The Renewable Energy Hoax
Oakleigh Vermont
Renewable energy is one of those terms we hear a lot thesedays, with the green revolution peering out from behind peak oil,unstoppable climate change and a global economic May Day. And recentlythe solargroupies at Oakleigh read with great astonishment a blog postabout renewable energy that nonchalantly included nuclear power.Calling nuclear power renewable is another example of special interestsattempting to convince ordinary people of something that is blatantlyfalse. We see this a lot in the climate changemovement.
Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources andcan be naturally replenished (that’s where therenewable part comes in). Uranium, plutonium and other radioactiveisotopes are in finite supply in the Earth’s crust. Therefore,nuclear power is not renewable. What types of energy arerenewable?
Tidal energy can be generated by tidalstream generators or by barrage generation. It is generally moreenvironmentally friendly and causes less impact on establishedecosystems since blades rotate underwater and is driven by the swiftlymoving dense water. Tides are more predictable than wind energy andsolar power.
Wave power is the capturing of oceansurface waves for electricity generation, water desalination, or thepumping of water (into reservoirs). The rising and falling of the wavesmoves the buoy-like structure creating mechanical energy which isconverted into electricity and transmitted to shore over a submergedtransmission line.
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar power is harnessingthe suns energy to produce electricity. One of the fastest growingenergy sources, new technologies are developing at a rapid pace. Solarcells are becoming more efficient, transportable and even flexible,allowing for easy installation.
Wind power is the conversion of wind energyby wind turbines into electricity or mechanical energy. Large-scalewind farms are typically connected to the local power transmissionnetwork with small turbines used to provide electricity to isolatedareas.
Hydroelectricity is electricity generatedby hydropower, which uses the gravitational force of falling or flowingwater to spin a turbine generator. It is the most widely used form ofrenewable energy. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed, theproject produces no direct waste.
Radiant energy can do the same work aselectricity at less than 1% of the cost. Switzerland currently has 5 or6 working models of fuelless, self-running devices that tap thisenergy. Tesla’s magnifying transmitter, Moray’s radiant energy device,Gray’s EMA motor, and Baumann’s Testatika machine all run on radiantenergy.
Geothermal energy can be performed on asmall scale to provide heat for a residential unit (a geothermal heatpump), or on a very large scale for energy production through ageothermal power plant. It has been used for space heating and bathingsince ancient roman times, but is now better known for generatingelectricity by spinning turbine generators.
Biomass refers to living and recently deadbiological material that can be used as fuel or to generateelectricity. Biomass includes trash such as dead trees and branches,yard clippings and wood chips biofuel, plant or animal matter used forproduction of fibers, chemicals or heat.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is notrenewable since it is a fossil fuel in finite supply that took millionsof years to form. Natural gas, like other fossil fuels, produces carbondioxide and water, two greenhouse gases, whenburned.
Nuclear power is not renewable since radioactiveisotopes are a finite resource and is not naturallyreplenished.
Image:Kara and Devin, Flickr
