Monday, January 27, 2020

Hydropower And Wind Potentials In Hong Kong Environmental Sciences Essay

Hydropower And Wind Potentials In Hong Kong Environmental Sciences Essay For decades mankind are in search for new energy resources to deal with the depleting fossil fuel. A lot of renewable energy and associated technologies were developed to assist current energy use to mitigate the imperative energy crisis. The current issues of climate change and global warming accelerated the needs into researches on renewable technologies even more. Hong Kong is a special city with limited energy resources in a densely populated space. Current energy source in Hong Kong mostly rely on imported fossil fuels. The intention of replacing fossil fuel with other alternatives have become clear in both Government and non- Government Organisations. The Energy Efficiency Office (EEO); Electrical, Mechanical Service Department (EMSD), HKSARG has performed a study on feasibilities of various kinds of renewable energy in Hong Kong in 2001 (EMSD, 2001), the study gave an overview on feasibility of Solar, Wind, Fuel cells, Energy-from-Waste, and some other alternative energy. Every technologies was analysed, giving a conclusion that solar will be the most viable renewable energy source. The study of Tidal, and Hydroelectricity, however, was loosely studied due to the belief that they are relatively new technologies. However, although they are not being researched until very recent years, they have been used by human long beyond history. Mills that uses tidal energy has been found in the 12th century (Wallechinsky), whereas the hydro-energy was used even further back to Ancient Greek and Roman, where they use hydro-power for grinding mills (The U.S. Department of Energy). BagcÄ ± carried out a research in 2008 targeted to study the potential of developing a zero energy region in outer Island. Peng Chau was analyzed with different implementations of renewable energy and it is shown that a combination of solar, wind and hydro energy were a possible solution towards an Island that is independent from fossil fuel energy supply (BagcÄ ±, 2009). Despite the researches above, there is little research on full scale analysis on the feasibility of Hydro and Tidal energy in Hong Kong. Therefore it is of interest to determine whether the advances of technologies have gain points for Tidal and Hydro energy as potential alternative energy sources in Hong Kong. Tidal Energy Figure 1. Operating principle of Tidal Barrages (Palmer, 2008) Tidal Energy is a result from gravitational force between celestial body such as the earth, moon, sun etc., as the moon is the nearest among other celestial body, it is usually considered as the only contributor to the tidal formation. The moon rotates around the earth every 27.3 days and the earth rotates along its axis every 24hr. The net effect is that tidal fluctuation occures twice each 24 hour 50 mins, same as the earth rotation period with respect to the earth-moon system (World Energy Council, 2004). The amplitude from such fluctuation is called the tidal range, and is the energy that can be captured through a turbo-generator in tide barrage to produce electricity (Figure 1). It is suggested that Tidal energy can provides 5 % of the electricity generated worldwide (Palmer, 2008). According to the meteorological data provided by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Hong Kong displays a gradual change in tidal characteristics, both in tidal range and tidal occurance of high and low tides travelling from southeast to the northwest across the territory. Within a tidal cycle, Waglan Island is the first to experience high tide and low tide whereas Tsim Bei Tsui is the last. Tsim Bei Tsui however, possess the largest mean tidal range of 1.4m, where Waglan Island and Victoria Habour generally possess a tidal range within 1m. (CEDD, 2002; HKO, 2009) Hydro energy Hydro energy shares the same energy carrier with Tidal energy, in which energy from water flow is captured with a marine turbine to generate electricity. It can be install anywhere as soon as water flow exists. Scales of Hydropower generator can be as large as constructions of dam to micro scales, usually found in small villages. Large scale generators were not considered to be implemented as no suitable sites were avaliable. In the report by EMSD, Hydro-energy were briefly analysed, and it is shown that potential of hydro-power in Hong Kong is relatively low compared to wind and solar energy (EMSD, 2001). Despite the feasilbility of Hydroelectricity dam in Hong Kong, there is a debate on the emission of greenhouse gas via this technology. A few studies had suggested that hydroelectric dam will generate three times more than fossil fuel plant to generate the same amount of electricity, in which plants died underneath an operating dam possess anaerobic digestion, generating a significant amount of GHG, especially in south America tropical (e.g. Brazil, Argentina) where hydroelectricity dam is the main source of renewable energy supply. Therefore the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“cleannessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  of Hydropower is back in a debate (Graham-Rowe, 2005). Wind energy Wind energy is so well known and well developed that it is seen as the major potential renewable energy source that are viable in Hong Kong. Turbine were driven by wind to produce energy, scale of wind turbine are ranging from 198m high turbine generating 6 MW of electricity to some 2kW in micro size wind turbine. EMSD also analysed the potential sites for the installation