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Alternative Energy Sources

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Our world runs on coal, gas, wood and fossil fuel. Although an easy and dependable source of power, fossil fuels and their by-products are the major contributors to the environmental deterioration of the planet. Growing population and rapid industrialization have put a strain on our world and its finite supply of natural resources. Yet it’s only a matter of time before the supply of fossil fuel runs out.

The good news is, we have come up with promising alternative sources of energy. By harnessing the infinite resources of the sun, the wind, water and the tides, we have come up with non-perishable and non-polluting substitutes for fossil fuel. Furthermore, the same chemical reaction that produces the sun’s massive energy, nuclear fusion has become a real, viable and very powerful alternative. Although all of these measures are not entirely devoid of negative consequences, they are considered to be far less damaging than those sustained by fossil fuels.

Solar Energy

In sunny Florida and sun-drenched California, houses gleam with big shiny panels on the roofs. These homes are part of the growing number of American families whose energy needs are being met by solar power.

Harnessing the sun’s energy is relatively simple technology. Solar cells, typically referred to as “photovoltaic” cells, transform sunlight directly into electricity. The electricity generated from solar cells can be used to power practically all gadgets – from simple calculators and wristwatches to central heating systems and swimming pools.

Why switch to solar? First of all, the sun’s energy supply is unlimited. In fact, the sun provides us with enough solar energy in a day to meet our worldwide consumption needs for a year. To join this silent revolution you will need the latest solar panels. Although solar panels can be quite an expensive investment, the reduction of your household’s energy requirements translates into hefty savings in the long run. And if that’s not enough, there’s also the fact that you have done your bit for our planet’s growing environmental problem.

Nuclear Energy

Stars are products of a nuclear reaction, the process wherein two nuclei collide. This causes a release of immense energy, enabling these balls of fire to shine for billions of years. And the good news is, there is a way to use this massively powerful chemical reaction in our very own planet.

This highly controversial technology also shows the most potential. Immense energy is produced through nuclear reaction and if harnessed safely and effectively, nuclear energy could solve most of the world’s fossil fuel shortage. Currently, nuclear energy is produced using the nuclear fission theory, where the nuclei of atoms are split to release energy. However, this technology, as unfortunately demonstrated by the Chernobyl explosion, has proven to be very dangerous and prone to leaks and emission of toxic waste.

A much safer option lies with fusion power. In nuclear fusion, two atomic nuclei are joined together to form a heavier nucleus, thus releasing huge amounts of energy in the process. Though still in its early stages of development, nuclear fusion might just be the answer to our enormous demand for alternative energy.

Geothermal Energy

The mighty Romans were one of the first people to harness and enjoy the beauty of geothermal energy. Men have used hot springs for bathing, cooking food and removing feathers and skin from game. Fast forward several thousand years and the ancient hot springs are now today’s urbane health spas and heated swimming pools. Still, hot water and steam are used for far more than rest and relaxation. In fact, they can be channeled to generate electricity.

Geothermal energy is heat derived from the earth’s core. Wide-scale use of geothermal energy is obtained by drilling wells into reservoirs to enable hot water from the earth’s core to be processed and converted into usable electricity. Since it doesn’t entail denudation of forests and damming of rivers, geothermal energy is an affordable and sustainable answer to our acute dependence on fossil fuels.

Fuel cells

Experts predict that fuel cell technology will become one of the world’s most widely used alternative sources of environmental-friendly energy. This technology has shown such potential that governments in various countries have shown their support for research and development of fuel cells.

Basically, a fuel cell is similar to a battery in the sense that it converts chemicals to energy through a device. Powered by hydrogen and oxygen, a fuel cell produces heat and electricity infinitely as it does not require recharging. Since fuel cells rely on chemistry and not combustion, there is no polluting emissions or toxic wastes. Moreover, since hydrogen is a renewable resource, fuel cells are a cleaner and more efficient alternative to fossil fuels.

With global warming becoming increasingly hard to ignore, the challenge is to seek out better alternatives to fossil fuel. With oil prices rising and the supply of wood and coal dwindling, now is definitely the time to make the switch.

We might not notice it right away but the world is fast becoming a gargantuan trash bin. Just last year, the global levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide rose to 19 billion tons. In addition, methane levels reached 27 million tons after almost a decade. Useful or not, fossil fuels have done a good job damaging the environment.

