Alternate energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, fuel cells, etc.) -- hasn't its time come? What's preventing us from?

Similar questions: Alternate energy sources wind solar hydro fuel cells time preventing.

Economics is finally starting to drive it Sales of windmills and solar cells are skyrocketing because it is finally getting close to economical to deploy them. While they still comprise only a tiny fraction of our energy supply, the percentage is on a very fast growth curve. This is for several reasons.

The rising cost of conventional energy sources (oil, in particular) makes it increasingly feasible to substitute with alternatives. Government policy, like tax incentives and the requirement that power companies buy back power that is fed into their grid are also stimulating the use of alternatives. Germany has been quite aggressive about pushing this through governement incentives.In the case of photovoltaics (solar cells), the cost is a strong function of manufacturing scale.

The more you make, the cheaper it gets to make each one. Also, the technology is still advancing rapidly, both in terms of performance (power efficiency), and in the use of less expensive materials and manufacturing techniques. Fuel cells are not an alternative energy source.

They may play a future role in distribution of energy, but you still need to power them with hydrogen, methanol, or some other fuel source. Biofuels are still problematic, but progress is being made. Some parts of the world are adding significant hydroelectric capacity.

Another major opportuity is nuclear, but the USA is still afraid of it.

Well, you've asked that question on the right site! That question has been kicked around here several times--once or twice even by me! Basically, it's that crappy Third or Fourth Law of Thermodynamics.It says 'Thou shall not profit more from thy labors than thou has labored!

' Might as well make it the Law of God. This means you can't get any more energy out of something than you put into it. Techno's have been banging their collective heads over this GOD forsaken law for over a hundred years--nobody has beat it yet.

1. Nuclear Energy: Despite its' short comings is our best shot at plentiful energy. But a real bear to clean up and no safe place to put it after it has been used or abused, plus it cost a lot.

2. Thermo Energy: Basically, you drill a deep hole almost through the Earth's crust, pour a hundred gallons of water down in there, affix a steam driven generator on top the pipe...and just wait until the steam comes gushing out. This is our second best shot.

The problem is volcanic gas. There are small pools and large lakes of it the size of small sea down there...if someone accidently tapped into one of those big lakes/seas the posionous gas could kill a continent. There are, of course, safe ways to do it, just drill down to where the rock is a dull red--not liquid.

There should be plently of crust left for protection. Next, don't drill into an upsidedown valley where such pools and lakes are to be found. They could do it--but they won't because of the risk.

The Chinese are doing it, I've heard. 3. Solar Cells: Great idea!

They cost an arm and a leg and still aren't as efficent as math and chemistry say they can be in theory. 4. Energy from ocean waves: They are doing it in several places.

5. Windmills: Another great idea! Not super efficent or anything, but usable.

They outlaw them in a lot of places because they make noise (stupid reason) and they say they kill birds (beats me). Six. Access to energy and subatomic particles from the other side of the lightbarrier: Great idea!

Too bad it's still sciencefiction. There is an endless source of energy over there--but it would be dangerous.7. Sterling lowpressure motor/generator: Another great idea that got to see its' day.

Now, these are just a few of them, there are many others. But then other problems come up. Law, lawmakers, politicians, special interest groups with lots of money-numbers-and big mouths.

All these together add up to a Lot of say-so. The problem is, they don't say-so.......they say-no. Haven't their time come?

You bet! So why don't we do it? Because of the reason above, posted under the number seven.....plus, people like you and I aren't incharge.

Sorry to be such a downer, but that's the way our world is today. BYE!.

Money There are lots of alternative sources and lots of progress in the field. The hard part is developing technologies that can (a) compete with fossil fuels in price and versatility and (b) not do just as much damage to the environment (like burning coal to produce electricity to run electric cars). As oil gets scarcer and the price continues to climb, those kinds of things will become more economically viable and demand will increase their availability..

Cost and lobbyists The costs of research are quite high. Limited production also means higher costs per unit which will only go down through mass production and use. Also, the government is giving subsidies to Big Oil (which doesn't need it in the least), instead of investing in alternatives research.

Part of the reason for the subsidies is because of lobbyists from Big Oil.

$$$ Those sources are still like two to twenty times as expensive as fossil fuels. Plus they're not a steady or reliable source of power.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.