of wind turbine, which a wind map was introduced for references by the public (Figure 2). Local applications include the famous 800kW wind turbine installed in Lamma Island, as well as the proposed wind farm in South-eastern Waters (EPD, 2006). Project Description This Project was targeted to review and anaylse the potential of Tidal and Hydro energy, and to compare them to the well developed Wind energy in Hong Kong. Since such energy sources are largely depend on meteorology, it is necessary to analyse as well as meteorological condition to determine which energy source are most suitable in Hong Kong. Moreover it is useful to review on current development of mentioned technologies to provide example for the implementation in Hong Kong. Objectives This project aims to: Give an overview of current energy consumption patterns in Hong Kong Provide an update on researches on Tidal, Hydro and Wind energy, these include Technologies involved and their latest development Overseas examples of application Potential strategy of implementation in Hong Kong Compare each of energy source to analyse their potential in Hong Kong, these include Meteorological assessment and potential energy gain Environmental Impact Assessment Cost Effectiveness / Costing Figure 2. Wind Power Density over the Region of Hong Kong (EMSD, 2001) Scope of Work To determine whether the technologies are competent in mitigation energy crisis in Hong Kong, it is always easier to understand how the locals use their energy, as well as the energy consumption in Hong Kong. Therefore it is reasonable to give a brief overview on energy flow pattern in Hong Kong. Energy source distribution, energy usage by different users can be obtained from the EEO, EMSD. Since Wind energy was well researched and there are a lot of applications in Hong Kong, wind energy will be used as a base for comparison with other technologies encountered in this project. Local and overseas examples will be discussed, as it provides a real life example into the application of such technologies. As mentioned before this project requires a significant amount of meteorological data, therefore meteorological observations from the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) will be analysed to review the possibilities of implementing tidal, hydro and wind energy. Despite the HKO, observations from the Environmental Central Facilities can also available to the public for detail analysis of wind and tidal observations. (Environmental Central Facility) Lastly, if viable, a cost analysis on some of the technologies can be carry out to demonstrate the economy of such renewable technologies and thus cost effectiveness can be use as an indicator to compare the aforementioned technologies. Time Management This project is mostly a Literature Research Project with some analysis on meteorological observations. Major milestone includes: 31 January, 2010; submission of inception report 30 September, 2010; submission of preliminary findings 21 April, 2011; submission of project title and draft dissertation (tentative), and expression of intention to complete project 30 June, 2011; Oral Presentation (tentative) 8 August, 2011; submission of final dissertation (tentative) Appendix A shows a Gantt chart showing tentative schedule of the project, stating the milestones as well as phases of the project.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Dark Chocolate Essay

Chemistry Central Journal brings even more good news for chocolate lovers, stating that dark chocolate contains more flavanols and polyphenols than fruit juice. â€Å"Cacao seeds are a ‘Super Fruit’ providing nutritive value beyond that of their macronutrient composition,† said Dr Debra Miller. Chocolate and Blood Pressure The important thing is that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension. According to researchers from the University of Adelaide, flavanols promote vasodilation, which may consequently lower blood pressure. â€Å"There have, however, been conflicting results as to the real-life effects of eating chocolate. We’ve found that consumption can significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure but not for people with normal blood pressure.† added Dr Karin Ried, who is program manager and research fellow of the PHCRED (Primary Health Care Research Evaluation & Development) program at The University of Adelaide. The analysis concluded that the pressure reduction caused by chocolate consumption was comparable to the effects of 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Chocolate and Cirrhosis There are also potential benefits for liver disease patients. Spanish scientists found that eating dark chocolate lowers blood pressure in the liver and reduces damage to the blood vessels of patients with cirrhosis. A study which was presented at the International Liver Congress 2010 divided 21 cirrhotic patients with end stage liver disease into two groups. The first group received liquid meal containing dark chocolate, while the participants in the second group were getting liquid meal with white chocolate devoid of anti-oxidant properties. As a result, the patients receiving dark chocolate experienced a noticeable reduction of post-prandial increase in blood pressure in the liver. one Square Is Enough However, it is not necessary to eat huge quantities of chocolate in order to experience all the health benefits. In fact, just one small square a day may be enough to experience the health benefits chocolate is offering. A study performed in Germany that compared 19 357 individuals found that those who ate the most amount of chocolate (an average of 7.5 grams a day) were at a 39% lower risk of developing a heart attack than people with the lowest (1.7 grams) chocolate intakes. To put things into perspective, the six grams of difference are the equivalent of one small square of a typical 100g chocolate bar. â€Å"Our hypothesis was that because chocolate appears to have a pronounced effect on blood pressure, therefore chocolate consumption would lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks,† explains Dr Brian Buijsse from the German Institute of Human Nutrition, who led the research. â€Å"Small amounts of chocolate may help to prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other energy-dense food, such as snacks, in order to keep body weight stable.†

