Solar, Hydroelectric, and Wind Power cannot replace Fossil Fuels Essay

Are Solar, Hydroelectric, and Wind Power Conceivable Alternatives to Fossil Fuels in the Future? Abstract: Fossils fuels are diminishing. Other, possibly more environmentally safe, energy sources are needed to replace them. The purpose of this study was to examine closely the three most common renewable energy sources—solar, wind, and hydroelectric power—as a solution to the â€Å"energy problem† of today and possibly the energy crisis of the future. However, solar and wind energy account for a very small percent of the energy used by the U.S. (nearly 2 percent), and the possible technologies being developed to increase their efficiency won’t be able to seal the gap between energy supplied by these renewable energy sources and the energy demanded. These sources will have to act as complements to another more powerful energy source, as they will in fact not be able to replace fossil fuels on their own. One of the most pondered questions in today’s fast-paced society is how long fossil fuels—namely oil, coal and natural gas—are going to last. The increased demand for fossil fuels, and therefore their increased price has worried many Americans into remembering that these fuels are not renewable and will one day run out. For this reason, it is important to consider whether the alternate energy technologies that we possess today can replace fossil fuels when the time comes. My study explores whether solar, hydroelectric, and wind power (alternate forms with very few harmful byproducts) used together can act as substitutes for oil, coal and natural gas. Apart from the ever-increasing price of oil these days, there are more theoretical reasons suggesting a shortage of fossil fuels. One, known as Hubbert’s Theory, p... ...nal Geographic. Retrieved on July 27, 2005 from http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0508/feature1/fulltext.html Association for the Study of Oil Peak (May 2003). World Oil Peak. Retrieved on July 28, 2005 from http://planetforlife.com/oilcrisis/oilpeak.html U.S. Department of Energy (2005). U.S. Net Electricity Generation by Energy Source. Retrieved on August 1, 2005 from http://www.eia.doe.gov Skov, Arlie M. (January 2003). World Energy Beyond 2050. Retrieved on July 31, 2005 from http://www.spe.org/spe/jpt/jsp/jspmonthlysection Knier, Gil. (2005). How do Photovoltaics Work? Science @ NASA. Retrieved from August 1, 2005 from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/solarcells.htm Zweibel, Ken. (1995). Thin Films: Past, Present, Future. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Retrieved on July 29, 2005 from http://www.nrel.gov/nepv/documents/thinfilm.html