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In brief

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‘N’ word scare: the role of nuclear energy

Foreign oil dependency leaves U.S. vulnerable

America’s dependence on foreign oil for energy is by far one of its biggest weaknesses.
The U.S. is the world’s largest importer of oil and this dependence does not look to be decreasing anytime soon.

President Barack Obama has decided to tackle the country’s health crisis (an effort I fully support), but I think that energy independence should be another primary issue on his agenda. Green energy and more importantly, nuclear energy, is a cost-effective way for the U.S. to finally gain energy independence.

The U.S. is already trailing the European Union in terms of being energy efficient.

If we hope to remain a world leader in terms of technological innovation, we must be the leader in developing green technologies, as they are the wave of the future.

This will allow us to hold a dominant position when it comes to developing and sharing this technology with the rest of the world.

The green movement will create jobs for Americans, as new technologies will require more research and development, along with more people who will set up, install and educate.

Economic prosperity isn’t the only reason we must gain energy independence. The most important reason is national security.

Many of my Republican peers promote digging in states like Alaska and using domestic oil, but I think we need to do our best to get rid of oil altogether. And there is no way that we can do this without going nuclear.
Nuclear energy can save us from unwillingly relying on unfriendly foreign nations and what’s better is that green energy can pay for itself in the long run.

The start-up costs will be high, as they are with any new technology, but ultimately the progress will benefit the environment as well as our economy.

The only problem nuclear energy presents is the issue of storage, which is exactly why the government must get involved — to a degree — and provide monetary assistance to research and development programs, which focus on safe storage and decreasing nuclear waste.

I know there are many who vehemently oppose using places like Yucca Mountain as storage sites for nuclear waste, but merely opposing the idea without providing alternatives does not help.

Americans are too afraid of the word “nuclear.” They need to embrace it as one of the most viable and practical alternatives to oil.

I know that many of you are thinking that using wind turbines, dams and hydrogen fuel cells are alternatives to using nuclear fuel. Wind energy is definitely a good idea, but its range and scope is limited and it’s the same case with dams. Those two alone cannot possibly power the country.

As far as hydrogen fuel cells are concerned, many people don’t realize something about this miracle cure: You need to use a lot of energy to make one of them. Also, one of the best ways to make a hydrogen fuel cell is through nuclear power.

The government should promote the green energy industry by creating more incentives and pushing for energy reform.

I know the Obama administration is entangled in the health care debate and the last thing they need on their plates is another controversial issue, but energy reform is absolutely crucial and the government needs to deal with this concern sooner rather than later.

Campus draws big names, protestors

Nevada senator partners with UNLV to bring high-profile energy panelists to Las Vegas for discussion on clean energy jobs and technology

Senator Harry Reid brought energy experts and politicians from around the nation to UNLV’s backyard for the Aug. 10 National Clean Energy Summit 2.0.

Reid joined the university and the Center for American Progress Action Fund in hosting the event, which assessed the link between green jobs and a better economy.

“We dedicate this year’s summit to creating new, good jobs, good-paying jobs that can never be outsourced,” Reid told the crowd of about 900.

Former vice president Al Gore, energy magnate T. Boone Pickens, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa were just a few of the energy experts and political representatives who joined in a roundtable discussion regarding how best to further the renewable and clean energy agendas.

“When we harness the power of the sun, wind and water all around us,” Reid said, “we’ll not only strengthen our environment and strengthen our national security, we’ll turn around our economy.”

UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research director Keith Schwer and university president Neal Smatresk both spoke briefly, explaining the institution’s role in Nevada’s growing clean energy field.
“[UNLV has] had over $55 million dollars of funding in clean energy including smart grid technology, photovoltaics, solar-catalyzed hydrogen and a host of other projects,” Smatresk said.

“We think [they] will make a difference, change our economy, create jobs and build a cleaner, more sustainable future for Las Vegas, Nevada and for our country.”

Last year, panelists encouraged Las Vegas to become the solar energy capital of the world – A challenge, Reid said, the university has helped the city meet.

“We are known for producing great athletes, but we’re now going to be known for producing great scientists,” Reid said.

Protesters outside wrapped around the sidewalk in front of the Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack.

Police on horseback seeking to halt confrontations between green-energy supporters and those protesting the cap and trade tax created a barrier between the two groups.

