Environmental Issues
I. Introduction A. Topic: Electric Vehicle Technology 1. Hook: When we think of environmental ethics, we think about how our actions affect our environment and how our environment affects us. 2. Research Questions : A. What is the relationship with renewable energy and environmental ethics? B. How does electric vehicles fit into renewable energy and environmental ethics? C. what is the power grid D. Is the growth of electric vehicles sustainable through the power grid 3. Working Thesis: Using renewable energy with the power grid has certain problems with sustainability. B. Context 1. Background Information on Topic/Historical Timeline: electric vehicles have seen a boost in sales. However, there are have been problems with renewable energy sustainability and the power grid balance. 2. Ethical Framework: What ethical frameworks will your team deploy to help develop analysis of the topic? 3. Audience: those looking into buying electric vehicles. Why they should decide on buying electric vehicles. Ethical Implications Use headings as needed below to better define your sections [The first two heading levels get their own paragraph, as shown here. Headings 3, 4, and 5 are run-in headings used at the beginning of the paragraph.] [Heading 2]1 [To add a table of contents (TOC), apply the appropriate heading style to just the heading text at the start of a paragraph and it will show up in your TOC. To do this, select the text for your heading. Then, on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, click the style you need.] [Heading 3]. [Include a period at the end of a run-in heading. Note that you can include consecutive paragraphs with their own headings, where appropriate.] [Heading 4]. [When using headings, don’t skip levels. If you need a heading 3, 4, or 5 with no text following it before the next heading, just add a period at the end of the heading and then start a new paragraph for the subheading and its text.] (Last Name, Year) [Heading 5]. [Like all sections of your paper, references start on their own page. The references page that follows is created using the Citations & Bibliography feature, available on the References tab. This feature includes a style option that formats your references for APA 6th Edition. You can also use this feature to add in-text citations that are linked to your source, such as those shown at the end of this paragraph and the preceding paragraph. To customize a citation, right-click it and then click Edit Citation.] (Last Name, Year) References Last Name, F. M. (Year). Article Title. Journal Title, Pages From – To. Last Name, F. M. (Year). Book Title. City Name: Publisher Name. Angel Astorga A. Section 3: Renewable energy and the power grid has certain problems with sustainability. 1. Main ideas: Is the growth of electric vehicles sustainable through the power grid? a. Technology: When thinking of electric vehicles, charging, and the power grid, we must include charging stations out in town and at home. As these the number in electric vehicles and chargers grows, the power grid and sustainability must be focused on. b. Ethics: Our groups ethical angle is that we want to provide enough information about renewable energy and whether or not the power grid will be able to keep up with the demand. c. Which areas of analysis will you engage with: social, cultural, economic, or political? Renewable energy and the discussions around it are typically economic or political, but we will also investigate the social aspects and how society plays a part in everything. 2. Evidence: a. A U.S. Department of Energy study found that increased electrification across all sectors of the economy could boost national consumption by as much as 38% by 2050, in large part because of electric vehicles. The environmental benefit of electric cars depends on the electricity being generated by renewables. b. Other information about different renewable energies and advanced power grids need to be collected 3. Connection to Thesis: Information provided in this section will help show whether electric vehicles really are helping the environment and whether or not the growth in vehicles and chargers will negatively impact the grid. 4. Relation to other subsections: This section supports other subsections because it will solidify the information that is being provided. The order and transition areas of the team project will be supported by this section because it ties in with all of the other facts being provided. III. Conclusion A. What are you proposing to achieve with your project? To show the benefits of electric vehicles. To show that the problems with the power grid are being resolved. To show that we are being able to keep up with the renewable energy demand of more electric vehicle sales. B. What will be the call to action for your audience? The call to action would be to think about purchasing electric vehicles. Consider the following thoughts when working on the required sections of your Impact Analysis. Social How has this technology been received, accepted, or rejected? Why? Is it feared or favored? What is the attitude toward change? How are the developers trying to sell the technology to the general public? Look at attitudes, feelings (emotions), behaviors, personality, and the ways humans change as a result of this technology. What is being thought and why? Is the human mind impacted? How? Are interactions between people changing as a result? Who is included or excluded, and why? Look at groups and organizations that have arisen and prospered because of this technology. Are these groups supportive or antagonist, and why? How does the technology change society, or how does society change in response to the technology? What factors in society led to the development in the first place? What do class, gender roles, race, norms, and so forth