A National Energy Plan - Regional application of alternative energy sources
By M. W. Boitano
Why a National Energy Plan? Predictions of $200 dollar a barrel for oil in the near future, a stagnate economy for a long time if nothing is done to prevent it, starvation for entire nations, risking permanent global warming, plus a potential breakout of nuclear weapons world wide all seem like valid reasons to take the national security of My country and generations of world citizens to come very serious indeed.
Why regional applications of alternative energy sources? Because some areas can’t adapt certain kinds of alternative energy technologies for simple reasons. For Instance, the Northeast of America has the most population density, but very cold Winters. Therefore, certain solar applications will never be popular, even if there was an advance of current application technology. However, there is ample hydroelectric potential, especially if there was an advance of current application technology. Upon reasonable investigation it appears that all regions will have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the various alternative energy sources applications.
The decision is simple. Continue with old types of energy supply with potentially destructive effects on the globe from politically unstable and vulnerable foreign sources or ‘homegrown good‘.
You will decide, right now. Your’s and Your child’s future. When You flip that switch. When You turn that key in the ignition. When You start walking to the store. As soon as You start to change Your thinking.
So, let’s take a look at the possibilities and then formulate a simple rating system to determine the practicality of the various choices We as Americans face when it comes to deciding where Our future energy sources come from;
Defining regions of America:
Northwest - Less populated, cooler & wet climate
Southwest - populated, warm & dry climate
Northeast - heavily populated, cooler climate
Southeast - populated, warmer & humid climate
Most utilized alternative energies:
Biofuels
Biomass
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Solar
Tidal Power
Tidal power areas in blue (Any coastal access)
Wind
Transmission Lines
Transmission Lines
Night Photo - NASA
Practical systems, Marginal Levels of obtainable renewable energy potential:
0 = Less than marginal (Too expensive for small energy output)
- = Marginal (Enough energy output for the cost to build, no exporting)
- = Good (Full regional energy output, export potential surpluses)
- = Excellent (Enough energy output to Export, readily)
Northwest -
Bio-fuels 1
Biomass 2
Geothermal 2
Hydroelectric 3
Solar 0
Tidal 2
Wind 3
Total Points = 13
AVG Score = (1.86)
Southwest -
Bio-fuels 0
Biomass 1
Geothermal 3
Hydroelectric 2
Solar 3
Tidal 2
Wind 2
Total Points = 13
AVG Score = (1.86)
Northeast -
Bio-fuels 3
Biomass 2
Geothermal 0
Hydroelectric 2
Solar 1
Tidal 2
Wind 2
Total Points = 12
AVG Score = (1.71)
Southeast -
Bio-fuels 3
Biomass 2
Geothermal 0
Hydroelectric 2
Solar 2
Tidal 2
Wind 0
Total Points = 11
AVG Score = (1.57)
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