Energyville is the SimCity of sustainability. The new online game simulates how the options for energy generation affects the people, the economy and the environment of a virtual city that you manage.

The game was developed by the analyst firm The Economist Group, and is sponsored by Chevron. The game requires choosing various types of energy, from coal to nuclear to ethanol to petroleum, and watching as the city of 4 million prospers or declines. A score is generated based on the economy, environment, and energy security (stability).

The game spans present day until 2030 and includes random events such as weather, international energy shortages, or stock market variability. For example, if you invest heavily in nuclear, the air might be clean, but perhaps a radiation leak wipes out some of the people.

While some might be wary of Chevron's involvement in the game, the diversified company has investments in wind, solar and alternative fuels. Chevron spokesman Alexander Yelland said the game includes geothermal heat as an option, and that energy efficient also plays a role. Chevron has a division that does energy efficient audits, and the company is developing geothermal energy in Indonesia.

Yelland told me that Chevron is encouraging debate about energy alternatives and their trade offs through the Will You Join Us website, which has a ticker that shows how much oil and gas have been consumed while you are on the website.

The Economist Intelligence Unit developed the game using projections based on its own data along with that of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the DOE's Energy Information Administration.

Energyville reinforces what we already know -- that our energy needs won't be met by one, two or three sources, and that there is no free lunch in relying on solar, wind, nuclear, or fossil fuels.