Alternative Energy Sources

384 Words2 Pages
The development of alternative energy sources is a possible response to future energy demands. Assess the possible costs and benefits of this approach. Alternative energy sources are renewable sources of energy which include wind power, solar power, tidal energy and nuclear power. Energy demands are extremely likely to increase in the future due to rapid global population growth. Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance than traditional generators. Their fuel being derived from natural and available resources reduces the costs of operation. They also have an unlimited supply as they are renewable unlike fossil fuels. Even more importantly, renewable energy produces little or no waste products such as carbon dioxide or other chemical pollutants, so has minimal impact on the environment. Renewable energy projects can also bring economic benefits to many regional areas, as most projects are located away from large urban centres and suburbs of the capital cities. These economic benefits may be from the increased use of local services as well as tourism. Renewable energy sources also make a region more energy secure as less oil will have to be imported from other countries and more energy can be produced without releasing the waste products. One disadvantage with renewable energy is that it is difficult to generate the quantities of electricity that are as large as those produced by traditional fossil fuel generators. Another disadvantage of renewable energy sources is the reliability of supply. Renewable energy often relies on the weather for its source of power. Hydro generators need rain to fill dams to supply flowing water. They also need dams to be built which can damage habitats. And also the building and the transporting of material releases carbon dioxide. Wind turbines need wind to turn the blades, and solar collectors need
Open Document