Non-traditional energy sources PURPA “alternative” sources efficiency “clean” sources Renewables How do we promote renewables nowadays?

Non-traditional energy sources PURPA Modern REP Solar (active/passive)XX WindXX Hydro (new dam/existing dam)Small? GeothermalXX CogenerationX Biomass (waste vs. virgin material)X? MSW  Energy (incinerators/LF gas)X?

Renewables: Wind For how long and for what purposes has man been harnessing wind power? When did we first begin to generate electricity with wind power? Is wind generation a new technology, or an old one? Why has wind power generation grown so rapidly in Europe and the U.S. over the last decade? What has prevented wind generation from becoming a larger proportion of our energy mix? Where are there viable wind farms today? Why have wind farms proven viable in these locations? Where will they be in the future?

U.S. wind resources

Texas Wind Resources

UK wind farms, proposed (offshore) Danish wind farm

Renewables: Wind For how long and for what purposes has man been harnessing wind power? When did we first begin to generate electricity with wind power? Is wind generation a new technology, or an old one? Why has wind power generation grown so rapidly in Europe and the U.S. over the last decade? What has prevented wind generation from becoming a larger proportion of our energy mix? Where are there viable wind farms today? Why have wind farms proven viable in these locations? Where will they be in the future? What are the environmental externalities of wind generation? What can and has government done to promote the development of wind power? What more should government do in the future? Why? How much of our electric generating load can and should be served by wind power?

Hydrogen Fuel Cells What is a hydrogen fuel cell? How does it work to provide us with power? How is it recharged? Where does the hydrogen come from? What commercial applications are practical for hydrogen fuel cells? Are hydrogen powered cars more efficient than other types of cars? Do they pollute less? Can fuel cells provide us with a cleaner source of electricity generation for residential and commercial users? Should industrialized nations transition to a hydrogen economy? What should governments do to facilitate that transition?