There’s a lot of energy that we can harness if we only seek to research and develop the technologies needed to do so. We can get away from the fossil fuels and the old electrical grids by turning to alternatives to these highly polluting energy sources.
One of these alternative energy sources is wind power. Wind turbines continue to be developed that are progressively more energy efficient and less costly. “Wind farms” are springing up in many nations, and they're being more strategically placed so they will not jeopardizing birds (or aircraft) as former wind turbines did.
Another alternative energy resource is the one that is most well known: solar energy. This involves the manufacturing of solar cells which gather and focus the energy given off directly by the sun, and translates it into electricity or, in some cases, hot water. As with wind energy, solar energy creates absolutely zero pollution.
Ocean wave energy is seen by governments and investors as having enormous energy generating potential. A generator in France has been in operation for many years now and is considered to be a great success, and the Irish and Scots are running experimental facilities.
Hydroelectric power has been with us for a while and where it's set up, it's a powerful generator of electricity and cleaner than a grid. However, there are certain limitations to the availability of the right places to set up a large dam. Many run-of-the-river, or small and localized, hydroelectric generators have been set up mostly or entirely for the communities they were built in due to this limitation.
Geothermal energy is extremely abundant, since it lies directly beneath our feet, just a few miles below the earth's surface. This energy is produced by the heating of water through the actions of earth's fantastically hot molten core. The water turns to steam, which can then be harnessed and used to drive turbine engines which in turn generate electricity. Great amounts of research and development should be put into geothermal energy tapping.
Waste gas energies, which are essentially methane, reverse the usual energy-pollution relationship by creating energy from waste that lies in the dumps and from some air pollutants. This gas is used in fuel cells and can be used in standard gasoline generators.
Ethanol's a gasoline substitute and is created from such things as wheat, sugarcane, grapes, strawberries, corn, and even wood chips and wood cellulose. There's controversy over this fuel with regards to its ever becoming truly economical or practical except in very localized areas. But technologies for its extraction and “admixturing” are continuously being refined.
Biodiesel energy is created out of oils contained in plants. So far, the commercial stores of biodiesel are created using soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower oils. At the time of this writing, biodiesel is typically produced by entrepreneurial minded individuals or those who want to experiment with alternative energy, but commercial interest from companies is on the rise. It burns much cleaner than oil-based diesel.
Atomic energy is created in atomic energy plants using the process of nuclear fission. This energy is extremely efficient and can generate huge amounts of power. However there is concern from many people (including yours truly) about what to do with the vast amounts of waste product atomic energy gives off, since it 's radioactive and takes thousands of years to decay into harmlessness. Food for thought....
With “over 3300 items” to choose from his gift store and many more from his audio/video store, Elton DeWése (owner/operator) manages one of the best sites on line for Gift ware, Collectibles and Home and Garden décor items.
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Elton DeWése is a freelance writer on many different topics, who picks his subjects carefully and shows his passion for the topics he chooses in his writing style and content. He is the owner/operator of two e-commerce websites. With “over 3300 items” to choose from his gift store he manages one of the best sites on line for Gifts, Collectibles and Home and Garden décor items (one of his passions). His other passion has driven him to become the owner/operator of an on line audio/video store specializing in surround sound audio/video products.
