Renewable Energy

Relevance

Currently renewable energy only provides 8% of energy needs for the US. Many renewable energy technologies need to be developed further in order to make a greater contribution to the overall energy consumption of the US. While this process is underway, fossil fuels have to be used more efficiently and solar energy needs to be utilized since it is the most developed form of alternative energy. Although renewable energy is usually a better source of energy than fossil fuels, many sources of renewable energy still require the use of some fossil fuels in order to acquire the energy.

The following is a list of the sources of renewable energy that are being developed: Biomass Ethanol Methanol Hydrogen Hydroelectric systems Ocean tides, currents and waves Wind power Photovoltaics Solar thermal conversion systems Passive heating and cooling of buildings Nuclear

Each of the above sources of energy has its pros and cons, but each one will only be utilized if it is capable of providing a lasting source of energy for a large amount of people.

Optimist

'Every forecast you hear about solar, wind and clean technology going forward, they're all wrong - by half. They're too small,' said Joseph Stanislaw, a former economist at the International Energy Agency. There are currently only 7 quads of solar energy that are used in each year in the United States. Optimists have shown that it will be possible to produce up to 37 quads of solar energy and we are heading in this direction. The Renewable Energy Network for the 21st Century, a policy group that promotes the expansion of renewable energy worldwide, found that renewable electricity-generation capacity reached an estimated 240 gigawatts worldwide last year, an increase of 50 percent over 2004.

Today, most solar energy comes from biomass and hydroelectric power. By the year 2050 the other forms of solar-based energy, wind power, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy and passive solar heating, will be developed and will provide energy without interfering with food and forest production. Nuclear energy is much more efficient than solar-based energy and the amount of waste that it creates is miniscule compared to the density of the source, uranium. If the US could get over its fear of nuclear energy we would have a solid source of energy for a very long time.

In developing countries, there is enormous potential for expansion of renewable energy. Few third-world countries currently have the funds to utilize most sources of renewable energy. The US, on the other hand, has more than enough funds to help establish renewable energy in these countries. Since the US relies on these countries for production of many goods as well as energy sources, our government should be willing to make this small investment in order to further develop renewable energy.

In order for renewable energy to expand successfully, it will have to be easier and cheaper to use than energy from fossil fuels. The government can make this possible by discontinuing subsidies for fossil fuels, limiting greenhouse gas emissions and instituting worldwide carbon taxes.

Pessimist

- asdfasfdsaf

Population | CO2 Emission | Fossil Fuel Reserves | Renewable Energy | Free Trade | Agriculture