"Understanding the Future of Sustainable
Energy"
Electric Power
Carbon Sequestration
Wind
Solar
Hydro
Natural Gas
Integrated Solar Energy
Biomass
Conversion Efficiency
Nuclear
Electrical Power
The primary challenge of stationary electric power generation is
global climate change.
Pollutants are emitted from electric generation, however by implementing
policy and advancement in technology, pollutant emissions from the electric
power generation sector has been reducing and is projected to continue to reduce (click on thumbnail to enlarge)
.
Large amount of coal are available within the U.S. to provide power for the
foreseeable future
.
However, sufficient coal (and other
fossil fuels) is available to
substantially affect global climates. Viable solution that reduce greenhouse
gas emissions must be developed.
Below is some discussion of potential electric power generation including coal with carbon sequestration, wind, solar, hydro, natural gas, biomass and nuclear.
No matter what course is taken CONSERVATION and energy efficiency (in
generation and consumption) is the
easiest and most effective solution to the very real energy
challenge.
Major improvements in conservation can always be made and energy efficiency
improvements can be made both in energy generation as well as energy
consumption at the point of use.
| Technology | 2001 Energy Cost | Potential Future Energy Cost |
| Biomass Energy Electric Heat |
3-12 cents/kWh 1-6 cents/kWh |
4-10 cents/kWh 1-6 cents/kWh |
| Wind Electricity | 4-8 cents/kWh | 3-10 cents/kWh |
| Solar Photovoltaic Electricity | 25-160 cents/kWh | 5-25 cents/kWh |
| Solar Thermal Electricity | 12-34 cents/kWh | 4-20 cents/kWh |
| Low-Temperature Solar Heat | 2-25 cents/kWh | 2-10 cents/kWh |
| Hydro Energy | 2-10 cents/kWh | 2-10 cents/kWh |
| Geothermal Energy Electricity Heat |
2-10 cents/kWh 0.5-5 cents/kWh |
1-8 cents/kWh 0.5-5 cents/kWh |
| Marine Energy Tidal | 0.5-5 cents/kWh | 5-20 cents/kWh |
Source: World Energy Assessment Overview: 2004 Update
Header: Lightning storm (Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lightning3.jpg)