WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
January 3rd 2008 -
The entire world is looking for alternatives to fossil based fuel; owing to various reasons. The primary cause for this trend is to minimize the toxic elements in the air as well as the greenhouse effect, which is the main reason behind global warming. Many countries signed the Kyoto Treaty to save the environment and reduce the global warming effects by reducing pollution and other measures. What is alternative energy? It is the key question which has been looming in people’s minds for the last few decades. There are many researches going on to determine what the alternative energy to fossil based fuel is. Many schools and colleges have included this subject in their syllabi, as well, to educate the future generation about what an alternative energy is and how it will be helpful in saving our mother earth from the ill effects of global warming.
There are various alternative energies that have been discovered and tested during recent years. Some of the viable alternative energies include Wind power, solar power, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, and Bio-fuel. The renewable and non-pollutant nature of these energy sources make them a very good fit for replacing those traditional fossil based fuels.
Wind Power
Wind energy is taped by setting gigantic wind mills at elevated and air blowing surfaces. The blades of the wind turbine rotate when the wind blows and subsequently converts the wind into electricity by use of the generator attached to it. The windmill age is not a new one as it has actually been in use for many centuries. However, the difference lays on its usage, in olden times it was primarily used to do more of the heavy physical work like pumping water and crushing grains but now we are using the windmill to help generate electricity. As there is no chemical process involved in wind power generation, there is no pollution. Unlike fossil based energy, wind energy is renewable. It is dos not affect the farming activities as the farmer can still use their lands where wind mills are constructed. However, there are a few disadvantages also. The wind mills can not provide consistency. This is because they heavily depend on the flow of wind that is not going to be uniform at all times.
Solar Power
Solar energy has been utilized for generations. Many activities such as heating and cooking can be completed by the use of solar power. Now, solar energy is used for generating electricity by trapping sun rays into solar cells and converting it into an electric current. In many countries, solar energy is used to power the street lamps all over the country by simply allowing the items to regenerate using the sun rays during the day time. This type of power generation does not involve any pollution and is also easily renewable. However, solar energy can not provide consistency as it heavily depends on sun rays which can vary from time to time and season to season. During night hours, it can not produce electricity.
Bio Fuel
Bio fuel is the most preferred energy source as it has all the characteristics of a variable alternative for fossil based fuels. Ethanol, bio-diesel and natural gases are some the effective alternative energy sources. Most of these energies are derived from living organisms. Bio fuel helps in reducing the environment pollution. Natural gases are abundant and can be easily distributed to various parts easily. On the negative sides, Bio-fuel generation involves many processes such as cultivation, harvesting, transporting and conversion into fuel. Despite these disadvantages, bio fuel can be the effective alternative source of energy in the coming days to combat the environmental pollution and global warming.
