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Alternative Energy Sources

Discover the importance of alternative fuels, implications of Peak Oil, and explore solutions like solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, and hydroelectric power. Learn about energy policy initiatives and the need for comprehensive energy strategies. Dive into the history of energy policies and understand the significance of renewable energy sources.

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Alternative Energy Sources

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  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

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