Free Argumentative Essay About Energy Trajectory

Crosby (2007) recounts a history of energy which follows a chronological sequence of development. First relying on muscle power, humans had a low ceiling for energy consumption limited by man's own physical aptitude. This continued for millennia until coal emerged as a viable fuel for steam engines and locomotives. Using different forms of fossil fuels – particularly oil, kerosene and gasoline – energy usage witnessed major leaps in applications spanning streetlamps, steam engines and later cars. By introducing innovations in both fuels and engines, humanity had come a long way powering machines to perform much more work in much less time. Trajectory of energy follows, hence, according to Crosby, a path covering physical power, coal and oil.
Similarly, Weissenbacher (2009) believes rise and fall of nations is attributed to ability to control energy. Accordingly, human history can be divided into four main energy eras: (1) Foraging Ages, (2) Agricultural Ages, (3) Coal Age, and (4) Oil Age. Similar to Crosby's account, Weissenbacher enlists energy sources as following a path starting from man's dependency on food as a source of energy (foraging) and concluding with oil.
Hardly extrapolatable, energy path suggested by Crosby and Weissenbacher comes full circle to primordial sources of sun and water. Indeed, Weissenbacher refers to predicted crisis in oil production as resources deplete and new sources are sought. Further, renewable sources of energy – including nuclear power – are projected as possible extensions of existing energy path. Trajectory of energy seems, based on Crosby and Weissenbacher, poised to follow a renewable energy path. Indeed, given how rapidly conventional fossil fuel resources are being depleted, let alone inflicting huge damage on climate, renewable resources emerge as viable alternatives, albeit of limitations as regards costs and distribution challenges.
As matters stand, current codes as well as LEED energy credits appear to support a path of renewable energy use and decreased dependence on fossil fuel. For example, according to U.S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes: An Introduction (2010), needs are growing at accelerating rates for a review of energy use in buildings. By applying building energy codes energy costs can be reduced dramatically. Probably, most notable codes are International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) codes. These codes should ensure energy use is administered more effectively and concerned stakeholders included. Indeed, gains from applying building energy codes include, for example, reduced energy consumption, building owner cost savings as well as reduced CO2 emissions However, in order for codes to work out successfully and converge on zero energy use, collaboration is most crucial.
Further, energy codes do not only affect costs but have direct impact on building design and construction including, for example: walls, floors and ceilings; doors and windows; heating, ventilating, and cooling systems and equipment; lighting systems and equipment; and water-heating systems and equipment. Thus, by incorporating energy efficiency concepts and applications into building energy use, commercial as well as residential buildings are rendered more energy efficient. After all, any building energy use code aims at energy efficiency and hence reduce carbon footprint. Interestingly, few jurisdictions are adopting above-baseline codes – referred to alternatively as beyond-code programs, green building programs or codes, stretch codes and above-code programs.
In addition to building use codes, LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction (2014) can serve as a significant guide along a path projected from conventional energy resources to renewable ones.
For example, a baseline energy performance guide in a building, commercial or residential, could help establish a minimum energy efficiency level in order to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use. This requires a rating goal for concerned facility design. Still, energy performance can be optimized, in order to increase performance levels beyond baseline, by opting for a whole building energy simulation or by adhering to ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide. For measurement and verification purposes – which aim to offer an ongoing accountability of building energy consumption – a measurement and verification plan could be developed and implemented or a process of corrective action could be offered if measurement and verification plan results indicate energy savings are not realized. As an alternative, LEEDS proposes an on-site renewable energy guidance, which aims to promote use of on-site renewable energy self-supply to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel use, could be adopted by using on-site renewable energy systems to offset building energy costs. Ultimately, a green power guidance, which aims to promote development and use of grid-source, renewable energy innovations, could by adopted by engaging in at least a 2-year renewable energy contract to provide at least 35% of a building's electricity from renewable resources.
Energy remains a major issue which drives much, if not all, of daily business and life. In almost all human endeavors, energy has been a staple for major shifts in human history. Today, as climate change is becoming a much more pressing issue affecting health and costs, searching for alternative energy sources cannot be more urgent. According to propositions suggested by Crosby and Weissenbacher, humans appear to come full circle from dependence on primordial sources of energy such as sun and water, introduction of coal and, later oil, has much revolutionized how humans use energy. However, risks of using conventional energy sources such as fossil fuel are far outweighing gained benefits. Thus, a path has been drawn as an energy roadmap for future use. As well, a set of codes – mandated or voluntary – are increasingly being applied in order to help use energy more efficiently. Moreover, by spreading more advanced programs of energy use more efficient energy use practices can be established.
If anything, if energy use history has been one of constant consumption of, largely, fossil fuels, predicted path can be nothing but one of less clear directions. That is, if suggested, alternative sources – around which green strategies are set up – include, for example, sun, water and wind, means to fully utilize innovations such as to make such alternative sources integral to buildings, commercial and residential, remain undecided. Thus, predictably, hybrid models of energy use as well as construction and design are expected as opposed to full-fledged models which depart radically from existing, conventional forms. Notably, since complex systems evolve – and are not decided a priori – energy use systems are expected to evolve in ways which might not be completely predictably presently. Thus, as opposed to conventional regulations, bylaws and codes, energy-oriented regulations should enjoy greater shares of flexibility in response to complex energy use systems which a genuinely progressive code aims to regulate. Finally, by adopting collaboration models energy use laws can be more optimally applied and hence established as a broad practice.

References

Crosby, A. (2007). Fossilized Sunshine. In Children of the Sun: A History of humanity's unappeasable appetite for energy (pp. 59-100). New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company Inc.
LEED (2014). Resources. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-reference-guide-green-building-design-and-construction-global-acps
U.S. Department of Energy (2010). Building Energy Codes 101: An Introduction. PDF. Retrieved from https://www.energycodes.gov/building-energy-codes-101-introduction
Weissenbacher, M. (2009). Introduction. In Sources of Power: How energy forges human history (pp. xi-xxiv). Santa Barbra, California: ABC-CLIO, LLC.