Energy Sources - Which one is the better?

[Ferbian]

There's a lot of different energy sources in the world. There's sun energy from cells that catches the light and turns it into energy. There's also wind-mills, water, power plants and I'm sure there's others as well.

There's a lot of good things about all of these. As well as there's a lot of bad things.

The Sun: There's really no limit ever to this source of energy. With exception of days where there's no sun at all. It really relies a lot on gaining as much energy as possible when the sun is around. That's why it might also be one of the worse things. While the sun is pretty much eternal to human existence (At least I would like to believe it's eternal to the amount of time we'd really need the sun's energy). And therefore it's really a good source. But due to the lacking availability at all times, as well as the cells that catches the light not being completely stable, that are disadvantages to the whole thing.

Wind-mills: Obviously they're also a great thing. We got wins in some manner all the time. It's all about where to place them. They can be placed both in the waters, as well as in the open area on land. However the wind doesn't blow all the time. We have faced wind silent days. So it's very much of a back and forth win / loose situation.

Water: Water might not be available for all eternity. But there's a large availability to it now. It's an easy thing to access because there's rarely any time that there's not some kind of waves in the water. Or a way to create waves. Again a win / loose situation.

Power plants: Do I really need to get into this? Yes there's a lot of energy produced from it. However the energy source is not available forever. Never has been or will be. As well as it is nowhere near as good a thing for the environment. Power plants all depending of what manner they are used (Atomic power plants perhaps?) can prove to change the environment drastically. Yet the immense power generated by them proves beneficial. Again a win / loose situation.

With all of these in mind. As well as there's probably more (Which I welcome you to add to the discussion). Which one of the available power sources do you find to be the better one overall? To benefit both the environment, availability and immediate use and benefits?

 

[Remix]

TThe Sun: There's really no limit ever to this source of energy. With exception of days where there's no sun at all. It really relies a lot on gaining as much energy as possible when the sun is around. That's why it might also be one of the worse things. While the sun is pretty much eternal to human existence (At least I would like to believe it's eternal to the amount of time we'd really need the sun's energy). And therefore it's really a good source. But due to the lacking availability at all times, as well as the cells that catches the light not being completely stable, that are disadvantages to the whole thing.

Unreliable (clouds would result in power shortages), inefficient (you need a lot of space to capture enough sunlight to peoduce a large amount of electricity), uncontrolable and therefore not a good primary energy source.

Wind-mills: Obviously they're also a great thing. We got wins in some manner all the time. It's all about where to place them. They can be placed both in the waters, as well as in the open area on land. However the wind doesn't blow all the time. We have faced wind silent days. So it's very much of a back and forth win / loose situation.

See above concerns. substitute 'clouds' for 'not enough wind' and you've got the problem with wind power.

Water: Water might not be available for all eternity. But there's a large availability to it now. It's an easy thing to access because there's rarely any time that there's not some kind of waves in the water. Or a way to create waves. Again a win / loose situation.

ignoring that most hydroelectric power is produced in the form of dams, which have their own problems, Hydro electric power is probably the best 'clean' power source. you can, control how much power you produce, it isn't going to get scuppered by normal weather. Dams are pretty damn expensive though, and (naturally) bugger the surrounding countryside.

Power plants: Do I really need to get into this? Yes there's a lot of energy produced from it. However the energy source is not available forever. Never has been or will be. As well as it is nowhere near as good a thing for the environment. Power plants all depending of what manner they are used (Atomic power plants perhaps?) can prove to change the environment drastically. Yet the immense power generated by them proves beneficial. Again a win / loose situation.

There's a reason that most electricity comes from power plants. It's because they are very easy to control and, if we're talking about gas, oil and coal plants can respond to increases in demand (such as straight after Coronation Street in the UK, when the entire country turns on the kettle) quickly, meaning that there are no country wide blackouts.

Nuclear power is the future though. Both fission and fusion can produce vast amounts of power in a clean manner[/QUOTE]

 

[Davi323]

Agreed. Until we figure out how to do fusion, nuclear fission is the best overall source of power. Its cheap, its clean. Its safe. Some people are going to disagree and bring up terrorists...to them I say learn the difference between nuclear power and a nuclear bomb. Learn about quadruple-plus redundant safety programs in place.

Nuclear power is the future, it has to be if we are serious about reducing foreign oil demands, reducing fossil fuel emissions, etc.