The use of renewable energy in the United States could take
a significant leap forward with improved storage technologies or more efforts
to “match” different forms of alternative energy systems that provide an
overall more steady flow of electricity, researchers say in a new report.
Historically, a major drawback to the use and
cost-effectiveness of alternative energy systems has been that they are too
variable – if the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine, a completely
different energy system has to be available to pick up the slack. This lack of
dependability is costly and inefficient.