxuries without completely altering their lifestyles. \u00a0A move to a more energy\u00a0efficient standard will also provide an\u00a0advantage\u00a0to renewable energies.\u00a0\u00a0In Renewable Revolution: Low Carbon Energy by 2030<\/a><\/em>, a Worldwatch Report by Janet l. Sawin and William Moomaw, they say “Improvements\u00a0in energy efficiency make it easier, cheaper, and faster for renewable energy to achieve a large share of total energy production, while also rapidly reducing emissions associated with energy use” (5). \u00a0Both of these techniques will help to reduce the base load demand and give renewable energy systems more viability going forward, though they do not\u00a0eliminate base load demand.<\/p>\n To meet the continuing demand for a base load while reducing CO2 emissions, a few options are\u00a0available. \u00a0Hydro-electric damns are a good way to produce a constant\u00a0amount\u00a0of energy, but there is one stipulation to that. \u00a0For hydro-electricity to be\u00a0feasible, your energy grid needs to be close to a hydro-electric damn or a water supply that can be used for producing hydro-electric energy. Another option, would be a move to biomass energy production. \u00a0Biomass is a readily\u00a0available fuel source and \u00a0if managed properly will act as its own carbon sink. \u00a0The major issues with this is that you are still producing CO2 emission and there is a very high potential for mismanagement of biomass resources. \u00a0The final way of meeting the base load demand in a low carbon manor is through nuclear energy. \u00a0Probably one of the most\u00a0controversial\u00a0energy production methods, but nuclear energy, with present\u00a0technologies\u00a0and development, has become saafe and reliable. \u00a0Though all three of these technologies, have there own issues, we do need to consider the requirement of meeting base load demand.<\/p>\n To achieve a “renewable energy revolution” we will need to combine all of these concepts and technologies. \u00a0Energy conservation\u00a0and\u00a0efficiency\u00a0will reduce our base load demand to make renewable energy technologies more viable. \u00a0To meet our continued demand, a combination of hydro-electric, nuclear and biomass will be needed to remove our reliance on the carbon intensive fossil fuels we are currently using.<\/p>\n Key Terms (in order of appearance)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Renewable Energy Revolution: <\/strong>The concept of a complete change from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy sources<\/p>\n Low Carbon Economy: <\/strong>An economy that is base around less carbon intensive technologies and energy sources<\/p>\n <\/strong>Base Load\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Base Demand:\u00a0<\/strong>the\u00a0constant\u00a0or\u00a0permanent\u00a0load\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0power\u00a0supply (www.Dictionary.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n Peak Demand:\u00a0<\/strong>a\u00a0period\u00a0in\u00a0which electrical power\u00a0is\u00a0expected\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0provided\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0sustained\u00a0period\u00a0at\u00a0a significantly\u00a0higher\u00a0than average supply level (Reference.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n Intermediate Cycling Load:\u00a0<\/strong>The range from base load to a point between base load and peak (www.iepa.com\/Glossary.asp<\/a>)<\/p>\n Energy Storage:\u00a0<\/strong>The general method and specific techniques for storing energy derived from some primary source in a form convenient for use at a later time when a specific energy demand is to be met, often in a different location (Freedictionary.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n (Energy) Conservation:\u00a0<\/strong>Reduction or elimination of unnecessary energy use and waste (UNFCCC.int<\/a>)<\/p>\n