PV Gap

Tim Said:

Question about energy resources?

We Answered:

1- no one knows for sure, because they can only speculate about what is still in the ground, both for oil and coal.

2- The US uses the most as a country and dramatically more per person.

3- Pros are they are virtually free after the initial investment, we can build smaller more localized plants which makes them more secure from threats. People can own their own source of generation and therefore control their costs. Cons are they can't be used as a stand alone source, the sun only shines during the day, and the wind is variable, many people are fighting to keep them out of their community because the don't like the looks of them.

4- long before we run out we will fight terrible wars over control of the dwindeling supplies. Countries like France and a few other European nations that have becom energy independant will be spared some of the fighting.

5- Yes, we survived for thousands of years before we invented electricity or combustion engines. When Ford was still a young company they built more electric cars than gas. We may have to adjust our lifestyles, but we will find a cleaner way to live. We already have the technology to produce electric cars, the EV1 and Rav 4 were 2 great electric cars that suited the lifestyle of about 95% of the American drivers. We can use hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear power to create all the electricity we need.

Clinton Said:

Best Source Of Energy?

We Answered:

Electro-magnets

Jose Said:

oil and natural resources plz help?

We Answered:

They are less cost-effective. Cost per kilowatt could be 20 cents per kwh versus 5 or 10 cents for fossil fuels like coal or natural gas.

They are also higher maintenance. It's easier to maintain and fix a single 500 MWh generator in a power plant, but less to clean dust off thousands of solar panels, fix motors in several hundred 300 ft tall wind generators, etc.

Sherry Said:

Your choice of alternative energy?

We Answered:

Nuclear Power is my choice!
PROS
!. Fission is the most energy for the least fuel with current technology.
2. Less fuel means less waste, and the waste is all accounted for, not released into the atmosphere to become someone else's problem.
3. Uranium is readily available, very common in the earth's crust (about the same as tin)
4. Economical - operating cost about the same as coal, fuel cost is a much smaller percentage of the total, therefore less susceptible to price fluctuations.
5. Reliable - Nuclear power plants have very high capacity factors.
6. No combustion, no Co, CO2 or SO2 released.
7. Creates jobs.
8. Reduce dependence on foreign oil/ fuel. Uranium available domestically and in oceans.
9. High temperature reactors could produce Hydrogen as well as electricity.
10. Fantastic safety record.

CONS
1. Irrational fear of all things nuclear.
2. High cost to build and license, large initial investment for long term pay back.
3. Publicly accepted high level storage facility not domestically available.
4. Reprocessing facility not domestically available.
4. High cost of personnel.
5. Security concerns,
Nuclear power, I believe is the best, safest, most reliable, current technology to provide energy. The plants operating now are safe and the new designs are even safer.
Building 100's of new nuclear power plants would improve the economy, reduce or eliminate dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, reduce pollution, and provide for future technological advancement.
I have been working with nuclear power for about 30 years, I would be glad to have a Nuclear power plant or high level waste disposal facility in my backyard. My family and I live in a home within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant. (where I work) I have a great understanding of the risks involved and am completely comfortable with a plant "in my backyard".
Using Chernobyl as a reason not to build is like saying because of the Hindenburg I will never fly in a commercial airliner.
Nuclear power has the smallest environmental impact of any current energy production method per unit of energy produced. One fuel pellet about the size of a pencil eraser produces the same energy as about 1 ton of coal, and if reprocessed 2/3 of what’s left can be reclaimed. Nuclear power is our best option for reliable, environmentally friendly, base-load electrical power.

Tara Said:

i need the pros and cons of these?

We Answered:

Tidal Energy
Pro:
Non-polluting
Sustainable
Tides are very reliable
Cost of technology likely to fall
Con:
Relentlessly harsh environment
Not proven on a commercial scale
Environmental and marine safety issues
Technology is currently expensive and in its infancy
Limited geographically
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Wave Energy
Pro:
Non-polluting
Sustainable
Is constant
Cost of technology likely to fall
Con:
Not proven on a commercial scale
Installation would damage the sea-bed
locally Environmental and marine safety issues
Technology is currently expensive and in its infancy
Limited geographically