👤 You paste the prompt and type: "I need to research renewable energy" 🤖 AI: "Hi! I'm Research Assistant — I'll do the research so you don't have to. What should I call you?" 👤 You: "Jordan" 🤖 AI: "Great to meet you, Jordan! Before I build a plan or start researching, I need to gather a few details. During this part, I'll only ask questions — I won't start planning or researching yet. Question 1: What topic do you want me to research for you?" 👤 You: "Renewable energy sources" 🤖 AI: "Question 2: What's your goal with this research? (Understand the topic, compare options, make a decision, solve a problem, write something, etc.)" 👤 You: "I need to write a paper comparing different types of renewable energy" 🤖 AI: "Question 3: How deep should the research go? Quick Overview / Normal Depth / Deep Research" 👤 You: "Normal depth" 🤖 AI: "Question 4: Any limits on time, complexity, or reading level? (E.g., "make it simple," "explain like I'm new," "I need advanced detail," etc.)" 👤 You: "Make it clear but not too simple - I'm in college" 🤖 AI: "Question 5: How do you want the final results formatted? Summary, Key Points, Comparison Table, Timeline, Pros/Cons, Recommendations, Notes, Mixed?" 👤 You: "Comparison table and pros/cons for each type" 🤖 AI: "Question 6: Should I use Web Search, my own knowledge, or both?" 👤 You: "Both" 🤖 AI: "Question 7: Anything specific to include or avoid?" 👤 You: "Focus on solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. Include costs and environmental impact" 🤖 AI: "Perfect — I have everything I need to build the plan. Tell me when you're ready for me to create your research plan, and I'll move to the next phase." 👤 You: "Ready" 🤖 AI: "Great! Here is your proposed research plan for renewable energy sources. Research Plan * Objective Compare four major renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal) focusing on costs, environmental impact, efficiency, and practical applications for a college-level paper. * Key Questions I Will Answer 1. How does each renewable energy source work? 2. What are the costs (initial investment and ongoing)? 3. What is the environmental impact of each? 4. What are the efficiency rates and limitations? 5. Which applications is each source best suited for? Scope * Included: - Solar (photovoltaic and thermal) - Wind (onshore and offshore) - Hydroelectric (dams and run-of-river) - Geothermal - Cost comparisons - Environmental impacts - Current efficiency data * Excluded: - Biofuels, tidal, and wave energy - Political/policy aspects - Detailed engineering specifications - Company-specific products * Depth Normal — college-level detail with clear explanations * Research Methods - Web search for current data (2024-2025) - Knowledge synthesis for core concepts - Validation of efficiency and cost figures - Comparison framework * Output Format - Comparison table (all 4 sources side-by-side) - Pros/cons list for each type - Summary of best use cases - Technical terms explained * Assumptions Focusing on current technology (not experimental) Using average costs (actual costs vary by location) Environmental impact = carbon emissions, land use, wildlife effects Do you approve this plan? a) Approve and begin research b) Modify something c) Add something d) Start over" 👤 You: "Approve" 🤖 AI: "Great — starting research now. * Research Session Topic: Renewable Energy Sources Comparison Plan: Approved Depth: Normal Methods: Web search + knowledge * TL;DR Solar and wind are the cheapest and most scalable renewable sources. Hydro provides the most consistent power but is limited by location. Geothermal is reliable but expensive to start. Each has trade-offs between cost, environmental impact, and practical applications. * Technical Terms (Explained Simply) - Capacity Factor — How often a power source actually produces energy vs. its maximum potential (e.g., solar panels don't work at night) - Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) — Total cost to build and run a power plant divided by all the electricity it makes over its lifetime - Intermittent — Energy that's not always available (wind and solar depend on weather) - Baseload Power — Electricity that's always running (hydro and geothermal can do this, solar and wind can't) 📊 Comparison Table *** Type: Solar - How It Works: Panels convert sunlight to electricity - Cost (LCOE): $30-50/MWh - Capacity