ENERGY… What are the Alternatives?

The “Coming Crisis” If something is “non-renewable” then it will, presumably, run out. If something is “non-renewable” then it will, presumably, run out. If you know this then, what should you do? If you know this then, what should you do? Economists say that change will come when technology is driven by shortage, reflected in a high price (now?) Economists say that change will come when technology is driven by shortage, reflected in a high price (now?) Ecologists say, why wait for the shortage? Ecologists say, why wait for the shortage?

Our Reaction to the “Crisis” “There isn’t one: no shortages, no rationing, and the price rise is because of manipulation of the market. “There isn’t one: no shortages, no rationing, and the price rise is because of manipulation of the market. Response: Look for more oil. Response: Look for more oil. But, apart from nuclear, which has its own special problems, what else is there? But, apart from nuclear, which has its own special problems, what else is there? What are the sustainable, non-polluting alternatives, and why don’t we develop them? What are the sustainable, non-polluting alternatives, and why don’t we develop them?

The “Alternatives” Geothermal Energy Geothermal Energy Tidal Energy ( & Wave Energy) Tidal Energy ( & Wave Energy) Solar Energy Solar Energy Hydro-Electric Energy Hydro-Electric Energy But not Natural Gas—why? But not Natural Gas—why? Nuclear Fusion: Someday, maybe. Nuclear Fusion: Someday, maybe. Hydrogen Cells? Maybe. Hydrogen Cells? Maybe.

Geothermal Energy The core of the Earth is molten, and very quickly as you move down from the surface, the temperature increases rapidly. This (atomic) energy can be tapped by drilling into the Earth’s surface, and sometimes it is near the surface. This is the landscape of Iceland. It is possible to heat your house by the simple difference between the ground and the subsurface temperatures, using a heat exchanger Sometimes, the heat reaches the surface and is easily, and cheaply, accessible. Iceland is such a case and is run almost entirely on Geothermal. Elsewhere, you have to mine for it. In the USA, the main potential is in the West.

Tidal Uses the enormous power of the tide coming in, and going out twice a day. Uses the enormous power of the tide coming in, and going out twice a day. Build a Barrage Build a Barrage Wave Energy in California Wave Energy in California

Solar Power

Hydro Power

The “Maybe’s”

So What’s The Problem? If we have all these hopeful scientific alternatives, why don’t we use them? If we have all these hopeful scientific alternatives, why don’t we use them? The answer is more economic than technical The answer is more economic than technical In the process of becoming dependent on fossil fuels we invested billions into an infrastructure for extraction, refining and distribution: Sunk Costs In the process of becoming dependent on fossil fuels we invested billions into an infrastructure for extraction, refining and distribution: Sunk Costs

So What’s The Problem? On the other hand, alternative energy has huge start-up costs On the other hand, alternative energy has huge start-up costs Plus it has to compete with the very low price of, for instance, gasoline, which includes no monetary recognition of the fact that it is a wasting resource. Plus it has to compete with the very low price of, for instance, gasoline, which includes no monetary recognition of the fact that it is a wasting resource. So, start-up costs, and the low price of the existing energy base form serious barriers. So, start-up costs, and the low price of the existing energy base form serious barriers.

So, What Do You Do About the Problem? You could subsidize research or implementation of alternatives to give them a “kick start.” You could subsidize research or implementation of alternatives to give them a “kick start.” The present administration gave $1b to Fuel Cell research, at the same time as it took away almost all the funding to other forms of alternative energy. The present administration gave $1b to Fuel Cell research, at the same time as it took away almost all the funding to other forms of alternative energy. Why do you think this was? Why do you think this was?

A Case in Point Think of the solar cell. Think of the solar cell. If you make very few, they will be expensive If you make very few, they will be expensive If you make a lot, they will be cheap. If you make a lot, they will be cheap. But, how do you get from A to B? But, how do you get from A to B? Government could use this for Federal Buildings, for instance. Or you could give a tax break to people who install it. Government could use this for Federal Buildings, for instance. Or you could give a tax break to people who install it.

What do we make of current gas prices? Are these the “trigger” that economists say we need to make the change? They are still low, and seen as temporary. Are these the “trigger” that economists say we need to make the change? They are still low, and seen as temporary.

Biggest Problem of All The public does not perceive an energy crisis, gas prices or no gas prices The public does not perceive an energy crisis, gas prices or no gas prices If we are worried about energy, how do you account for this… If we are worried about energy, how do you account for this…