Posts Tagged ‘alternative energy source’

Using geothermal energy for homes

Friday, July 17th, 2009

The conventional as well as non conventional sources of energy are used at homes for purposes like cooking, bathing and keeping homes warm. But the use of the traditional sources of energy like coal and wood for heating homes present a few problems. These problems are generally related to environmental pollution and rising costs of the fossil fuels used. We, therefore, need to use an alternative energy source like solar energy, wind energy or geothermal energy for heating homes.

The use of geothermal energy resources for heating homes is becoming more and more popular because it is easy and economical to use and maintain. For heating homes, geothermal energy can be configured in a very easy manner. A loop of pipes is put below the earth’s surface where they get in contact with the high temperatures inside the earth’s crust. The high temperature heats the water that is released through pipes. This heated water in the form of a geothermal energy resource called steam is returned back to the homes through a heat pump. This energy can be used for purposes like the generation electricity, powering a water heater or keeping the homes warm.

The use of geothermal energy resources for keeping homes warm is a viable option because it reduces the dependence on fossil fuels. The installation of a geothermal system that can heat homes is easy. In addition, geothermal energy as a renewable energy source will always be available for use as opposed to fossil fuels that will soon come to an end.

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Sources of alternative energy

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Alternative energy sources are the ones that can be used as an alternative to the energy sources or fossil fuels used now- a-days to meet the energy demands. There are many alternative energy resources and their uses are many. Alternative energy sources are used because they are easily and freely available.

In earlier times, wood was earlier considered to be an alternative energy source mainly because it was abundantly available in the forests and it was always believed that the forest cover on this earth will never cease to exist. But the increase in the rate of deforestation, wood is no longer used an alternative energy source although it provides an alternative to oil.

Hydropower or hydro electric energy as it is more commonly called is the alternative energy source generated from running water in the form of electricity. Reservoirs need to be built to collect the running water which can be later used for the purpose of electricity generation. But hydropower cannot be considered to be a true source of alternative energy. The reason is that all the reservoirs in which water is stored to generate electricity eventually get filled with sediment and this causes problems in generating electricity and a dam site can be used only once.

Another promising alternative energy resource being developed is the fuel. These are used for producing electricity and do not cause any pollution.

Alternative energy sources are a viable option that can be used in the future for many purposes efficiently and cost effectively.

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Renewable Alternative Energy Sources from Geothermal Energy

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

We all know that the earth produces some heat below its surface in the deep interiors. The temperature at which this heat is produced is far much higher than the actual temperature of the sun’s surface. This heat generated under the earth’s surface can be used as a renewable energy source called geothermal energy. The heat at which this heat is produced is so high that energy can not uphold itself below the surface and so it finds a way through volcanoes, hot springs and fumaroles to appear at the surface of the earth..
A large part of the geothermal energy resources are found near the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Ocean comprises of a Ring of Fire where a significant amount of geothermal energy is produced as an alternative energy source. This alternative energy source produced from the molten core of the earth is mainly used to produce electricity. This magma is available in abundance below the earth’s surface and this is the reason why geothermal energy is considered to be a renewable energy source.
Electricity produced from the geothermal energy resources uses technologies namely, binary technology or flash technology. In the flash technology, the water available at extremely high temperatures as a geothermal energy resource is super heated to produce steam, which then drives to a turbine to generate electricity. In the binary technology, heat of the geothermal water is transferred to another liquid to produce vapors which then drive turbines for producing electricity. This electricity produced by the use of geothermal energy can be further used for several other purposes.

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Solar Energy- A Green Renewable Energy Source

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Solar energy is the energy obtained from the sun which is an alternative energy resource. The energy is available either in the form of heat or light. Solar energy can benefit a number of people as it can be put to many uses. It is an alternative energy source that is readily and freely available

There are a number of advantages of solar energy. The most important of them is the fact that it is a renewable source of energy whose supply will last till there is sun. It is also a non polluting source of energy. The use of solar cells requires low maintenance and these are long lasting. The devices that use solar energy are easy to install and operate. As a green renewable source, it does not adversely affect the eco-system. Solar energy is also a cost effective alternative energy source.

Solar energy also has many disadvantages. The devices that use this alternative energy resource are very expensive. Adequate sunshine must be ensured for exploring the full potential of renewable solar energy. Many solar energy devices use cadmium which is a highly toxic substance and can cause the degradation of the environment. This alternative energy source cannot be used at night for the generation of solar energy.

Solar energy as an alternative energy source has not been utilized to its full potential. This is because the methods of harnessing solar energy are few and not efficient. New and improved methods must be developed for effective trapping of solar energy so that it can be utilized in a better manner.

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