From Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society
Please note that, with the conclusion of the Year of Energy 2009, we are no longer updating this site.
You can read highlights from the Energy Symposium at our 2009 Annual Meeting and International Research Conference here, and view the speakers’ slides here.
Our series of white papers on energy is available here.
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Marilyn Waite, Sigma Xi Member
Posted October 23, 2009
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Abstract: The global society is faced with a dilemma of increasing energy demand and the need to decrease harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy has been proposed as a part of an ‘energy mix’ necessary to address the climate-energy nexus. The following paper addresses waste by-products from the nuclear power industry. Using the cradle-to-cradle theory, in which “waste” equals “food,” the paper explains how a closed-loop nuclear industry should form part of the solution to our energy problem. The cradle-to-cradle concept, technical closed-loop options for used nuclear fuel, benefits and limitations to closed-loop processes, as well as key figures for a cradle-to-grave versus cradle-to-cradle nuclear industry are provided.
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Norman D. Meadow, Ph.D., Doctor of the University, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. and First Vice President, Maryland Conservation Council
meadownd@jhu.edu
William H. Biggley, Senior Researcher, retired, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. and Vice President, Maryland Conservation Council
Ajax Eastman
Vice President, Maryland Conservation Council
posted October 9, 2009
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Abstract: We attempt to show that global ecology is unnecessarily threatened by the construction of large-scale installations of wind and solar energy sources as well as the use of biomass grown specifically to fire boilers. We believe that this situation has developed because many scientists, most germanely biologists, are unaware of the size of the renewable installations that will be necessary and which are being planned, and are also unaware of the quantitative health data from historic radiological events, whose harm has been badly exaggerated. We conclude that commercial nuclear reactors will adversely affect far less habitat than the renewable energy sources and are also highly unlikely to cause measurable harm to health. Nuclear power is a very acceptable compromise that has been criticized and overlooked with little scientific justification.
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Stan Jakuba
posted September 11, 2009
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Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the potential of the sources of renewable energy for satisfying the U.S. energy needs. It analyzes real-life data as well as theoretical limits of the more promising among the solar sources such as biomass, wind, photovoltaic and hydro. Numbers correlate the land needed to its availability, and show the productivity and cost of various options. Tables list the contribution of various sources to the national energy pool and the growth of the last decade. Finally, the potential of nuclear energy is considered.
