Risky business: energy production and the Inhaber report

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1979.9931175· OSTI ID:5743617

Herbert, J H; Swanson, C; Reddy, P

This article concerns Herbert Inhaber's report, Risk of Energy Production (AECB-1119(Rev. 1); EAPA 5:15). The purpose, according to the authors, is to identify some basic inadequacies in the study's approach and use of data, especially as regards nonconventional (i.e., solar) technologies, and to suggest some alternative approaches and data sources. Technological assumptions of the Inhaber report are questioned. The storage and backup requirement for solar thermal and wind systems used in the report substantially increase the overall risk of the evaluated solar and wind systems. According to the authors, many analysts do not expect future solar-electric or wind-powered electric to require as much backup or storage as specified in Inhaber's assessment. The authors also claim that the manner in which risk calculations are reported in the report obscures important information. Another difficulty encountered in evaluating the sources of risk is that the data elements required for the quantitative analysis are not listed in the report nor are they collated by a common coding scheme such as Standard Industrial Classification. The authors, therefore, suggest that the Inhaber report results are based on inappropriate assumptions and inadequate methodology. In addition, they conclude, much of the data used is not well documented, or is outdated, or is not comprehensive enough. Despite the criticism,the authors state that the objective of the Inhaber report are worthy of continued research. They further state that the report serves to bring into focus many of the issues that need to be resolved to develop useful comparisons that are based on clearly interpretable analyses. 2 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: PRC Energy Analysis Co., McLean, VA
• OSTI ID: 5743617
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 21:6; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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