mean in this context? Who will benefit from the technology, and who might be harmed (this might also belong in ethics and morals section)? Look at the workplace, new companies, and/or jobs created, jobs lost (or save this for the economics section). Look at roles—subgroups and people′s interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Cultural Consider the elements that comprise the culture and subcultures. Think about technologies in relation to their global impact and reach. What role does technology play in globalization? Global movements and politics? Universal ethics? What cultural products are a result of emergent technology? How have art, music, film, and other forms of artistic expression adapted and shifted to address advances or concerns over technology, ethics, and environmental impact? How is artistic production an important mirror through which to glean insights about contemporary realities? Political Look at government policy, government intervention, government involvement (support or lack of support, funding), both nationally and internationally. Consider Congress, the president, the Supreme Court (decisions), the rate of change, liberalism, conservatism, legislation, litigation, and so on. What political factors are at work in the progression or regression of the technology (e.g., lobbyists, special interest groups, partisan views, vocal advocates, or spokespersons)? What are current political debates that your selected technology intersects with? What are potential impacts and resolutions? Economic Consider production, consumption, costs, variables of supply and demand, corporations, private enterprise, and the impact on the nation′s economy (employment, displacement, and outsourcing). Are certain industries impacted more than others? Look up financial projections—expectations for growth, startup companies, the stock exchange, and the like—anything related to business and the U.S. and global economies. Who are the chief players in the business environment, and what are their roles? How much has been invested in research and development? How will the price fluctuate? What economic trends are to be observed? Who will make money from the technology? Consider the politics of development. Who is funding the research and development? Who controls the purse strings, and why? Look at foundations and charitable organizations, the outcomes, and the nature of consumers. Be sure to use charts and tables and quantitative data in this section. Tables, figures, data, and statistics must be current, valid, and used appropriately. Environmental Consider such things as dangers to humans, the depletion of resources, air and water pollution, discovery before inventions, impact on wildlife and humans (health and safety), long-term and short-term effects, waste disposal, and aesthetic considerations (how the technology changes the landscape). Consider the positive effects (savings of raw materials or fossil fuels, low environmental impact, and enhancement of the environment). Practice makes perfect. Please be sure to practice your oral presentation to ensure that you are comfortable with the material and can stick to the time constraints. ALSO NEEDS TITLE AND REFERENCES PAGES. MAY INCLUDE ADDITIONAL GRAPHS.
Answer
Abstract
As technology continues to advance and as individuals seek feasible strategies to promote
health and and life and reduce the effects of global warming, there came electric vehicles. Over
the last few years, electric vehicle technology has significantly improved and increased use of
electric powered vehicles is anticipated to increase not only in the United States but also the rest
of world especially in developing countries such as China and Japan. Increased use of EVs will
help to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions into the atmospheres if the electricity used to charge
these vehicles is generated from sustainable and renewable sources and utilities and the
government can find ways to manage the increased demand for electricity. The use for electric
vehicles has increased surpassing the number of power plants or the electricity produces in each,
creating concerns on whether renewable energy and power grid can bring sustainability.
Keywords: technology, electric vehicles, sustainability, power grid, renewable energy.
3
Table of Contents
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………. 4
Sustainability in the power grid ……………………………………………………. 5
a. Technology …………………………………………………………………… 5
b. Ethics …………………………………………………………………………. 5
c. Areas of analysis ……………………………………………………………… 6
Evidence ………………………………………………………………………………. 7
a. Environmental impacts of electric cars ……………………………………… 7
b. Renewable energies and advanced power grids ……………………………… 7
Connection to thesis …………………………………………………………………… 9
Relation to other subsections …………………………………………………………. 10
References ………………………………………………………………………………. 11
4
Problems with the Power Grid and Renewable Energy to maintain Sustainability
Introduction
As technology continues to advance and as individuals seek feasible strategies to promote
health and and life and reduce the effects of global warming, there came electric vehicles. Over
the last few years, electric vehicle technology has significantly improved. By the end of 2018,
electric vehicles had reached a total of 2.1% in the United States which was a 75% increase in
EV sales from 2017 (Truesdell, 2019). The use of electric-powered vehicles is anticipated to
increase in the United States and the rest of the world, especially in developing countries such as
China and Japan (Dharmakeerthi, Mithulananthan and Saha, 2011). Increased purchases and use
of electric cars will profoundly reduce the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere if the
electricity used to charge these vehicles is generated from sustainable and renewable sources.