As we all know, fossil fuels have become some of the major culprits of the earth’s wear and tear. The burning of coal, oil and natural gas contribute largely to carbon dioxide emissions.

Half of these emissions are absorbed by the planet’s vegetation, soil and oceans. The leftovers remain in the atmosphere for centuries or even longer.

With all the disadvantages that fossil fuels pose on humans and the environment, the call for alternative sources is set to become louder.

Some of the alternative energy sources that are perceived to help restore the environment (or at least not be as damaging) include tidal energy, hydroelectric energy, wind energy and biofuels.

Tidal energy

Tidal energy refers to the rising and falling of sea levels that can be used to generate electricity. Typically, tidal power can be obtained by building a dam across the opening to a tidal basin. The dam is built with a sluice that is opened to let the tide flow into the basin. When the sluice is closed and the sea level falls, conventional hydropower technologies can be utilized to produce electricity from the elevated water in the tidal basin.

With tidal energy, there is no traditional burning of fuel involved. As a result, it produces no greenhouse gases or other wastes. One disadvantage of tidal energy is that it can only be harnessed in areas with significant water level changes.

Also, tidal energy systems can pose environmental effects on tidal basins as they lessen tidal flow and cause silt buildup.

Hydroelectric energy

Hydroelectric power is the largest source of renewable power in the world and provides one-fifth of the world’s electricity.

It is a renewable energy source that depends on the hydrologic cycle of water, which involves evaporation, precipitation and the flow of water as a result of gravity.

Technically, converting water into electricity involves the use of a device called a hydraulic turbine that turns flowing water into mechanical energy, which is then converted to electricity with the use of a hydroelectric generator.

Hydroelectric energy doesn’t cause pollution since producing it doesn’t create heat or toxic gases. It also doesn’t involve the use of fuel and requires low operating and maintenance costs.

While it does not cause pollution, it has certain impacts on the environment such as loss of wildlife habitat and destruction of ecosystems.

Wind energy

Since ancient times, people have relied on the wind’s energy. More than 5,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians used the wind to sail ships. Others built windmills to grind wheat and other grains. Today, the wind is used to generate electricity.

Wind energy is non-polluting, sustainable and available in infinite quantities. Best of all, nature’s gift is ours for free. For these reasons, great gusts of wind are harnessed into the more usable mechanical energy and electricity. Though wind is still not a primary source of energy, it has served almost two million households in the United States in the past few years.

Wind energy is a clean fuel, resulting in zero byproducts or polluting effects. While wind generators do not pollute the air, they are quite noisy and have been known to have a negative effect on wild birds. Although the sight of gleaming blades turning and twisting in the air can be beautiful for the occasional tourists, they are considered an eyesore for many as they destroy the beauty of natural scenic landscapes. Nevertheless, a terrain decked with windmills is definitely a much prettier sight than the traditional smoke-emitting power plants.

Biofuels

Did you know that GM passenger vehicles and the Mercedes Benz E Class have something in common? They are all capable of running on biofuels, which have been regarded by many as better alternatives to gasoline.

In a time of rapidly increasing prices at the fuel tank, it might be time to make the switch to biofuels. Also known as agrofuel, this alternative source of energy is derived from renewable resources, such as plants and organic waste as a substitute to fossil fuels. Biofuels have found their main use in the transportation sector, with many automobile manufacturers going green with their new breed of eco-friendly, biofuel-powered cars.

Automobiles are a major contributor to pollution. By looking for alternatives to gasoline environmentalists are hoping to drastically lessen the emission of toxic fumes in the coming years. Biofuels are touted as one of the best alternative energy sources for the transportation sector, as they emit over 50% less greenhouse gas than fossil fuels.

In fact, the use of biofuels has become more popular and widespread all over the world. The rising price of oil coupled with the recent trend of environmental awareness has triggered many to make the switch.

Alternative energy sources show remarkable promise in helping to decrease the amount of toxic substances produced by fossil fuels. Not only do they provide defense against dangerous by-products, they also help safeguard many of the natural resources that we presently depend on as sources of energy.

