Final answer:
Alternative energy production can be sourced from solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, offering benefits of renewability, cleanliness, and reliability respectively, while facing limitations such as intermittency, noise and visual impacts, and ecological disruption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alternative Energy Production
Three sources of alternative energy production are solar energy, wind energy, and hydroelectric power. Each of these sources has its benefits and limitations when considering their integration into our energy systems.
Solar Energy
Benefit: Solar energy is a renewable source, effectively inexhaustible as the sun is expected to continue shining for billions of years. It allows for decentralized power generation, giving local control over power to homes and businesses.
Limitation: One of the main limitations of solar energy is its intermittent supply, as it is dependent on daylight hours and weather conditions, making it less reliable without adequate energy storage solutions.
Wind Energy
Benefit: Wind energy is clean, producing electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or other pollutants.
Limitation: The visual impact and noise associated with wind turbines can be considered a limitation, as they may cause visual and auditory disturbances to nearby communities.
Hydroelectric Power
Benefit: Hydroelectric power offers a reliable source of energy, with the ability to produce large amounts of electricity consistently.
Limitation: Construction of dams for hydroelectric power can lead to ecological disruption, affecting aquatic ecosystems and potentially displacing human populations.