Power companies and governments can develop and implement various strategies to manage and
meet the increased demand for electricity. The use of electric vehicles has increased, surpassing
the number of power plants or the electricity produced in each, creating concerns on whether
renewable energy and power grid can bring sustainability.
5
1. Sustainability in the Power Grid
a. Technology. Over the past decades, companies and governments globally have been
handling the overwhelming problem of air pollution from CO2 emissions by providing numerous
resources towards improving air quality. With this in mind, both the public and private sectors
need to invest in clean energy technology and encourage electric vehicles rather than
conventional vehicles. The transportation sector produces about 14% of greenhouse gas
emissions in the atmosphere (Longo, Yaici, and Foiadelli, 2018). Nevertheless, there are multiple
choices to feasible clean technologies for transportation, including electric vehicles. Increased
use and production of electric vehicles drive the need for more charging stations both out in town
and at home. Also, utilities need to enhance or upgrade the existing infrastructures or build new
ones to handle the increasing electricity demand (Sioshansi, 2020). Nonetheless, increased
electric vehicles' use is likely to cause problems with renewable energy and the power grid.
b. Ethics. Electric vehicles increase risks for power grids, such as maximized peak load
and impact transformers and substations. Nevertheless, electricity companies can employ various
strategies to manage and ensure that the power grid can meet electricity demand, such as
managed charging. Managed charging enable power companies to remotely control when and
where individuals can charge their vehicle batteries by turning them on and off and increasing or
reducing the power to meet the grid supply more efficiently (Myers, 2019). This way, utilities
can distribute the charging hours across off-peak hours and when there is high renewable energy
production. The source of electricity used depends on the time of the day, specifically when there
is sunlight for solar energy, and at night, when there is strong wind and individuals can use wind
energy (Gonzalez, 2015). Managed charging mainly relies on company infrastructure and
communication signals sent to a car’s system to control a charging event. (Myers, 2019).
6
Nonetheless, EV users must cooperate with utility companies to ensure that the power grid can
meet the electricity demand retaining sustainability.
c. Areas of analysis. The increased use of electric vehicles has had significant impacts on
different sectors in people’s lives. More specifically, this report focuses on electric vehicles'
impact on the social, cultural, economic, and political sectors. Electric cars will boost the
economies in different companies, states, and the world due to the increased demand for electric
vehicles in both developed and developing countries. They also enhance social lives by
improving the health and overall wellbeing of individuals and the environment. Plug-in vehicles
generally minimize individuals depending on fossil fuel-powered vehicles, reducing the carbon
dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Electricity from wind, solar, and geothermal energy is
cleaner and cheaper, producing less global warming pollution than conventional vehicles
(Chatzikomis, Spentza, and Mamalis, 2014). Less CO2 in the atmosphere minimizes air
pollution, which improves individuals’ health and their functioning in the community. New
electric vehicle technologies have also improved political collaboration between different
countries as different nations join the fight against global warming by advocating new clean
energies (Truesdell, 2019). According to Truesdell (2019), the adoption of plug-in vehicles has
also driven states and nations to develop specific laws to promote the production of electric
vehicles. For instance, Colorado increased its efforts to increase EV adoption when the Colorado
Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) adopted a new zero-emission vehicle standard
(Truesdell, 2019). This shows the commitment put in by political organizations to minimize CO2
emissions by using more electric cars.
7
2. Evidence
a. Environmental Impact of electric cars. Over the last decade, there have been more
purchases of electric vehicles. Increased electric vehicles' use grows the economy by increasing
national and global electricity consumption (Longo, Yaici, and Foiadelli, 2018). More so,
electric cars have significant impacts on the environment. They help minimize the effects of
global warming by reducing people’s dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere. It is also beneficial to users as it is highly efficient than gas-powered cars and
requires less maintenance. Electric vehicles are the most sustainable modes of transportation.
Unlike hybrid cars, they run only on electric power. Depending on how that power is produced,
EVs can 100% run on sustainable renewable energy sources, which is highly beneficial to the
environment (Longo, Yaici, and Foiadelli, 2018). EVs emit no tailpipe or direct emissions. Thus
they are more eco-friendly than other vehicles. Nonetheless, when determining the eco-
friendliness of EVs, one must also consider well-to-wheel emissions. This involves the air and
gas pollutants emitted when producing and distributing the power used to power an electric car.
