Disadvantage of Alternative Fuels
Two main disadvantages of alternative fuels, whether for home, business, or cars, are the upfront expense and amount of land required. Storage also is an issue because some alternative energy is only produced during certain types of weather. Many people are interested in seeing alternative fuels developed for more extensive use, but certain problems must be overcome for any type of alternative fuel.
Other People Are Reading
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Wind
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Wind energy to produce electricity requires a very large amount of land. Nearby residents often express dismay about how noisy the turbines are, and people protest the construction of wind turbines near their neighborhoods. In addition, since the wind power sites are usually set up in rural areas, there are complaints that turbines spoil country views. They cannot be built near conservation areas, and other areas are problematic as well. At the wind power site near Altamont Pass, Calif., where the site spans a migratory bird route, the turbines kill thousands of birds of prey every year.
Solar
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For individual households and small businesses, solar power can be an excellent option but, like wind power, for large operations it requires a great deal of land. In 2011 the largest solar plant to date is scheduled to be completed in Arizona, where it will provide electricity for up to 70,000 homes. The plant takes up 1,900 acres. Many climates, however, are not suited for solar as a large-scale electricity producer. Solar power only produces sufficient energy with large amounts of sunlight, and storing the power in batteries requires even more land.
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Biomass
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Biomass, which uses animal waste and plant material, has been the most prevalent alternative energy source in the United States since 2000. A major disadvantage with biomass is the horrible smell, which is difficult to hide. This makes approval of biomass facilities difficult in many areas.
Hydrogen and Other Gases
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Hydrogen fuel for vehicles may be the wave of the future, but is very expensive. Liquid hydrogen is difficult to produce, handle, ship and store. Like liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, and liquid propane, hydrogen requires large, bulky and heavy tanks. Hydrogen also does not work well with internal combustion and tends to cause ignition failure and eventual engine damage.
Ethanol
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Increasingly prevalent, ethanol is another fuel that requires large amounts of land, because it is generated from corn. Producing ethanol requires excessive energy because the plant material has a high water content. In addition, a great deal of gasoline is used for agricultural equipment and transporting the corn. Agricultural costs also are adding up. Soil depletion results from continuously growing one type of crop, which then requires extra fertilizer. There also are fungicide and herbicide applications, and the intensive agriculture has an impact on local water supplies. Another disadvantage is that poorer countries can create food shortages when food sources compete as energy sources.
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