A Quick Look at Alternative Energy Sources
In the United States and most parts of the Electricity Freedom System world, fossil fuels have shouldered much of the burden for providing energy. Increased demands due to population growth and expanding industries require more and more energy. Also, since most countries do not produce enough oil and gas for their own needs they are dependent on other countries for much of their supply. In recent years this has resulted in wild price fluctuations, which have had a dramatic impact on our everyday lives. There are many alternatives to fossil fuels -- not all are practical, but here are some alternative energy sources that have been proven to be valuable in the past, and still have quite a bit of future potential.
Nuclear Power In the United States there are over 100 nuclear reactors, which currently generate around 20 percent of our energy needs. Nuclear power produces over 75 percent of France's energy, and large amounts for many other nations. There have not been any nuclear power plants built in the United States since the 1970's, but in 2007 a company in New Jersey filed a license to build a new plant, and other companies have also applied for licenses. Because of past issues associated with nuclear waste, nuclear energy often has a stigma attached to it, but we have come a long way in our ability to safety store waste temporarily and then reprocess the waste for additional energy or medical isotopes.
Hydroelectric Power This type of power is widely used in many parts of the United States. Electricity is generated by dams when high water pressure flows through turbines and causes them to spin. Grand Coulee Dam, located in Washington State, is the nation's largest hydroelectric facility. and is one of the major reasons why Washington State generates approximately 30% of all the hydroelectric power in the country. There is still plenty of potential for increased hydroelectric power, especially since only a small portion of the dams that exist were built for power generation. As new, more efficient systems come online, and more energy is produced by existing systems, then additional hydroelectric power will be available.
Solar Power This natural energy source has been providing warmth for humans throughout the ages. The problem has always been in developing ways to collect and harness this energy so that it can be used efficiently long after the sun has gone down. Solar PV panels are used to collect sunlight and turn it into usable electricity. Unfortunately, today's typical solar panels are only able to convert a little over 15% of the sunlight energy into electrical power. Good progress continues to be made, though, making this one of the most promising forms of alternative energy available today.