An Introduction To 4 Sources Of Alternative Energy.

Alternative or clean energy seems to be a hot topic nowadays

. Everyone is talking about going "Green". Let's take a look at four sources of alternative energy and how each one works.

The first one is Solar Power.

Solar power utilizes shiny, mirrored panels, which capture the suns rays and using several different methods, ultimately converts it into electricity . Solar energy makes no pollution, since it's source comes completely from the sun's rays. However, a lot of of work still needs to be done in order for us to economically capture the sun's energy. We need to develop dependable, long lasting storage batteries that can be used in the evenings and on overcast days.

Next on the list would be Wind Power.

Wind energy is quickly becoming the most-invested-in (by private investors and governments together) alternative energy source for now. The enormous arrays of three-bladed windmills are being used everywhere as wind farms, to capture the motion of the wind and then convert it's kinetic energy into mechanical or electrical energy. Of course, there is nothing new about the concept of a windmill for capturing energy. Today's wind turbines are just more modern variations on the old theme. There is one drawback to wind energy though...What happens when there is no wind? The electric company will still be there to help you out, for a price of course. So as you can see, Wind Energy is not the perfect solution.

Third is Hydro-Electric Power.

Hydroelectric energy is accessible as a form of alternative energy, and it can create a great deal of power. Hydro-Electric energy simply uses water, flowing downhill, to turn turbines which then makes electrical energy. Needless to say, water is practically everywhere so finding sources for driving hydroelectric turbines isn't really much of a problem. Hydro-Electricity, however, can be complex and expensive to produce. Dams are often built to control the water flow sufficiently enough to produce the needed power. Building a dam to store and control water's potential and kinetic energy is a great deal of work and operating one is time consuming and expensive as well. Of course, a dam is not always the way to go if you're not trying to supply the electrical needs of a whole community or other very crowded area. There are small run of the mill hydroelectric converters which are good for supplying neighborhoods or an individual office or home.

And finally we have Geothermal Power.

Probably the most underestimated and under-appreciated forms of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which is nothing more than the naturally-occurring energy created by the heating of artesian waters just below the earth's crust. This heat is transferred into the water from the earth's inner molten core. The water is drawn up by various methods. The purpose of drawing up the hot water is for the collecting of the steam which is then used to turn the turbines which produces electricity. The country of Iceland, which is a volcanic island, gets approximately 24.5 % of its power from geothermal energy. They also get 75.4% from Hydro-Electric power and only 0.1% from fossil fuels. Iceland is richer in hot springs and geothermal activity than any other country in the world. So as you can see, the possibilities do exist.

O.K,. So that pretty much sums it up ...

Although there are several other types of alternative energy currently being looked at, these are 4 of the top sources being considered. To convert from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy may seem expensive at first, but in the long run it will be less expensive and we'll never run out. We all know how expensive oil is getting and the less of it there is, the more expensive it will get. The time to make our move is now!

by: Gary Shogren

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