1. Michigan’s Ideal Energy Mix By: Jillian Lawrence

2. Wind Disadvantages Not very much available land for wind farms. Not very much available land for wind farms. If all land available for wind farms was used, they would only generate 8% of Michigan’s total energy. If all land available for wind farms was used, they would only generate 8% of Michigan’s total energy. Advantages Although more expensive initially, it will pay off in the long run. Although more expensive initially, it will pay off in the long run. When coupled with biomass energy, 62%, they could produce 70% of Michigan’s energy. When coupled with biomass energy, 62%, they could produce 70% of Michigan’s energy. Can be large-scale or for personal use. Can be large-scale or for personal use.

3. Biomass Disadvantages Supply challenges exist, especially in urban areas. Supply challenges exist, especially in urban areas. Waste requires separating before burning. Waste requires separating before burning. Widespread, unregulated use can cause air and breathing problems. Widespread, unregulated use can cause air and breathing problems. Combustion causes air pollution. Combustion causes air pollution. Reduces nutrients returned to the soil by composting. Reduces nutrients returned to the soil by composting. Advantages Can be used on a small/large scale. Can be used on a small/large scale. Sustainable if managed properly. Sustainable if managed properly. Contributes to economy of agricultural/forest regions. Contributes to economy of agricultural/forest regions. Can use animal, food, and plant waste. Can use animal, food, and plant waste. Can reduce landfill space. Can reduce landfill space. Can be used as fuel for vehicles. Can be used as fuel for vehicles. Can reduce dependence on foreign oil. Can reduce dependence on foreign oil. Greenhouse gasses are countered by carbon dioxide intake when growing. Greenhouse gasses are countered by carbon dioxide intake when growing. Does not create a net increase in greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. Does not create a net increase in greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.

4. Solar Disadvantages Can be expensive. Can be expensive. Active solar power can sometimes be visually displeasing to some. Active solar power can sometimes be visually displeasing to some. Passive solar houses are expensive to build. Passive solar houses are expensive to build. Advantages Can reduce a home’s need for fossil fuel by 60% to 80% when coupled with items such as water saving shower heads. Can reduce a home’s need for fossil fuel by 60% to 80% when coupled with items such as water saving shower heads. Can be visually pleasing to some. Can be visually pleasing to some. One PV field the size of a foot ball field can power at least 83.9 average homes. One PV field the size of a foot ball field can power at least 83.9 average homes.

5. Hydroelectric Disadvantages You lose land when you build dams. You lose land when you build dams. The construction is expensive and risky. The construction is expensive and risky. Some will find it visually displeasing. Some will find it visually displeasing. Advantages Is easily available to Michigan. Is easily available to Michigan. Is extremely common. Is extremely common. It can provide more jobs in upkeep of different turbines and/or dams. It can provide more jobs in upkeep of different turbines and/or dams. Reduces need for more bridges, as they can be built along the top of the dams. Reduces need for more bridges, as they can be built along the top of the dams.

6. Uranium (Nuclear Fission) Disadvantages Creates radioactive waste. Creates radioactive waste. Hazardous working conditions. Hazardous working conditions. People could become worried of possible infection from living in close proximity to a nuclear power station. People could become worried of possible infection from living in close proximity to a nuclear power station. Advantages The amount of energy stored in a uranium chunk the size of a baseball is equal to the energy in a million gallons of gasoline. The amount of energy stored in a uranium chunk the size of a baseball is equal to the energy in a million gallons of gasoline. There are some new ways to create less radioactive waste. There are some new ways to create less radioactive waste. In 2002, 26.4% of Michigan’s total energy was produced by nuclear power plants. In 2002, 26.4% of Michigan’s total energy was produced by nuclear power plants.

7. And so…. The Wrap-Up You have seen the advantages and disadvantages of what I think would be Michigan’s most reliable energy resource mix. You have seen the advantages and disadvantages of what I think would be Michigan’s most reliable energy resource mix. I chose to give nuclear power a total of 5% in my ideal energy mix because of the obviously harmful waste products, and the fact that it is not renewable, like the others. I chose to give nuclear power a total of 5% in my ideal energy mix because of the obviously harmful waste products, and the fact that it is not renewable, like the others. Jillian’s Power Graph Resource Percentage of total energy Solar12.5% Hydroelectric12.5% Wind8% Biomass62% Nuclear5% Total100%