Sources of Renewable Energy

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We cannot rely on fossil fuel forever. Rising oil prices and environmental problems are proving this point. Our earth is also showing signs of strain, with the symptoms of global warming felt throughout the world. It’s high time to switch to Plan B – alternative sources of energy.

Why make the switch to renewables? Contrary to fossil fuels, the supply of renewable energy is virtually infinite. Using alternative energy also reduces our global reliance on fossil fuels, thus reducing the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants to the atmosphere. The world is now turning to renewable energy to augment their traditional electricity needs. In fact, over 7% of total energy consumption in the United States comes from renewables, and almost 20% worldwide.

Nature abounds with resources that can be harnessed for renewable energy. A few decades ago, the only real renewable energy alternative to fossil fuels was hydropower. Thanks to the latest developments in science and technology, the sun, wind and water are now being harnessed to produce usable and renewable energy. Although energy generation from falling water is still today’s largest source of alternative energy, we have now begun to tap many of nature’s other infinite resources. Let us take a look at some of them:

  • Solar energy – through the use of photovoltaic cells or solar panels, the sun’s heat and light can be converted into electricity for lighting and heating homes, industries and commercial establishments.
  • Wind energy – the wind’s energy is captured by windmills or wind turbines, converting its force into mechanical energy. Many agricultural farms used wind-generated electricity for pumping water and grinding grain.
  • Water energy – The force produced from the strong movement of water currents can be converted to energy, called hydroelectric power.
  • Biomass – Biofuels are made from the organic matter of plants. And are often used as an additive to petroleum-based fuel to lessen its toxic emissions.

Renewable Energy: A Quick Guide

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With the oil price hike and the threat of global warming and climate change looming over our heads, scientists and economists have tapped into nature for alternative sources of energy to liberate us from high electricity bills and dependence on foreign imports. Thankfully, we do not have to look very far. The sunshine, falling water, strong gusts of wind and the push of tides are now being harnessed to produce powerful and usable energy.

So far, the technological developments and market acceptance of renewable energy has been promising. The United States is home to two of the world’s largest alternative energy power installations: the solar thermal power plant in the Mojave Desert and the geothermal power plant in The Geysers in California. On the other side of the world, Brazil is the leading producer of ethanol, a biofuel made from sugar cane and Japan is the largest exporter of solar panels. In fact, almost 20% of the world’s total energy consumption comes from renewable sources.

Renewables provide the solution to three major challenges facing the traditional fossil fuel-powered energy sources: cost efficiency, environmental protection and energy security.[1] With more alternatives available, access to cheap and effective energy will be available to more people all over the world. This lessens our dependence on oil-producing countries and somehow balances the unequal distribution of fossil fuels worldwide.

The infrastructure for renewable energy is sometimes criticized for being unsightly or cumbersome. Solar panels need a large land area and windmills can be visually unpleasing. However, these drawbacks are merely superficial compared to what renewable energy has done – and will do- for the economy and the environment. The world is rapidly taking notice. In fact, renewable energy already accounts for close to 20% of global energy consumption.

So bright is the future of renewable energy that in the near future, they are no longer alternatives but the main option.

Biofuels: Are they really a serious substitute to oil?

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Americans have become increasingly dependent on oil to fuel their homes, their cars and their lives. Our increased reliance on gasoline has reached a dangerous tipping point and could lead to economic and environmental peril. Unless we decide to seriously cut our heavy usage of oil, we could be looking at a world of environmental damage and immensely high prices at the fuel tanks.

In recent years, scientists, researchers and environmentalists have been coming up with ways to solve the energy and environmental crisis. So far, we have been successful in harnessing energy from natural resources such as the sun, wind, tides and water.

However, with America’s increased use and demand in the transport sector, an alternative to oil is needed to cut our reliance on imports. The answer lies in biofuels.

Biofuels are simply fuel that is made from plants and their materials. Currently, ethanol, which is the product of corn kernels, is the world’s major biofuel. And in just a few years time, cellulosic biofuels made from plants’ leaves and stalks could effectively fill our fuel needs while not simultaneously contributing to pollution. Who knew that the answer to our energy needs and environmental concerns is in our backyards.

