Enough renewable energy to power the world?

[Cain]

http://www.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/sad1109Jaco5p.indd.pdf

Mark Jacobson, MIT engineer, makes the case.

He is also interviewed here http://blogs.ft.com/energy-source/2010/05/12/qa-mark-jacobson-on-100-renewables/

[Remington]

Significant, large-scale progress on renewable energy in North America won't show up until it becomes the lowest-cost option (when fossil-fuel sources become more expensive than renewable). As much as I wish otherwise 



For now, though, there's lots of things a future-minded individual can do to help lower their dependency on centralized/foreign energy. In order of feasibility and cost-effectiveness (in my opinion):

1. Solar hot-water collectors, for either domestic hot water or space heating. These systems can collect heat from sunlight at around 70% efficiency, and work even during winter months (albeit less effectively). Costs can range from $200 to $5,000, depending on the size and build (DIY systems are relatively easy to make) and can significantly offset heating costs.

2. Biodiesel, home-refined from waste restaurant grease. Any modern diesel engine can run on vegetable oil, but the glycerin present can and will clog the engine within days or hours. The solution is to remove the glycerin in a simple chemical reaction that can be done on an amateur basis in a home-made reactor. The resulting fuel is called biodiesel, and can run in any diesel engine without problems (although certain fuel lines and cold temperatures present problems). The waste oil can be obtained for free via restaurants, so start buddying up with the managers. Chances are they pay people to remove their grease, and will happily give it to you provided you pick it up on a regular schedule.

3. Photovoltaic; which is the production of electrical energy from special solar collectors similar to those used in hot-water systems. The energy output of the array is dependent on its size; a depending on the size of the array the system can offset, eliminate, or even reverse your monthly electricity bills. professionally made and installed systems can cost up to $30,000, but a knowledgeable individual with electrical and soldering skills can make panels using factory-surplus cells for as little as 20% of the cost of a commercial panel.