Preview

Alternative Energy Sources

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1761 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Alternative Energy Sources
Alternative Energy Sources Fossil fuels will not last forever. If the human race wishes to continue to live the way we do, then we have to look at alternative energy sources such as: geothermal, nuclear, solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy. Alternative energy sources are not without faults, but along with faults, there are benefits and solutions to the issues. Geothermal energy is a well-proven energy resource that can be used to provide both heat and electricity. Geothermal energy is very predictable and producers power 24 hours a day, 7 days as week. Ground based geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling can be used almost anywhere. Geothermal energy resources exist in many areas of the world for both high and low temperature applications. Geothermal energy does not require any fuel like most other sources of energy. Once the geothermal power stations are built they cost very little to operate making geothermal generated electricity cheap. Using geothermal energy directly for heating applications can be up to 70% more efficient. The steam used for electricity production is turned into water and recycled back into the Earth. Geothermal energy is a total package, so there are disadvantages. Geothermal energy may not be considered as a renewable resource only a sustainable one. A significant investment is often required prior to building a geothermal power station. The availability of geothermal energy that is capable of feeding geothermal power stations is limited since they run on the heat generated by the earth. Geothermal power stations have the potential to cool the rocks beneath them buried deep under the ground. Geothermal power stations, as with many other power station designs can be unsightly and provide visual pollution. Building a geothermal station requires large areas of excavation for horizontal trenches and drilling bore holes deep into the ground for vertical wells. After a few years it may require the drilling of new wells.


Cited: Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy. Geothermal Energy, 2013. Web. 2 August 2013. James Bratly. Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy. Clean-Energy-Ideas. 2013. Web. Disadvantages of Nuclear Power. Howtopowertheworld.com. 2010. Web. Peter Emson. Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Power. July 2, 2012. Alternative Energy Tutorials Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy. Conserve-energy-Future. 2013. Web. 2 August 2013. David. Solar Power- Advantages and Disadvantages. AlternativePower.com. 2008. Web 2 August 2013. A Guide to Solar Energy and it’s Advantages and Disadvantages. Solar Energy Info. 2012 R. Mak. Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy. 2009. Renewable Energy. Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages. Facts about Solar Energy. 2006. Web. R. Mak. Disadvantages of Solar Energy. Renewable Energy. 2012. Web. 2 August 2013. Stephanie Evans. The Benefits of Wind Power. October 12, 2007. Wordpress. 2013. Web. V. Ryan. Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power. V. Ryan. 2009. Web. 2 August 2013. V. Ryan. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydropower. V. Ryan. 2009. Web. 2 August 2013. Alternative-energy-sources.net. 2007. Web. 2 August 2013. Friedman, Lauri S. Nuclear Power. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Print. Ron Pernick, Clint Wilder. The Clean Tech Revolution. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007 Gillis, Christopher. Windpower. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2008. Print.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Eco/304 Week 2 Essay

    • 2058 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Geothermal heat pump doesn 't create heat by burning fuel, like a furnace does. Heating utilizes the natural temperature of the ground at about 10 feet and below which averages about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter it collects the Earth 's natural heat through a series of pipes, called a loop, installed below the surface of the ground or submersed in a pond or lake. Fluid circulates through the loop and carries the heat to the house where an electrically driven compressor and a heat exchanger concentrate the Earth 's energy and release it inside the home at a higher temperature. Ductwork distributes the heat to different rooms. In summer, the process is inverted. The underground loop draws excess heat from the house and allows it to be absorbed by the Earth. The system cools your home in the same way that a refrigerator keeps your food cool, by drawing heat from the interior, not by blowing in cold…

    • 2058 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In “The Island of the Wind” the author Elizabeth Kolbert states that the finding of new creative solutions to reduce excess carbon discharges, and the building of reusable energy models have been found as new answers to climate change and fuel derived from prehistoric organisms. In this article it discusses how power is one of the basic and essential needs of our planet. It is the basis of mostly everything from the function of our homes to automobiles; therefore, to reduce the carbon footprint a group of individuals came together and created a new innovative solution involving geothermal power. In the early 2000’s results started showing that hydrocarbon deposit use had been reduced to half the amount which was once used. Years later, the importation of electromagnetisms was no longer a must because, the land was instead transporting it to other places, and the amount of production which was being done used from reusable material came out with the outcome of producing more energy than it was using. The invention of machines with rotors played a huge role in this project. It generated anywhere from the middle of twenty million to eighty million each year. With the total of these numbers, there was enough demand in meeting all of the lands supply of electromagnetism, along with supplying the entire population. In addition to these energy machines, there was also teleheating.This system was being used for distributing space heating and aquatic heating to generated locations such as residential and commercial living. However, in order for telaheating to properply run one main source must be present. In this case that would biological material from living, or recently living organisms. Therefore, this process provides higher efficiencies and cuts more than twenty hundrend tons of carbonic acid yearly. On the other hand, in the article “Wind Power Puffery” written by H. Sterling Burnett, the author argues that geothermal power is often overly praised with the results it…

    • 819 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Geothermal energy production works by the radioactive decay f several types of rocks containing radioactive substances (such as uranium) releasing heat energy. In the volcanic areas in Iceland, the rocks heat the water so that it then rises to the surface (naturally) as hot water and steam. The steam can then be used to drive turbines and electricity generators, thus creating the energy used to heat homes & greenhouses, and other reasons such as fish farming and other electricity in general.…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Li, M and Lior, N, 2014, ‘Comparative Analysis of Power Plant Options for Enhanced Geothermal…