“I believe in the future, not the right now,” said protester and UNLV alumna Carol Davis, “and I would like my children and grandchildren to be able to breathe clean air.”

Sierra Club member Alyssa Solis said she believes clean energy will benefit America’s government, businesses and citizens.

“I feel like this is one of those moments in history where we really have a chance to change things,” Solis said.

One protestor, who asked to be referred to only by her first name, stood against the cap and trade tax, the portion of the Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 which would cap businesses’ greenhouse gas emissions.
She said the arguments made by politicians like Gore on behalf of the tax have been based on greed and not the best interest of the country.

“Every product that’s made needs energy,” she said. “[The tax] is going to make everyone’s [business] costs higher.”

The topic of health care was also prevalent in the minds of protesters on both sides.

Elaine Gonzales, a UNLV junior, received an e-mail from the Obama campaign encouraging her to support the White House’s health care plan by attending the energy rally.

She said she cares about energy as well, but her primary purpose in attending was to voice her support for health care reform.

“We’re here…to continue the change,” she said.

Reid touched on the issue briefly, calling special interest groups against health care reform “hate mongers.”

Also stressing the need for a change, the conference’s panelists called for increased political support for technological developments and bills that could make the goals of the clean energy field feasible.

“We’ve got everything we need but political will,” Gore said, joining his fellow panelists in a call for a clean energy revolution.

The author and former politician also expressed a desire for public awareness and assistance.

“What we need is a national effort to prime the pump and get our economy going,” he said, “and just what the doctor ordered is a national program to repower America.”

Former president Bill Clinton attended the conference as a special guest speaker, encouraging the nation to promote jobs in the clean energy field.

“In a country that just lost seven million jobs, we’re still just playing with [clean energy expansion],” he said.

Clinton praised the work of Nevada and Harry Reid in promoting solar energy jobs but said the entire nation must be brought up to speed in the field to create an international standard of clean energy.

“Let’s take what Nevada’s doing and put it on steroids,” he said.

Pickens, who invested many of his resources into wind energy exploration, called for energy independence for the United States.

He believes a quick departure from foreign oil dependence will improve national security.

“The easiest way to get [energy independence], the fastest way to get it, is to get on our own [natural gas] reserves,” he said.

Energy Secretary Chu agreed that America must make progress in the energy field to sustain itself.

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Energy Facts

• U.S. energy consumption is expected to grow over 18 percent by 2030.

• Total world consumption of marketed energy is projected to increase by 44 percent from 2006 to 2030.

• There are 31 states with at least one commercial nuclear reactor.

• Nevada has large geothermal resources and is second only to California in the generation of electricity from geothermal energy.

• Each year, electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars.

• Transportation accounts for 67 percent of all U.S. oil consumption.

• Heating accounts for the biggest chunk of a typical utility bill, at about 32 percent.

• According to the International Energy Outlook 2009 projections, annual average diesel fuel retail prices are expected to be $2.84 per gallon in 2010.

SOURCE: Department of Energy Web site

Going green, getting renewed

UNLV hosts renewable energy discussion, brings attention to field research

Following the Clean Energy Summit, the 2009 Renewable Energy Symposium, held Aug. 11 and 12 at UNLV, featured presentations from companies and individuals focused on renewable energy in Nevada.

The presentations were based on projects that are being worked on or innovative ideas that will be coming to life in the future, all of which will create renewable energy.

With approximately 200 people in attendance, the symposium included discussions of projects in areas of sustainability like solar, wind and even algae-based energy.

On the first day of the event, UNLV President Neal Smatresk spoke, saying that if people cannot get motivated now, he does not know when they will.

“I think it’s time to stop talking and start doing,” Smatresk said in his opening speech.

Although the symposium was more of an academic and technical event than a political one, Nevada State Senator Michael Schneider discussed bills that are being worked on that focus on renewable and solar energy in Nevada.

“Energy is vital to Nevada, as we all know,” Schneider said.

He is working on a bill that will create solar water heaters and focus on getting homeowners’ associations to allow solar panels on the roofs of houses.

Schneider also mentioned that realtors will need to be educated on renewable energy and be able to discuss energy efficiency with homebuyers.

Robert Boehm, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Center for Energy Research at UNLV, spoke about the current projects at the CER.

