Alternative Energy Sources

1. Alternative Energy Sources The problem – the solutions – the policy by Maury Gibboney, Brett Rismiller, Adam Young

2. Why we need alternative fuels • What is Peak Oil? • What are its implications? • Have we passed Peak Oil?

3. Important Indicators • Rate of production • Oil Prices • Gas Prices

4. Source: Ken Deffeyes, Princeton University

5. Crude Oil Prices – 1947-2007 Source: James Williams, WTRG Economics

6. Crisis Exacerbated • Sources of increased demand: - Industrialization of populous nations • A crisis of Supply v. Demand

7. Potential Solutions Solar Wind Power Geothermal Nuclear Hydroelectric

8. Solar Power • Photovoltaic Cells • Thousands of tiny silicon cells on a grid

9. Solar Power cont. • Early cells (early 1990’s) had a 30% lower efficiency than modern cells • Did not create enough energy in lifetime to compensate for manufacturing cost • Modern solar cells can generate enough energy equal to manufacturing cost in 3 to 4 years

10. Wind Power • Cleanest of energy alternatives • Currently provides just over 1% worldwide consumed electricity • 19% in Denmark, 9% in Spain • Wind Farms have hundreds of large turbines that connect to a central grid

11. Geothermal Power Uses heat from beneath the earth Recycles hot water Slowly cooling off over years .1% CO2 emissions Currently supplies 1% of world’s power

12. Not Everything Goes as Planned Source: Nuclear Energy Institute

13. Nuclear Power • High Speed neutron collisions • Chain Reaction • High amounts of energy = high danger • Chernobyl Reactor explosion • Radioactive byproducts • Yucca Mountain

14. Hydroelectric Power • Potential energy to electricity • Very green, no greenhouse gas emission • Wildlife Preservation conflict • Salmon Spawning

15. Hydroelectric Power cont. Source: The Electricity Forum 63% of Renewable Energy 19% of world’s total

16. Energy Policy • The United States has no real comprehensive energy policy • The 1970’s spawned serious interest in the development of energy policy • Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 • Energy and Conservation Policy Act of 1976 • National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978

17. Energy Policy Act of 1992 • Intended to “reduce our nation’s reliance of foreign petroleum, and improve air quality” - Created conservation programs - Attempt to establish alternative energy market through the promotion of alternative fuel vehicles - Failed to curtail reliance on foreign oil/fossil fuels (Energy Policy Act, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/about/index)

18. Energy Policy Act 2005 • Aims to develop alternative forms of energy beyond oil • Emphasizes the need to diversify energy sources • Calls for an increase in domestic production of oil and natural gas

19. Energy Policy Act 2005 continued • Provides tax credits for energy efficient buildings, appliances and vehicles • Researches the possibility of alternative sources (emphasis on nuclear power) • Fails to place adequate focus on conservation of energy sources

20. What Needs To Be Done? • The United States needs a completely comprehensive energy policy • Effective energy policy must include both sanctions and incentives • Monetary incentives for research and use • Strict policy which is fully enforced

21. What Needs To Be Done? • This policy should include accountability at all levels • Individual • Institutional • Governmental • Corporate • Reflect the need for not only a change in policy but also a change in lifestyle choices

22. Works Cited Deffeyes, Ken. "Hubbert's Peak, Current Event." Beyond Oil: The View from Hubbert's Peak. 19 Jan 2007. Princeton University. 9 Apr 2008 <http://www.princeton.edu/hubbert/current-events-07-01.html>. McKillop, Andrew, and Newman, Sheila. The Final Energy Crisis. Ann Arbor, MI: Pluto Press, 2005. Scheer, Hermann. Energy Autonomy. Sterling, VA: Earthscan, 2007. Williams, James. "History and Analysis - Crude Oil Prices." WTRG Economics. 2007. WTRG . 10 Apr 2008 <http://www.wtrg.com/prices.htm>. "Hydroelectricity Explained." The Electricity Forum. 15 Mar. 2003. EF. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.electricityforum.com/hydroelectricity.html>. Geothermal Energy Facts." Geothermal Education Office. 27 Aug. 2006. GEO. 2 Apr. 2008 <http Berinstein, Paula. Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics, and Issues. Wesstport, CT: Greenwood, Inc., 2001.://geothermal.marin.org/pwrheat.html>.

23. Works Cited (cont’d) • Kenney, Robyn. "Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, United States." The Encyclopedia of • Earth. 2006. 11 Apr 2008 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Energy_Policy_and_Conservation_ • Act_of_1975,_United_States • Bamberger, Robert. "The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: History, Perspectives and Issues." CRS Report for • Congress 03 Apr 2006 1-18. 10 Apr 2008 <http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RL33341.pdf>.. • "Report to the Congress on the Coordination of Federal energy-conservation programs involving state and • local governments." Energy Citations Database 01 July 1979 1-132. 11 Apr 2008 • <http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=6001870 • (2005,November 16). Energy Policy Act (EPAct). Retrieved April 08, 2008, from US Department of • Energy, Energy Efficency and Renewable Energy Web site: • http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/about/index. • (2005,November 16). Energy Policy Act (EPAct). Retrieved April 08, 2008, from US Department of • Energy, Energy Efficency and Renewable Energy Web site: • http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/about/index. • The Energy Policy Act of 2005, What the Energy Bill Means to You. Retrieved April 10, 2008, from US • Department of Energy Web site: http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks • Kraft, M.E., & Furlong, S.R. (2007). Public Policy, Politics, Analysis and Alternatives.Washington DC: • CQ Press • (2008, March 28). Energy Policy Act of 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2008, from Offshore Minerals • Managment, US Department of the Interior Web site: http://www.mms .gov/2005EnergyPolicyAct.htm