.
Fossil Fuels
.
Wind Energy
.
Solar Energy
can be used almost anywhere
relatively low prices
reliable technology
predictable power output
.
very polluting to air, water, and land
supplies will eventually run out
renewable
reliable technology
low environmental impacts
limited to windy regions
relatively low power production
depends on the frequency of winds
few negative environmental impacts
renewable
sunlight is very abundant
very expensive to build, install, and replace
cost-effective technologies are still in development
existing technologies are limited to sunny regions
depends on the frequency of direct sunlight
Nuclear
Energy
can be used almost anywhere
low long-term prices
very low impact on the atmosphere
predictable power output
very high initial costs
long-term environmental impacts may be very significant
uranium supplies will eventually run out
Geothermal
competitive prices
renewable
⚫reliable technology
Energy
⚫ low environmental impacts
limited to very few locations
power output can fluctuate
If they will eventually run out, which of the following explains why nonrenewable energy resources are still so widely used?
Renewable energy sources are not as reliable in terms of power output
Renewable energy is more polluting than nonrenewable energy.
Renewable energy can be more expensive than nonrenewable energy.
Renewable energy provides less power in some areas.