ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ON COMPUTER SYSTEMS

ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ON COMPUTER SYSTEMS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background Of The Study

Every energy generation and transmission method affects the environment. As it is obvious, conventionally generated energy can damage the air,climate,water,land and wildlife,landscape,as well as raise the levels of harmful radiation into the atmosphere. Renewable energy implies naturally replenished energy, it is energy which comes from renewable natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat (Kumar, Garg and Buyya, 2012).

About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from hydroelectricity (NREL, 2015). New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 3% and are growing very rapidly. The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 19%, with 16% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from other new renewables.

Renewable energy technologies are substantially safer offering a solution to many environmental and social problems associated with fossil and nuclear fuels (EIA, 2017). Renewable energy technologies provide obvious environmental advantages in comparison to the conventional energy sources,thus contributing to the sustainable development of human activities  and the computer systems in particular (EIA,2017).

Not counting the depletion of the exhausted natural resources,their main advantage is related to the reduced CO₂ emissions,and,normally,absence of any air emissions or waste products during their operation. Concerning the environment,the use of renewable energies in computer systems and information communication technology in general has additional positive implications such as reduction of the emissions of the greenhouse gases (mainly CO₂,NOx) and prevention of toxic gas emissions (SO₂, particulates), reclamation of degraded land;reduction of the required transmission lines of the electricity grids; and improvement of the quality of water resources (Goldemberg, 2017).

In regard the socio-economic viewpoint the benefits of the exploitation of renewable energies comprise increase of the regional/national energy independency;  provision of significant work opportunities; diversification and security of energy supply; support of the deregulation of energy markets; and acceleration of the rural electrification in developing countries.

Environmental influence of the renewable energy on computer systems arise from the externalities of the individual projects that adopt such technology. Externalities could be positive (benefits) or negative (costs), however they are not considered through the regular market mechanism (Grimes et al., 2010). These externalities refer to the utilization of the resources and the public goods, where not all economic agents act as price takers and not all economic agents have complete information. It is against this background that this study examine the environmental influence of renewable energy on computer systems.

1. Statement Of The Problem

Continuously rising energy demand combined with increasingly limited natural resources are challenges faced by energy suppliers and users of energy for both domestics and industrial uses. The unfavourable effects of renewable energy are usually minor and they can be minimized by appropriate mitigation measures. The potential environmental burdens of renewable energy are regularly site specific,depending on the size and nature of the project. As it is obvious, these environmental impact or influence are usually associated with the loss of amenity and the impacts can be minimized by the appropriate siting of renewable energy systems,which involves careful evaluation of alternative locations and estimation of expected impact on the general populace and computer system in particular. The appropriate operational practices (including rational water use,safety measures,waste disposal practices,use of biodegradable chemicals, etc.); the engagement of the public and relevant organizations in the early stages of planning,in order to ensure public acceptance; the use of the best available technologies/techniques and the improvement of technology, the training of workers,use of special sunglasses during operation and construction,use of heat insulating uniforms,familiarization with the system etc.  Therefore, inclusion of the environmental impacts in the project evaluation is a must, using the social appraisal by applying the cost benefit analysis. It is on this note that this study examine environmental influence of renewable energy on computer systems.

1. Aim and Objectives of the Study

Aim

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of renewable energy on computer systems with the view of ascertaining its cost-benefits.

Objectives

          The specific objectives of the study include:

1. To determine the access of computer systems to renewable energy in Nigeria higher institutions.
2. To evaluate the negative effects of renewable energy on computer systems.
3. To evaluate the positive effects of renewable energy on computer systems.

1. Research Questions
2. Does computers systems have access  to renewable energy in Nigeria higher institutions?
3. What are the negative effects of renewable energy on computer systems?
4. What are the positive effects of renewable energy on computer systems?

1. Research Hypothesis

H₀₁: Computer systems in Nigeria higher institutions has no access to renewable energy.

H₀₂: Renewable energy has no negative effects on computer systems in Nigeria Higher Institutions.

H₀₃: Renewable energy has nopositive effects on computer systems in Nigeria Higher Institutions.

1. Significance of the Study

Embracing renewable energy in Nigeria Higher institutions especially the computer laboratory is a sustainable concept aimed at reducing energy cost and consumption, operation and maintenance cost, reduce energy related illness, increase the productivity and comfort of such technology, reduce waste and pollution and increase durability and flexibility. It is important that the focus of renewable energy be embraced by all as a result of its advantages over the conventional source of energy.

The findings of this study will of great significant to government authority, management of tertiary institutions and the general populace on the environmental influence of renewable energy on information and communication technology and computer systems in particular.

1. Scope of the study

This study is carried out basically to examine the environmental influence of renewable energy on computer systems. It focuses on energy consumption in the Nigeria Tertiary Institutions especially in computer laboratory of the department of computer science in Federal University Technology Minna.

1. Definition Of Terms

Renewable energy: any energy that comes from an inexhaustible source. The main examples are solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass energy.

Biomass energy: energy derived from biological sources such as trees, crops, and animal waste, which may be used for heating, for conversion to liquid fuels, or for generating electricity.

Geothermal energy: energy derived from heat in the earth, which may be used for heating or electricity production.

Hydropower: energy derived from falling water, usually in the form of electricity.

Solar energy: energy derived from the sun directly or indirectly (e.g. through production of plant biomass), usually as heat or electricity.

Tidal power: energy derived from incoming and outgoing tidal water flows, usually in the form of electricity.

Wind power: energy derived from moving air. Wind power is often in the form of electricity, though it may also be used to pump water or generate heat.