subject: Introduction Into Some of The Most Popular Alternative Energies [print this page] Introduction Into Some of The Most Popular Alternative Energies
Energy is not running out, nor will it ever run out.The problem is not that less energy resources are available, but that the political and environmental consequences of the current energy consumption, well, stink.Hence, the drive for alternatives.The following will introduce the alternative energy candidates.
Solar power
Solar power uses sunshine to create both heat and electricity, as well as passive heating and cooling effects in buildings.Although there are other ways to take advantage of solar power (think photosynthesis, for example), the one most focused on is the direct conversion of radiation.This includes photovoltaic panels and solar liquid heating schemes.Large scale solar farms can provide entire communities with enough electrical and heating power to make the communities self-sufficient.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power harnesses the tremendous energies from both the splitting and fusing of atoms.To some, nuclear is not considered an alternative energy source, but my interpretation is that alternatives are those that do not emit the fossil fuel pollutants that are causing so much environmental harm.So I include nuclear energy in the alternative energy pantheon.
Wind and hydro-power
Wind power derives from windmills placed in locations with a lot of wind.Luckily for the US, there are plenty of suitable sites.
Hydro-power comes from dams which provide high pressure water flows that spin turbines, thereby creating electricity.It can be exploited on both a macro level (huge dams can be built to create statewide electrical power on America's biggest rivers) and on the micro level (people can put hydro-power generators in backyard rivers and streams).
Geothermal
Geothermal power takes heat from the earth and redistributes it into a building, or uses the heat to generate electrical power.It's available in tremendous quantities, but it's difficult to extract and takes a lot of capital equipment.On a more general level, heat pumps (the kind in many homes) are a source of geothermal energy, so geothermal energy can be practical and effective on a micro level.
Biomass and wood
Biomass is sawgrass, mulch, corn, and so on.These materials are either burned in their raw form, or processed into liquid fuels or solid fuels.Wood, the most common biomass, is used to heat homes throughout the country.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cells, in a nutshell, produce electrical power from nothing more than hydrogen, which is completely free of carbon.The exhaust is water, and what can be more natural than that?
Hydrogen fuel cells combine oxygen and hydrogen to produce water and electrical energy.Sounds simple, and there's an amazing potential to solve a lot of the world's environmental problems, should fuel cells pan out like some people think they will.The technologies are years off, however.And there are some major difficulties that may never be overcome.But the promise remains bright, and a lot of development money is now being invested in fuel cells.
Bio-fuels
Bio-fuels, are made of biomass products such as corn.Corn ethanol is now being added to most gasoline supplies in the United States.Despite the high energy consumption in the refining process, bio-fuels allow the US to import less foreign oil, and so the political effects are desirable.Bio-fuels may either be used in their pure form or mixed with fossil fuels.
