Alternative Energy Tips
In order to repair
some of the damage that has already been done
and to prepare for the future, it is essential
to look to alternative energy sources to provide
heating and light. The phrase 'renewable energy'
or 'alternative energy' covers a number of
diverse technologies designed to produce heat
and power in a sustainable way, including solar
power, wind energy and hydropower.
Depending on your
house and energy needs, there are various ways
to utilize alternative energy. One of the
simplest ways to make a difference now is by
choosing a green electricity tariff from your
local supplier. Wind power, hydroelectricity,
solar energy, and biomass are all forms of
renewable energy that governments should be
supporting to provide for our energy needs. We
should be aware of these options and how they
affect the planet. Support any local initiatives
for alternative energy schemes and arm yourself
with knowledge so that you can inform others.
Wind power
There is a tremendous potential for certain countries
with a suitable climate to use wind power as a source of
sustainable energy. Electricity from wind can be
produced at a cost comparable with electricity from
conventional sources. Wind energy projects are simple,
clean and cheap to maintain, but they have not been
widely explored. Wind turbines are sited in the windiest
areas, often offshore, and the electricity generated can
be fed straight into the local grid. Wind power is one
of the fastest-growing energy technologies in the world
and already provides for at least some of the energy
needs of some nations. It is cheap to harness and use,
but the main problem is that wind turbines themselves
are large and some people consider them to be a blight
on the landscape.
Hydropower
The energy potential of moving water has been used by
man for thousands of years. Traditionally, it was used
to power wheels to drive mills and machinery. Large dam
projects are currently in operation in many countries to
provide electricity, but the potential of hydropower on
a global scale is still largely untapped. The problem
with hydroelectric schemes is that dams must be built,
which can damage the environment by disturbing river
ecosystems. There is also a high cost involved.
Biomass energy
Wood is the ultimate in natural resources, as long as it
is grown in a sustainable way. After solar energy, the
next choice for space heating is using biomass energy, a
cheap, easy source of renewable energy. Fast-growing
trees such as willow and poplar can be used as
commercial energy crops to provide for local heating
needs or they can be used in power stations to create
electricity. The heat created could also be used to
provide hot water and heating for the power station
itself, making it extremely energy efficient. Developing
a sustainable energy source like this not only creates
power but also creates jobs. It does have its
disadvantages, however, the main one being the huge
amount of crops that would need to be grown to create
enough electricity to provide for our needs.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is a way of
maximizing the energy that can be directly derived from
the sun. It is most effective when a new building is
being constructed, when decisions about which rooms
should face which direction can be made. Most of us,
however, live in housing that was not built to make the
most of the sun's energy. Even so, it is still possible
to employ passive solar power in our homes without any
cost or inconvenience. There is nothing very new about
it - over 10 per cent of the space heating in an average
home comes via solar energy through walls and windows.
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