Factor: 15-25% - Lifespan: 25-30 years - Best For: Homes, businesses, sunny regions --- *** Type: Wind - How It Works: Turbines capture wind energy - Cost (LCOE): $25-60/MWh - Capacity Factor: 25-40% (onshore), 40-50% (offshore) - Lifespan: 20-25 years - Best For: Windy areas, offshore installations --- *** Type: Hydro - How It Works: Water flow turns turbines - Cost (LCOE): $40-90/MWh - Capacity Factor: 40-90% - Lifespan: 50-100 years - Best For: Rivers, mountainous regions --- *** Type: Geothermal - How It Works: Uses underground heat - Cost (LCOE): $60-90/MWh - Capacity Factor: 70-90% - Lifespan: 30-50 years - Best For: Volcanic regions, tectonic areas --- Detailed Findings * Solar Energy Pros: - Lowest cost renewable option today - Can be installed almost anywhere - Scales from small (home) to large (solar farms) - Zero emissions during operation - Silent operation Cons: - Only works during daylight (needs battery storage) - Efficiency drops in cloudy weather - Panels require rare earth materials (mining impact) - Takes 2-5 years of operation to offset man made emissions - Large installations require significant land Environmental Impact: Low carbon emissions over lifetime. Main concerns: mining for materials, land use for large farms, panel disposal at end of life. * Wind Energy Pros: - Very low operating costs once built - Works day and night (if wind is consistent) - Offshore wind is highly efficient - Small land footprint (can farm underneath turbines) - Clean energy with minimal emissions Cons: - Only works when wind is strong enough - Kills birds and bats - Noise complaints from nearby residents - Expensive to build offshore - Visual pollution concerns Environmental Impact: Near-zero emissions. Concerns: wildlife (especially birds), ocean ecosystem impacts (offshore), noise pollution. * Hydroelectric Pros: - Most reliable renewable (water flows consistently) - Can store energy (pump water up if excess power available) - Very long lifespan (50-100 years) - Can control output (turn on/off as needed) - Clean during operation Cons: - Limited to areas with rivers/water flow - Dams destroy ecosystems and displace communities - Expensive to build - Droughts reduce output - Blocks fish migration Environmental Impact: No emissions, but dams flood land, disrupt river ecosystems, trap sediment, and affect fish populations. Methane release from decaying plants in reservoirs. * Geothermal Pros: - Works 24/7 (underground heat is constant) - Smallest land footprint - Very reliable baseload power - Long lifespan - Low emissions Cons: - Only works in specific locations (volcanic/tectonic zones) - Very expensive to drill and build - Risk of triggering earthquakes - Can release small amounts of greenhouse gases - Limited scalability Environmental Impact: Very low emissions compared to fossil fuels. Concerns: water use, potential for induced earthquakes, release of underground gases. **Uncertainties & Limitations What experts debate: - Whether solar and wind can provide 100% of energy (storage technology still developing) - True environmental cost of battery production for storage - Long-term ecosystem impacts of large-scale renewable installations Data gaps: - Costs vary widely by location (these are averages) - Environmental impact studies are ongoing - New technology changes efficiency rates yearly Practical Implications For your paper: - Solar and wind are the future due to falling costs and scalability - Hydro is maxed out in most developed countries (best sites already used) - Geothermal is niche but reliable where available No single source is perfect — best approach is a mix based on local resources Key takeaway: The "best" renewable energy depends on location, budget, and energy needs. Solar and wind dominate because they're cheap and flexible, but they need backup power or storage. Next Options Do you want this: - Simpler? (High school level explanation) - Deeper? (Add technical specifications, efficiency formulas) - Compared with alternatives? (vs. nuclear, natural gas, coal) - Applied to your situation? (Help structure your paper) - Turned into study notes? (key points for memorization) - Expanded in a new direction? (one type, battery storage)" 👤 You: "This is perfect, thanks!" 🤖 AI: "You're welcome, Jordan! Good luck with your paper. Come back if you need more research or want to go deeper on any part!"