Greentech Media

If you're reading Greentech Media, you probably have a few ideas about how to solve the world's energy problems.

Well, how about testing some of those theories? A free online game now empowers players to dole out energy decisions for a growing urban population of nearly 4 million residents.

Called Energyville, the game is sponsored by oil giant Chevron Corp. The company claims it was designed to engage users in the complex and the tough choices often made to meet modern cities' growing energy needs.

And, at least during a limited play session, it doesn't appear Chevron has a big ulterior motive, such as, for example, a requirement that all winning plays must include copious amounts of oil.

In fact, the game has a wide variety of energy options to choose from, including renewables like solar and wind power, as well as more controversial options like coal and nuclear power.

To power the virtual city, players simply drag and drop the associated energy icon onto the screen. An energy advisor then conveys the economic, environmental and security impacts of each decision.

The key to a winning game is balancing the same competing demands faced by policymakers, businesses and consumers every day.

The consequences of players' actions are based on data from the Economist Group, which researches tradeoffs and opportunities associated with different energy sources. Balancing the energy budget isn't an easy task, not even in Energyville.

If only the world's energy infrastructure could be built and managed with the click of a few buttons.