THE SCIENCE OF NEW AND OLD ENERGY
Uranium fuelled reactors can produce as much energy as 10 tons of oil from 1 kg of uranium . Plutonium fuelled reactors are capable of generating as much energy as 1 ton of oil from 1 g of plutonium . Plutonium is 100 times more energetic than uranium . Light water reactors include pressurized , and boiling , water reactors . Light water reactors use regular water for cooling , as well as for a moderator , to slow the reaction ; while heavy water reactors use deuterium oxide . Carbon dioxide is used for cooling in gas cooled reactors and graphite is employed as the moderator .
Renewable Energy Sources Renewable energy sources are largely derived from solar energy either directly or indirectly . The most promising , thus far , include solar photovoltaic ( PV ) systems , wind power and hydroelectricity . However , new technologies such as hydrogen and fuel cells show tremendous promise as well . The North American Energy Infrastructure Act brought about an integrated power grid that enables the U . S . and Canada to share energy resources . Many of the projects underway take advantage of renewable energy technologies . The Soule River Hydroelectric Project , located in Alaska , will provide hydroelectric power to British Columbia and the U . S . Pacific Northwest . Montana-Alberta Tie Limited will generate power from wind farms .
The most highly developed solar energy technologies consist primarily of solar collectors and photovoltaic
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