8.+Our+Energy,+Transport+&+Communication+Recommendations

//What we Know, What we want to Know & What we Learnt//
__**Energy **__



**Solar Energy ** Solar power is a form of energy which comes from the sun. Solar power converts sunlight into electricity in a variety of different ways such as using solar cells, solar water heaters and solar furnaces. When capturing solar power it is completely free, inexhaustible and easy as sunlight is always provided. Solar power is very eco-friendly as there is no fuel, waste or pollution expelled when it is used. (solarhome.org,2010)

**Wind Power ** Wind power is converting wind into a beneficial form of energy. Wind turbines are used to make electricity, windmills are used for mechanical power and windpumps are used to pump and drain water. Wind power is an energy source that is clean, cost-effective, pollution free and can be used for a long time. Wind power reduces global warming, it does not produce greenhouse gases, radioactive or toxic waste and it creates power without the use of fossil fuels. (Energy Matters Corporation, 2011)

**Hydropower ** Hydropower is energy that comes from the force of flowing water. The movement of the water can be extremely powerful. Hydropower is formed from the water cycle. When water vapour reaches the cooler air in the atmosphere and it condenses and forms clouds. Sun is needed to evaporate water to create water vapour. From here the moisture slowly falls to the Earth as rain or snow, replenishing the water in the oceans and rivers. Gravity drives the water moving it from high ground to low ground. This cycle and movement of the water produces hydropower. Hydropower is a renewable energy source because the water on Earth is continually replenished. This energy source will continue as long as the water cycle continues. (The NEED Project Corporation, 2011)
 * ﻿[[image:hydropower_diagram.gif width="268" height="235" align="left"]] **

__**Transport**__ **Trucks ** Trucks are motor vehicles designed to transport different sorts of cargo. Trucks vary in size but are generally quite large and powerful. Trucks are built to carry heavy equipment and are powered by either gasoline or diesel engines. Trucks contribute to air, noise, and water pollution however; eco-friendly trucks have been designed in recent times.

**Cart ** A cart is a vehicle designed to transport goods and/or people and is pulled by an animal. Carts are usually made of wood and can be made in many different shapes and sizes. Carts vary in the amount of weight they can hold, but they all have the same purpose in transferring materials from one place to another. As carts are powered by animals there would only be a certain distance the animal could travel before becoming fatigued.

**Boats ** Boats are watercrafts designed to transport goods and/or people across water. Boats provide a passage from one land to another when the two are divided with water. Boats vary in size depending on their use and what they are transferring. Boats that are used to carry heavier equipment are larger and quite powerful, as well as boats that need to travel a further distance. Smaller boats are generally for smaller areas inland and are often used to transport few people. Boats are powered by fuel and can also contribute to air pollution, however boats can save time in distance travelled and can be better for the environment than other automobiles. Boats can also have effects on water pollution.

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Tuk Tuks ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 140%;">Tuk Tuks are motorized vehicles that are driven by fuel. Tuk Tuks are a small three-wheeled automobiles that are operated by one person. Tuk Tuks are generally used to transport a small group of people from one place to another. Tuk Tuks are used in many countries around the world similar to a taxi service. Tuk Tuks do contribute to air pollution, however there are many different types of Tuk Tuks that can be powered from many different types of fuel, some being more energy efficient than others.

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Scooters and Bicycles ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 140%;">Bicycles are a form of transport that is human powered and is used by cycling pedals. Bicycles have 2 wheels and are generally ridden by one person. Scooters are similar to bicycles. Scooters are a non-motorised form of transport that, like bicycles, also has 2 wheels. The wheels on a scooter are much smaller. The scooter is used by holding on to handle bars and pushing along the ground with one foot. Bicycles and scooters are a very eco-friendly way of travel, however they only transport one person and there is only a certain distance one could travel before becoming hungry and fatigued.

__**Communication**__
**VoIP**- **V**oice **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">o **ver **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">I **nternet **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">P **rotocol. VoIP allows you to make phone calls over the Internet. You still use your telephone the same as before, but instead of plugging your phone into the socket on your wall, you plug it into the back of your modem or router (the box thing that connects your computer to the internet) instead. For most people, using VoIP means much cheaper call rates. To use VoIP one needs a broadband connection and a VoIP enabled modem or router. (iiNet,2011)

**Short Wave Radio** Radio amateurs have discovered a range of different uses. It has the ability to talk to local friends over the radio waves using a hand-held transceiver, it can be used to communicate digitally with packet radio to exchange personal messages or vital information in an emergency, as well as talk to other short wave radios anywhere in the world. (eHam.net,2010)

**Internet** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 140%;">The internet is a global computer network that connects people with each other all over the world through their personal computers. The Internet consists of thousands of networks interconnected by fibre optic cabling, satellite and other means. The Internet is people, computers and information electronically linked to each other around the world. (Australian Government, 2010)

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Telephone ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The telephone network extends worldwide, so you can reach nearly anyone on the planet. It is a form of instant verbal communication. The phone <span style="color: #232323; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">connects to a jack in the wall that contains a switch and two copper wires. The lines then connect to a larger grouping of other cables inside a black casing suspended from a nearby telephone poll before going to the switch where calls are then sent to the dialed location. (eHow,2009)

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The Post ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 140%;">The post system allows people to use written forms of communication such as letters, bills and notifications. This form of communication requires a large amount of transportation as the mail need to go from the writer to the sorter and then to the reader.

**//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Our Recommendations //**

__**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Energy **__
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 140%;">To the north of our settlement we would like to see large fields of solar panels and wind turbines which will create large amounts of energy that can be used to feed the grid and therefore supply power to our housing and township area. We feel overhead powerlines are the best option as they are easily accessible for repairs, relatively simple and cost effective to build and have a long working life as well as enable us to do the least possible damage to the current vegetation in the area. If there not enough wind and sun to create energy backup diesel generators can be used for short periods of time. This method of creating energy is cost effective over a long period of time and is eco friendly.

**__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Transport __**
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 140%;">Being the port of the island it was important for us to look at how we were going to transport imported goods across The Island. Trucks would be a helpful form of transportation but the effects on the environment may create more harm than good therefore only limited use would be essential. Other forms we thought would be beneficial to our island are to cart goods using strong animals or to use the river by boating upstream. Within our settlement we felt it was important to steer away from cars and look at using bikes and scooters. We also thought it would be beneficial to create a public transport bus or chair lift/rail service around our settlement and possibly the island in order to create easy transportation for all of the population.

__**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Communication **__
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 140%;">The settlement is found on the port and it plays a vital role in the import and export trade of the island therefore there will need to be a strong form of international communications. We believe that the internet and VoIP is the best way to communicate to the world around us as well as with the community within our settlement. Across the island we thought short wave radio would be a great way to communicate, a tower could be set up in each settlement allowing the islanders to freely communicate in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way. The post and phone system may also be considered depending on the need and accessibility.

**//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">References //** __Web Sites__ Australia Government. (2010). //What is the Internet?// Retrieved from seniours.gov.au: [] eHam.net. (2010). //What is Amateur Radio?// Retrieved from eHam.net: [] eHow. (2009). //How Does a Phone Line Work?// Retrieved from eHow: [] Energy Matters Corporation. (2011). //How a Wind Turbine Works//. Retrieved from Energy Matters: [] solarhome.org. (2010). //What is Solar Power?// Retrieved from solarhome.org: [] The NEED Project Corporation. (2011). //What is Hydropower?// Retrieved from Hydropower: []