Alternative Energy: Held in Check and Undeliverable to the Masses

The technologies to deliver newer sources of power to the masses offers no immediate cures for the prices we pay to energize our societies. Many people are angry about our methods of propelling our machinery and transportation devices, crying out for us to drop our wicked ways and end our support of “Big Oil.”

Yes we all would love to get back at these companies. But it’s like telling a rich person they make too much money and to please cease and desist.

Except for coal and nuclear power, there remains no clear vehicle toward or sure-fire method that includes a delivery system to the masses. Manufacturing is behind the curve but ahead of any delivery systems of plug-in value for us. Consequently, though we all starve for the day we can throw up the finger and say “this is for you” Big Oil Companies, the ultra powerful devices man has invented in recent years won’t be at full throttle for decades.

Just imagine what it was like around the turn of the 20^th Century: automobiles were around the corner from heavy production, but the roads were so poor it made travel difficult and a bumpy ride, to sat the least. The technology was there but the roads and bridges were obsolete.

Okay, I'll be right up front "I'm a proponent of Nuclear Power" but I'm no scientist, nor am I an expert on the subject. But this I do know: The process of converting water into pressurized steam using nuclear fission is similar to coal in that both methods cause turbines to turn and power our homes--but the recipe differs.

Nuclear energy uses Uranium (U-238) atoms--the energy is derived from inside (uranium atoms) and there are many atoms in a pound of U-238. The decay of even one atom can release up to 200 MeV (200 million electron volts). When compared to coal, a pound of highly enriched uranium is equivalent to about a million gallons of gasoline--doesn't release carbon monoxide into the atmosphere like coal burning plants and is certainly more efficient than coal. Their are forces in the U.S. that don't like this form of energy as they are frightened about the method we use to bury the waste. My opinion is: better in the ground than in the air we breathe. Also, Nuclear power does play a role on our dependency to foreign oil. We need more nuclear plants. There is a nuclear plant about 40 miles from my home, so don't go off on me about not living near one.

The gnashing of teeth over the coal companies to shut down is entirely a dream, at least for now. We can build nations with dreams, hard work and sacrifice, but where’s the intelligence coming from to bash an industry that has provided comfort to us for over a century. Think of the untold jobs that would be lost by those who earn a living pulling this great resource from its hiding places.

We hear of calls for clean coal technology, but if it was easily done, don’t you think it would have started by now? Imagine the conversion costs. We have politicians who speak great thoughts about a world independent of foreign oil, but they know how to pull our strings and push our buttons. Perhaps if we could "can their hot air" and process it into energy, maybe then we’d get a reprieve from the baloney they exhale with every breath regarding clean energy.

Try to exist one day without one or the other. You may cry out in vein: “But we can use natural gas and electricity to power our vehicles.” We sure can, but how many filling stations do you know of that can offer us a fill up—homes that have plug-ins to facilitate electric cars or battery operated vehicles. Automobile manufacturers are working on producing more vehicles that offer this option, but; have you priced one of these vehicles lately?  It takes time—more time than many are willing to wait out—who complain and act as though the industries aren’t sweating hard enough to push alternative energy through the quagmire that has us in the position of putting the cart before the horse. The louder these voices cry out, the higher the prices of energy goes up.

Wind energy has been percolating toward the top of the alternative energy list hit parade. Many wind farms have been plopped into certain areas across the U.S. Private enterprises are in the driver seat and many investors are stepping forward in an attempt to push this form of alternative energy. Though it has been proven to be a legitimate source of energy, it is still backed up by power plants when nature decides to take a breather--the wind stops blowing. So we realize that wind-power is not independent nor can it be reliable. Only when the wind whips up are we able to harness its kinetic magical powers--the creation of electricity. Wind power is modest and is too slow to keep up with the masses on a daily basis. 

The largest solar plant in the world is found in the Mojave Desert, California. Solar power is created by converting natural sunlight into electricity. The use of solar power is very popular. It can be used to power vehicles, (for awhile) heat homes, water, swimming pools, street lights, calculators and so much more. Solar power can also be used to open gates. So its use is ultimately universal and its power can last for days, but when the clouds cover the land, this technology begins to wane. Another significant problem is the cost factor that makes it prohibitive to many that would love the luxury of lowering their power bills.

Hydroelectric Power is a centralized source of power (dams) that uses water to drive giant turbines that create electricity. Though it can be a formidable source of power it certainly takes a back seat in the back seat when compared to fossil fuel converting power plants.

Geothermal Energy

This type of power source is notably found along the edges of tectonic plates where geothermal resources are closer to natural grade. Heated water at a temperature of greater than 150 degrees Celsius will turn a turbine. The heat is wasted unless utilized locally. The U.S. leads in the production of geothermal heat with 77 geothermal power plants nationally.

The downside is release of gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia that cause acid rain and global warming (if you believe that myth).

Again, this type of energy is generated for more localized areas and not feasible for delivery to the masses.