and parts of Asia are connected to large electricity networks. The effect of windless days can be offset by production from other power-generating sources, such as coal-fired plants or hydroelectric plants that are connected to the power grid. Such a system helps provide reliable power supplies to consumers. People located in remote sites that rely on electricity from wind turbines often use batteries or a backup generator to provide auxiliary power during extended periods without sufficient wind. “Operationally, modern wind turbines are as reliable as conventional power plants. Most commercial wind turbines are offline (down for maintenance or repair) less than 3 percent of the time. Wind turbines are also known for their longevity—many turbines have been generating electricity since the early 1980s. Many American farm windmills have been in continuous use for generations, while some traditional European windmills have been working for almost 300 years.”(Science and Technology, 2001) Nuclear power plants are on the way out. Their unsafe records, and the extreme risks, makes nuclear power plants unreliable, until further safety measures can be made.The United States needs to put more money into making nuclear power production less hazardous, while also producing a place to put the radioactive material that is created as a byproduct. A safe disposal of this material makes nuclear power cleaner then other energy alternatives, and there is a lot more uranium 235 on the Earth than any fossil fuel. Nuclear power is the power of the future. The other thing the government needs to put money into is wind power. Wind power is inexpensive, clean, and an easy way of making energy. There will always be enough wind, and wind energy will not destroy the o-zone layer. The only energy problem that will probable take the longest to resolve is the oil/gas problem. In Europe, many people already drive electric, or gas efficient vehicles...
