Energy sources that are safe to the environment, economical, and efficient
The sources and uses of energy are issues that have taken center stage in the energy industry in the present. Research has taken the front line in evaluating viable sources of energy that could efficiently replace natural gas use. Following the devastating effects of using natural gas, like CO2 emission, alternative sources are inevitable. This essay will highlight the alternative energy source issue in relation to what some experts posit on the matter.
Ethanol has gained an almost unanimous appraisal from various experts who have all the reasons to believe that the energy source is not only sustainable but also environmental-friendly (Luk, 2010). CO2 emissions are way less as compared to when natural gas is used in combustion engines.
The prevalent producer of ethanol is corn. However, producing ethanol using corn is very expensive and uneconomical (Anderson, 2011). The production costs start piling from the process of land preparation, where machinery that runs on fossil fuel has to be used. The input escalates to the use of expensive fertilizers, harvesting, and transportation to ethanol factories. Eventually, the output is only 1.3 times the input required to cultivate corn and use it in ethanol production (Luk, 2010). In Chris Anderson’s interview with Bill Gates, the latter posits that the landmass required to produce enough corn for ethanol production is mind-blowing.
There are mixed opinions on alternative energy sources in the next 50 years. There is no conclusive option that has been adopted. However, according to Deep Trekker, there are little chances that natural gas will continue to serve us. The world is moving forward in embracing renewable sources of energy like wind and solar energy. Another alternative is the use of nuclear power. Each resort has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, solar is regarded as inefficient because of daytime-nighttime limitations. Power cannot be produced at night. According to Deep Trekker, nuclear power leads the other alternative energy sources, but it can only be adopted if research is conducted to determine how environmental hazards linked to nuclear fusion can be reduced. A vital advantage of nuclear power that puts it ahead of the rest is its efficiency in usage.
In conclusion, the world is frantically working to seek alternative energy sources that are safe to the environment, economical, and efficient. Some energy sources like solar may be clean but non-efficient, while other sources like nuclear power may pose as environmental hazards but very efficient and economical. It is upon us to weigh our options and choose what is best for us.