Friday, January 10, 2020

In Defense of Gun Control Laws Essay

Guns have always been associated with crimes. The use of guns may either work in the positive or the negative way. On the positive side, it could help in deterring the proliferation of crimes. The mere use or presence of it is sufficient for other criminals to stop their criminal intents. However, this is just one way of looking at gun use and ownership. If guns could be used for combating crimes and criminals, it could also be used to the proliferation of criminal acts. Many evil minded people would utilize firearms in order to compel people to do as they desire—including unlawful acts. The mere presence of a gun is sufficient to threaten an individual and to put one’s life in danger. Any wrong move in using a loaded gun might be the end for another’s life. It is due to this reason that the ownership, possession and use thereof are strictly regulated by the state. For anti-gun control advocates, they feel the need for less strict regulations on gun control and ownership. They are advocating that the laws be relaxed and for the law makers that gun ownership is essential in fighting criminals and crimes. It serves as the ordinary man’s protection against abusive individuals. In this day and age, there so many crimes that are being committed and a great number of criminals causing chaos to society, thus, the need for greater protection against them. Such advocates also invoke that it is their constitutional to own guns. However, in a case decided last June 2008 by the United States Supreme Court, it was upheld that reasonable efforts under of controlling the proliferation of firearms on the hands of private individuals is allowed. The law enforcers and makers however should be guided that there should be no outright ban on handguns (Newsbatch, 2008). This ruling of the Supreme Court would indicate that ownership of guns is not only limited to the military but it also extends to ordinary individuals so long as there is proper regulation. Indeed there is nothing wrong in the ownership and possession of guns as long as there is proper regulation thereof of the enactment and recognition of gun control laws. Blackstone, a former US District Court Judge also shares the view that the public should not be prohibited of their right to bear arms. They should be accorded this right especially in a country where there is a vast militia power. The bearing of firearms is the security of the people against abuse and their mode of defending themselves. However, this should be done in moderation and should be properly regulated (Guncite, 2007). In opposition to the claim that the ownership and possession of guns help deter criminality in the country, this cannot hold to be always true. As previously indicates, the use of guns may work positively or negatively. Instead of stopping crimes, it could even be the means of committing thereof. According to the article of Deborah White (n. d. ), the United States has the highest number of private people owning guns. There are about 80 million Americans of 50 percent of the total homes which own 223 million of guns. Attached with this figure is the fact that more than 30, 000 men and women in the United States die each year due to gun shoot wounds, this is the highest homicide rate from guns around the world. Moreover, it should be noted that among the 30, 000 deaths indicated above, only 1, 500 of which are caused by accidental killings. This is a very alarming figure since it would imply that the high percentage gun ownership and gun shot related incidents have a positive relation. The more guns there are in the streets, the greater is the number of people dying with a bullet on their bodies. Policy Almanac (n. d. ) also reported that there has been a 173 percent increase from 1985 to 1993 and 126 percent from 1993 to 1999 in the number of homicides which are annually committed with the use of a firearm by persons who are between the ages 14 to 24. The figures should serve as a wake up call for law enforcers and remind them the need to properly regulate the ownership of guns and the use thereof. There should be more restrictive laws to be imposed by the state. Stricter measures could lead to lesser crime rate as well as crime related incidents. In order the address the issue on gun control, several laws were enacted federally and locally or by state. On the federal level, the first major mandate was enacted in 1934. Based on this initiative, the sale of machine guns and other fully automatic firearms will be regulated. Four years after such legislation, another law was passed requiring gun sellers to have a license. In addition, the law also prohibits the sale of guns to those who have been convicted of violent crimes. The next law which addressed the issue on gun ownership was passed in 1968. This law is the Gun Control Act of 1968. Based on