Perspective on Alternative Electric Power Sources

Continuing depletion of conventional hydrocarbon fuel resources and constraints on the producibility of coal and uranium will ultimately require an increasing reliance on alternative technologies to meet U.S. energy needs. This paper examines the future prospects (through 2010 A.D.) for potentially attractive new sources of electricity, including the various types of solar and geothermal power stations, breeder reactors, and thermonuclear fusion. It is concluded that while the time required for commercialization of these technologies has characteristically been underestimated, they could begin to provide as much as 3-5 percent of electricity production by the period 2000-2010 if substantial reductions in generating cost can be achieved.