Renewable energy projects are failing to receive the same degree of support from the financial community and the government that nuclear energy does because nuclear is a highly effective and long-standing opponent in the energy making game. There are nuclear plants all around the world, and they are all producing massive amounts of energy for their customers. Nuclear plants and companies provide thousands of jobs worldwide, and have the reputation to go with this. At one time many people were afraid of nuclear power plants, but after much information and scientific studies were completed, people’s fears were eased on the harm that a nuclear plant can do on a daily basis. It is a very rare thing for something like Chernobyl to occur, and people have become complacent in seeing the tall stacks in the sky and not being afraid for their health. Governments also have large amounts invested into nuclear plants and promoting them, as they are the best, and most practiced form of renewable energy available that works effectively at this time.
The niche opportunities that I see for entrepreneurs in the global development of renewable energy sources are on the customer end and promotion of renewable energy. There is already vast technologies in the world today for wind power, hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, and nuclear, etc. There are existing companies that produce energy from these renewable resources and do so effectively. Of course improvements to the technologies being used would be an idea for an entrepreneur to pursue, but this would involve the need for expertise in those areas. For the average person without a degree in engineering, science, physics, etc., there are many opportunities to interact with people to help offer and promote renewable energy sources. This could be done in the form of consulting, promoting, or offering tours and information about the options available to people of renewable energy sources.
Amy,
I completely agree with you that consulting and promotion is the future of renewable energy (maybe it is just my dream). While not always the case, in many instances engineers and research scientists are not exactly the best at promoting their research or products. It will in many cases, be up to other people to make sure that the fantastic products that are researched and designed are promoted and financed properly. This is where consulting to come into play and take renewable energy to the next level.
You can check out my blog entry at:
http://engr312.dutton.psu.edu/2014/09/09/searching-for-the-entrepreneurial-niche-michael-pittman/
Thanks,
Michael Pittman
Michael,
It is my dream also, you are not alone. I really want to be a part of helping the world become a greener and more sustainable place. I would really enjoy working at helping people develop these systems to generate energy in their own homes and business. Hopefully someday, soon I might add, this will be an option.
Thanks for your response!
Amy,
Good point about nuclear plants and companies providing jobs for people. Locally it seems that people are scared of nuclear power, but I honestly think that the biggest reason is because bad news usually travels faster and impacts more than good news. We need to remember that events like Chernobyl and Three Mile island are very rare.
I could not agree with you more about improvements to the renewable technologies requiring engineering. I personally feel that promoting renewable energy will have many opportunities,
Nice job,
Mike Reichart
http://engr312.dutton.psu.edu/2014/09/05/niche_reichart/
Mike, I live close to a nuclear power plant and some locals are in fear of the worst case scenario. There are those that have their store of Potassium Iodide pills at their homes, waiting for the sirens to go off. Of course there are also the locals that are employed by the plant and it is a necessary evil. Nuclear is a solution to refrain from using nonrenewable energy sources, but not the best. From personal experience I know, any nuclear power plant employee is exposed on a daily basis to very low levels of radiation. Multiply that by 30 years, if they stay in the business that long. That small amount of ‘extra radiation no more than a microwave or television gives off’ adds up. Health-wise, nuclear is not the best alternative, in my opinion.
Thanks for your comment.
Amy,
Reading your response really made me rethink what I said, so thank you for that.
I could only imagine the damage that extra radiation may do to someone, a family or a community.
I do not feel that nuclear is a permanent energy answer, but merely a mid-point in the non renewable fossil fuels, to a renewable energy and sustainable future.