@Cycloptichorn,
Cycloptichorn wrote:Okay, so let's use coal or nuclear plants to generate that electricity. Supplement that with wind and solar. Over time phase the coal out in favor of more nuke, more wind and solar, and I believe that hydrothermal energy has the ability to make great strides.
Couple this with the increasing switch to dual gas/electric cars, with the eventual hope of viable all-electric cars.
Cycloptichorn
This is an interesting discussion, but first of all I think we need to recognize the fact that central planning is usually the wrong approach to take. I think instead we need to place confidence in energy sources and innovation to compete in an atmosphere of free markets. Ultimately, I wonder if smaller and more incremental approaches will ultimately find the best answers?
Some of the points I think we need to explore are encouraging the building of energy efficient homes, and perhaps retrofitting existing homes with the technology that we have and are developing, such as solar.
I have never in my lifetime observed mass transit to be much of an energy saver or answer to our energy shortage, and I don't see it as an efficient answer down the road. One of the principle reasons is the fact that our vibrant economy requires a responsive system of moving products and people from place to place throughout the 24 hour day. Another reason is that too much of our activities and productivity simply are not amenable to centrally planned mass transit for example.
Beyond gasoline or perhaps natural gas for vehicles, I agree that electricity offers great potential, but not by centrally planned technology. I think instead it will evolve as being viable and competitive if it can be. I wonder if hydrogen offers great future potential, if we can develop efficient methods of producing hydrogen with solar or wind electrical power, perhaps with many smaller plants that are strategically located. Again, I wonder if this system can better be developed by free markets in a competitive atmosphere.
Finally, we need to recognize the fact that oil and gas have been tremendously efficient energy sources, which will not suddenly disappear or run out overnight. New discoveries continue to surprise the experts in terms of how much hydrocarbons are being found. We should consider alternatives, but we should not try to force alternatives prematurely. Necessity is the mother of invention, and I have confidence that we should not invent too much necessity too far ahead of time. Let the process play out as it unfolds. Prices, supply, and demand, will do their work. The worst thing we can do is to have government spend inordinate amounts of money on poorly conceived and inefficient technologies that might eventually need to be replaced anyway.
