What is Alternative Energy?

Written by D Miller

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

by DMiller

There are a lot of great sources of energy out there which are going underused as of yet. Whether from lack of research and development efforts or simply because the merits are not yet appreciated, these energy sources are sure to grow in popularity as people come to see the value of lessening our dependence on fossil fuels and the benefits of clean energy.

One of these alternatives is wind power. The development of wind turbines continues to progress, with each new generation being more cost efficient; "wind farms" have begun to be used in many countries and these have been placed better than in the past, when they were often a threat to migratory birds.

One of the better known alternative energy sources is of course solar energy. The energy given off by the sun can be stored in fuel cells to generate electricity; and the sun's heat can also be use to heat water for use in our homes. Solar energy, like wind power, does not create any pollution whatsoever.

Ocean waves are being looked to by private investors and governments alike as a source of energy. There is an ocean wave generator currently in use in France which has performed very well - the U.K., and Ireland are experimenting with similar generators.

Hydroelectric power has been around for some time. This is a clean and efficient way to generate electricity; bu8t does have the limitation that not every place has a large dam for the purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Small regional hydroelectric stations have been built - and you can expect this alternative energy source to be part of the overall energy production strategy for the foreseeable future.

Geothermal energy has a lot of potential. This is an energy source which lies largely untapped right under our feet - the heat of the Earth's core turns water into steam, which can drive turbines to produce electrical power. More research and development must be done on geothermal power, but there is great promise here.

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, a gasoline substitute made from vegetable matter including corn, sugarcane and even wood chips is somewhat controversial - many doubt that it can really become a serious replacement for petroleum based fuels since it requires a large amount of raw materials which would otherwise generally be a food source; however, ethanol extraction is in a continual state of improvement and may become more viable in the future.

Biodiesel is made from plant oils. Biodiesel has been made from sunflower, rapeseed and soybean oils. Biodiesel is not generally produced on an industrial scale, but some corporations are starting to take interest. This fuel creates far fewer pollutants than do petroleum based fuels.

Atomic energy is created through the process of nuclear fission. While a very efficient way to generate energy, concerns persist about the radioactive waste produced, which can take centuries to decay to the point where it presents no health hazard.

Article Author:

Donna Miller shows you how to cut your electric bill by 80%. Learn secrets to increase your gas mileage.

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