Assignment

Course No- 2159

Course Title: Basic Engineering Mechanics

Topic: Review the global challenges in energy and alternative fuel as

solution.

Abstract
Our Modern civilization and development is directly or indirectly founded or established on the base of energy.
Energy, being the driving force of human industrial civilization, can only be converted in form, but not created or
destroyed. Record prices, fuel shortages, rising poverty, slowing economies: the first energy related challenges that's
truly global. Energy transition to renewable energy sources is the possible solution to the global energy crisis facing
now a day. Unlike fossil fuels, some energy sources are totally renewable, and do not emit greenhouse gases. These
clean and sustainable alternative energy solutions are mainly non-conventional and advanced fuels. Unlike fossil fuels,
some energy sources are totally renewable, and do not emit greenhouse gases. Though alternative energy is quite
effective in solving energy crises, it has some challenges that are needed to be overcome. Effective communication,
transparency, and community involvement can help overcome resistance and regulatory hurdles.

Objectives
 To have the basic knowledge about energy and energy related challenges of today and the
upcoming day
 To determine the reasons of global challenges in energy.
 To use alternative fuels as the solution of challenges in energy
 To overcome the alternative energy challenges

Introduction
Energy is a measurable attribute that moves from one entity or system to another, evident in the
accomplishment of tasks and the emission of warmth and illumination. According to the scientists’
definition, energy is the ability to do work. Modern civilization is possible because people have learned
how to change energy from one form to another and then use it to do work.

There are many forms of energy:

 Heat
 Light
  Motion
 Electrical
 Chemical
 Gravitational

These forms of energy can be grouped into two general types of energy for doing work:
 Potential or stored energy
 Kinetic or working energy
Energy can be converted from one form to another. For example, the stored chemical energy in coal or
natural gas and the kinetic energy of water flowing in rivers can be converted to electrical energy, which
can be converted to light and heat.

Record prices, fuel shortages, rising poverty, slowing economies: the first energy related crises that's truly
global Energy markets began to tighten in 2021 because of a variety of factors, including the extraordinarily
rapid economic rebound following the pandemic. But the situation escalated dramatically into a full-blown
global energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022. The price of natural gas
reached record highs, and as a result so did electricity in some markets. Oil prices hit their highest level
since 2008.
Today’s crisis involves all fossil fuels, while the 1970s price shocks were largely limited to oil at a time
when the global economy was much more dependent on oil, and less dependent on gas. The entire word
economy is much more interlinked than it was 50 years ago, magnifying the impact. That’s why we can
refer to this as the first truly global energy crisis (1). That’s why, energy transition to renewable energy
sources is the only way to solve of the global energy crises.
The global challenges in energy encompass a broad range of interconnected issues that impact economies,
societies, and the environment. Here are some key challenges:

1. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The burning of fossil fuels for energy is the largest
contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global warming and climate change. Mitigating these
emissions is crucial to limit temperature rise and avoid catastrophic environmental consequences.

2. Energy Access and Equity: Despite advancements in energy infrastructure, millions of people worldwide
still lack access to reliable and affordable energy services. Ensuring universal access to clean and
sustainable energy is essential for poverty alleviation, economic development, and social equity.

3. Energy Security and Geopolitical Tensions: Reliance on fossil fuels from politically unstable regions
can lead to energy supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions. Diversifying energy sources, enhancing
energy efficiency, and promoting renewable energy can enhance energy security and reduce geopolitical
risks.

4. Resource Depletion and Energy Transition: Fossil fuels are finite resources, and their extraction leads to
environmental degradation and resource depletion. Transitioning to renewable energy sources and
promoting energy efficiency are essential for reducing dependence on finite resources and mitigating
environmental impacts.

5. Energy Affordability: Rising energy costs can disproportionately affect low-income households and
hinder economic development. Promoting energy efficiency measures, investing in renewable energy
infrastructure, and implementing policies to mitigate energy poverty are crucial for ensuring energy
affordability.

6. Infrastructure and Grid Modernization: Aging energy infrastructure and grid systems in many regions
pose challenges to the integration of renewable energy sources and the adoption of smart grid technologies.
Upgrading infrastructure and investing in grid modernization are essential for enhancing energy reliability,
efficiency, and resilience.

7. Technological Innovation: Continued research and development are essential to drive innovation in clean
energy technologies, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and overcome technical barriers to renewable energy
deployment.

