What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative energy refers to the energies generated from sources other than fossil fuels, viz, coal, oil and natural gas. Sometimes it is also called alternative renewable energy since almost all types of it can be generated from renewable sources as opposed to fossil fuels which is non-renewable and cannot be replenished once consumed.

Types of alternative Energy and sources thereof

Several types are available in the world. Most common and popular ones along with their sources are:

1. Solar energy- Sun ray;

2. Wind energy- blowing wind;

3. Wave Energy- ocean waves;

4. Bio-Energy- Biogas or Bio-diesel;

5. Geo-thermal energy- Heat under the earth;

6. Tidal energy- High and low tides.

Why alternative energy?

Massive usage of conventional energy sourced from fossil fuels during the entire second half of the twentieth century has severely endangered the environment. Millions of tons of carbon- di-oxide-a greenhouse gas, discharged to environment through burning of fossil fuels are causing global warming by trapping solar heat on the earth’s surface. Rise in temperature of the earth’s surface leading to climate change is a matter of concern not only environmentalists but also to all the governments of the world. Due to increase in temperature, sea level will rise and inundate a very large portion of coastal areas causing huge devastation since coastal areas are generally highly populated. Melting of ice caps and glaciers due to rise in temperature in earth’s surface will cause flooding of the rivers and its basins at first instance and drying up of the rivers thereafter with consequential economic disaster. Million of hectares of fertile land will become barren. To combat this ensuing devastation due to climate change world leaders are emphasizing on the use of alternative energy. Usage of more and more alternative energy will lessen dependence of fossil fuels and consequently will reduce generation of carbon di-oxide. As a result chance of devastation due to global warming will be minimized.

Moreover, fossil fuels being non-renewable ones will exhaust today or tomorrow. Hence people are thinking over alternative renewable sources of power for sustaining the development and growth.

Benefits of alternative Energy

1. It is environment friendly, it helps reduce global warming.

2. It is renewable.It’s sources are not exhaustible.

3. It helps reduce geo-political tension arising out due to availability of fossil fuels only in limited countries contrarily every country is endowed with some kind of alternative energy sources.

Disadvantages

In spite of several technological breakthrough still production cost is very high which restricts it’s use. Till date the consumption of alternative power has not reached to desired level.

Conclusion

Alternative energy is the energy of the future. Scientists all over the world must augment their research for further technological breakthrough so that adequate quantity of alternative power is available in affordable price.

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Alternative Energy Represents Attractive Options

The traditional form of energy the world over refers to fossil fuels. This motley term includes crude oil, petroleum products, coal and the like. Fossil fuels are carbon-derived substances that have formed from the remains of dead organic matter over a period of time spanning millions of years. As a source of energy, their supplies are limited, and cannot be replenished. Moreover, the reckless consumption of coal and petroleum worldwide has naturally drawn attention to the environmental hazards of this mode of energy. Global warming, the rising incidence of asthma, and various other ills may be traced to an increasing burning of fossil fuels. As a result, the need for the adoption of alternative energy modes has made itself starkly felt in recent times. Several types of alternative energy have been developed in varying degrees. In the sections below, we briefly discuss four major forms of alternative energy.

Hydroelectricity: Ancient and Developed Mode

Energy derived from water is known as hydroelectricity. This essentially employs the force of falling water, as seen in naturally occurring waterfalls, to turn turbines for the generation of mechanical or electrical energy. Hydroelectricity is among the oldest and most widely used forms of alternative power. Regions that have a number of rivers and streams make fertile ground for the construction of dams to store water in huge amounts. Hydroelectric dams can provide power to an entire city at cheap tariff. However, the construction and management of hydroelectric dams do entail considerable finances and expertise respectively. An index of the popularity and success of this mode can be gauged from the fact that presently, almost 20 percent of humanity’s power needs worldwide are being met by hydroelectricity. In addition, hydro power comprises nearly 90 percent of all the power that gets generated globally by the combined diverse alternative forms of energy.

Wind Power: Feasible but Unreliable

Employing the force of the winds for the generation of electricity recommends itself as a form of alternative energy in its being inexpensive, easy to operate, and environment-friendly. Areas that are home to intense winds make ideal locations for the setting up of windmills. Such regions can merrily employ their force to turn windmills that can be used to generate oodles of electricity. Windmills are easy to construct and the force of the winds causes them to move, and to eventually generate electricity. However, on the flip side, winds have no reason to be punctual, as it were, and so make for an unreliable option. The associated technology is being used with success in various parts of the world. The Netherlands has emerged as a prime example of an effective utilization of this form of alternative energy.

Nuclear Energy: A Debatable Option

Nuclear power has the potential of generating huge amount of electricity. However, this mode has certain inherent factors and risks that cannot be ignored. Indeed, nuclear technology remains the exclusive reserve of a certain elite band of nations. The fear of misuse of related technology and materials is too real in today’s terrorism-racked world to be ignored altogether. Over 14 percent of the global electricity in 2007 came from nuclear power plants.

Tidal Energy for Coastal Areas

The naturally occurring tides in the coastal areas are a clean, renewable and cost-effective form of alternative energy. This mode employs the rise and ebb of tides that occur owing to interplay between the gravitational forces of the sun, earth and moon. Since tides are not dependent on the weather, their motions can be predicted with a fair degree of accuracy. The motion of the tidal waves is employed to firstly fill reservoirs of water. The water is then released through turbines that generate electricity.

For more information about alternative energy, visit MyEnergySubstitute.com [http://www.myenergysubstitute.com].

Please Note... All links within articles are placed by their author-owners and not by this blog.Products with in those links may or may not be the best in the world.If it sounds too good to be true it could be a scam.Articles are posted for their info,ideas and or entertainment value only.

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