To determine the best renewable energy alternative to replace fossil fuels based on their Energy Return on Investment (EROI) values, we need to compare the EROI values for each energy source listed.
The EROI values provided for each energy source are as follows:
- Hydroelectric: 75
- Solar Photovoltaic Cells: 12
- Wind energy: 20
- Geothermal: 10
The EROI is a measure of the efficiency and effectiveness of an energy source. It represents the amount of usable energy acquired from a particular resource relative to the amount of energy expended to obtain that usable energy. In simple terms, a higher EROI value indicates a better return on the energy investment, implying a more efficient and beneficial energy source.
Here are the steps for identifying the best renewable energy alternative:
1. Compare the EROI values for all listed energy sources:
- Hydroelectric: 75
- Solar Photovoltaic Cells: 12
- Wind energy: 20
- Geothermal: 10
2. Identify the energy source with the highest EROI value.
From the comparison:
- Hydroelectric has an EROI of 75, which is the highest among all listed options.
- The next highest EROI is Wind energy at 20, which is significantly lower than Hydroelectric.
- Solar Photovoltaic Cells and Geothermal have even lower EROI values of 12 and 10, respectively.
Therefore, the energy source with the highest EROI value is Hydroelectric with an EROI of 75.
So, the best renewable energy alternative to replace fossil fuels based on the given EROI values is:
```
O Hydroelectric with an EROI of 75
```
