Alternative Energy Forums

Energy prices in the U.S. are among the cheapest in the world. Unfortunately, current alternative energy sources cannot compete on a large scale with our dirt cheap energy. Therefore, any switch to alternative sources is primarily based on environmental reasons and our dependence on foreign oil. But, I am curious if anyone has any knowledge of alternative energies being applied elsewhere in the world primarily because it is more economical. For example, there are locations where it seems it would be cheaper to install a wind turbine than to truck in diesel fuel to power a generator week after week. Have alternative energies ever been applied on a large scale because the economics make more sense than petroleum?

Dave

I’m not sure if you can argue from a purely economical standpoint, but there are areas in which renewable energies are more abundant and accessible, and thus more viable. The best example I can think of would be Iceland which uses geothermal power for roughly a quarter of its energy production and hydro for most of the remainder (hydrocarbons make up only a fraction of a percent).

Yeti

Germany and Spain are well on the way to a hydrocarbon free energy supply. Spain may be there by 2012 and Germany by 2020. Looks like the U.S. will make it around the 33rd of never never.

It would be more economical for agricultural countries to employ alt energy measures.

dennisanderton

On a more localized scale, there are small communities that are far enough off the grid that it is more economical to use alternative energy than to connect to the grid. There are such locations all over the world, including some very remote areas of the US. This would be one situation where alternative energy would be economically preferable, even in the US. Such situations are even more common in other countries that still have a less extensive grid system. For example in Ecuador there are many rural schools, hospitals, and other municipal buildings in remote areas that use solar panels because they are too far off the grid.

As the price of fossil fuels increase and the technologies and economies of scale of alternative energy improve it will someday become economically feasible in more developed areas, but until then alternative energy is left for the those who are willing to pay a premium for their beliefs.

JGL

http://www.vivirgreen.com

I believe the US is a lot closer to fossil-fuel alternatives than you might imagine. And, at a fraction of the price.

With the new administration, there are a lot of incentives to produce GreEn forms of power.

The EU as a whole is moving towards large scale Alt energy ( a term I don't like,because oil is the real Alt energy as its only been around for 150 yrs,wind,water, multifuel and solar have been with us since the dawn of time). Back on message.Countries on the med rim,Spain Italy greece etc go for solar northern Europe is wind,PV and wave. Britain lags on this but is playing a quick game of catch up

whichburner

If you buy a solar panel or wind turbine it will take years and years to make that purchase worthwhile (from a financial standpoint). But if you build your own solar panels or wind turbine it becomes a very good investment. I built my last solar panel for a little over $100.

Steven Jones