alternative energy resources

Alternative energy resources

What are Alternative energy resources??
It is any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel. It is a form of energy derived from a natural source, such as the sun, wind, tides, or waves and are also known as “Renewable Energy” that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment. They are considered alternatives because they can be future replacements for the fossil fuels that now meet a considerable portion of our energy needs.

What Energy Resources are we using now??
Most energy resources currently in use are Non-Renewable Resources which are natural resources such as coal, gas, or Crude oil/ Petroleum that, once consumed, cannot be replaced.
The need for Alternative energy??
Here are some of the reasons why an alternative energy is needed:
First, alternate energy sources are often renewable. Unlike most fossil fuels they are easily available and don’t have a finite supply. The most well-known types of such energy are solar power and wind power as the Sun is naturally the Earth’s most abundant energy source and will be around for billions of years and this is a resource that essentially human beings won’t be worried about running out of anytime soon. Also, wind is constant in Earth’s atmosphere so it can be continually harvested without exhausting the supply.

that won’t pollute the environment as they have few or zero carbon emissions and produce few toxic byproducts and therefore will be helpful in reducing Global warming which since the early 20th century, has increased the Earth's mean surface temperature by about 0.8 °C (1.4 °F) due to the burning of Fossil Fuels. Hydroelectric power for example is a clean alternative energy source because water is the only power source.
Common types of alternative energy
Solar energy is the generation of electricity from the sun. It is split up into two types, thermal and electric energy. These two subgroups mean that they heat up homes and generate electricity respectively.
Wind energy is the generation of electricity from the wind.
Geothermal energy is using hot water or steam from the Earth’s interior for heating buildings or electricity generation.
Biofuel and Ethanol are plant-derived substitutes of gasoline for powering vehicles.
Nuclear binding energy uses nuclear fission to create energy.
Hydrogen is used as clean fuel for spaceships, and some cars.

Advantages And Disadvantages of Alternative Energy Resources
Solar
ADVANTAGES:
· the sun's energy is free to use, which makes the process cheaper.
· The process is completely non-polluting.
· Can be used in a wide variety of locations wherever there is sun.
DISADVANTAGES:
· Cost of the panels and equipment is expensive. This will, however, become cheaper in time.
· Can only work when the sun is available; therefore weather dependent.

How Solar Energy Works

Wind Power
ADVANTAGES:
Wind is free and in abundance and we have the technology to capture the power of wind efficiently
The costs for wind turbines are only initial costs; once the turbine is built there are minimal maintenance costs which are involved.
In the rural areas which are not connected to a country's power grid it can be used to generate its own power.
The space which a wind turbine takes up on land is very small as the moving parts are quite a distance above the ground.
Wind turbines produce energy with minimal damage to the world’s environment and produces "clean power".
DISADVANTAGES:
Some pollutants are given off into the atmosphere in the creation of a wind turbine.
Wind turbines can be quite noisy.
The wind speed is not constant and therefore there will not always be a definite supply of electricity form a wind turbine.
Large numbers of wind turbines are needed to power towns, as the largest turbine is able to produce electricity to sustain only +/- 500 homes.
Many people feel that wind turbines are unsightly and that they should not disrupt the natural beauty of landscapes.

Hydro – Electric
ADVANTAGES:
No pollution or waste produced
Renewable energy source
Very reliable energy source
Not expensive to maintain once the dam has been built
Can increase the plant’s production or decrease it whenever there is high or low demand
Water can be stored, waiting to be used in peak times
DISADVANTAGES:
Building the dam is expensive and time taking
The dam will change the habitat and landscape upstream, as much more land will be submersed
The land below the dam is also affected as the flow of water is reduced
Silt can build up in the dam as the water slows down it does not have enough energy to carry the sand and silt.

Tidal Power
ADVANTAGES:
· It is very cheap to maintain · There is no waste or pollution
· Very reliable
· We can predict when tides will be in or out
· The barrage can help to reduce the damage of very high tidal surges or storms on the land
DISADVANTAGES:
· It changes the coastline completely and the estuaries are flooded so any mud flats or habitats that birds or animals live on are destroyed
· Initial building cost is very expensive
· Water is not replenished, it cannot flow away so any dirt or pollution lingers around the coast much longer
· Silt builds up behind the barrage
· Disrupts creatures’ migration in the oceans
· Needs a very big piece of sea to be cost effective
· Not many sites suitable for this kind of power generation; building the barrage
· Only produces power for about 10 hours of the day

Biomass

It does not add CO2 to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed with fuel.
It can be used to generate electricity with the same equipment or power plants that are now burning fossil fuels.
It is sensible to use waste products where we can.
Biomass fuel generally tends to be cheap.
Using biomass sources places less demand on the Earth's resources.
The use of biomass energy has the potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of biomass can reduce dependence on foreign oil.
DISADVANTAGES:
Collecting sufficient quantities of waste can be difficult.
Burning the fuel creates greenhouse gases, although only a very little.
Certain materials aren't always available.

Relatively new concepts for Alternative energy Resources
Carbon-neutral and negative fuels
Floating wind farms
Biological Hydrogen Production

Conclusion:
Right now alternate energy is still in its infancy. In the United States Coal, Natural Gas, and Gasoline comprise the majority of the energy portfolio. Therefore, unlike many renewable sources of energy, fossil fuels are relatively less expensive to produce, and this is why it is probably in higher demand as it tends to cost less. However, political pressure from citizens as well as world events is forcing nations to start investing more in alternative energy technologies. The state of California for example recently passed legislation that would expand the share of alternative energy the state uses to 20 percent.
Beyond the environmental benefits nations and businesses are starting to see the economic perks that an alternative energy source can provide. Especially when the technologies that use them get cheaper and more efficient they can reap savings and also provide the seeds for new industries.