Energy Assignment: Part 1

Solar Energy

            Pros/Benefits:

·      Renewable

·      Abundant

·      Sustainable

·      Environmentally friendly

·      Good availability

·      Reduces electricity costs

·      Shared solar

·      Silent

·      Financial support from government

·      Low maintenance

·      Clean energy source

            Cons/Drawbacks:

·      Intermittent

·      Installation is expensive

·      Energy storage is expensive

·      Associated with pollution

·      Exotic materials

·      Requires space

·      Low energy density

·      Some may find them unattractive

Wind Energy

            Pros/Benefits:

·      Green energy source and doesn’t cause pollution

·      Potential of wind power is enormous

·      Renewable and there is no way we can run out of it

·      Wind turbines are incredible space-efficient

·      Growing at 25% per year

·      Prices have decreased over 80% and are expected to keep decreasing

·      Operational costs associated are low

·      Good domestic potential

            Cons/Drawbacks:

·      Wind is fluctuating (intermittent) source of energy and not suited to meet the base load energy demand unless some form of energy storage is utilized

·      The manufacturing and installation of wind turbines require heavy upfront investments

·      Wind turbines can be a threat to wildlife

·      Noise is regularly reported as a problem

Nuclear Energy

            Pros/Benefits:

·      Relatively low costs

·      Base load energy

·      Low pollution

·      Lower carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere in power generation

·      Sustainable

·      High energy density

            Cons/Drawbacks:

·      Dangerous

·      High construction costs due to complex radiation containment systems and procedures

·      High subsidies needed for construction and operation

·      Long construction time

·      Target for terrorism

·      Radioactive waste