Let’s face it - In relative size of combined their power generation wind, solar, and wave are more of a national hobby than a serious component of the electrical generation industry.
At their present levels they are window dressing as a sop to greenies and to make politicians look good but not significant contributors.
And the cost per kilowatt generated is up to 10 or 20 times more than coal plants.
In fact, no other power source can match the economic efficiency and low cost of coal and no other single power source generates as much electrical power for the nation as coal.
And the same people who oppose coal fired electrical generation also oppose generation powered by petroleum and nuclear (especially nuclear) even though they are cleaner than coal.
I don’t think the average person is aware of how much of their life is powered by, and dependent upon, electrical power since so much of it is more or less hidden from their immediate view.
If (when) the sewage pumps and water pumps and electrical power for electronic devices, home heating, gasoline pumps and electric car battery chargers fail they will start to understand.
Yep.
“In fact, no other power source can match the economic efficiency and low cost of coal...”
Except for natural gas. (source, scroll down to Table 1)
“And the same people who oppose coal fired electrical generation also oppose generation powered by petroleum and nuclear (especially nuclear) even though they are cleaner than coal.”
My main reason for getting us off of oil is energy security. I voted for Bush and was one of many Americans who bought the story that the Iraq War had nothing to do with oil. With the blood and treasure we spent on that trillion dollar war and the tens of billions we spend every year policing the Persian Gulf, I'm ready to be done with our country's dependence on oil.
I'll take American made electricity to power my car over oil any day, whether it be from coal, natural gas, nuclear, or hydro.