PERCEPTION
Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced in a short period of time and without major cost increases by using existing technology and replacing fossil-fuel generation with wind and solar power.
REALITY
Even though alternative fuel sources will play an important role in meeting the nation's future energy needs, the reality is there are not enough of these sources currently available. And although we're working hard to develop the technologies to capture and store carbon emissions, these technologies don't currently exist at the scale required. The common sense solution to addressing climate change is primarily an issue of technology, and new technologies will take time to develop and initially will be costly. At Southern Company, our strategy is to continue to research, develop, and deploy technologies that will enable us to maintain and grow a reliable and affordable supply of energy and meet our long-term climate change objectives. And we're well on our way.
ENVIRONMENT
As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's carbon sequestration partnership, Southern Company is studying the injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) in deep geologic formations, such as saline reservoirs, depleted oil fields, and coal seams that are not mineable. Test sites are being drilled to collect core samples for analysis at laboratory facilities, such as the one at the Geological Survey of Alabama, where thousands of these core samples are stored. These studies will play a key role in understanding how CO2 can be stored underground.
Because biomass has the highest potential for providing renewable electricity in the Southeast, we continue to evaluate this option. Our research and development program has studied co-firing coal with several types of biomass, including switchgrass, sawdust, and wood chips. And now we're testing the feasibility of generating electricity from 100 percent biomass. We want to develop a process that can cost-effectively generate electricity.
