|
|
|
View Full Essay |
|---|
Disadvantages of renewable sources
One disadvantage with renewable energy is that it is difficult to generate the quantities of electricity that are as large as those produced by traditional fossil fuel generators. This may mean that we need to reduce the amount of energy we use or simply build more energy facilities. It also indicates that the best solution to our energy problems may be to have a balance of many different power sources.
Topic: What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable and renewable energy?
The advantages of non-renewable energy are found in two areas: cost and availability. Most of the energy-consuming products that run off of non-renewable energy sources have very little real competition from similar or comparable products that utilize renewable sources. For example, it is difficult to find a car or truck that runs off of rechargeable battery power, solar power, or electricity. If you did find one, it would be less efficient (wouldn't go as fast, be as practical, etc.) and cost a LOT more. The disadvantages, of course, are that they are non-renewable, meaning that when they're gone, they're gone. You can't replace natural gas, oil, or coal. Also, mining for these sources at such an intense rate can have devastating environmental effects.
Renewable energy, on the other hand, provides for cleaner, environmentally friendlier power sources. Once fully developed, they have the potential to be much more cost efficient (consider solar power; it's not like the sun is a market-based commodity that can be over or under produced to obtain a better selling price). However, until this type of power source is fully integrated into the market, products utilizing it will remain more expensive, less readily available, and more of a unique alternative rather than viable competitor.
The advantage of renewable energy is that we will never run out. The disadvantage is we have to work hard to have solar powered cars and homes. The is no...