With recent developments and technological advancements, biofuels could soon be ready to compete with gas at the fuel pumps. And here are some of the reasons why, in the next few years, biofuels can effectively substitute oil to fill up your gas tank:

  • Biofuels are cost-effective and can even be priced lower than gas and diesel
  • Biofuels can reduce pollution. With more cars making the switch to biofuels, vehicle emissions will be reduced as biofuel is a clean and zero-emission way to power your car
  • Biofuels will benefit the farmers by providing a new source of revenue. The recent advancements and demand in the renewable energy sector has generated more jobs for people in the agricultural sector. This obviously has a disadvantage of raising commodity prices, but this trend isn’t going anywhere soon.

Global Warming – The Story

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The signs that our planet is sending can be ignored no longer. Nature is changing its course. Powerful storms, more intense droughts, warmer weathers, heat waves, gigantic fires and continual melting of the polar ice caps are a constant occurrence and a part of the daily evening news. Experts think these are all signs of global warming – symptoms of an ailing planet in the throes of a coma.

What is global warming?

Many have said that global warming is a problem for future generations. However, its arrival cannot be denied anymore and there is compelling and mounting evidence that it is now taking place.

Here are some of the signs:

  • The last 12 years have been recorded as the warmest on record for global surface temperature.
  • For the past 50 years, the rate of warming has increased twofold.
  • Severe weather events have taken place more regularly in the past 50 years.
  • There has been a reported temperature increase of 1-degree Fahrenheit in most of the United States over the past century.

All these point to one of the most serious challenges we as a people have to face.

As the planet gets warmer, there will be noticeable changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea levels, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans.

Global warming is a naturally occurring phenomenon and is even necessary to maintain life on the planet and enable survival. It is responsible for keeping the earth’s temperature at a comfortable level, 60°F to be exact. However, the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere has fast-tracked global warming at alarming levels. Our planet has been growing increasingly warmer by 1°F over the past century and is at its warmest state today than at any other point in the millennium. The notable increase in temperature and the terrifying disturbances in the weather are difficult to deny. Our world is definitely growing hotter.

The signs of global warming have been manifesting themselves for years. Heat waves, rise in sea levels, warming of the poles and melting glaciers have longed warned us of a meteorological calamity that has now arrived. Furthermore, as global warming becomes more frequent, continuous and widespread, recent events are an omen of an impending catastrophe. The spread of disease, earlier onset of spring, plant and animal changes, coral reef bleaching, downpours, fires and droughts are the disastrous effects brought about by the changing climate.

Cause of global warming

Greenhouse gases are naturally released into the atmosphere as part of nature’s innate processes, it is man and his blatant disregard for his environment that is the cause of the unnatural global warming that we experience today.

The main culprit of global warming is the pollutants emitted from the burning of fossil fuel. When coal or oil is burned, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These toxins trap the sun’s heat, thus causing the earth to heat up. Coal-burning power plants and automobiles are the largest source of carbon dioxide pollution, emitting billions of tons of toxic fumes into our fragile atmosphere each year.

Effects of global warming

As the concentration of greenhouse gases swells, the sun’s heat is trapped in the atmosphere and cannot be released back into space. Trapped sunlight causes temperatures to rise, thus drastically changing climate and altering weather patterns. Nature then behaves uncharacteristically – seasons become shorter, coastal flooding more frequent and storms more severe.

Most alarming of all are the melting of the polar ice caps. This causes sea levels to rise, thus throwing the global ecosystem out of whack. A snowballing effect is certain to ensue – increased temperatures will bring about changes in landscape, thus making it extremely difficult for plants and animals to survive.

Humans are not immune from the devastating effects of global warming. Desertification, or the expansion of deserts, will render large areas of the world uninhabitable. Droughts and floods could create food and water shortages and trigger widespread migration and even war.

Global warming is here and its effects are inevitable. Despite this upsetting news, there is a positive side. Worldwide efforts have been made to find solutions to minimize the effects of global warming such as cutting down energy use, mobilizing renewable resources, and employing alternative sources of energy. Only man’s collective efforts at reversing his own misdoings can recover our planet. It is about time we start to care.

Global Warming: What we can do about it

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“Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.”

Mark Twain

2005 was the hottest year ever. In fact, the last few years have been the warmest years on record. Global temperatures are 1.0F warmer than they were a year ago – and the heat is accelerating at a breakneck pace.

