RENEWABLE ENERGY vs NON RENEWABLE ENERGY
We all agree that non-renewable sources of energy are going into extinction. The world must develop new energy technology quickly as world demand increases. There is however the question of which renewable energy sources will be the most viable economically, politically, and personally.
Renewable energy is being developed around the world, and many governments have started committing large amounts of money to the renewable energy technologies they think will work the best.
The biggest problem we have is how to integrate renewable energy while being so dependent of non-renewable energy
(oil, coal, natural gas) sources.
Because the world still relies mainly on non-renewable forms of energy, and a large percentage comes from countries that are politically and historically unstable The large non-renewable energy consuming nations are on the brink of disaster if the supply stops flowing.
The big picture on renewable energy can be unclear as to the direction to go with the development of any one source.
We must remember that renewable energy does not necessarily mean green.
RENEWABLE ENERGY (solar, wind, Hydro, biomass, nuclear)
 converted into electricity
PROS:
- The most abundant energy source available.
- Development progressing for better efficiency.
- Economic development.
- Can be easily produced with homemade systems.
- Not cost effective for the private sector (you &me) to install individually.
- cost of development and manufacturing taking place in countries other than the USA.
- Development progressing for better efficiency.
- Can be cost effective for the private sector (you & me) if state and local governments will allow it.
- Can be easily produced with homemade systems.
- At this time only commercially viable in certain high wind areas of the country.
- Requires a large footprint on the environment for a small percentage of energy produced.
- Requires massive infrastructure (roads transmission lines).
HYDRO ELECTRIC: renewable Energy produced by rivers and streams converted into electricity.
PROS:
- Has been in use for many years and can be expanded in many areas of the world.
- Economic development.
CONS:
Expanded development requires high expense with years of state and local approval. Requires the damming and diversion of rivers and streams that can effect the natural environment. Can be renewed semiannually.
BIOMASS: Renewable Energy produced by agricultural processes (wood, corn, soybeans).
PROS:
- Economic development.
- Requires the largest foot print on the environment to produce enough energy to effectively power a country.
- Increase the amount of toxic fertilizers on the environment to keep the crops viable.
- Could reduce amount of food producing land, increasing the cost of food.
- Combustible energy output much lower than oil.
- Produces the lowest amount of energy for investment.
- Economic development.
NUCLEAR
PROS:
- Produces the highest amount of electrical energy for investment
CONS:
- Requires years of planning and government approval.
- Massive safety issues.
- Radical environmentalists will fight for years to block approval.
- What to do with radioactive waste.
- Increased mining of uranium.
- Increased concerns on security.
- Disaster containment viability.
NON RENEWABLE ENERGY (oil, coal, natural gas)
OIL: Energy produced from oil deposits underground.
PROS:
- The most cost effective energy source due to existing technology.
CONS:
- Demand is rising worldwide.
- Limited supply.
- High environmental impact
COAL: Non renewable energy produced by mining underground coal deposits.
PROS:
- Abundant supply
- Cost effective to harvest with existing technology.
CONS:
- Demand is rising worldwide.
Very high environmental impact
NATURAL GAS: non renewable energy produced from deposits underground.
PROS:
- Abundant in certain parts of the world.
- Cost effective due to existing technologies.
- Cost effective conversion for use in transportation.
CONS:
- demand is rising worldwide.
- Limited supply.
- High environmental impact
The United States new economic recovery package has committed a very small amount to the development of renewable energy. It will take many years to fund and approve large commercial solar and wind energy projects, giving no short term energy independence.
The United States is just one major manmade or natural disaster away from extreamly
high non renewable energy prices, with
energy conservation and efficiency seeming to be low priority from our elected officials.
We must commit equally to the development of renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy conservation.
At this point in history we cannot rely on just one of these renewable energy or non renewable energy sources and expect economic prosperity to recover.
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Renewable vs Non-renewable Energy
