2nd period: Energy Debate Notes

Hydropower/Hydroelectric

• Because swiftly running water in vast amounts produces a lot of energy, fuel is not needed. Thus, almost no carbon dioxide or other pollutants are released.
• The cost is consistent and inexpensive because of water's constant renewability. It does cost a lot of money to build a dam, but it provides many jobs and lasts a long time. For example, the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River produces electricity and water for surrounding cities including Las Vegas.
• It is a constant energy supplier and can be sued during high workloads. Currently in the Pacific Northwest, approximately 70% of the electricity generated comes from hydropower. With the amount of hydropower facilities in the US now, 28 million households can be powered (which is the equivilent of 500 million barrels of oil).
• Aside from providing the US as well as international communities with power, dams also provide more jobs and irrigation throughout the US.

Nuclear

• It is the only form of energy that we already have the technology to create enough power to replace fossil fuels. Currently, coal and nuclear power together provide 70% of our energy supply.
• It is a carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels, and it requires very little land to produce.
• The cost of nuclear power is only 1.87 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is cheaper than almost all other types of energy. This affordability will keep energy companies competitive.
• Many people are scared that nuclear energy is unsafe, but many advances have been made recently. All staff of nuclear power plants go through background checks and rigorous training. Only about 24 incidents occur in transporting nuclear waster each year, which is 0.4% of all car accidents per year. Every power plant also has extensive security to keep intruders out.

Biomass

• Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals that can be converted into an energy source. Biomass can be made from a variety of sources such as cornstalks, spoiled grain, tree limbs, scrap paper, garbage, straw, wood chippings, rice husks, coconut fiber, manure, sugar cane, seaweed and other crops or generally useful materials.
• Crops grow fast and can be harvested using modified equpiment so that it does not cost a lot of money.
• Biomass contains energy from the sun because plants absorb the sun's energy during photosynthesis. This uses up carbon dioxide and almost equals the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere when processing biomass. Therefore, it does not pollute.
• It can be converted to many other forms- for example solids can be burned in a fireplace to provide heat, and liquid fuels such as biodiesel can be used for transportation.
• The processing, generating, and transportation needed to make biomass energy can create jobs.

Wave

• It is the most renewable source of energy available.
• Wave energy operates on its own and is solar powered.
• It uses zero electricity.
• Wind energy has higher risks for wildlife and less available space than wave energy.

Wind

• The price is cheap at 5 cents per kilowatt, which competes with the price of coal and oil. It is also expected to drop more in the future.
• It transforms the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy.
• Wind supplies 17,000 megawatts worldwide, which is enough electricity for 10 million homes.
• The overall process is clean, safe, and economical. The wind itself is free.

Geothermal

• Heat from the earth can be used as an energy source in many ways, from large and complex power stations to small and relatively simple pumping systems.
• Many regions of the world are already tapping geothermal energy as an affordable and sustainable solution to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and the global warming and public health risks that result from their use.
• More than 8,900 megawatts of large utility-scale geothermal capacity in 24 countries is now producing enough electricity to meet the annual needs of nearly 12 million typical US households.
• Geothermal plants currently produce 25% or more of electricity in the Phillipenes, Iceland, and El Salvador.
• The US has more geothermal capacity than any other country with more than 3,000 megawatts in 8 states. 80% of this capacity is in California, where more than 40 geothermal plants provide nearly 5% of the state's electricity.
• In thousands of homes and buildings across the US, geothermal heat pumps also use the steady temperatures just underground to heat and cool buildings cleanly and inexpensively.
• It is the least hazardous and most clean form of alternative energy- it is as efficient as fossil fules but with 35 times less carbon dioxide.
• Cost is only 4.5 to 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour, and it will pay back its original starting cost within the first 15-20 years of use.