Which is the most cost effective, eco friendly way to generate electricity?

Question

I'm keen about eco friendly electricity generating but am wondering which is the most cost affective as i am aware that some are more expensive than on the grid electrics.

Answer 1

Nuclear.  Minimal land use requirements, zero emissions and no water contamination.  Natural gas is a close second as the emissions are harmless- burning gas produces nothing but carbon dioxide and water vapour, both of which are harmless.

Answer 2

self-produce like those bicycles that generate electricity and you pedal it

Answer 3

Not a simple question to answer without knowing a little more about your circumstances. If you happen to live by a river with a decent flow and head then micro hydro-power is very cost effective with a 70% water to wire efficiency. Next would be wind-power but with only 30% efficiency and then solar pv at something between 10 and 15%. Bang for buck hydro is about 20 times cheaper per watt than solar pv and wind is about 10 times cheaper than solar pv. BUT these are not the only options. You could also consider Combined Heat & Power (CHP) running a bio-diesel generator to create your electricity and using the generated heat to warm your house or hot water. Finally, if you live near a geothermal spring or have access to a geothermal source then you could use that.

Like I said, no simple answer, a lot depends upon your circumstances, your personal consumptions levels and other things you may want to do.

Answer 4

Buy 10000 Hamsters and a Big wheel for them to run.

Answer 5

PECO wind energy in the greater pennsylvania area is a great ecofrienly alternative energy source that doesn't cost much.  check out exelon's website, or search for more local companies with wind power

Answer 6

If cost is greatest concern be warned that it is almost impossible to generate your own electricity at lower cost than the big boys can. They have economy of scale on their side. Even if you think you can, it is probably because you haven't factored in all the real costs, including the cost of money (capital).

It on top of being cheap you also want eco freindly then that is a BIG ask.

Try replacing as many electrical appliances with non electrical as you can for starters. Say solar heating for space heating and hot water, that is money saving and eco friendly.

The suggestion that CO2 is eco freindly and harmless when it comes from fossil fuels must have been asleep for the last 10 yrs or so. its that thinking got us into the GW mess we are in.

Likewise nuclear, yesss real good. no emissions, mmmm, no damage to water? Wonder if he has considered all stages of the energy cycle including the mining transport, construction of reactor decomissioning? Waste disposal? occassional failures, Chernoble ring a bell? 3 mile island?... Besides do you really expect that as an individual you will be allowed to build a nuclear power plant, even if you could afford it. Hey Iran wants to build nuclear plants, it says for power purposes, the western powers are saying we will not let you build an independent nuclear power cycle. You must buy fuel from us. You are not allowed to make your own! Sounds a bit like bully boy tactics, to enforce a cartel situation. The arguements about nuclear poliferation don't actually stack up against scrutiny as it seams it is now 'OK' to sell uranium to India even though it never signed up to the international inspections or non polliferation treaty (Iran has), and if Iran wanted to use the materials to create terror attacks it can with lowlevel enriched fuel in a dirty bomb anyway, right now and under the rules they are trying to impose.

(main problems with nuclear are social political and then economical, (most enjoy govt overt and hidden subsidies to be competitive).

So you could always build your own windmill, it is the easiest electricity generating power source to build yourself, that would make it cheap and possibly eco freindly if you choose the right materials, like recycled timber, and scraps. etc.

Answer 7

Solar or wind I would think. People I know have just spent a fortune putting up a small hydro station on a small river on their estate this is to power their very large house and sell to the National Grid but I dont know how long or if ever they will break even.

Answer 8

Well, since moving to Cyprus, we use solar power to heat our water, and to provide some of our electricity

Answer 9

Yes there is a simple answer if you want to go off grid. "minimalism." If you get rid of as many mains electric powered items as you can you will then be able to concentrate on 12v battery powered items for such as communication and entertainment and lighting. Your batteries can store power from your chosen energy generating device. If you need to use anything that is mains such as a freezer or power tools/machinery then you could still work from 12v and construct an invertor. Like I say its about how much you are willing to sacrifice to go off grid. If you install a combination of zero carbon devices such as wind water and solar or heat sink then you can still enjoy some of the comforts of modern life. Beware of falling into the trap of false ecology though. Some products use a huge amount fossil fuel in their construction.

Answer 10

get youself a windmill. you can get small ones for domestic use.