Hurricanes and storms have increased in number and intensity over the years. Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean tsunami were not mere coincidences. Meteorologists have reached a consensus that the onslaught of super typhoons and intense tornadoes are brought about by the unnatural changes in the climate. The increased level of pollutants trapped in the earth’s atmosphere is causing global warming, thus making our weather patterns go awry. These natural disasters have caused billions in property damage, as well as the loss of countless lives.

Polar bears are in danger of extinction. We have lost sea ice the size of Texas. Some scientists are predicting that 2040 could be the Artic’s first ice-free summer. All these are signs of global warming and a planet collapsing under the strain of pollution and mismanagement.

Melting polar ice caps. Earlier springs. Rising sea levels. Extinction of species. Coral reefs are dying. Super storms and mega hurricanes. Killer bees. Nature has indeed unleashed its fury. Yet there is still something we can do about it!

Americans account for most of the world’s pollution. This is easily supported by statistics which reveal that although we only account for 5% of the world’s population, we are responsible for 25% of global pollution emissions. These embarrassing figures need to change – and fast.

As an average citizen, there is always something you can do. Switch to a fuel-efficient or eco-friendly vehicle, walk when you can, Carpool. Change your light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent, Invest in solar panels, support eco-friendly products and establishments, minimize your use of plastic, unplug rarely used appliances, plant a tree. A single person can make a dent. All of us can make a difference.

Solar Power for Homes

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Instead of getting the latest plasma TV or SubZero refrigerator, why not do something good for your family, your electricity bill and the environment by making your home solar powered?

A solar-powered house is one where a photovoltaic solar power system is constructed to provide for the household’s electricity needs. Most of the time, equipping a house for solar power is done through the placement of solar panels on the roof in a direction where exposure to the sun’s rays will be maximized.

Solar panels capture the sun’s heat and light, and convert it into electricity to power appliances, heat swimming pools and run cooling systems.

In some cases, the entire electricity needs of a home can be met by solar energy. Of course, aside from the power needs, factors such as the location of the home, weather and seasons have to be considered. In most cases though, homeowners opt for a hybrid system wherein solar energy acts as a supplement to traditional energy.

Quite a few people are concerned that solar panels would make their home unsightly. Well don’t fret, the days of bulky and cumbersome solar panels are over. Today’s latest crop of solar panels are sleek and streamlined. Newer models are made with aesthetics in mind and are meant to fit and blend in with even multi-faceted roofs.

So why go solar? The energy that the sun provides our planet in a day is enough to support human consumption for a year. However, much of this remains untapped and unutilized as many are still reluctant to make the switch to solar power. But for those who are, solar panels do more than just save our environment. They lessen our country’s reliance on foreign oil imports and more importantly, reduce your home’s electricity bill.

Despite a substantial initial investment, powering your home with solar energy will definitely be cost-effective in the long run. Those expensive Italian mosaic tiles or luxurious leather sofas will not give you this kind of return on investment. In terms of home improvements, going solar indeed gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

Future Cars: Running on Solar Power

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The sun. The Solar system’s greatest source of energy provides the earth with more heat and light for a day than the human population can consume in a year. Harnessing the sun as an alternative source of energy has become an exciting and promising venture.

So far, solar energy has been used to run appliances, heat water, cool buildings, generate electricity and yes – power solar cars.

Solar powered cars are obviously fueled by the sun – but how does this technology work? The car is built carrying hundreds of photovoltaic cells that absorb and convert sunlight into energy. Instead of using a petrol tank like a normal car does, solar vehicles carry a solar-powered battery system. To optimize speed and minimize energy expenditure, solar cars are often ingeniously designed according to the laws of physics and aerodynamics. With a zany appearance and operating at zero emissions and no need for fossil fuel, solar-powered cars are just the thing that the environment and our wallets need.

Both the government and automobile manufacturers have recognized the need to develop the technology of solar cars. Thus, government agencies usually sponsor solar car races to promote the development of energy alternatives to fossil fuel. These races are usually joined in by university students, who show off their technological and engineering skills by building their very own solar cars.

But making a car with the race in mind is a whole different story. Here, application of the good old laws of science and a hefty dose of common sense is essential. Solar car racing teams have to design their cars for maximum performance on the day of the race for whatever weather conditions.

