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  3. Interest is steadily spreading from a minority of enthusiasts in developing renewable sources of energy — wind, wave and solar p

Interest is steadily spreading from a minority of enthusiasts in developing renewable sources of energy — wind, wave and solar p

admin2016-11-21  36
问题     Interest is steadily spreading from a minority of enthusiasts in developing renewable sources of energy — wind, wave and solar power, tidal and geothermal energy. Additional support for them has come with a proposal to explore the untapped sources of hydroelectric power in Scotland.
    The details are presented by Mr. William Manser in a study called "The Case for an Inquiry into Hydroelectric Generation in the North of Scotland". He calls for an expert committee to look at the developments possible for hydroelectric sites and, more important, for means of financing them.
    There is a clear industrial connection in Mr. Manser’s study because it was done for the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors: hydroelectric schemes, by definition, have a large civil engineering component in them. Mr. Manser estimates that wind power could theoretically provide more than 7 percent of electricity supply in the United Kingdom if suitable sites for generators could be found. However, the practical viability of wind power generation is not likely to be understood anytime soon.
    The best developed and most suitable form of renewable energy is in his view, hydropower. The technology has been developed over centuries and is still progressing. At present it is the cheapest form of electricity generation.
    Mr. Manser examined past surveys of the north of Scotland and identified several as suitable for hydroelectric generation. Those are in the remote areas, usually of great natural beauty.
    But Mr. Manser says a well-designed dam can be impressive in itself. It is also possible to make installation as unobtrusive as possible, to the point of burying parts of them. Hydro-generation involves no water pollution, or smoke creation.
    The main trouble, as appears from his report, is financing an undertaking which has a heavy initial capital cost, and very low running costs.
    However, Mr. Manser does not see that as an unfamiliar position for the electricity industry. He cites the proposed construction of the new nuclear power station at Sizewell in Suffolk, which will have a high initial capital cost.
    The argument at Sizewell that the reason for the expenditure is that the capital will provide a benefit in lower costs and higher returns in the long term, applies equally to hydroelectric generation.
Why does Mr. Manser cite the argument at Sizewell in his report?
选项 A、To argue that lower costs and higher returns will be realized in a long run.
B、To compare costs between a hydropower station and a nuclear station.
C、To conclude that maintaining a hydropower station needs high running cost.
D、To emphasize that a well-designed dam can help protect the environment.
答案A
解析 细节推理题。文章最后提到虽然在Sizewell筹建新核电站的前期投入巨大，…the capital will provide a benefit in lower costs and higher returns in the long term，即从长远来看可以以更低的成本带来更高的回报，而最后一句指出该情况同样适用于水电工程，故答案为A。
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