Alternative Energy Sources

Whether we like it or not, scientists predict in as little as forty years fossil fuel sources and oil fields could be running on empty. In light of this all kinds of new and inventive energy sources are popping up, and some old ones are making a comeback. Which fuel sources do you think make the most sense? How about the least? Should we go for the most cost-efficient source, or the most costly? Or perhaps somewhere in between.

It may be that I'm an AP English student, but it holds true in my experience that citations and research make any argument stronger.... that's only a suggestion though.

there are many different engery sources (wind, water, etc.) but the bad thing is, it takes alot longer to get the same amount of energy as coal or whatever.

i believe nuclear energy is the way to go , people will flame me for is, but i think its the quickets, cleanest and safest (please don't tell me about chernobyl, because i know) form of energy

yes there are cons, but thats what i believe

I don't know much about the different things.. But i think that if we could keep it the natural way, then we wouldn't destroy the nature THAT much.. Maybe we could use the wind or/and water in another way, so we could get even MORE energy from that?

Chernobyl was an accident. I think if we spent more time trying to discover its use asan energy source instead of a weapon then nuclear energy could prove to be the next major source of power. Think about it. The energy contained within one nuke is enough to power the entire US for like a year....

OK right just i few things that would really mean a lot to me if you do:
turn the out when your not in the room!
don't leave anything on stand by; eg if you think turning your TV off is the big button on the front ITS NOT! turn it off at the wall, the switch.
And must i stress how important it is to recycle?
Omg walk somewhere if you wanna get there. I'll understand if its something like an hours drive, but you want to go shopping get a bus if its that far away. Or walk.
If you like your gardening the do one of those compost heaps. You don't have to buy one of those plastic things to put it all in, just start a pile at the back of the garden.


I feel so much better now that i got that out of my system.

Oh and if if any product factories are reading this which i seriously doubt, just stop putting so much packaging like the the size of a small shed when all we wanted is something as small as an ipod.

In Illinois here, we have a lot of people growing for Soy fuel

Finally!!!! it's put to good use ^^

Hopefully people will THINK a bit and start using it in the future.

in my opinion, the planet was supposed to be destroyed my mans destruction. if earth was supossed to last longer, it would have ways of dealing with global warming on its own. if anyones ever read william golding's lord of the flies, they will know that every person has evil and destructive power in them, we were never designed to overcome our self made problems such as this. not to be religious but could the end of fossil fuel be planned for the end of the world as we know it and the final judgement to take place (( for all those who dont know, its when everyone gets judged and christians/good living get taken to heaven )).

well these are just my scatter-brained ideas on the topic. dont get offended and yell at me or anything...(:

also, i heard they had recently discovered a new earth with properties similar to here... more evidence to the fact this may have suppossed to happen.. dont ya think??? (:

Here's a little bit on BIO POWER:

Biopower is the process of using plant and organic matter to generate electricity. Biomass comes from agriculture waste, forestry waste, municipal and industrial solid waste and energy crops.

The benefit with biopower is that it relies on a renewable resource with significantly less harmful emissions. Biopower is generally cost competitive with fossil-fuel electricity when biomass prices are very low. The cost of purchasing biomass is key to keeping it affordable, biomass power plants must be sited near an ongoing, reliable biomass source.

Although direct-fired biopower systems produce air pollution emissions, they are cleaner than coal power plants because they do not release sulfur dioxide, a huge pollutant. Furthermore, bioenergy systems have nowhere near the global warming impacts of fossil-fuel plants.

The production of energy crops for bioenergy production can also be a cause for concern. If these crops are grown in the same unsustainable manner as most food crops are today, bioenergy does not offer a sustainable alternative to current fossil-fuel-fired power production. However, if energy crops are produced with minimal use of chemicals, they could potentially enhance agricultural lands and improve wildlife habitat. Many of the crops that are being considered for energy production could be grown in a sustainable, low-impact manner.

And here's a little bit on FUEL CELLS:

A fuel cell is a device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. Fuel cells are similar to batteries, yet they do not run down or need recharging. Fuel cells will offer greater environmental benefits when it becomes affordable to extract pure hydrogen from water. Pure hydrogen can be produced through water electrolysis using electricity generated from renewable energy sources. This hydrogen could be used directly in fuel cells to generate electricity, thus completely eliminating the use of bad polluting fossil fuels. The combination of a fuel cell using hydrogen with electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, would create a truly sustainable energy system. But before this vision can become a reality, many technological and financial barriers need to be overcome.

And some info on SOLAR CELLS:

Solar Cells absorb sunlight and convert it directly to electricity. Solar cells are very thin, rectangular or circular wafers made of silicon, film glass or thin metal. Of all the renewable energy sources available, solar cells have the smallest environmental impact. Electricity produced from solar cells does not result in air or water pollution, deplete natural resources, or endanger animal or human health. The only potential negative impacts are associated with some toxic chemicals, like cadmium and arsenic, that are used in making the cells. These environmental impacts are minor and can be easily controlled through recycling and proper disposal. The problem lies in the price of electricity produced from solar cells. While costs are slowly decreasing, it is still significantly more expensive to produce solar electricity than it is from fossil fuels like coal and oil, especially when environmental costs are not considered.

And here's some info on WIND TURBINES:

Wind turbines efficiently convert the force of moving air into electricity. Wind turbines come in many different sizes from small-scale home systems to large utility scale systems. Of all the renewable energy technologies, wind power is currently the most affordable when compared to traditional, fossil-fuel-based energy production technologies. Wind-generated electricity also provides a pollution-free source of electricity. None of the harmful emissions associated with fossil fuels occur when the wind is utilized to produce electricity.

The main concern regarding wind energy development revolves around placement. Given that the best wind sites are located along mountain ridges, wind farms could alter the look of wilderness areas.