Forms of Alternative Energy

Basic concept of alternative energy sources relates to issues of sustainability, renewability and pollution reduction.

In reality, Alternative Energy means any thing other than deriving energy via Fossil Fuel combustion

Basic Barrier to all forms of alternative energy lies in initial costs!

Currently we have no production line alternative energy source operating anywhere in the US!

Where does our Energy Come From?

Forms of Alternative Energy:

• Solar:
  Advantages: Always there; no pollution

  Disadvantages: Low efficiency (15%); Very high initial costs; lack of adequate storage materials (batteries); High cost to the consumer

• Hydro:
  Advantages: No pollution; Very high efficieny (80%); little waste heat; low cost per KWH; can adjust KWH output to peak loads; recreation dollars

  Disadvantages: Fish are endangered species; Sediment buildup and dam failure; changes watershed characteristics; alters hydrological cycle

• Wind:
  Advantages: none on large scale; supplemental power in windy areas; best alternative for individual homeowner

  Disadvantages: Highly variable source; relatively low efficiency (30%)

• Geothermal:
  Advantages: very high efficiency; low initial costs since you already got steam

  Disadvantages: non-renewable (more is taken out than can be put in by nature); highly local resource

• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion:
  Advantages: enormous energy flows; steady flow for decades; can be used on large scale; exploits natural temperature gradients in the ocean

  Disadvantages: Enormous engineering effort; Extremely high cost; Damage to coastal environments?

• Tidal Energy:
  Advantages: Steady source; energy extracted from the potential and kinetic energy of the earth-sun-moon system; can exploit bore tides for maximum efficiency Disadvantages: low duty cycle due to intermittent tidal flow; huge modification of coastal environment; very high costs for low duty cycle source

• Nuclear Fusion: --> Forget it, we aren't smart enough yet.

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