8. Energy Transitions in Developing Countries: Developing countries face unique challenges in balancing
economic growth with environmental sustainability and energy access. Supporting developing countries in
their transition to clean and sustainable energy systems is essential for achieving global climate goals and
promoting sustainable development (2).
There are many different sources of energy, but they can all be divided into two categories:
 Renewable energy sources
 Nonrenewable energy sources
Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources can be used as primary energy sources to produce useful
energy such as heat, or they can be used to produce secondary energy sources such as electricity
and hydrogen.
Alternative fuels, known as non-conventional and advanced fuels, are any materials or substances that can
be used as fuels, other than conventional fuels like; fossil fuels, as well as nuclear materials such as uranium
and
thorium, as well as artificial radioisotope fuels that are made in nuclear reactors.
Some well-known alternative fuels include
• Bio-diesel,
• Bio-alcohol (methanol, ethanol, butane)
• Refuse-derived fuel
• Chemically stored electricity (batteries and fuel cells)
• Hydrogen
• Non-fossil methane
• Non-fossil natural gas
• Vegetable oil
• Propane and
• other biomass sources.
Unlike fossil fuels, some energy sources are totally renewable, and do not emit greenhouse gases. These
clean and sustainable alternative energy solutions include solar energy, hydropower, wind energy,
geothermal energy and biomass energy etc.
Biofuels derived from organic sources like crops and algae have the potential to replace traditional gasoline
and diesel fuels. However concerns over land use food competition and sustainability of feedstock
production still need to be addressed. Hydrogen fuel cells which produce electricity through a chemical
reaction between hydrogen and oxygen offer a promising clean energy option for transportation and power
generation. The challenge lies in scaling up production infrastructure development and cost reduction to
make hydrogen competitive with traditional fuels.

Natural gas is already an alternative fuel widely used in power generation heating and transportation due to
its lower carbon intensity compared to coal and oil. However methane emissions during extraction and
distribution present environmental concerns that need to be mitigated through better monitoring and
regulations.

In addition to alternative fuels renewable energy sources like solar wind and hydropower play a critical role
in addressing global energy challenges. These sources offer clean abundant and sustainable energy solutions
that can help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Advancements in energy storage
technology are also vital to enable the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid
efficiently and reliably.
The global challenges in energy are multifaceted and deeply intertwined with issues ranging from
environmental sustainability to geopolitical tensions. Here's a review of some key challenges and how
alternative fuels offer potential solutions:
1. Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: The burning of fossil fuels for energy generation is
the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to climate change and environmental
degradation. Alternative fuels such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power offer renewable
and clean energy sources that can mitigate these impacts by reducing carbon emissions.

2. Resource Depletion: Fossil fuels are finite resources, and their extraction leads to environmental
destruction and ecosystem degradation. Transitioning to alternative fuels that rely on renewable resources
ensures a more sustainable energy future, reducing dependence on finite resources and mitigating the
environmental impacts associated with extraction.

3. Energy Security: Reliance on fossil fuels from politically unstable regions can pose significant risks to
global energy security. Alternative fuels offer decentralized and diversified energy sources, reducing
dependence on a single region or source and enhancing energy security.

4. Economic Viability: Historically, the high costs associated with renewable energy technologies have
hindered their widespread adoption. However, advancements in technology and economies of scale have
significantly reduced the cost of alternative fuels, making them increasingly competitive with traditional
fossil fuels.

5. Infrastructure and Storage: The transition to alternative fuels requires significant investment in
infrastructure and storage systems. Developing robust infrastructure for the generation, transmission, and
storage of renewable energy is crucial to realizing the full potential of alternative fuels and ensuring a
reliable energy supply.

6. Intermittency and Grid Integration: Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are intermittent,
meaning they depend on weather conditions and time of day. Overcoming the challenges of intermittency
and integrating renewable energy into existing grids require advancements in energy storage technologies,
grid management systems, and flexible demand-response mechanisms.

7. Technological Innovation: Continued research and development are essential to drive technological
innovation in alternative fuel technologies, improving efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
Investments in research and development can accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future and
address existing challenges in energy production and consumption (3).

The problems of using renewable energy:

 The high initial cost of installation. Carbon emissions are the main cause of global warming
 Lack of infrastructure
  Power Storage
 Non-renewable energy monopoly
 Lack of knowledge and awareness
 Lack of policies, subsidies, etc.

The ways of overcoming the problems of renewable energy:

I. Technological Innovation
II. Financing and Investment
III. Regulatory Hurdles
IV. Integration with Existing Grids
V. Innovation through Iteration
VI. Agile Business Models
VII. Strategic Partnerships
VIII. Community Engagement
IX. Financial Innovation (4)

To overcome the global challenges in energy and transition to alternative fuels collaboration among
governments industries and research institutions is essential. Policies supporting renewable energy
development investments in infrastructure and innovation in clean energy technologies are key to
accelerating the shift towards a more sustainable energy future. By working together to overcome these
challenges we can create a cleaner and more resilient energy system for future generations.

Conclusion
Energy, being a conserved quantity, is a measurable characteristic that moves from one entity or system to
another, evident in the execution of tasks and the emission of warmth and illumination. The global
challenges in energy underscore the imperative to transition to alternative fuels and renewable energy
sources. All the objectives of following review is fulfilled. To overcome the global challenges in energy
and transition to alternative fuels collaboration among governments industries and research institutions is
essential for a sustainable energy future.

References
1- iea 05; Global Energy Crisis; https://www.iea.org/topics/global-energy-crisis;
19.04.2024
2,3- WORLD BANK BLOGS; The Global Energy Challenges;
https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/the-global-energy-challenge; 20.04.2024
4- Linkin; Overcoming Challenges in Renewable Energy Deployment: Lessons from
the Startup World; https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overcoming-challenges-renewable-
energy-deployment-lessons-sharma-
zrkzc#:~:text=Effective%20communication%2C%20transparency%2C%20and%20communi
ty,nature%20of%20renewable%20energy%20projects.; 21.04.2024