Natural Gas and Water Resources: Challenges and Solutions

Natural Gas: Problems and Market Dynamics

Natural gas problems: They are not renewable. Asian economies are beginning to increase demand for the product, which will raise prices. Major producers: Russia, USA, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia. Refiners: Western USA. Consumers: USA, Japan, Germany, and Asian economies.

Problems with Natural Gas

Producers are trying to regulate and control the market, similar to the oil market. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), comprised of 11 states, controls 78% of petroleum. Oil prices are still high but not excessive, to prevent economic crises (drop in consumption).

Consumers are diversifying their purchasing locations and seeking energy alternatives, although these are often more expensive. Transportation costs also play a significant role.

Electricity Production: Conventional and Alternative Sources

Electricity is the most widespread form of energy due to its ease of transport (mains) and cleaner nature (no waste). However, producing it requires conventional and alternative energy sources.

Conventional Energy Sources

• Thermal Energy: This is the most common source of electricity. Power plants burn fuel, and the heat produced by combustion generates steam at high pressure.
• Nuclear Energy: Nuclear power is produced from the breakdown of atoms (fission) in nuclear power plants.
• Hydroelectric Energy: This uses the force of water to generate electricity. Water accumulates in reservoirs and is channeled to turbines. At the bottom of the dam, the water turns the blades of a turbine, producing electricity.

Problems with Conventional Energy

• Non-renewable sources are being depleted.
• Many countries are deficient in the raw materials needed to produce electricity.
• The transportation of raw materials causes several environmental problems.

Alternative Energy Sources

• Biomass: This involves burning waste, and the heat given off is used to convert water into steam to move turbines.
• Wind Energy: The wind moves the blades of huge windmills connected to an electric generator. Disadvantages: Variability of solar intensity worldwide and significant variation between day and night. Advantages: Renewable and does not pollute.
• Geothermal Energy: This utilizes regions with intense internal heat from the Earth to produce electricity or for use in heating systems.
• Tidal Energy: This is based on harnessing the movement of tides to produce electricity.

Water: A Scarce Resource

Freshwater is a renewable but scarce resource because:

• Only 2.5% of the water on the planet is freshwater, and 75% of that is frozen.
• The amount of freshwater on the planet is limited by the rainfall patterns.
• Overuse occurs when more water is consumed than is available at a given location.

Ways to Increase Water Availability

• Reservoirs: Increase the amount of water available, but present major problems: they require large areas of land, disabling them for any other use, and cause significant ecological impacts, often flooding areas and forcing people to relocate.
• Water Transfers: These are channels that carry water from one area to another where it is needed. These projects reduce river flow, have high costs, and negatively affect the environment.
• Desalination Plants: These are expensive but are the only solution in areas with a severe lack of water.
• Groundwater: The exploitation of aquifers can be a good solution for a year or two, but water should not be extracted from an aquifer endlessly. If done, the water table will drop, consequently drying up rivers, springs, and wetlands that are fed by its waters.

Ways to Reduce Water Consumption

• Maintaining the network of pipes that distribute water.
• Implementing new irrigation systems and cultivation techniques.
• Planting crops suitable for the climate.