    • 1465 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Heat is continually produced there, mostly from the decay of naturally radioactive materials such as uranium and potassium. The most common current way of capturing the energy from geothermal sources is to tap into naturally occurring "hydrothermal convection" systems where cooler water seeps into Earth's crust, is heated up, and then rises to the surface. When heated water is forced to the surface, it is a relatively simple matter to capture that steam and use it to drive electric generators. Geothermal power plants drill their own holes into the rock to more effectively capture the…

    • 2042 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Bottled Water vs Tap Water

    • 1132 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Pros and Cons of Tap, Bottled and Spring Water, Retrieved on March 15, 2013, from…

    • 1132 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Like hydroelectric power, geothermal power needs to be set up in a specific location. The difference is it needs to be drilled down to below the Earth 's crust. The time and process to set up a geothermal plant takes time. It can also be hazardous as the method of geothermal energy relies on superheated water (Geothermal Energy Pros and Cons 2014). However if properly maintained the work environment would only be as hazardous as that of a hydroelectric plant. This plant would be used to power the edge of the city in which we can then build around the facility and bore field using it to generate much needed power. Finally geothermal power is a steady supply meaning that similar to the previous the cost will remain fixed and should not rise unless maintenance is…

    • 1160 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    1) What are the advantages of geothermal energy compared to nuclear energy in order to supply electrical energy to all residents?…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Energy is an important factor in todays society, it is neccesary to power business, manufacturing and the transportation of goods and services all around the world. Solar powered energy is energy from the sun. This energy can be conerted into different energy like heat and electricity. Heat can be used to heat water or heat spaces, for example heating for houses, buildings or even swimming pools. Solar energy can be converted in two ways, by Photovoltaic or “solar cells” which change sunlight directly into electricity or by concentrating solar power plants which generate electricity by using heat from solar thermal collectors. Coal powered energy has played an important role in the advancement of civilization and will continue to be a major fuel source for at least the next quarter century. It is used primarly to produce electricty and heat through a dirty process which involves mining and combustion of the fuel. The two most common types of coal mining used today are surface mining and underground mining. In the long run, solar energy has greater potential than coal powered energy.…

    • 1129 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rocks and Minerals

    • 367 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Energy is necessary for daily survival. Many forecasts of recoverable oil reserves and resources suggest that oil production will level off by the early decades of the next century and then gradually fall during a period of reduced supplies and higher prices. Gas supplies should last over 200 years and coal about 3.000 years at present rates of use. Future development crucially depends on its long-term availability in increasing quantities from sources that are dependable, safe, and environmentally sound. At present, no single source or mix of sources is at hand to meet this future need. The energy to provide heat for warmth, cooking, and manufacturing, or power for transport and mechanical work services…

    • 367 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    solar energy paper

    • 1239 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Today nearly half of the world’s energy is provided by petroleum. What began as a cheap and abundant way to provide energy, has become expensive, environmentally harmful, and finite. With population explosions and the demands of modern lifestyles, the world’s need for energy production has become far too much for fossil fuels to keep up with. Experts say that the Earth’s stores of petroleum will be depleted by 2050. The need to find a viable source of energy within this generation’s lifetime that can power cars and provide electricity to homes. Some of the alternative energy sources include: wind energy, nuclear energy, and solar energy. Of the three, only solar is capable of producing enough energy to power the world. Solar energy producers fall into two separate categories: thermal solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. Thermal solar energy collectors are “a source of hot water that can be used for heating or for making steam to generate electricity” (Nersesian 2007). They are the simpler of the two types and much more inexpensive. They have many practical applications such as pool warmers and water heaters. Photovoltaic panels convert solar energy directly into electricity. They are large and the technology is still fairly expensive. Solar energy is a viable option to replace fossil fuels because it is the most financially viable long term, is a renewable resource that will not harm the environment, and each system can operate independently.…

    • 1239 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Better Essays

    United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012, March 6). Understanding the Clean Air Act. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/airquality/peg_caa/understand.html…

    • 1208 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Sullivan, J.L., C.E. Clark, J. Han and M. Wang. 2010. “Life-Cycle Analysis Results of Geothermal Systems…

    • 5975 Words
    • 24 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The energy that is used today comes from fossil fuels, which is a nonrenewable limited resource that will eventually be used up. Alternative energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and wind energies can be used, to conserve the planets limited natural resources. Alternative energy is the use of another energy without the burning of fossil fuels and break up on atoms. Solar energy can be used to operate cars and provide electricity for homes and businesses. Hydroelectric energy can be used to provide electric power to small towns and cities. Geothermal energy can be used to heat buildings or water and to power turbines to make power. Wind energy can be used to pump water and generate electricity.…

    • 1147 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Are Volcanoes Good

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages

    An energy source that is an amazing thing for people who live in volcanic areas because the volcanic area can heat and cool their houses. Also with the energy it is very good for people who are staying in their houses for a long time and want to invest in something they will not have to pay more money for in the future. Turbines ran on the volcano are pushed by the steam of the volcano but not the direct steam because that will clog the turbine. People are starting to switch to this energy source because it is very efficient and easy to use. “Countries such as Iceland make extensive use of geothermal power, with approximately two thirds of Iceland's electricity coming from steam powered turbines. New Zealand and to a lesser extent, Japan, also make effective use of geothermal energy” Stated in the article (The Geography Site). Geothermal energy is starting to be used more and more by foreign countries and it is paying off for them for living next to volcanoes for the…

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays