3rd June 2004, 10:54 AM
Yes. And having decent hydroelectric power requires a large, moving source of water, making it practical only to areas within a certain distance of rivers. Solar power is spotty, because sunlight is a requirement. Thus, for at least half a day, you are completely unable to receive fuel, and direct sunlight is needed for maximum efficiency. Wind? You need wind. You're not always gonna get wind.
The largest problem is that America has an extraordinarily large and complex power grid in place, and it is just far too impractical to ever transform it to unreliable and costly sources such as solar and wind. Now, having solar and wind as a supplementary source is a great idea, but to totally rely on them as a main power source is simply not feasable.
Now, widespread nuclear energy is definitely something we should strive for, and I'm all for the development of fuel cell technology. But until one of these two take place, our current energy scheme is really the only one that is practical for America. This is why Sweden does not concern me. I live in America, and having solar panels on my home here is murder on my property value.
The largest problem is that America has an extraordinarily large and complex power grid in place, and it is just far too impractical to ever transform it to unreliable and costly sources such as solar and wind. Now, having solar and wind as a supplementary source is a great idea, but to totally rely on them as a main power source is simply not feasable.
Now, widespread nuclear energy is definitely something we should strive for, and I'm all for the development of fuel cell technology. But until one of these two take place, our current energy scheme is really the only one that is practical for America. This is why Sweden does not concern me. I live in America, and having solar panels on my home here is murder on my property value.
YOU CANNOT HIDE FOREVER
WE STAND AT THE DOOR
WE STAND AT THE DOOR