Analysis of the Case with Different Perspectives
The renewable energy is one of the most perspective ways of producing energy, saving environment, and preventing pollution. The beginning of the twenty-first century reflects the concerns of people about the sources of energy, lack of power supply, and importance of reconsidering values and sources of energy that have been established in the last century.
As such, it is necessary to review the potential sources of renewable energy and build a project based on well-grounded review of resources and their potential, financial considerations, and other perspectives.
As indicated in the study by Lewis and Wiser (2005), Canada did not have a leading domestic company specialized in production of wind energy in the end of the 2004 (p. 7) whereas other countries that are also presented in the market of renewable energy specialized in wind power have one or more domestic leading companies in this branch.
Solar energy can be used for the project though As indicated in the article “Achieving long-term sustainability of the energy sector” (2008), “economy relies considerably on energy-based activities whose development has been encouraged by government policies” (p. 100).
Besides, solar potential is one of the energy supplies Canada is rich in (“Achieving long-term sustainability,” 2008, p. 102). However, according to the numbers presented, solar photovoltaic energy is not the most widely generated one due to the amount of sunlight. Use of this source of energy is economically and time-sufficient.
Wind can be used as a source of renewable energy in Canada because the wind potential is rather high in this country. The engineering economic perspective shows that wind power can be effectively used due to locations with high elevation and in the lake areas in Canada while technical perspective demonstrates even greater results because wind turbines can be manufactured in Canada.
As reported by Lewis and Wiser (2005), many countries benefit from the wind energy in other senses that electrical power itself because domestic companies also manufacture turbines for this industry that are installed into wind power generators (p. 7).
In this respect, the wind power is attractive also from the organizational perspective as employment opportunities become open for those who want to operate and maintain these turbines as well as industrial growth is expected in companies in Canada decide to establish a domestic manufacturing of these turbines.
The engineering economics perspective suggests that Teelucksingh and Poland (2011) review the situation with environment in Toronto where Green Energy and Green Economy Act (p. 192) were established to outline the basic areas of concern and interest and ensure that the renewable energy can be economically beneficial in terms of employment opportunities.
“Most electricity is generated from thermal power and hydro plants” (The Wind Power Report, 2010, p. 497); so wind power can be effectively used by the Renewable Energy Co because this niche of renewable energy market is not as popular as other ones, though may become even more effective regarding the employment and economic perspectives.
Recommendations on the Case Study
The case is missing a decision that should be made by Large and Berkeley and their analysis of perspectives and potentials of every field of renewable energy market available in Canada. The beginning of the case study enlarges on their skills and education, professional achievements, and other positive characteristics that may be helpful while deciding which source to select.
However, the readers may see only the graphs and charts as the results of their analysis though the final decision has not been made. Perhaps, the author did not want us to know the outcomes of the analysis and investigation on the renewable sources of energy in Canada. In addition, the case does not contain any information on the employment rates and the number of employees required for construction process as well as maintenance of large turbines, in case the win energy is selected.
Additional Considerations
If I were a manager and the same problem occurred in my company, I would solve it by selecting biogas as one of the sources with only two years of average lead time. After analyzing the renewable energy sources, it is clear that hydroelectric power is applicable to smaller projects while the larger projects can provide electric power only harming the natural environment.
The geothermal energy can be produced with regard to the need of drilling and transforming the energy into electricity. However, this way of producing energy has one major disadvantage which would make me refuse it as gasses that pollute the air are released in the process of drilling.
In similar case, I would analyze the most potentially possible source and evaluate the financial side of the project with regard to the number of employees, qualification of human resources, the construction period, investment opportunities. Besides, it is important to take into account the public opinion and regulations that may encourage to use specific sources of renewable energy.
References
Achieving long-term sustainability of the energy sector. (2008). OECD Economic Surveys: Canada, 2008(11), 99-133. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Lewis, J., & Wiser, R. (2005). Fostering a renewable energy technology industry: An international comparison of wind industry policy support mechanisms. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. LBNL-59116.
Teelucksingh, C., & Poland, B. (2011). Energy solutions, neo-liberalism, and social diversity in Toronto, Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8, 185-202.
The Wind Power Report: Seventh Edition, 2010. (2010). Wind Power Report, 71-695. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.