Much has been said on this topic. Thermal power, nuclear power, gas power,
solar energy etc. Third world country, developed economy and rising economies - they all feel the
heat. The growing need of energy doesn't seem to stop. More importantly the cost effective solution is far from a reality for some of the countries in this world leading to the need of subsidized energy.
What do we do?
We need a
global team of researchers to be able to come up with a
renewable source of energy. We all know that we have limited amount of petroleum and coal hidden in the heart of the Mother Nature and hence the need for OPEC. But the question is that how long we are going to spend our energy in preserving what we have. I guess it is time we should sincerely focus on coming up with newer source of energy.
Let's talk about possible alternatives, one by one.
1. Solar energy - For several million years, sun is going to last. But we have been unable to use the solar energy in its most cost effective way to be able to make it a viable consumer solution. We have been unable to come with a mechanism that allows us to conserve the solar energy for future use. More importantly, conserving the energy in such a way that it is cost effective for very poor to middle class income group people. Besides, it reduces the pollution exerted by the coal or petroleum products. Why? Why do we as a global society is always reactive and not proactive? What is stopping us from making a global team that can work to solve this problem? The poor nations can contribute with intellectual resources if not monetary resources.
2. Changing and using the form of energy - Let's talk about some facts first. Energy changes its form. It never dies. When we drive on road there is a
friction that generates the heat. May I know why that energy is not saved and transferred into another form that allows us to use it again? This is just one example. Think about it. Every time we see mechanical, electrical energy in action, we think of insulating the heat. Remember the spacecraft crash from USA. Why can't we use that heat as a form of power again? Why spend money on coming up with mechanism to cool the heated machinery? Again, the need for a global team is required. We are talking about inventions here. These ideas are worth patenting but more importantly it will make this world a better place to live.
3. Hydroelectricity/Windmills - That part of the world where hydroelectricity/windmills can be deployed should depend 100% on that except that a provision should be made for contingency management. But rather than duplication of efforts, there should be an energy sharing mechanism with the help of the nearest or feasible power generation area.
More on this in my next article.
When will that be, I don't know.
Yours truly: Raj Shankar
http://www.rajshankar.com
http://www.you-me-triumph.com
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More abstracts about the Alternate Energy Source - A global issue