What is the most economically viable form of alternative energy?

Question

What up-and-coming forms of energy production have the best chance to compete with coal?

Solar
Wind
Hydroelectric
Geothermal
Wave/Tidal
Nuclear

Answer 1

for me it might be eolic (air) energy.
New technologies have decreased the cost of producing electricity from wind, and growth in wind power has been encouraged by tax breaks for renewable energy and green pricing programs. Many utilities around the country offer green pricing options that allow customers the choice to pay more for electricity that comes from renewable sources.

Wind machines generate electricity in 30 different states. The states with the most wind production are California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming.

The United States ranks third in the world in wind power capacity, behind Germany and Spain. Most of the wind power plants in the world are located in Europe and in the United States where government programs have helped support wind power development.

In the 1970s, oil shortages pushed the development of alternative energy sources. In the 1990s, the push came from a renewed concern for the environment in response to scientific studies indicating potential changes to the global climate if the use of fossil fuels continues to increase. Wind energy offers a viable, economical alternative to conventional power plants in many areas of the country. Wind is a clean fuel; wind farms produce no air or water pollution because no fuel is burned.

The most serious environmental drawbacks to wind machines may be their negative effect on wild bird populations and the visual impact on the landscape. To some, the glistening blades of windmills on the horizon are an eyesore; to others, they’re a beautiful alternative to conventional power plants

Answer 2

That's a very good question. On the face of it nuclear would seem to be the answer as huge amounts of energy can be obtained for comparatively little cost.

There are of course major drawbacks. The most notable one of terrorists getting hold of nuclear material is somewhat overplayed as the material in a nuclear reactor is very different to that needed for a nuclear weapon.

One of the problems with nuclear is of course, what to do with the waste. Since the advent of nuclear energy the world hasn't efficiently disposed of any waste but has rather stockpiled it or disposed of it in unsatisfactory ways. Another drawback is the cost of decomissioning old nuclear power plants, something the UK is struggling with at present. The plants being decomissioned need to be dismantled piece by piece and this is a process which isn't going to be completed until 2030 at the earliest and has a current price tag of some 30 billion pounds (60 billion dollars).

The other renewables you mentioned are all in their early stages. If money and resources are made available for large scale development it may well be that these methods can be more feasible than they are at present. Currently most schemes are small scale and produce a limited amount of power.

In the short term nuclear may be the answer as the technology already exists to produce energy on a large scale. France for example obtains something like 80% of it's electricity from nuclear power.

In the long term other schemes may be possible. The seas and oceans generate immense amounts of energy, if this could be properly harnessed it could provide enough energy to power the world many times over.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

companies tend to look on the quick term, and governments regularly do an identical. determination potential gave the impact of a good investment while oil grew to become into at $a hundred and forty/barrel, and seems much less so now that that's under $50. yet all new technologies initiate out with handicaps. electrical energy grew to become into an exciting yet ineffective novelty till the rustic put in a widespread grid to hold the potential everywhere it grew to become into needed. the U. S. invested many billions in bringing nuclear potential into regularly occurring use, which in no way might have exceeded off if left as much as non-public investment. the fact is that oil will exchange into extra scarce and could contiue to pison the planet. Coal and organic gasoline are extra value-effective, yet have an identical disastrous environmental consequences. while we evaluate the expenses of making waiting for and responding to international warming, trillions of greenbacks for seawalls, moving coastal populations, lost fisheries and farmland, etc, the investment in possibilities makes extra sense. yet a company finding at short-term salary isn't possibly to make the investment needed. it is why at this degree we would desire to place self belief in government initiatives.

Answer 5

Nuclear, by a long way at the moment. Solar is not efficient enough despite the new generations of cells, Wind only works at certain times (ie when there is enough wind to power the generator), Hydroelectric is good when you can build large dams, which is not practical in many countries, Geothermal is only practical when you have magma running near the surface and wave and tidal are easily destroyed

Answer 6

Nuclear hands down. It's very expensive but its able to produce WAY more energy than any other source. It doesn't take long for a nuclear investment to pay itself off. Solar may stand a chance in the future if they are able to mass produce efficient panels at a low price.

Those other technologies are very expensive and don't have a good return. It can take 15-30 years for a windmill to pay itself off. Of course as they become more efficient and cheaper to produce, they become more appealing.

Answer 7

Nuclear hands down. Widely used throughout the world.

Answer 8

Nuclear is very popular in Europe and Asia. France has many cities than run on Nuclear Power. US scientist have been investigating into a "safe" way to harness nuclear power.

Answer 9

Alcohol from wood / cellulose / biomass scrap is also
up and coming.....
A new inexpensive plastic solar cell/sheet is currently
under development in South Africa..