ESL Lesson 1
Oil in Our Every Day Life
ESL Lesson 2
The History of Mining
ESL Lesson 3
Economic growth
ESL Lesson 4
Delivery Systems
ESL Lesson 5
Cities and Population Movement
ESL Lesson 6
Recycling
ESL Lesson 7
Rubber
ESL Lesson 8
Farming
Wind and Solar
Key questions on energy options
Is the energy source sustainable?
Sustainable.
What are the potential negative externalities (effects) of producing/using this
energy source?
Few potential negative externalities to my knowledge. Wind turbines have been implicated (associated with) in the deaths of some bats and birds, and there may be some increased pollution as a result of solar panel manufacture.
What is the EROEI?
The energy returns have been calculated in a number of different ways, but most sources show an energy balance more favorable (better) than that of most liquid fuels.
Is it affordable?
Wind-generated electricity is affordable, but solar is still out of reach (Slang for too expansive) for the average person.
Are there better alternatives?
expansive) for the average person.
For electricity generation, I think these are the best, most sustainable options.
Are there other special considerations?
There are a number of special considerations for this option. First, wide-spread electric transport - an absolute must in my opinion - is not yet a reality (not in place yet). Battery technology still doesn't quite have the cost/benefit ratio that many consumers desire. Also, if the world moves toward more electric transportation a lot of infrastructure will need to be upgraded. There are also currently issues (problems) with a shortage of silicon (element Si) for making solar cells, which is keeping prices elevated (high).
In summary, are the advantages of the source large enough to justify any
negative consequences?
I believe that we need to move toward transportation electrification, which in my opinion would make wind and solar power more attractive options than any of the liquid fuel options with the possible exceptions of sugarcane ethanol and waste-derived(main ingredient is 2nd hand oil ) bio-diesel.
The potential advantages of a solar and wind-powered transport system are so great that our current infatuation (puppy love) with grain ethanol is a tremendous misallocation (giant misuse) of resources. My vision for the future would involve some solar panels on the vast majority (most) of houses around the world providing the electricity to run our small PHEVs (plug in hybrid vehicles) as a start.
Continue to: Conservation
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Rubber
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Bio-fuels and Ethanol
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Liquid Fossil Fuels
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Grain Ethanol
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Sugarcane Ethanol
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Cellulosic Ethanol
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Biodiesel
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Biomass Gasification
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Wind and Solar
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Conservation
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