Johanna's+Energy+Content+Essay

The use of wind turbines to produce energy has become a much-talked about new source of energy. Not only is it non-polluting, but wind turbines produce significantly more megawatts than any other energy source (Kammen 87). Wind energy has also become one of the cheapest clean energy sources, which makes it perfect for Freemont, GA. If we, as a company, and consumers want to capitalize on this, more turbines must be erected. The versatility of wind turbines has improved as well. They can be placed offshore, out of the way of people's land, or on top of their roofs. If the turbines are placed on top of roofs, they could potentially produce enough energy for the whole house. As a plus, the government issues a tax credit of approximately 1.9 cents per kilowatt-hour for wind power (Kammen 89).
 * Wind Energy**

Solar energy may be the most commonly known source of renewable energy, but it is the least efficient. Wind energy costs approximately 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, while "current modules have about 10% efficiency and cost $4 per watt"(Kammen 89, Zweibel 66). Ten percent efficiency does not sound sufficient enough for Freemont, not to mention the steep prices. Solar panels are only efficient in an environment with sun almost year-round, and much land is needed to produce enough energy. Wind turbines are much more versatile in that they can be placed on unusable farmland, offshore, or on the roofs of houses. This way, much less usable space is required. Wind energy is both efficient and cheap, the perfect match for this town.
 * Solar Energy**

The process of converting second-generation biofuels can be both lengthy and extremely expensive. Biofuels may cost up to $2 per gallon at the pump (Dale 59). While this may seem reasonable in comparison to current petroleum prices, the cost of wind energy is much cheaper. The sources of producing second-generation biofuels will undoubtedly run out quickly should this industry expand rapidly. Biofuels also tap into food sources, such as corn, which could cause food prices to go up, and more demand for the food once the supplies run low. Wind is a renewable source of energy; it never ends. That being said, wind energy is more practical because there is always an infinite supply.
 * Biofuels**

The cost of building dams that produce electricity from running water is immense. Hydropower is limited to places with large quantities of running water, a resource Freemont is lacking in. Also included is the cost of converting and transporting that energy adds to the extravagant costs. The dams producing electricity can affect "water quality and quantity" ("Hydropower" 2). With wind power, there is no need for water or building extravagant dams; only the turbine is needed for retrieving the energy. The dams built for producing the energy from running provide issues for fish swimming upstream. The fish get caught up in the turbines, cannot get out, and eventually suffer. Windmills, in general, do not make organisms suffer or get caught up in machinery. Nuclear energy has had its share of scares in past years. The Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents proved to be almost deathly situations involving the release of radioactive materials. Who would want the chance of radioactive particles being released into the atmosphere where they live? The production of nuclear energy is risky, and could provoke "situations that could release radioactivity into the environment" (Lake 77). Cost is also an issue with nuclear energy. The production of this energy costs a whopping "$1,500 per kilowatt electric of generating capacity" (Lake 76). If people want to use nuclear, they would have to take a huge chunk of money out of their wallets. In this economy, that would be a risky move. Wind energy is both cheap and safe, both qualities that Freemont needs in their sources of energy.  Dale, Bruce E. and George Huber. "Grassoline at the Pump." //Scientific American// (2008): 52-59. Print Kammen, Daniel M. "The Rise of Renewable Energy." //Scientific American// (2008): 84-93. Print "Hydropower: Setting a Course for Our Energy Future." //United States Department of Energy Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program//: 1-23. Print. Lake, James A., Ralph G. Bennett, and John F. Kotek. "Next-Generation Nuclear Power." //Scientific American// (2001): 72-81. Print. Zweibel, Ken, James Mason, and Vasilis Fthenakis. "A Solar Grand Plan." //Scientific American// (2008): 64-73. Print
 * Hydroelectric**
 * Nuclear**

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