What is rebuildable energy?

Typically this is what is usually called renewable energy (e.g. Solar PV, Wind). Typically these technologies have a lifespan after which the unit must be dismantled (hopefully to be recycled, but do we know how?) and replaced. Therefore here we refer to them as rebuildable energy systems.

What is good about them?

• The *potential* for lower carbon emissions.

What is problematic?

• They contain materials that need to be mined in an environmentally destructive fashion.
• They are sometimes placed in ecologically problematic places, destroying ecosystems.
• They may not be able to provide enough energy (and energy in the right form) run the economy we have.
• They are less energy dense and so to have a meaningful about of energy in the current economy would necessitate extensive land use.