Exercise 1)
On-shore wind turbines are installed in land-based applications, while off-shore wind turbines are installed over water. The best thing about offshore windmills is the wind tends to be much more consistent and strong, which helps predict payback period and shorten it, for the cost of the turbine. The bad thing about offshore is aesthetics, some people don’t like the looks of the ocean shoreline being filled with turbines. It is also difficult to get the power from the turbines and back to the land where the electricity can be used. It can also be difficult to maintain the windmills out at sea.
Exercise 2)
Geothermal heating and cooling is having another revival due to rising energy and oil costs. Geothermal heating uses the natural temperature of the ground at about 10 feet and below which averages about 68 degrees F. Trenches are dug or holes are drilled and plastic tubing is placed in them. The tubing is then filled with a circulating fluid, usually just water and heated to the temperature of the ground during circulation. The fluid then goes to a heat exchanger where the heat of the fluid is exchanged to the air, which in turn circulates through the house to warm it. On average, a geothermal heat pump saves about 7 out of ten energy units that would go into operating a standard heat pump. The main additional cost of adding a geothermal heat pump is in the installation of the tubing in the trenches or holes, which can be expensive because it requires special machinery like a large excavator or drill rig.
Geothermal heating. (2013, March 11). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_heating
Exercise 3) Car Brand - Model | Conventional Engine Mileage | Hybrid Engine Mileage | Toyota - Camry | 25/35 mpg | 43/39 mpg | Honda - Freed | 23/28 mpg | 40/38 mpg | Ford - Fusion | 22/34 mpg | 47/47 mpg |

In my own personal budget, I would definitely consider buying a hybrid vehicle. The initial cost is a little higher but the money you save for fuel in the long run benefits you greatly. I have a big Chevy Avalanche that I am currently driving which gets me about 13 miles to the gallon. A hybrid vehicle would really benefit me at the pump.