Electricity production also results in emissions depending on the resource. Thus, individuals
should consider using electricity from natural gases, solar, geothermal, and wind resources.
b. Renewable energies and advanced power grids. High share and demand for electric
cars require substantial additional generation of electricity, which may not be possible in the
absence of coordinated investment, putting more stress on the electricity infrastructure. As a
result, in the last few years, power companies have taken more interest in producing renewable
sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy. Increased use of electric vehicles
has increased electricity consumption in the United States and globally, leading to problems in
the power grid and creating the need to produce renewable energies and advanced power grids
8
(International Renewable Energy Agency, 2015). More specifically, power companies enhance
the power grids and integrate renewable energies into their power grids to ensure sustainability in
power provided at the charging stations. Fundamentally, renewable energy technologies have
enabled electricity generation distributed using an advanced power grid system, allowing
individuals to sufficiently charge their vehicles and provide enough power for home and office
use.
9
3. Connection to thesis
Considering the above data, it is appropriate to say that electric vehicles help preserve
and conserve the environment by using energy resources with little to no greenhouse gas
emissions. The increased use of electric vehicles and charging stations in the United States and
across the globe have adversely impacted the power grid leading to power outages and power
shortages. However, managed charging systems and the integration of renewable energies can
help to bring and maintain sustainability.
10
4. Relation to other subsections
The advancement in technology, mainly electric vehicle technologies, has contributed
significantly to Electric vehicles currently widely accepted and used globally. The continuous
use of fossil fuel-powered automotive has dramatically contributed to global warming. The
earth’s climate changes have driven individuals, businesses, and governments to advocate for
cleaner renewable energies in the transport sector. This has contributed profoundly to the
increased production and use of electric vehicles. Increased electricity consumption has led to
various issues with sustainability in the power grid and renewable energy.
Nonetheless, current technologies and managed charging systems can reduce these issues
experienced in the power grid. Managed charged involves monitoring electricity usage and
powering on and off or increasing or decreasing the power supply on car batteries to ensure even
distribution of power in a particular region. Also, integrating renewable energies such as solar,
wind, and geothermal energy into the power grid has greatly helped bring sustainability.
Fundamentally, electric vehicles have had significant impacts on economic, political, cultural
and social aspects as individuals continually choose cleaner energies over fossil fuels. In the
future, electric cars and renewable energy will continue to help in the preservation and general
growth of human beings and the environment.
11
References
Chatzikomis, C. I., Spentzas, K. N., & Mamalis, A. G. (2014). Environmental and economic
effects of widespread introduction of electric vehicles in Greece. European Transport
Research Review, 6(4), 365-376.
Dharmakeerthi, C. H., Mithulananthan, N., & Saha, T. K. (2011, November). Overview of the
impacts of plug-in electric vehicles on the power grid. In 2011 IEEE PES Innovative
Smart Grid Technologies (pp. 1-8). IEEE.
Gonzalez, M. (2015). How will electric cars affect the energy grid? World Economic
Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/02/how-will-electric-cars-affect-the-
energy-grid/
International Renewable Energy Agency. (2015). IRENA – International Renewable Energy
Agency. https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2015/IRENA-
ETSAP_Tech_Brief_Power_Grid_Integration_2015.pdf
Longo, M., Yaïci, W., & Foiadelli, F. (2018). ‘Electric vehicles integrated with renewable energy
sources for sustainable mobility. In New Trends in Electrical Vehicle Powertrains (pp.
203-223). IntechOpen.
Myers, E. (2019, March 28). Beyond load growth: The EV managed charging opportunity for
utilities. SEPA. https://sepapower.org/knowledge/beyond-load-growth-ev-managed-
charging-opportunity-utilities/
Sioshansi, F. (2020, July 21). The impact of electric vehicles on electricity demand. Energy
Post. https://energypost.eu/the-impact-of-electric-vehicles-on-electricity-demand/
12
Truesdell, W. (2019, August 16). Politicians are starting to care about electric
vehicles. EVmatch. https://blog.evmatch.com/politicians-are-starting-to-care-about-
electric-vehicles/
