One other aspect of alternative energy I rarely hear discussed is reliance/security of infrastructure.
I hear a lot about how the current electric distribution system is aging or vulnerable due to how centralized power production is. The right hacker, terrorist attack, etc. on a few key power generating facilities would have a serious impact on our way of life and economy. Same for oil refineries. Whenever there's a Gulf hurricane that hits the right spots, suddenly all you hear in the news is about shortages due to the small number of them. That's all even before you start talking about "big oil" lobbyists and their effect on democracy or climate change which are all under constant debate.
Energy supplies like solar are hyper-local and distributed, not centralized. They are much, much less vulnerable to attack or natural disaster -- though there is still the cyber-security aspect to deal with (hackers). It seems to me again taking climate change, etc. out of the equation just from a infrastructure and national security standpoint that's good enough to promote alternative, local sources of power generation -- taking all the eggs out of one basket so to speak. Find a prepper without solar (no such thing) and for good reason.
Aside, if I could have a solar array that even just provided enough power for everything in my home but heating/cooling and even charged up my car every day I would love that kind of self-reliance. No more waiting for PSNH to clean up and/or praying the local gas station has power/fuel for my generator.
Where's my Mr. Fusion and hoverboard?
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