February 12, 1990

During the petroleum shortages of 1973 and 1979 people were concerned about "running out." Scientists began looking for alternative fuels to drive the industrial complex. The world will eventually run out of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). But in the 1980s another reason for conserving these fuels became apparent: They contribute to global warming. When they are burned, fossil fuels release CO2 stored in the earth for long periods of time. Carbon dioxide builds in the atmosphere and traps heat, thus warming the earth.In recent years, Americans have become complacent about the need to reduce the use of oil (and other fossil fuels). "Gas guzzlers return," says David Rolfe in South Magazine (February 1990). He says that in 1990 "the U.S. will import more than 50 percent of its oil, and by 1995 that figure will rise to 70 percent." Oil demand is growing but domestic production has peaked.

The answer to oil depletion along with the global warming problem is conservation and alternative sources of energy which don't pollute.

Both of the above practices were popular during the oil scares. I remember studying renewable energy in a course at Case Western Reserve in 1973. The technology required to move away from fossil fuels was available even then, but business interests (big oil and coal) opposed its use. They, along with our "free market" leaders, did not cooperate. Because of this, the problem of fossil fuels is not over; it has merely been postponed. The consequences of delay will increase the problem in the future.

Renewable energy includes those forms that can be continually tapped. They produce no CO2 and will not run out. Renewable energy includes geothermal (heat from geysers, springs, etc.) hydropower, wind, wood and solar. These energy sources already provide 9 percent of all electric power in the U.S., according to James R. Chiles in an article in Audubon (January 1990).

Conservation, in which all of us can participate, is considered "renewable technology." It has prevented worsening of the greenhouse effect production more than all the unconventional energy sources combined. "Conservation" allowed the American economy to grow by 35 percent from 1973 to 1986 with no extra energy use, says Chiles.

What is the status of renewable energy technology in the U.S. today?

Much of the following data comes from the article by Chiles.

Windpower

Ninety percent of the nation's wind power is generated in California.

Altamount, Tehachapi and San Gorgonio passes meet one percent of the United States' electric demand. Altamount Pass has a seven to eight mile stretch where 7,000 wind turbines are installed.

At current prices, with no government subsidies, wind power doesn't quite pay for itself. In the right locations, however, it is cheaper to produce electricity using wind rather than nuclear power. Wind technology is good. The Electric Power Research Institute estimates that wind power could supply up to five percent of the nation's electricity.

Solar Power

1) Photovoltaic (pV): These are solar cells that produce electricity directly from sunlight. Although the cost of these cells has been prohibitive in the past, recent technology is more promising. One manufacturer of newer pVs predicts that the cost of central station power from them will drop to seven to eight cents per kilowatt hour within five years. Most scientists think that pV's will still have a hard time competing with oil and gas at today's prices.

2) The Solar-Thermal Method: This technology is said to compete favorably with nuclear-produced electricity right now. A California company has seven successfully-operating solar-thermal plants in the Mojave Desert. Solar radiation is collected by long black pipes and heats up oil in the pipes. The hot oil then changes water to steam to turn generators. The company estimates that plants occupying one percent of the Mojave Desert could readily supply all of southern California's peak demand for electricity.

Geothermal Power

At present, geothermal energy produces more electricity than wind. It has the same problem as wind -- very few geographical areas are suited to exploit the energy. Almost all geothermal features are in California.

Alcohol from Corn

This controversial renewable energy source has been studied for a number of years. Burning alcohol rather than gasoline reduces smog as well as oil imports, but not all are convinced that it can be used in automobile engines. Nor is it competitive with oil. One researcher says that with today's technology alcohol from corn costs $1.35 a gallon; gasoline is about fifty cents a gallon wholesale. He predicts he can bring the cost of alcohol down to about sixty cents a gallon within the next decade. And if in the meantime Congress adds a dollar a gallon tax on gasoline or OPEC gets its act together? Alcohol could then look like a winner.

Algae

Experimental ponds near Roswell, New Mexico are growing biogenetically engineered algae that manufacture oil (half the body weight is oil after the water is removed). One scientist there estimates that each acre of pond could produce 150 to 400 barrels of oil.

Biomass Conversion

Since 1974 biomass (waste-to-energy) plants have increased from three to 120. Some wastes plants are designed to use methane gas produced by garbage. One problem with biomass conversion is that wastes, toxic and non-toxic, are spewed into the air during the process, making it undesirable.

Nuclear

Some scientists insist that "safe" nuclear power plants are possible.

Current public opinion, however, is not favorable to generating nuclear power as altnerative to that produced by fossil fuels.It is encouraging that some research in renewable energy has continued during the last ten years even though government funds for such research were eliminated. As the U.S. and the world converts from fossil fuels to renewable energy, as it ultimately must, lead time for development will be needed. It's time to get moving on that research now. Renewable energy plus world-wide conservation can free us from acid rain, ozone depletion and global warming. The market place alone should not determine action on these issues. The degradation of the environment must be a priority. Christians can have an important role in shaping this idea. Proper tending of God's creation now is important so that future generations may also enjoy abundant living