Solar Energy

Solar power comes in two forms: thermal power and photovoltaic power. The first form - thermal - is simply using the natural heat of the sun to warm houses, buildings, etc. No electricity is involved. With proper construction, this form of heating can be maximized for limited but significant gains. The second form - photovoltaic - converts sunlight to electricity using the photoelectric effect. It can be used for various low-power applications ranging from recharging batteries and garden lighting to powering satellites. In the sunny South, we must systematically construct houses, and other buildings to take advantage of this resource and limit our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

Wind Power

The South can generate some electricity from wind power to help defray our energy needs, but only if it accurately identifies optimal wind generating areas and then builds the appropriate small scale structures to harness this power. This is because wind power is not the South’s strong suit. While the best application of wind power may not be vast wind farms, the wind can be very viably used for individualized local applications such as homes and farms. For example, wind power has been often used to pump water from wells, charge batteries and sometimes sell excess electricity to a utility company.

Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power is a mixed bag in which some very strong positives are offset by some difficult negatives.

On the good side: (1) generating power via falling water does not create pollution like fossil fuels or nuclear waste, (2) this source of energy is essentially limitless so there is no concern about unstable prices, production strikes, or transportation issues, (3) hydroelectric power responds quickly to fluctuations in demand, (4) is relatively cheap, (5) the reservoirs created by dams provide increased opportunities for fishing and other water-based sports, and (6) stimulate local economies. The dams can be used for irrigation or flood control.

On the bad side: (1) the reservoirs created by dams flood family farms and displace people, (2) large areas once used for hunting, hiking and camping are destroyed, (3) when rivers are covered by these reservoirs, not only are canoeing and rafting eradicated, but (4) natural habitats in and near the river are destroyed, (5) silt collected by dams concentrates heavy metals and other pollutants, (6) removing this silt is expensive, (7) and if not done, the dam will silt up leaving a useless structure poised to fail in time.

Current hydroelectric dams should continue to produce electricity, but must be maintained. Any new dams built demand creative designs and implementation to properly utilize this valuable natural resource with minimized negative impacts.

Biomass

Biomass fuels are derived from wood wastes, agricultural crop wastes, aquatic plants, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other organic waste materials. These materials can be used to generate electricity and produce liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels such as ethanol and renewable diesel. Bioenergy currently accounts for three percent of primary energy production in the US. The advantage of biomass fuels is that it is renewable, and non-polluting compared to nuclear and hydrocarbon fuels. However, over-reliance on this source can (and in third world countries has) lead to deforestation. Additionally, when wood and crop wastes are not returned to the soil, the soil is impoverished. The application of this readilyavailable energy resource is to implement it wisely on the county level where it can be used for local energy needs.

Other Energy Sources

Because of the South’s geology, geothermal energy is not a significant source of energy as it is in the Western States. Methane hydrates are of limited potential in the Southland because of its temperate location (latitude) on the Earth. Tidal energy is not a significant resource for the South due to its low tidal range. Other energy resources such as hydrogen, fuel cells, ocean thermal energy and methane from solid waste landfills can be developed as technology and opportunity avail themselves to us.

Solution

Renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind must be maximized on a county-by-county basis across the South. Hydroelectric power and biomass must be used with an Agrarian’s care for the land and its ecology. Once these resources are at full strength, then the South can fill in its energy needs with other forms of energy. Time, talent, and money must, of necessity, be poured into solving the problems of (1) increased Southern oil production, (2) the proper disposal of nuclear waste, and (3) making coal a clean source of energy. Other energy sources that are not commercially or technologically viable must be explored carefully and diligently.

The other side of the coin is to reduce demand. The techniques for this are widely known. Of equal importance here is to reduce demand by reducing population size. This is already accomplished amongst the indigenous Southern people. Instead, the proper direction here is to stop immigration 100 percent, deport illegal immigrants, and help Yankees find their way back north.

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John Speir is an advocate of sound energy policy and true environmental conservation. Mr. Speir lives in Georgia.

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