Wind Power
The idea behind using wind for power evolved a long time ago. Evidence of wind power being used can date back to as early as 5000 BC. Although the idea is older, it wasnt really implemented until 1970's in America. Wind power is a renewable resource. It is a great alternative to burning fossil fuels because of its many advantages. It is environmental friendly emitting no greenhouse gases, and if used worldwide, "the total kinetic energy contained in wind is that of eighty times more than human energy consumption" (Alternative Power Sources). It also makes sense economically. Wind is free, therefore to run wind power turbines, a great deal of money would be saved. The production and installation would cost a lot of money, however after that point it takes no fuel and contains a low operating cost.
Solar Power
The use of solar power is also a great alternative to burning fossil fuels. Through the sun's bountiful amount of heat it provides to earth, a fraction of it would sustain human energy consumption. It is a renewable resource. They are environmental friendly for many reasons. First, the PV cells used in the creation of solar power panels do not require any sort of fuel during operation other than sunlight. They do not emit pollutants and don't even need a cooling process.
The following video describes the benefits of solar power through the idea of actually getting paid by the government for going green. Today, the UK is using the Feed in Tariff, and can be used as inspiration for the United States.
Ronald9989. Solar Panel Feed in Tariff. Youtube. N.p., 28 July 2011. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cedZ-UDjCUE>.
"As provided by www.iclei.org, one can see the basic set of processes that are involved in the PV reaction. PV cells are made out of a semiconducting material (this Figure uses silicon, but it could be a variety of different substances. When these cells are exposed to light, the electrons within the crystalline silicon are knocked from their crystal structure. Due to "impurities" added to the cell material, the negatively charged electrons are unable to fall back into the p-region (the positively charged area) and are then follow the path of least resistance into the negatively charged are (labeled here as n-type region). The accumulation of these electrons in the n-region creates a strong negative charge on the cell's surface. These electrons can only travel to the p-type region if an outside path is created, as is done via a wire in Figure 1. The result is an electric current, which can be used at that moment or stored for later" (Alternative Power Sources)
Hydro Power
As of right now, hydro power sustains over 1 billion people with power. It provides electricity for 35 million households in the U.S alone. Therefore, it is the most used non-polluting alternate source of energy. Hydro power is created through the use of dams, reservoirs, turbines, gernators, and penstocks. By converting the energy of moving water, electricity is created. "The height of the water fall and the volume of flow determine the quantity of electricity generated"(Alternative Power Sources). There are many benefits of hydropower including the fact that it is environmentally friendly, controls floods, irrigation, transportation, and more.
GEOTHERMAL
Geothermal energy is where heat from the earth is used. Power stations and pumping systems are imbedded in the earth to draw out the geothermal energy rather than burning fossil fuels. The pumps underground use the steady temperatures to heat and cool buildings at a low cost. "Many regions of the world are tapping geothermal energy as an affordable and sustainable solution to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and the global warming and public health risks that result from their use" (LKFLDJ:). Containing more than 3,000 megawatts in eight states, the United States has more geothermal capacity than any other country.
Geothermal energy is captured through hydrothermal convection. It is a system where cooler water seeps into the crust, is heated up, and then rises to the surface of the earth. The steam from the heated water is captured and drives the electric generators.
INFORMATION:
Alternative Power Sources. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <http://cr.middlebury.edu/es/altenergylife/hydropower.htm>.
“How Geothermal Energy Works.” Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., 2012. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/how-geothermal-energy-works.html>.
PHOTOS:
Alternative Power Sources. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <http://cr.middlebury.edu/es/altenergylife/hydropower.htm>.
“How Geothermal Energy Works.” Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., 2012. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/how-geothermal-energy-works.html>.
Richard, Michael Graham. “Hydro Power without the Dams: Ontario Invests in Free Flow Underwater Turbines.” Treehugger. N.p., 14 Apr. 2008. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/hydro-power-without-the-dams-ontario-invests-in-free-flow-underwater-turbines.html>.
“Solar Energy Pros and Cons.” Solar Power for Homes. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <http://www.solar-power-for-homes.info/tag/solar-energy-systems/>.
