St. Evans Republic: NRM 1401 Report on Energy Production

This report details a sustainable energy plan for the newly independent St. Evans Republic, aiming for a green country with a minimal carbon footprint. The plan focuses on utilizing the country's natural resources, including hydropower, geothermal, solar, and wind energy. Hydropower, sourced from mega and mini dams, will provide a significant portion of the energy, while geothermal energy, given the country's seismic activity, will be harnessed using steam wells. Solar farms will capture solar insolation, and wind farms will supplement domestic and agricultural needs. The report highlights the selection of these renewable sources, their potential, and the cost-sharing model adopted by the government. Furthermore, it emphasizes pollution mitigation strategies, such as water vapor condensation in geothermal production, wind farm placement to minimize noise, and fish-friendly dam designs. The report includes a map of St. Evans Republic and its energy infrastructure.

Running head: NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Natural Resource Management
Name
Institution

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Introduction
St. Evans republic gained independence in 2018. The current leadership is setting up
sustainable infrastructure that will help the country start as a green county and with a minimum
foot carbon footprint. The country has a population of 3 million people, about half 2 million
people live in the urban area. There are two major cities in the country with a total area of
200km2. The main economic activities of the county are the manufacturing of electronic
commodities. The country is also a big producer of dairy products and wine. The current energy
need of the country stands at 2.3 GW. Given that, the country is well endured with natural
resources 57% of the power will come from hydropower plants, 20 percent geothermal while
solar, wind and biomass will contribute to the rest.
Hydropower
Hydropower is energy gotten by converting mechanical energy in moving /falling water
to electricity The county has one of the largest river network and waterfall. In the initial survey
and feasibility study, we establish that two mega dams can constructed . These dams will cover
about 5% of the land. In the same case, min hydropower plants will be established to serve the
needs of the rural areas, which are far from the grid. Mega dams will contribute to about 1 GW
while the mine hydro plants will contribute to 0.1 GW. To produce hydro energy dams will be
constructed and fitted with motors that will convert mechanical energy to electric power. Due to
its reliability and magnitude, hydropower will be used in the industries and public places such as
hospitals and schools.
Geothermal
Geothermal is a natural resource that from underground water coming into contact with
ground heat e.g. magma in the inner core. The country lies on a seismic active zone, it has
several hot springs and a high potential of geothermal production. The country has a potential of
2000mw of geothermal power. The power has been identified as green and a very effective
power source option. Given its renewability, the country is set to tap from the vast resources.
Steam wells will be used to harness steam from the ground. The steam will be used to run steam
turbines which are connected to generators. Steam from geothermal power will be used for house
heating during cold seasons. At the same time, it will be used in the industrial processes to

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replace stream boilers. Due to its proximity to the industrial area. Geothermal power will be used
in industries to run machinery.
Solar PVAs
Solar power is a natural resource that can be harnessed from the sun. The country
receives high solar insolation with an average of 6-7 hours of peak hours of sunshine with an
irradiation of 1,000m/m2. The average solar daily insolation is 4-8kwh/m2 only about 12 % of
this can be converted to electric. Solar collectors will be installed on a solar farm in the eastern
side of the country. This area relatively flat and has no shadows from the mountains. Solar power
will be used it light domestic needs.
Wind power
Wind is a natural resource that is freely available; it is caused by the pressure difference
between one areas to another. The compatibility of the county with wind power stands at
25% .meteorological data shows that the county has a high wind energy potential. This is due to
the topography, which has resulted in the perfect wind. There is a small seasonal variation on
wind speeds. The county can put up to 50km 2 of wind farms around the countryside. Wind
energy will be used to supplement solar power for domestic use. At the same time, it will be used
it the farms for irrigation pumps.
The powers sources were selected due to the high potential available and the green rating.
All the power sources are 100% renewable. As a result, they can stand the test of 100-year
production.
The government aims at a cost-sharing model where the users will pay per unit usage. In
this case, the government will subsidence domestic power while industrial users will have to
shoulder the full cost per kilowatt-hour.
Pollution mitigation
All the energy sources are green hence there is no carbon emission. As a result, this will
have minimized pollution to a big extent. In geothermal power production, water vapor will be
condensed and drained back to the ground. This will help to recharge water and at the same time
prevent salination of the soil and usable ground water. A wind farm will be located far away

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from residential areas to prevent noise pollution. Solar farms do not have direct pollution but
there may be light pollution from reflected sunrays, as a result, they will be located far from the
settlement. Hydro dams do not pollute directly, to prevent the death of fish or disruption of the
aquatic ecology. Diversions will be created to allow fish to go upstream for breeding.
Fig 1: Map of St. Evans republic