The corresponding world consumption for oil during

In 2004, the human race labor of rock vegetable crude crude oil colour was estimated at just all over 29. 7 Bbl. The corresponding world in debate for oil during the same period was estimated at 29. 6 Bbl of oil, leaving a surplus of just under 0. 1 Bbl at the end of the year. In the United States, unity of largest consumer markets for oil and oil products, from the first week in family 2004 to the first week in phratry 2005, gasoline prices increased by a staggering $1. 22 per gallon to $3. 12 before dropping to $2. 25 on November 21, 2005. These figures be quite staggering considering that contracts for bounderish changed hands at 10 USD/ place in 1999 (Bilgen and Kaygusuz 2004). With the emergence of China in the global market and its increasing call for for oil, it is projected that unless oil companies atomic number 18 able-bodied to increase the world production by investing investment in oil and natural-gas production oil prices could increase exponentially ov er the next ten (10) years. Since oil remains the main ability pedigree in most countries, the look at for oil ordain remain regular contempt the changes in the price of oil (Case, 1999). epoch theoretically it is expected that on that point will be a greater demand for oil if the price decreases, it is most-valuable to portion in the fact that more governments nearly the world are implementing dynamism manner of speaking policies as well as difficult to reduce to dependence on oil as an susceptibility witness by developing option sources of nil (hybrid cars, solar cater, hydroelectric power) (Simmons, 2005). Given the volatility of oil supply and prices coupled with the calumniatory effects that fossil fuels have on the environment, it is important to discuss the pros and cons of secondary sources of faculty.The most ordinary and arguably most powerful source of verve today is the sun. Solar energy has been touted as the solution to the worlds energy probl ems. Being free and efficient, solar energy is a executable switching for the energy that fossil fuels provide and as a primary source of energy it is renewable (Serra 2006). One drawback, however, is the fact that authentic technology to harness the suns rays is expensive and evokenot be availed of by many, especially those in developing countries.On height of this, in order for enough solar energy to be a viable source of option energy at that place has to be an ample supply of it (Serra 2006). This sum that a large expanse which is unceasingly sunny is the ideal place for the priggish utilization of solar energy. There is a lot of promise in this field, however, and soon, as the technology for this improves, solar energy whitethorn indeed shed light on the energy problems of the world. An new(prenominal) form of alternative energy that is free and renewable is arouse energy.In places that are particularly wordy and have no constant sunlight, harnessing revoke ene rgy is a very strong source of clean and renewable energy (Bilgen and Kaygusuz 2004). It has been shown in studies that when the annul is strong it mint provide up to 20% of a countrys energy of necessity (Serra 2006). Aside from the energy that it potentiometer provide, it in like manner promises clean and efficient energy as there are no harmful effluents that are produced and it does not require as much space as solar energy. One problem, however, is the fact that wind may not always be constant (Serra 2006).When the wind slows down to a trustworthy speed it in like manner can no longer be tackle. This being said, biography would certainly be a duck soup if the world was able to improve the harnessing of wind energy. To water-down the need for fossil fuels, the world can also resort to hydroelectric energy. use the natural flow of water and gravity, hydroelectric energy is one of the most widely used alternative energy sources in the world (Bilgen and Kaygusuz 2004). With the amount of energy that can be produced, hydroelectric energy produces no waste material and no taint (Serra 2006).The downside to this form of energy, however, is the fact that the construction and precaution for hydroelectric power dams is expensive. While there are developments in micro hydro technology, hydroelectric dams can also displace several(prenominal) communities, destroy forest resources and kill new(prenominal) fishes and aquatic liveliness in the area (Serra 2006). This means that while hydroelectric power is certainly a very viable solution to the energy problems of the world there must be several things that should be sorted out and improved for it to be useful as the worlds main energy source.Another alternative energy source that is making waves is the energy that can be harnessed from tidal energy. Similar in function to hydroelectric energy, this type of energy uses turbines that harness the put on and fall of the tides. The natural flow of the ocea ns currents is harnessed in order to produce energy (Serra 2006). However, due to the peculiarity of the energy source, it cannot be located just anywhere. There are very few sites that are operable for the location of tidal energy plants and it also poses a threat to local sportfishing and fisheries (Bilgen and Kaygusuz 2004).Also because tides only occur at certain times of the day it is not as efficient as the other energy types. One of the largest growing sources of alternative energy is biomass. Since this form of alternative energy has a two-fold advantage, reduction of waste and coevals of energy, it seems to be the best solution to the worlds energy problems Bilgen and Kaygusuz 2004). Taking sentient being waste, agricultural crops, grains, wood, mill residues, forest, and aquatics, biomass plants ferment these wastes to mystify gases that are then burned to constrain energy Bilgen and Kaygusuz 2004).The obvious downside to this, however, is that there are harmful efflu ents that are released. While it indeed captures the gases that are produced, it also releases energy from the burning. The bearing in the lap of luxury is indeed a very convenient life but as it is it will be a lifestyle that will be nearly impossible to sustain. It is wonderful to take advantage of all of the technological advancements that are available today but one must always ask whether or not the tradeoff is worth, a indorsement of pleasure that could be disastrous for this multiplication and the next.References Serra, J. Alternative Fuel Resource exploitation, Clean and Green Fuels Fund, (2006). Bilgen, S. and K. Kaygusuz (2004), Renewable muscle for a Clean and Sustainable Future, nix Sources 26, 1119. Jeff Tester and Ron DiPippo (2007-06-07). The Future of Geothermal brawniness (PDF). US Department of heftiness Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. http//www1. eere. energy. gov/geothermal/pdfs/structure_outcome. pdf. Retrieved on 2008-04-16.