Solar race cars take on a battery, which the car can rely on in the absence of a hot sunny day. Batteries are necessary as they store the sun’s energy, thus making it possible to run the car when the sun is hidden. Without batteries, solar cars would be rendered useless as they will completely stop at night or cloudy days. However, the builders have to be careful (and this is where science and expertise come in), as redirecting too much of solar energy to the battery will mean the engine doesn’t run fast enough to propel the car.

This technology is starting to show great promise and I’m quite confident to say, solar-powered cars will definitely drive our future. So fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.

Solar Energy is a Growth Industry

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The industry behind solar energy is shining brighter than ever. Credit it to the global-wide environmental awareness, rising oil prices, dwindling supply of fossil fuels or threats of global warming. Scientists, economists and environmentalists predict that solar energy will only grow in popularity and demand in the coming years.

Here are some more encouraging facts, highlighting the growth of the solar energy industry in the past few years[1]:

  • In 1985, demand for the installation of solar panels was only 21 megawatts. A mere two decades later, this figure has grown exponentially as the world is now asking for almost 3,000 megawatts of photovoltaic cells.
  • The global demand for solar energy has grown at around 30% in the past 15 years. In the United States, this figure is much higher, as demand shows a 57% growth.
  • Aside from the US, Japan and Germany are the biggest markets for solar energy. This is largely due to funding provided by the government and market incentives.
  • Prices for photovoltaic cells and solar panel installations have consistently been declining in the past few years. This is due to the development of better technology and improved production methods in the manufacturing of these products.

We receive enough solar power in a day to meet human energy consumption for a year. If only a small amount of the suns output were harnessed, the world would not face such a massive energy crisis. The problem is that most of the solar energy remains unutilized. Unless more and more people invest in solar panels for their homes and solar power devices, the sun’s powerful energy will go to waste.

Moreover, unimaginable as it may seem, over a billion people in the world do not have access to electricity. Solar energy would be the cheapest and most efficient energy source available to them. As the price of photovoltaic cells and solar panels get lower, far-flung places in many countries can finally enjoy the benefits of electricity through solar power.

Solar energy is definitely a promising industry. Its growth also heralds in cheaper electricity bills, a cleaner environment – and an overall positive change for humanity.

Solar Products for You and the Environment

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There are many ways to put sunlight to practical use. A quick look at your nearest home improvement store will reveal a host of gizmos and gadgets that are powered by solar energy. Equipped and improved with the latest technology, nifty solar products are now more ingenious and useful – as they continue to inspire us to make the switch to solar.

  • Solar lights. Outdoor solar garden lights usher in a whole new revolution in lighting and landscaping. Aside from being environmentally friendly, the latest breed of solar lights are now more functional and aesthetically pleasing. Equipped with LED lights, these outdoor solar gadgets last longer and shine brighter. What’s also great about solar lights is that there is no need for wiring to connect to an energy source. Thus, they can be placed and moved around anywhere you want them to fit your lighting needs.
  • Solar water heaters. From the one-million gallon pool used in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics to virtually all homes in Israel, India and Greece, solar water heaters are all the rage. What is great about this technology is that manufacturers create different types of heaters to fit all needs, residential or commercial. Solar heaters can either act as the primary source of heat or as a back-up to the conventional electric heater. It’s about time you heat up your bath and swimming pool with solar heaters.
  • Solar cookers. Ranging from the simple and homemade to the modern and high-tech. Solar cookers are a useful and eco-friendly alternative to conventional cooking. Perhaps its greatest and most noble purpose yet is humanitarian. Widely used in African villages and refugee camps in Darfur, solar cookers have greatly improved the lives of many people. Women no longer have to leave the safety of their refugee camps to gather firewood and families can save on cooking fuel by going solar.
  • Solar cars. Though yet to be available to the general public, the government, scientists and economists recognize that the future of transportation could well be powered by solar cars. Though vehicles can be powered on solar energy alone, the cars of the future would most probably run on a hybrid of solar and traditional gasoline. Still, there is one thing we know for sure: our spending at the fuel pump will definitely be much lower.

So take the road less traveled and make the switch to solar. The key to saving the environment is available at a store near you.