Understanding Alternative Energy
There are a lot of energy resources which are going largely untapped. If we could develop the necessary technologies to take advantage of these resources, we could begin to move away from fossil fuels and indeed, the existing electrical grid by using these alternative sources of energy.
One such source is wind power. This is an old idea, but one which has developed to the point where it is a cost effective energy source. Some countries have begun building “wind farms” to harness this energy - out of the paths of migratory birds; which has been a problem in the past.
One of the better known alternative energy sources is solar energy. Solar energy involves using solar cells which can store the energy received from the sun and transform this into electricity (or sometimes, the heat is used to heat water for homes). Solar energy, like wind power, creates no pollution.
Many governments and private investors are looking too ocean waves as being a potentially great source of energy. There is one generator which has been in use in France for sometime now with great success. In Ireland and the U.K., there are experimental generators in use as well.
Hydroelectric power is not a new technology of course, but is a very efficient and pollution free method of producing electric power. However, this is not a solution for every location since not every area can boast of a large river and dam to put this power to work. Small hydroelectric power plants have been springing up to serve regional needs however.
Geothermal energy promises to be a nearly limitless source of energy, once the technology to efficiently use it is developed enough. The heat of the Earth’s core turns water to steam, which in turn can drive turbines to generate electricity. With more research, this could become an important alternative source of energy.
Waste gas energy, mostly from methane is unique in that it turns what is normally seen as a waste product into energy. Methane can be used in fuel cells and even in gasoline powered generators to produce energy.
Ethanol is a gasoline substitute sourced from plants; these sources include (most notably) corn, but can be produced from any cellulose-containing plant materials; even wood chips! There is still doubt that the extraction process can become efficient enough to really be a serious alternative to gasoline other than on a regional level, but the production process is becoming ever more efficient.
A cleaner-burning alternative to petroleum based fuels; biodiesel is made from plant oils such as rapeseed, sunflower and soybean oils. While not produced on a large commercial scale as of yet, many companies are looking onto the possibility of doing so.
Atomic energy is generated through nuclear fission. It is a very cost effective means of generating electric power, but there are concerns over the radioactive waste which is it s byproduct, since it takes centuries for this material to become harmless.