THESIS HELP - Alternative Energy?

Question

I'm thinking about writing my thesis on alternative energy - taking an urban property off the grid! my initial idea is to do life cycle costing (i.e. compare one alternative energy source [photovoltaics, maybe] to the current power source) ... Does anyone have any interesting ideas related to the topic for a thesis?

Answer 1

How about how much power will one acre of land will make ?

Long after you run out of coal.

Long after you run out of oil.

Long after your nukes stop glowing.

The sun will still shine on your one acre.

Solar makes more power from one acre than ALL other types of power, over the course of time.

Answer 2

There is so much info out there right now about alternative fuels.  Maybe you could explore that route too.  Especially with it being Auto Show season, the new CAFE bill, etc.  Lots to research.

Answer 3

How about Saturation point of Energu for an area.

In other words, what is the ideal population of an area to supply energy needs. Are appartment buildings housing 50,000 people in an area 10 miles x 10 miles over taxing energy supplies so decentralising urban areas would use energy more wisely.