Some of the current projects include a hydrogen filling station, Amonix Photovoltaic systems, a water heating test facility and an electric hybrid vehicle.

Building-related projects include zero-energy homes built in partnership with Pinnacle Homes, which feature PV tiles on the roofs and gas-fired tankless water heaters. Another building project is the Villa Trieste Pulte Homes energy efficient houses, which are all LEED platinum certified.

“It is clear people are getting interested in solar and renewable energy sources,” Boehm said.

Along with growing interest comes the need for increased education.

UNLV is contributing their efforts to educate with the new solar and renewable energy minor.

The minor, supported by an NV Energy donation, requires a student to complete courses along with co-curricular activities like internships, research assistantships, projects and field trips.

Thomas Piechota, director of sustainability and multidisciplinary research at UNLV, said support from outside companies as well as graduate students will be needed for the minor to be successful.

The symposium helped bolster UNLV’s efforts to make strides in energy education both publicly and academically.

“It provides good visibility for UNLV,” Piechota said.

Jian Ma, assistant research professor for the department of mechanical engineering at UNLV, gave a presentation at the conference on microalgae and its benefits, based on his own research.

During microalgae species screening, Ma found that microalgae can be used for biofuel. It has the highest energy content and CO2 capture of any current option, the benefit of fast growth.

Also at the symposium, Manoranjan Misra, professor and director of the Renewable Energy Center at UNR, presented research on how biodiesel can be made from spent coffee grounds.

Networking with other companies and individuals was also an important part of the event.

“It provides us more opportunities to meet more people face to face for future collaboration,” Ma said about the symposium.

Oliver Hemmers, executive director of the Harry Reid Center and chair of the organizing committee for the symposium, said that all the presentations were well received, based on the long question-and-answer sessions after many presentations.

“It was the best Renewable Energy Symposium at UNLV so far and we strive to top it next year,” Hemmers said.

Anthony Hechanova, associate executive director for the sustainable and clean energy programs at the HRC and associate research professor of nuclear engineering, said he felt the symposium started off on the right foot this year with the Clean Energy Summit, which he found inspirational.

“My motivation in helping to organize the symposium was to highlight UNLV faculty and initiatives and bring together government scientists, academia and private industry to learn from each other and discuss how we can work together,” Hechanova said.

Smatresk said that UNLV is committed to creating jobs and a cleaner, greener economy for our region. and that is shaping the school’s initiative.

He said, “The event puts Las Vegas and UNLV at the center of the National Clean Energy movement.”

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New minor renews education

New minor renews education

Solar and renewable energy takes on new role for students interested in learning about the emerging green industry.

Taking another step toward achieving the goal of being a national leader in renewable energy research, UNLV has developed a new minor: Solar and Renewable Energy.

The idea came from NV Energy, which donated money to establish the minor.

Thomas Piechota, director of sustainability and multidisciplinary research, explained that NV Energy wants students entering this field to understand everything they can about working in a green job, and to have the skills they need to succeed.

“They want students to be introduced to this field and have a good, working knowledge of it,” Piechota said.

The first track in the minor introduces students to societal and policy issues regarding solar energy. The second track focuses on the technical aspects of solar and renewable energy.

Courses under track one include Introduction to Solar Energy, Introduction to Sustainable Design and Global Environmental Change. Courses under track two include Design with Climate, Environmental Control Systems and Building Design for LEED Certification.

Piechota hopes the new program will make careers in the field more appealing to students when they are out of school and looking for jobs, especially since the industry is expected to boom.

“It’s not replacing their degree, it’s adding on to what they’ve already learned,” Piechota said.

He added that the minor will bring possibilities for internships with NV Energy and other green companies around Las Vegas.

“There’s a lot of valuable experience these students can get that they can’t get in the classroom,” Piechota said.

That is one reason the minor appealed to Caryn Wright.

“I’m hoping that [the minor] will provide a lot of opportunities as far as what we’re going to be exposed to and the job opportunities we’ll have when we get out of school,” Wright said.

She pointed out that Las Vegas is a unique place to work in when you’re in the environmental field.

“It seems only appropriate that there be a minor at UNLV that is focused on [solar energy],” Wright said. “I think it’s important for this school to be involved.”

“Everything has to start small and build momentum and hopefully UNLV. With this new minor, will give it the momentum it needs to have a stronger voice in the community.”

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