the said law, imported guns are to be regulated and gun-licensing requirements will be increased. The list of people who should not own and should not be sold with firearms was extended to individuals who have been convicted with any form of non-business related crime, those who are incompetent mentally d those who have been using illegal drugs. After the said legislation, another federal law was again passed in 1986. Such mandate indicated mandatory penalties on the use of a gun to commit federal felonies. Included in the said law is the prohibition on the use of bullets which have the capacity to penetrate bulletproof apparel. Manufacture and importation of semi-automatic assault weapons were also banned in 1990 (Newsbatch, 2008). After the said law was promulgated by the Congress, another federal gun regulation was passed in 1994, the Brady Bill. The said bill is considered as the most comprehensive federal effort on gun control. Through this law, a five day waiting period is necessary before purchasers can have their guns. Such period would give the law enforcement agencies to investigate the background of the purchaser. However, this law did not last as it was declared by the Supreme Court to be an infringement on state’s rights. The law was re-drafted and provided that the conducting of background investigation will be accomplished through a national computer system. The provision on the five day waiting period was also removed. In terms of the state or local laws, there has been variance in the enactment of the laws. However, the common provisions include Child Access Prevention law or the prohibition on leaving a loaded weapon which could be easily accessed by a minor. Another is the concealed weapon law or the need to obtain a license which would allow one to carry a concealed weapon. Others include the following: regulation of private sale to minors, regulating all secondary market sales, ban on assault weapons and the one hand gun a month laws, among others. Despite these seemingly comprehensive laws, there is a need to impose stricter measures in order to regulate the ownership, use and possession of guns. Although it is recognized that there is a need for guns in the society, the continued sale thereof to private individuals and the growing number of people who own such should be carefully studied. Guns are very dangerous. It carries with it an authority which no other object could possess. The mere presence thereof is already a cause for alarm. People who have such may use it to protect themselves or to threaten other people. Given the extraordinary authority accorded to firearms, people who are not properly oriented with the use thereof may abuse such authority. Thus, there is a need to regulate the use, possession and ownership thereof to have proper guidance and to eliminate the bad effects thereof to the society. The authority that comes with any firearm carries with it the responsibility to utilize it only to purposes to which it was intended and not to create abuse. Despite the high funding that come from anti-gun control laws, politicians should comply with their basic responsibility to uphold the common good in the society. They should not be easily swayed by the sources of their funds during the last elections.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin Essay - 530 Words

Interpatation What Does It Really Mean? â€Å"The Story of an hour† a complex piece of literature by Kate Chopin, has various interpretations to it. This story has, one definite interpretation, which is the following: life has to go on no matter what is happened in the past. In this story, Chopin implies Ms. Mallard’s husband has been very cruel to her in her lifetime. However, she never lets her husband get in the way, finally he dies, and, she thinks she is free although she really is not. To prove that Chopin implies Ms. Mallard’s husband was cruel to her. Chopin states, â€Å"When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: free, free, free!†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦So now, she is ready to live life the way she wanted to in the first place. Unlike other wives who were still crying, she knew life must go on so she was over the fact that her husband was dead. For her it was better, he is dead because she was going on about being free, free, free. To support what Chopin is trying to say here is a description of what Ms. Mallard is feeling like at the time of her husbands death: â€Å"They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body† (para, 11). Now if your significant other passed away would your body be relaxed? In this case, it seems like she is feeling a feeling she has never felt before, very relaxed and calm. In addition, al though out the story Ms. Mallard is caught stating â€Å"Free Body and soul free!