Potential for small-scale, decentralized energy sources and the Federal role in their development

Conference · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6607630

Hayes, D.

The idea that the solution to our energy problems is to be found in an expanded role for small-scale, decentralized energy sources, particularly solar energy, has gained considerable attention and increasing respectability in recent years. One of the most articulate spokesmen for this point of view is Denis Hayes. Mr. Hayes explained his perspective on the energy problem to an invited audience of about 85 professionals and students in the energy policy field. This paper is an edited version of Mr. Hayes' presentation. In his presentation, Mr. Hayes discussed the prospects for fossil and nuclear energy, stressing the potential limitations on coal use due to the problem of CO/sub 2/ and the greenhouse effect, and highlighting the hazards of the plutonium economy. He described the role conservation can play in dealing with the energy problem, but declared that conservation alone is not enough. There is still a need, he indicated, to replace declining energy sources with some alternative. In his view, the most promising alternative is solar energy, and Mr. Hayes discussed the various ways in which it can be utilized. The presentation concluded with a number of suggestions regarding Federal actions and policy initiatives that Mr. Hayes feels are needed to encourage solar energy development. These ideas served as the focus for the question and answer session which followed the presentation. Questions dealt with many issues, including priorities in solar R and D, the role of the Federal government vis a vis the private sector, the timing of solar energy implementation, and the strategy and tactics of the solar movement.

• Research Organization: George Washington Univ., Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6607630
• Report Number(s): CONF-780254-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140000 -- Solar Energy
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
299003* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
DECISION MAKING
ENERGY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
EVALUATION
FORECASTING
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IMPLEMENTATION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS