Growth in Alternative Energy
May
5
Written by:
5/5/2009 8:17 AM
Growth in Alternative Energy
Alternative energy is a term that refers to any source of usable energy intended to replace fuel sources without the undesired consequences of the replaced fuels. The term excludes fossil fuels (coal, natural gas) and nuclear energy whose undesired consequences are emissions (climate change) and radioactive waste production and disposal.
In the United States, alternative energy production currently represents less than 10% of total energy production. The case to be made for their use cannot currently be made on the economics of plant cost nor cost of energy produced. As shown in the table below the cost of energy from coal-fired plants is predictably among the least expensive.
|
Source of Electrical Energy
|
US Market Share %
|
Growth 2005-2009
|
¢ Cost per KWh
|
Environmental Friendliness
|
|
Biomass
|
0.3%
|
11.8%
|
4-10
|
Average
|
|
Coal
|
50%
|
0.7%
|
5-6
|
Worst
|
|
Geothermal
|
0.4%
|
5.0%
|
4-30
|
Best
|
|
Hydroelectric
|
6.1%
|
-0.0%
|
5-11
|
Better
|
|
Natural Gas
|
20.3%
|
21.9%
|
4-12
|
Worse
|
|
Nuclear
|
20.1%
|
2.5%
|
8-15
|
Average
|
|
Solar
|
0.0%
|
11.4%
|
12-55
|
Best
|
|
Wind
|
0.8%
|
71.0%
|
4-13
|
Better
|
The growth in alternative energy is driven by public interest, government incentives, global awareness of the danger of carbon emissions, and economics. Some of the specific advantages and disadvantages are listed in the table below.
|
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
|
Reliable
|
Site Location
|
|
Renewable
|
High Start-up Costs (esp. solar)
|
|
Low or No Emissions
|
Solid Waste Creation
|
|
Does Not Contribute to Global Warming
|
Land Impact (esp. geothermal)
|
|
Reduces Imported Fuel
|
Visual (esp. wind)
|
|
Provides Offsets (Carbon Credits)
|
|
|
Quiet
|
|
|
Conserves Water
|
|
Under the new administration it is expected that incentives for the development and construction of alternative energy assets will increase. Coupled with the favorable public environment for non fossil fuel-based energy sources, and steadily improving economics of capital and production costs, the groundwork is set for substantial growth.