†(para, 16). This only shows that Ms. Mallard’s is more satisfied that her husband has died, than she is upset. The end to this story enhances Chopin’s explanation because once she finds out that her husband is not dead it puts her in so big of a shock that she dies herself. The story gives a reason for her death which said, â€Å"When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease – of joy that kills†( para, 23). This means she knew that she was going to loose all the freedom she dreamt about as her husband strutted in through the doors, so she passed away. However,Show MoreRelatedThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin1241 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin is a wonderful short story bursting with many peculiar twists and turns. Written in 1894, the author tells a tale of a woman who learns of her husband’s death, but comes to find pleasure in it. Many of the elements Kate Chopin writes about in this story symbolize something more than just the surface meaning. Through this short story, told in less than one thousand one hundred words, Kate Chopin illustrates a deeper meaning of Mrs. Mallard’s marriage with herRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin855 Words   |  4 PagesThe Story of an Hour In the â€Å"Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin, is about pleasure of freedom and the oppression of marriage. Just like in Kate Chopin’s story, inside most marriages, even the ones that seem to be the happiest, one can be oppressed. Even though, one might seem to be happy deep inside they miss the pleasure of freedom and living life to the fullest. Just like, in this story Mrs. Mallard feels trapped and when she hears about her husband’s death she first feels distraught, but ultimatelyRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin1457 Words   |  6 PagesEmotions and Death Everyone who reads a story will interpret things slightly different than the person who reads it before or after him or her. This idea plays out with most every story, book, song, and movie. These interpretations create conflict and allow people to discuss different ideas and opinions. Without this conflict of thought there is no one devoting time to debate the true meaning of a text. Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour† tells about a woman who is informed of her husbands deathRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin987 Words   |  4 PagesIn Kate Chopin’s short story, â€Å"The Story of an Hour† reader’s see a potentially long story put into a few pages filled with rising action, climax and even death. In the beginning of the story, character Louise Mallard, who has a heart condition, is told of the death of her husband by her sister and one of her husband’s friends. Afterwards Mrs. Mallard is filled with emptiness and then joy of freedom. This joy of freedom is actually what consequently leads to her death in the end when she discoversRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin1061 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the short story, â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, readers are introduced to characters whose lives change drastically in the course of this writing. Through Kate Chopin’s story we can identify many different themes and examples of symbolism in her writing. Chopin’s choice of themes in this writing are no surprise due to the time frame of which this story was written. Chopin often wrote stories with of women’s rights, and is noted as one of America’s first open feminists. As this story of an ill, helplessRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin972 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin expresses Ms. Mallard’s feelings towards her husband’s death in an appalling train accident. Due to her bad heart, her sister Josep hine had to be the bearer of bad news and approach his death gently to her. According to the quote, â€Å" But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought†, it lets us know thatRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin998 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The story of an hour† by Kate Chopin was a story that was ironical yet profoundly deep. As a student I have been asked to read â€Å"a story of an hour† many times, and every time I’m surprised by how I enjoy it. People can read thousands of stories in their life times and only a handful will every stand out to them, stories that can draw out an emotion or spark a thought are the ones that will standout more. For me and â€Å"a story of an hour† the thought of freedom is what draws me the most as a teenageRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kat e Chopin1542 Words   |  7 PagesIn the short story, â€Å"Story of an Hour†, Kate Chopin writes about a woman with heart trouble, Mrs. Mallard, who, in finding out about the death of her husband, Mr. Mallard, experiences some initial feelings of sadness which quickly transition into the exhilarating discovery of the idea of a newfound freedom lying in front of her. When it is later revealed that her husband is not actually dead, she realizes she will not get to taste that freedom. The devastation kills her. What Mrs. Mallard goes throughRead MoreThe Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin596 Words   |  2 PagesIn â€Å"The Story of an Hour,† Kate Chopin focuses on the idea of freedom throughout the story. Mrs. Mallard is a lonely wife who suffers from heart trouble. She is told by her sister Josephine and her husband’s friend Richards that her husband has passed away in a train accident. She locks herself in a room expecting to be devastated, but instead feels freedom. Later, she exits her room and her husband walks through the door, causing her to die of a heart attack. Chopin uses this story to demonstrateRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin886 Words   |  4 Pages In Kate Chopin â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, the reader is presented with the theme of prohibited independence. In Kate Chopin â€Å"The Storm†, the scenery in this story builds the perfect atmosphere for an adulterous affair. The importance of these stories is to understand the era they occurred. Kate Chopin wrote stories with exceptional openness about sexual desires. In â€Å"The Storm†, a short story written by Kate Chopin in a time when women were expected to act a certain way and sexual cravings was considered