PrintCompeting Priorities of Energy Provision
Energy is one of those issues that is faced with competing priorities. In other words, it is essential to society and the economy, as well as having profound impacts on the environment and availability of natural resources. Why should we care about this?
At a minimum, we want energy sources that are reliable, secure, and are accessible to as many as possible. Ideally, energy sources would also be sustainable. In the perfect world, we would find energy solutions that would be the best solutions for all these aspects. But we know that is not the case.
Those with specific interests or responsibilities may view energy solutions differently based on the desired goal. For example, those interested in environmentally-friendly solutions may prefer renewable energy sources. However, those tasked with providing a reliable 24/7 supply may be more wary of renewable energy sources, many of which are intermittent or inconsistent.