Alternative Energy

Traditionally, human kind has depended on fossil fuels to derive energy. However, the unpredictability and environmental concerns related with the use of fossil fuels has made it essential for us to focus on research and development of alternative energy sources and the technologies needed to harness their full potential to meet all current and future human needs. Let us try to understand these alternative energy sources one by one.

The first one to consider is Solar Energy. This energy source is the most available because it is derived from the sun with the help of solar cells that collect and concentrate this type of energy, making it powerful enough to be transformed into electricity or used to heat water.

The second one to consider is Wind Power. Through the use of large turbines, we can utilize wind energy which is readily available almost anywhere across the globe. There have been some known problems associated with the use of these large turbines, such as the danger aspect they can create for birds. But today there are many wind farms that are more efficient and create electricity.

Both Solar and Wind energy are absolutely pollution free and always available in plenty.

Yet another form of upcoming alternative source is-Ocean wave energy. It can of course be used only in areas with access to ocean and already experiments are on in some areas with good success amount- France, Ireland and Scotland are the current experimenters.

This brings us to Hydroelectric power-cleaner and more powerful generator of electricity than a power grid. But as it needs a large dam to be operational it cannot be set up just about anywhere and everywhere, just like ocean wave energy.

When it comes to abundant availability, scientist point to Geothermal energy -produced below the earth’s surface when earth’s extremely hot molten core heats water and turns it into steam. This steam then becomes a beacon of harnessing energy through turbines geared to ultimately produce electricity. But it needs more complex turbines and more research before it can be used properly.

A very interesting way of creating energy is through the waste lying around combined with some air pollutants-known as Waste gas energy-essentially this creates methane which can be used in fuel cells or in standard gasoline generators.

Just like Methane is used, Ethanol can be used as a fuel-it is a gasoline substitute which can be created from things such as -wheat, sugarcane, grapes, strawberries, corn, or wood cellulose. Scientists haven’t been able to figure out large scale uses for Ethanol but there is hope with better extraction and admixturing processes of Ethanol being discovered.

Continuing the trend of extracting energy from plants-Biodiesel energy is created from plant oils, such as -soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower oils. Again, the commercial use of this is at rise with more companies being interested in refining this technology and is much wider available and cleaner than some other sources.

Finally, a very controversial form of energy-Atomic energy which is created in atomic energy plants using the process of nuclear fission. While it is very efficient and generates huge amounts of power, there are many concerns regarding atomic waste disposal, dangers of radioactivity or even accidents at nuclear power stations such as-at Chernobyl.

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