Sustainable energy is the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable energy sources are most often regarded as including all renewable sources, such as plant matter, solar power, wind power, wave power, geothermal power and tidal power. It usually also includes technologies that improve energy efficiency. Conventional fission power is sometimes referred to as sustainable, but this is controversial politically due to concerns about peak uranium, radioactive waste disposal and the risks of disaster due to accident, terrorism, or natural disaster.
Nuclear power makes global warming worse. It is not a clean solution to the climate crisis, but instead diverts scarce resources from the green techologies that really work: renewables, conservation, and efficiency technologies that can really can solve the climate crisis while also generating wealth, jobs and economic stability.
Despite the nuclear energy industry's well-funded efforts to convince the public otherwise, uranium fuel for atomic power plants is in limited supply. Like coal, oil and gas, it will soon run out, leaving scores of giant reactors useless and abandoned.
Wind, solar, bio-fuels, and other forms of renewables form a proven, immensely profitable multi-billion dollar industry, with rapid growth on the horizon. In concert with increased efficiency, currently available green power technology can power our entire planet, while solving the global warming problem and guaranteeing our future prosperity.
BIOMASS COULD PROVIDE 15% OF U.S. ENERGY DEMAND BY 2030
A joint feasibility study conducted by the US Departments of Agriculture and Energy has concluded that the US has the potential to produce a billion dry tons of biomass per year, while still continuing to meet the nation’s food, feed and export demands.
Commercial-scale wind farms, now a $15 billion/year industry, have jumped forward as the world's cheapest and fastest-growing new energy producer.
WIND POWER COULD GENERATE MORE THAN ENOUGH SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY TO MEET GLOBAL ENERGY NEEDS
After analyzing more than 8,000 wind-speed measurements to identify the world's wind-power potential for the first time it was found that wind captured at specific locations, if even partially harnessed, can generate more than enough power to satisfy the world's energy demands.
Geothermal technology uses superheated steam from the Earth's core to create energy in more than 20 countries worldwide. The steady 55-degree heat of the Earth's crust also works the building of homes and offices, including large urban skyscrapers. This nature-based technology provides valuable supplemental heat in winter and base-line cooling in summer.
UNTAPPED GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES COULD PROVIDE 25,000 MW OF ELECTRICAL GENERATING CAPACITY
The GEOTHERMAL ENERGY Association (GEA) released data showing the untapped geothermal power potential in the West. This data shows almost 100 undeveloped geothermal power sites. These sites have a total production potential approaching 25,000 MW of electrical generating capacity -- enough to meet more than 70% of California's electricity needs.
RENEWABLE ENERGY BECOMING COST-COMPETITIVE WITH FOSSIL FUELS IN THE U.S.
Renewable energy resources provide just over six percent of total U.S. energy today, but that figure could increase rapidly in the years ahead.
RENEWABLE RESOURCES COULD PROVIDE 99 PERCENT OF U.S. ELECTRICITY GENERATION BY 2020
The Energy Analysis Office (EAO) of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) issued for the Office of Science a DRAFT analysis, for comment, of the technical potential for renewables. EAO's preliminary analysis included a summary table representing near-term and ultimate technical potential for RENEWABLE ENERGY resources (economic and market considerations are not taken into account). The seven-page document is entitled "Near-Term Practical and Ultimate Technical Potential for Renewable Resources."
The representation for the near term potential is given in percentage of electric generation in the United States in 2020. Near-term potential is restricted by near-term challenges, such as infrastructure and reliability problems, electricity storage, and technological ability to use the resource. Nonetheless, the "near-term practical" potential of renewable resources as a percent of U.S. electricity generation in 2020 is estimated to be 99-124 percent, or - in terms of primary energy - as 47-55 quads/year (electricity only).
Photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight directly to electricity, can make buildings energy self-sufficient. New breakthroughs are allowing solar features to be integrated into roofing shingles, windows and even paint. Big desert-based power towers and trough-mirror arrays are proving increasingly profitable.
Soy diesel and corn-based ethanol can profitably supplant fossil fuels. Advances using easily grown perennials like switchgrass, hemp, kudzu, algae and a wide range of trees and weeds will make biofuels even cheaper and cleaner.
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