How can renewable energy utilization minimize the impact of global warming?
Abstract: Recent years have seen an increase in natural disasters such as forest fires, severe droughts, unseasonal storms, and rising sea levels, all of which are a result of human-induced global warming. This warming is caused by excessive greenhouse gas emissions, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being one of the main contributors. Transportation and electricity generation are the main sources of CO2 production, accounting for more than 30% each by burning fossil fuels. The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns have demonstrated the impact of human activities on greenhouse gas emissions, with an 11% reduction in emissions from 2019 to 2020. In recent years, there has been a trend towards using low or non-emitting resources to generate electricity and increasing the use of high-efficiency appliances by end-users, which has resulted in a 21% decrease in greenhouse emissions since 1990. Renewable energy is the primary driver of this shift towards non-emitting power production, with 20% of electricity generated in the US coming from renewable sources in 2022. Renewable energy is energy from sources that are naturally replenishing, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
This lecture will cover a variety of topics related to climate change, energy, and the environment. We will delve into the causes and consequences of climate change and explore the various concepts related to energy generation and consumption. Additionally, we will discuss multiple energy resources and the pros and cons of each one, including renewable and non-renewable sources. This lecture aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the energy industry and its impact on the environment.
Bio: Mohsen Jahandardoost is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), with a focus on the stability of thin-film solar cells. He has a dual master's degree in mechanical engineering and solar and renewable energy from UNLV and has also gained nearly a decade of professional experience in the industry. His areas of research expertise include degradation of solar devices, solar energy system design, energy modeling of buildings, net-zero construction, and LEED. He is currently serving as a mentor for the University of Cincinnati's solar decathlon team, as appointed by the Department of Energy.
