The mythology of renewable energy has grown as rapidly as the field itself. Too often these myths have affected our attitudes towards and acceptance of alternative fuels. Most objections to alternative energy harvesting methods are based on myths, not facts. While many alternative energy solutions are not perfect, the benefits are too great to ignore. The common concerns expressed usually involve availability, affordability, and the "greenability" of alternative energy sources.
Proponents of alternative energies are often painted as "tree huggers" who ignore the real human costs of their environmental agenda. Proponents of fossil fuel resources are portrayed as uneducated, uncaring environmental butchers or greedy Texas oilmen. It is understandable but unfortunate that these stereotypes are used to bolster the arguments against renewable energy sources or fossil fuels. These prejudices have been successfully forwarded by those who most benefit from the promotion of one energy source or another. The fact that we do not have to make an either/or choice for energy supply goes conveniently ignored.
It is often argued that renewable energy is not reliable energy. Critics point to solar and wind energy as limited by their very nature. The sun is only available so many hours a day and the wind not constantly available in most regions. The variability of their availability is presented as a "deal breaker" of sorts which ignores the unreliability of more traditional sources and the forecastable nature of new renewable sources.
Experts in the field of renewable energy sources cite nuclear energy production as a perfect example of the unreliability of traditional energy sources. "Of all U.S. nuclear plants built, 21 percent were abandoned and 27 percent have failed at least once. Successful reactors must close for refueling every 17 months for 39 days. And when shut in response to grid failure, they can't quickly restart." Others believe that we have reached or are about to reach peak oil production and the resulting depletion will decrease oil reserves and supply. They propose that the shortage in fossil fuels is just as certain that the source of solar power will come up tomorrow. Solar electricity can be produced even when there is only enough light to see your hand in front of your face.
Renewable energy can be highly predictable and continuous as well. Wind is forecastable and it was found that "three German states were more than 30 percent wind-powered in 2007-and more than 100 percent in some months. Atmospheric energy cannot yet be harvested, and there is currently no effective method to harness enough to make it a viable source of energy. Tidal energy is fast proving to be nearly continuous and according to one study, "A wave energy scheme installed in Australia generates electricity with an 80% availability factor."
It is widely believed that alternative energies can be integrated into the existing grid. According to Amory Levins, "Mostly renewable power generally needs less backup than utilities already bought to combat big coal and nuclear plants' intermittence." Energy storage systems will have to be developed for maximum benefit. The possible storage options include hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, pumped-storage hydro systems, batteries, among others. This development of energy storage may be costly, however as the sources and demands for renewables increase, the economy of scale should recover the costs in a relatively short period of time.
It is in our best interest to become aware of the real and perceived short comings and benefits of renewable energy. One must sort through the sometimes deliberate misinformation, in order to make a judgment on the desirability of renewable resource exploration, innovation, and implementation.
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