• Question: What do you think is the best energy source and why?

    Asked by 09riceb1 to Becky, Carrie, Kelly, Robin, Usaid on 13 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Becky Selwyn

      Becky Selwyn answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      I’m a bit biased (because my work uses the sun), but I think the sun is the best energy source. Did you know that you would only have to cover a small part of the Sahara desert with solar panels to provide all the energy the world needs!

    • Photo: Kelly Walker

      Kelly Walker answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      I believe there is no one answer to this question!!! I believe the best energy source is a mixture of energies… renewable and fossil… dependent upon the location of the energy source and location of the user… for example, in Brazil they use mainly hydropower because they have so many rivers so they can harness the power within the river quite easily and generate electricity very cheaply with minimal damage to the environment! In places that renewable sources cannot be easily implemented, fossil fuels can provide energy!

    • Photo: Robin Stafford Allen

      Robin Stafford Allen answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      There is no single answer as different sources answer different needs. renewables do reduce the carbon we are putting out slightly, so that’s good but they will be hopeless at providing the baseload power that we need to keep the lights on day and night every day. Personally I think that nuclear fission must be increased now and I do hope that my work on Fusion helps make a better power plant for the future. Regards Robin.

    • Photo: Caroline Roberts Haritonov

      Caroline Roberts Haritonov answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      I think tidal energy has the potential to be the best energy source if it can be effectively harnessed. Tides are not dependent on the weather, they are a predictable and constant supply: We know when and where to harness the tide. harnessing the tide correctly will not damage the environment. Many different technologies are currently being developed to turn tidal currents into energy. Many of the technologies are still in the very early stages of development. Much more work will need to be done to make them cost effective and competitive against other energy sources

Comments

  • Photo: Becky

    Becky commented on :

    Completely agree with these answers – we do need something that can give us guaranteed supply and then we need a good mix of other sources as well, and the more of those that can be renewable the better in my opinion!