Alternative Sources of Energy
The search for alternative sources of energy is a worldwide effort. There are various scientists, government bodies and universities around the world all trying to find ways of replacing conventional fossil fuels with the most modern green energy. Most people agree that as the world gradually moves to exhausting the world of its natural resources, we have to reduce our reliance on non-renewable sources of energy for instance the common types of fossil fuels like natural gas, coal and petroleum oil.
Alternative sources of energy provide a lot of advantages over the use of traditional fossil fuels for example reduces pollution and leads to cheaper fuel costs. However, the negative aspect is that the alternative sources of energy are not always available anytime we need them because sometimes the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow. But with the current technology innovations available, you can take full advantage of these alternatives. So, what are some of the most common alternative sources of energy?
The Sun
The sun has at all times provided the world with a great source of light and heat energy. In simple terms, solar energy is the energy that’s derived from sunlight and by using different methods you can convert solar energy into electrical energy with the use of solar photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cells create alternative energy sources commonly referred to as “Solar Power”, which is pollution free since it comes completely from the sun’s rays.
The suns energy helps to heat water and can also be used in heating solar pool systems, to help heat cold water in a swimming pool.
The Wind
Wind energy is energy or power that comes from the force of the wind that’s harnessed by sails, windmills and most commonly the wind turbines. Windmills have existed for thousands of years, helping to grind corn, power sailing boats and pump water.
Wind energy can generate megawatts of electricity and is fast becoming the most invested in energy resource. Wind farms are being erect all over. Today’s wind turbines are simply more modern variations of the old ones. Wind energy is a great renewable source of energy and is promising great future to future generations.
Water
Water energy or hydro energy is a valuable renewable energy that harnesses the power or energy produced by moving water using water turbines or waterwheels. The most known form of water energy is hydro-electric power which uses potential water energy in huge pools held behind large dams. The energy found in water is used to rotate electrical turbines to produce electricity.
Tidal power or tidal energy is also another hydro energy source that uses kinetic energy of the oceans and seas to produce electricity. Tidal power requires a large capital investment in turbines, support ships and dams but after a “tidal power” plant is built the energy generated is basically free with the system being fairly inexpensive to run.
The Earth
Another interesting alternative source of energy that can also be classified as “renewable energy” is the development of Bioenergy or biomass. Biomass energy is made from organic plant materials or crops like grasses, peat, grasses and straw specifically grown to be burnt as fuels to produce heat and power, and also organic waste in the form of garbage, animal manure, biodegradable materials, compost and other waste products that is convertible into usable energy.
