Energy Resource Challenges

Energy Resource Challenges

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Energy Resource Challenges

Since the beginning of civilization, humans have depended on energy to perform every day functions. However, we have started to realize the importance of using renewable energy alternatives to save the amount of fossil fuels we have exhausted. Wind power, solar energy, and biomass fermentation are some examples of these renewable energy resources. Although alternative energy sources are an excellent way to promote environmental sustainability; they do contain some challenges. The biggest issues concerning wind power and solar energy is the cost of generating electricity from these resources. In addition, financial investment, enhanced technologies, and labor cost add to the issues. For wind energy to contribute 20 percent of America’s electricity, it would require 100,000 wind turbines, $100 billion of additional capital investments, and a labor force to fill 140,000 jobs (The Bioenergy Site, 2009). Moreover, the land available for energy development is limited by a number of factors including technologies to convert the natural form of energy into electricity (Brown & Whitney, 2011). On the other hand, nonrenewable resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas are the leading producers in today’s society accounting for over 90% of energy production. Nonrenewable sources are cost effective, easy to use, and only a small amount of nuclear energy can produce large amounts of power. However fossil fuels will expire eventually because of increased energy consumption as well as releasing toxic gases in the air when burned, which is the leading cause for global warming (Conserve Energy Future, 2011). Furthermore, oil increases dependency on countries that produce significant amounts of oil.

References

Brown, P., & Whitney, G. (2011). U.S. Renewable Electricity Generation: Resources and Challenges. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service.

Conserve Energy Future. (2011). Renewable &...