Alternative Energy
Which Renewable Resource Should You Use?
Alternative energy is the future; and the future is now. The world's energy needs can no longer be met by fossil fuels like gasoline and coal. Their supply is in steep decline and prices are steadily rising. $100 oil is here to stay...but where do we go when oil hits $200?
Global warming and climate change are the result of our dependence on fossil fuels. We must stop using fossil fuels and use alternative energy sources. So what are the solutions?
There is a wide range of clean efficient alternative energy solutions such as solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, tidal energy nuclear energy, and biofuel. With the recent leaps in technology many of these renewable energy sources are now compatible with most households.
Solar power technology creates enough energy to satisfy global energy needs every year. However less than 1% of the world's energy demands are met by solar!
Solar power can now be used to heat your home, power your lights and appliances, and even heat your swimming pool. With the prices of solar cells dropping dramatically anyone can now easily afford to take advantage of this clean renewable resource.
Harness the power of the sun by building your own home solar panels in the
Power From The Sun Guide.
Wind energy is probably one of the oldest forms of energy...and without doubt one of the cleanest. Even though wind power depends on weather and location the market is set to grow by more than 20% per year over the next 10 years as more and more people recognize the benefits from this 'free' energy. Wind turbines are now available for domestic use - you can even make your own at home!
Learn how to build your own home wind turbine in the
Power From The Wind Guide.
Geothermal energy makes use of the earth's surface heat, where temperatures remain constant all year round.
A geothermal system consists of:
The system is a network of pipes buried in shallow ground. This clean, efficient resource can be tapped by many domestic households, and is especially ideal for use in home heating & cooling systems.
Hydroelectricity is already quite developed since it basically utilizes energy from the flow of water. It is a very old technology that has been used in water mills for thousands of years to provide the energy for processing grains such as corn and wheat.
However, unless you live near a flowing river, it will not be a suitable alternative energy solution. If you are lucky enough to live by a river, there are now a range of devices to help you capture the power of flowing water.
Tidal energy is created when the energy present in the natural motion of tides is captured. This is generally achieved when sea water naturally pours into an estuary at full tide, turning specialized turbines that convert this energy to electricity. When the tide goes out, it turns the turbines in a reverse direction producing electricity once more.
Nuclear power has lost the confidence of many since the Fukushima nuclear disaster. As a result, some countries that were previously supportive of this energy source, like Germany, have now decided to reduce or even eliminate this powerful energy source.
While nuclear fission can be a good source of energy, the management of nuclear waste remains a problem.
Biofuel is an organic material made from plants, wood and animals that is converted into ethanol. Biofuel is mainly used as an alternative fuel in the transportation industry. Its use it growing exponentially in developing countries like India as it provides an alternative to oil based fuels.
Carbon Offset or Carbon Credits are credits allocated in return for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions made at another location (such as wind farms) which create renewable energy and reduce the need for fossil-fuel powered energy. Organizations that earn credits in this way can offset their carbon footprint and avoid paying taxes associated with high carbon outputs.
We Only Have One Atmosphere!
Each day the world produces massive amounts of carbon dioxide that is released into the earth's atmosphere; and the carbon will still be there in a hundred years! The carbon in the atmosphere is creating the greenhouse effect, which is heating up the earth.
This will result in mass water shortages, global unrest, political turmoil and mass extinction of a large number of the world's plants and animals. It is critical that we, as individuals, do our part to move to alternative energy sources.
Learn More About Alternative Energy
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