Countries like Korea and Japan are more than keeping pace with America in terms of advanced energy production. Korea is working on retrofitting over a dozen buildings with solar and wind generators in multiple countries. The goal is to create a global 'smart grid' in which energy can be used most efficiently. One of the sister cities participating in this project happens to be Chicago. It is estimated that America's current energy grid is upwards of 70% inefficient.
Japan on the other hand is producing nuclear power to keep up with rising demand. With almost 60 plants operating in the island nation, Japan is one of the fastest growing consumers of nuclear power on the planet. Not to mention it is an incredibly densely populated area that is prone to seismic activity. Japan recently experienced an earthquake whose magnitude was greater than any previously recorded on Japanese soil. The concern was whether this would mean another Chernobyl scenario.
The reactors have stood so far, however it is unlikely that sun and wind energy will ever produce on the scale demanded by global societies. Because of this, America needs to distance itself from oil if it wants to compete with competitive countries in the coming decades. If other countries begin producing energy through cheaper and more efficient processes, it could lead to dramatic economic and diplomatic consequences for the US. This may not be a bad thing if it prompts America to finally begin taking green energy seriously and putting it into use.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-110314thorner_briefs,0,7747411.story
http://inspiredeconomist.com/2010/07/22/why-is-korea-cutting-chicagos-carbon-emissions/
A lot of windows are centrally placed so that they face the south, and the house itself must be set up a certain way. Solar energy can also be converted into power through active solar power, which relies on various solar technologies. These usually have to be installed.
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