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• The Danish land-based wind farms produce more energy than the offshore wind farms.

  Alternatives magazine n° 6, 3rd quarter 2004

  False!
  Multipliers on the offshore turbines increase blade rotation speed by 10% compared with the land-based versions, thus generating more electricity. Read related article

• Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Physics Prize in 1921 for his work on photoelectricity.

  Alternatives magazine n° 5, 2nd quarter 2004

  True!
  This distinction was conferred for Einstein's discovery of the photoelectric effect (ratio of energy between photons and electrons), and not for his much better known theory of relativity. Read related article

• Photovoltaic cells supply power to scientific instruments left on the moon by Apollo astronauts.

  Alternatives magazine n° 5, 2nd quarter 2004

  False!
  The very first "solar cells" were actually used to recharge batteries on most artificial satellites, but the instruments left on the moon were powered by radio-isotope generators, therefore nuclear energy during the day and night. Read related article

• An oil field can be 100% exploited.

  Alternatives magazine n° 4, 4th quarter 2003

  False!
  New techniques make it possible to extract up to 80% of the crude oil in an oilfield, but there is a physical limit to extraction. The pressure that forces crude oil upwards through a well reduces as the remaining quantity of oil reduces. There is no point in continuing extraction when the "energy" necessary to extract a barrel becomes comparable to the energy that can be derived from it. Read related article

• Heavy oil is older than conventional oil.

  Alternatives magazine n° 4, 4th quarter 2003

  True!
  As it moves towards the earth's surface, oil loses its volatile elements and is transformed into a heavier product. The Athabasca tar sands in Canada are the greatest accumulation of this type of bitumen in the world. Therefore, the history of these tars is older than the history of oil. Read related article

• China is the world's second largest electricity producer.

  Alternatives magazine n° 4, 4th quarter 2003

  True!
  It generated 1,368 TWh of electricity during the year 2000, compared with 1,100 TWh in Japan which is much less populated but is more industrialized. However, its second position is far behind the United States that generates 3,700 TWh. Read related article

• Belgium has the second highest proportion of nuclear-generated electricity in the European Union.

  Alternatives magazine n° 3, 2nd quarter 2003

  True!
  Its ratio of nuclear powered electricity is 56%, the highest after France (76%). Read related article

• The geothermal heat stream equals the heat from the sun's rays.

  Alternatives magazine n° 3, 2nd quarter 2003

  False!
  On average, 0.06 Watts per m2 of heat is generated in the heart of the earth, which is 23,000 times less than the sun's direct rays! However, the heat in some aquifers is sufficient for use. Read related article

• Nuclear power wastes energy through releases of hot water and evaporation in cooling towers.

  Alternatives magazine n° 2, 1st quarter 2003

  False!
  We cannot talk about waste, since a heat engine cannot operate without a cooling source. In any case, some of the lost heat can be used for heating green houses, buildings, or even for a crocodile farm like that in Pierrelatte (France). Read related article

• Geothermal energy is a form of nuclear energy.

  Alternatives magazine n° 1, 3rd quarter 2002

  True!
  It uses heat from underground rocks, generated by disintegration of the radioactive elements contained in them. Read related article

• The site on which the future unit will be installed has not yet been finalized.

  Alternatives magazine n° 1, 3rd quarter 2002

  True!
  The Finnish government is still hesitating between Olkiluoto and Loviisa. Read related article

• Hydroelectric dams do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

  Alternatives magazine n° 1, 3rd quarter 2002

  False!
  The decomposition of plants covered by water generates emissions of carbon and methane that contribute to increasing the greenhouse effect. Furthermore, destruction of vegetation by the lake is equivalent to deforestation. Read related article

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