Outlook Green: Alternative Energy Policy

Alternative Energy Policy

Alternative Energy Resources: The Race Is On

A couple years ago when New York City had its blackout, many people woke up to the fact that we use way too much electricity as an energy source. They had been taking their electricity for granted.

This event also made us aware of other depleting natural resources, such as oil and that these resources as well should not be taken for granted. Pollution, global warming, high oil costs and the threat of running out of non-renewable resources had put a spark back into the search of alternative energy resources.

Although we still have a ways to go good progress is being made. Hybrid vehicles and solar powered homes are beginning to be more accepted as ways of the future and more and more people are using them. Yes you may run into a naysayer on the street, but remember we are making progress and you should always be optimistic towards our future.

What Does It Take To Make People Aware of Alternative Energy Resources?

Most environmentalists have been cautioning the world for years that the current methods of producing electricity are not going to be around forever. Using coal and oil products to turn turbines to make electricity, they warned, is going to deplete the supply and alternative energy resources that will be needed.

They often advised the time to act was before the supplies were gone. Additionally, they stressed the importance of alternative energy resources that did not pollute the air, water and send particulate matter into the wind.

Alternative Energy Technology Still In Its Infancy

The use of water to supply power has been around for decades; seemingly ever since electricity and windmills have been supplying power in many areas of the world. The use of solar power is becoming more acceptable and using the water, wind and sun as alternative energy resources are still being examined. While many technological advances have been made, developing a cost-effective production method is still in its early stages.

Why didn't we work on this years ago? When these technologies were first introduced there was no real financial incentive to continue development. Prices for coal and oil were still low and methods to clean the air at coal-fired plants kept pollution concerns to a minimum. However, recent increases in coal and oil prices and threat of running out has made the hunt for alternative energy resources more urgent.

Lack Of Competition Keeps Prices High

Many blame the cost of the technology for the prices of using alternative energy resources, but most agree that a lack of competition among companies using them are the biggest culprit. Many contend the prices for alternative energy resources is artificially inflated using the supply and demand calculation that the supply has not increased sufficiently to offset even the slightest increase in demand, which sends prices even higher.

Many countries have initiated incentives for companies and individuals to find alternative energy resources that can save natural resources, reduce prices and save the environment. The scare of global warming has many looking at new methods of producing power without producing a hotter environment.

Right now, it is difficult to find a cheap alternative energy resource for your home for the reasons stated above, but we are making progress, and good progress. Eventually, as technology advances, we may be able to make the alternative energy resources we have a little cheaper.

It is just too bad we procrastinated for so long to get started. Just get educated, stay optimistic, and do your part to convert the energy in your home to an alternative source.

Madison Greene is like anybody else. She is interested in saving the planet and finding alternatives for depleting natural resources. She has done diligent research and found a book that teaches you how you can safely make your own alternative fuel at home for less than one dollar a gallon. To learn how you can save money and the planet by visiting: www.LearnToMakeBioDiesel.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

Career Decision and Life Direction in Engineering
I am considering moving from Engineering, Electrical to Engineering and Public Policy. I am considering going from working in microelectronics and semiconductors to Alternative Energy Policy. I would like to do a Master's and PhD in this area. I would appreciate any thoughts on this. I am wondering whether energy issues will be popular if oil prices go down and also, what else anyone thinks about this. Thanks!

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Will competition lower the price of gas?
Obama makes a fair point. An American alternative energy policy which helps to develop and mass produce carbon fiber hybrid cars capable of 300 mpg (Google "300 mpg" as this car DOES exist and will be on the market in America next year) and which can be recharged overnight for free from electricity generated on everyone's roof top solar panels / horizontal wind turbines during the day and stored in batteries in their garage until used. That such a policy to promote and build this available today system would lower oil dependence, dramatically cut oil consumption and drop gas prices as proven by the republican's claim that lower demand is dropping the price 40% these past few months. Wouldn't a alternative energy policy like the one Obama is proposing start a competition that would lower the price of gas forever?

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Why won't an alternative energy policy work?
More specifically, why wouldn't we want a different plan in place? What is the downside of a plan like: -Converting large commercial vehicles such as buses and semis to run on domestic natural gas -Converting smaller, lighter vehicles to run on some combination of electric/natural gas/gasoline/whatever else is to come -Produce electricity using localized sources such as wind, solar, geothermal/hot rock, natural gas, etc -Produce products like plastics using oil from domestic sources and imported from Mexico, Canada, and the UK Two respondants say it is too expensive and we have to have nuclear. Any figures to back up those assertions (and please attempt to keep the moronic insults to a minimum)? For instance, what would be the cost to use existing equipment to drill wells for hot rock energy as opposed to drilling for more oil? What would be the cost difference? How "astronomically expense" would it be to convert from diesel to natural gas? What leads you to make that assertion? Which "businesses" don't have the money for this? If loans were offered to incentivize companies to produce their own electricity, what would be the cost break-down over the life of the company? I know I could pay a decent chunk of money to convert my house to a renewable source of energy. In the long run it would be financially beneficial to do so, as I could sell the inevitable excess electricity I would produce and I'd never have another electric bill. If I could run my car off electricity, that'd be an added bonus. Another way to put it, what would be the cost of NOT doing something drastic? Since we've passed our peak in oil production and will be on the downside of supply, while demand continues to increase, how expensive will it be to import nearly all of our energy needs? What happens when countries move to nationalize and keep their oil as the supplies dwindle? Should we factor in those costs, or simply look at the costs of building a wind farm and declaring it too expensive? Obviously nothing can be done "overnight", but something should be done. The ball must start rolling at some point. Our government keeps pumping billions of dollars into inudstries destined for failure (rightfully so, this is capitalism, after all), when it could be spending these funds to create tens of thousands of jobs and set us on a course for success. More jobs that can't be outsourced. Money staying in our country. Increased tax dollars. Decreased reliance on those who would like to kill us. Decreased funding for terrorism. The downfall would be less profits for the oil monoploy? They could get it on the future and invest in these technologies, ensuring their own futures.

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