Alternative energy abstract

Oil prices have risen to an ultimate level; congress must look into the still tiny alternative energy market. In a minimum of fifty years fossil fuels, which include petroleum (oil), natural gas, and coal, will all run out. Alternative energy is a renewable and the most productive type of energy for the USA and the world (United States. Department of Energy). Every person on this planet is provided with a dirty and unforgiving energy source, fossil fuels. Fossil fuels destroy and tarnish the once beautiful world. Alternative energy could slowing bring back some of our prosperous health. The switch should be made; alternative energy is a productive source of energy in which its pros out weigh its cons.


From 1850-2000, the average amount of energy used by each person in the United States has increased rapidly ("'Alternative Energy'"). As a result of this, an �energy crisis� has began in the last twenty years. Some experts suggest that people should cut down on their energy output and save what they can, but most do not oblige this feeble request. Josh Dorner suggests, �People want rewards they will not just perform� (�Inventors About�). Recently alternative energy has been brought to the highest level of attention. Congress has shown great interest in the topic, but does not feel ready to make a full time switch. Many attempts have been made to change to alternative energy. In the 1990s the first �zero emissions� vehicles were created (�Inventors About�). They were solar cars in which they run on a solar cell, but the sun collector areas were massive and dubbed to large for a consumer car. Everyone in the world is affected by energy in some way, but most of us do not have a choice in the energy we use. Fossil fuels are at their bitter end a billion years in the making all taken way in a couple hundred (Barrett). Wind, solar, hydropower, and many more are nearly unlimited and are in nature�s good will. Alternative energy is a major topic of discussions, because of the limitless of fossil fuels. Even George W. Bush has seen the challenge in the topic. He wants to bring out the ocean winds of the shores of Carolina with over 100 winds turbines. Josh Dorner states, �Wind is a lot steadier and stronger offshore� (Barrett). So turbines on North Carolina outer banks would be an outstanding idea. It is said that the turbines could supply energy for fifty million homes. Which would defiantly cut down on coal use to heat the home. The Bush Administration has finally come to odds with the environmental groups, because he has paved the way for wind-generated energy for future presidents. To start alternative energy prices would be quite high, at this very moment the average wind turbines cost $1500. In the long run the cleanness and supportability would conquer the price. Also in time the prices would rival fossil fuels, and the energy output could extinguish fossil fuels once and for all. The future of energy depends on the alternative energy; ways must be found to support it in a cheap and efficient way. David Anton, a DuPont executive has developed biobutanol, the first technically advanced biofuel (United States. Department of State). Biofuel is biomass turn in to a liquid; it can be made from sugar cane, barley, and many vegetables. The most important and most well known biofuel is ethanol. David Anton says, "That ethanol doesn't have the same energy density as gasoline. It's about 65 percent of the energy density of gasoline, so you're going to get lower gas mileage for every tank of fuel� (United States. Department of State). So DuPont created biobutanol. Anton hopes this to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use. Anton says, "Biobutanol has about 85 percent of the energy content of gasoline, you'll see basically no difference between gasoline and biobutanol.� When gasoline has been officially depleted, the future may depend on bioutanol. In 2006 China finished the magnificent Three Gorges Dam; it is now the largest hydroelectric plant in the world. The dam will help with flood control and navigation of the Yangtze River, but most of all it will provide huge amounts of energy to China and someday maybe the world. Why should alternative energy be our most prized possession? The world runs on energy. Without it there would be no life. So when fossil fuels run out, alternative energy will become an ideal possession so life can continue to an average extent. Wind power has started to be competitive and provided a great value in the power market (United States. Department of Energy). The USA wind power use has increased by 27 percent since 2006. Many companies and environment groups have researched wind, and biofuels profusely. Their work has show great strides in alternative energy market. DuPont making biobutanol and the Bush Administration building windmills are just a few examples of the strides being made. Alternative energy is very plentiful, and it is great for the environment. Lester R. Brown, the president of the Earth Policy Institute, said that, "Instead of being based on fossil fuels, the new economy will be powered by abundant sources of renewable energy: wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, and biofuels.� On the other end of the spectrum alternative energy has a very high cost, in the instant of nuclear energy some say the energies risk overtake its benefits, and its power output may not be as high as fossil fuels. Alternative energy is a productive source of energy in which its pros outdo its cons; the switch should be made. Wind, solar, hydropower, nuclear, biomass are all examples of alternative energy. People must obligate themselves to see the all around goodness in different energy sources. More research should be done to make these sources available to an every day kind of person. More money should be given to the organization doing the research. Alternative energy has show growth and strength over the past few years hopefully this will continue and someday become a main energy source.