The term “renewable energy” has become nearly as common as the term “fossil fuels.” In the past decade or so, the research of renewable energy technologies has caused an explosion of civil awareness. These advances have gone from leak to pour in all manner of sectors of the US public; industry, politics, entertainment, and even society itself have felt the effects of the green age, for better or for worse.
Nearly all citizens of the United States have access to a renewable energy source. Counties across the nation have begun (or have been utilizing for years) the mass generation of electricity by way of wind turbine, hydroelectric dam, or nuclear reactor. These large-quantity alternatives to fossil fuel are promising, but need to be refined. In the rush of developing energy technologies, I feel that companies have become hasty in their deployment of new systems. Even though wind turbines generate completely clean power, the cost of electricity generated by these turbines still far exceeds that of coal, natural gas, or even hydroelectric power. If researchers could focus on streamlining a single method, the results may prove far beneficial when compared to having six or seven other inefficient methods.
Citizens also have access to a variety of electric vehicles. The idea of recharging a car instead of fueling and paying a fraction of a fraction for a full “tank” gives plenty of incentive. But, when it comes to the completely-electric automobile, impracticality comes to mind – at least for now. Research on electric automobiles is necessary, but at present, the ideas seem too ambitious.
The United States is beginning an energy revolution; the recently developed technologies will pave the way for truly efficient and completely renewable energy in the future, and only further research will provide the cataclysmic breakthrough so sought after. However, practicality must always be considered.
