subject: Sea Water Power And Other Unconventional Eco Energies [print this page] Sure, youve probably heard the term green energy until youre red in the face. Energy sources like solar power and kinetic energy from wind turbines are often the two forerunners within the movement. But hiding amidst these two green energy titans are other forms that have the potential to be just as effective as their highly publicized peers. Below are a few of the other elusive members of the green energy gang. Some may come as being interesting, while others might be shocking, but they all share the same common trait; the ability to bring power and energy to millions of people across the globe.
Sea-Water Power
Years ago, experts were just tapping the top of the salt water power iceberg, but through the recent findings of a Penn State study, environmental engineers were able to produce usable energy to be turned into electricity. The process itself is much too complicated to be explained here but on its most basic level it works by using the saline gradient that occurs between fresh water and saltwater. The naturally occurring bacteria in waste waters interacts with saltwater in such a way that it creates what is being referred to as MRC or microbial-reverse electro dialysis. With the proper funding, the many estuaries and inlets of our worlds oceans could be turned in to a fully functioning energy source.
Piezoelectricity
Pronounced pahy-ee-zoh-i-lek-tris-i-tee, this electrical source is a very interesting form of kinetic energy. In fact, you may have a piece of piezoelectricity powered technology on your right now. Thats right, most peoples watches operate in this form of energy production. Piezoelectricity is when certain objects release an electronic field when they come into contact with a mechanical stressor. Tapping into piezoelectric materials could turn shoes into a traveling energy source and the lights of a shopping mall could be powered by the steps of its patrons. Japan is currently the leader in piezoelectric technologies with some of the power generated in this way being used to power the many subway lines that run through Tokyo.
Human Waste
Nope, its not a joke. Much like saltwater power, energy harvested from human sewage also works on the fundamental interactions of microbial fuel cells. Energy comes into being as biochemical reactions and interactions take place as the sewage hits fresh water. Oslo Norway was one of the first countries to utilize this source, powering a portion of the public transit buses that serve the citizens of Oslo on a daily basis. New research is also being conducted to help bring an affordable version of this technology to rural and impoverished areas of Africa.
Whether these unconventional energy sources are being used to bring power to a home, give life to a gas generator or power the ticking of a clock, they all come at the hand of innovations and radical, out-side-the-box thinking. As the worlds natural energy stores become scarcer and scarcer we just might see some of these non-traditional eco energies become just as much of a household name as their other, more popular peers.
