Seminar: China's Plan and recent Development in Clean Energy & Study visit: Natural Gas - Technology & Application
Journal 7/9: Today we were very busy again! In the morning we started off our learning with a two part seminar on "China's Plan and Recent Development in Clean Energy". We were able to acquire some basic knowledge on the many different types of energy sources such as solar energy, geothermal energy, fossil fuels, natural gas, hydroelectric energy, biomass energy, etc. We then were able to dive deeper into the topic by watching detailed videos on the process of building a hydroelectric plant and holding a group discussion on ways to balance the economy, the environment and the development/use of green energy. After lunch we visited and toured the Amber Deneng Natural Gas Company's site. We held a Q&A with some of their top workers and then went back to the hotel for dinner! We are excited for tomorrow's classes and site visit! ~ Madison Northshield
"China is in a better position than the United States for developing a green nation. China is still a developing nation and It still has infrastructure that needs to be built. Because of this it is easier to transition straight into green energy than it is for the US to change from Oil to Green energy. Another government sided benefit is the fact that big companies in China are state owned. The chinese government can control how the nation will develop, and can focus on Green energy without lobbying groups putting political pressure on government officials like in the United States. China has a plan to provide subsides to different groups of Green Energy technology. For Solar Power, differing rates of subsides are given to differing regions based on the efficiency of the Solar panels. Subsides are also given to research in different fields, China focusing on Hydro Power for energy production. While focusing on the input side of producing electricity, China also has a focus on building internal infrastructure that is clean like electric buses, and trains. Instead of a US system of high ways, China may become linked with public systems of transportation reducing CO2 emissions from cars. China has a great future ahead of them. It seems that if they continue to keep this focus on Green energy while specializing different regions for efficiency and providing government policysthat promote green energy they will become a green nation in the not too distant future. Now we just wait and see." ~Caleb Siebach