Posts Tagged ‘Alternative Energy Sources’

Renewable Alternative energy Sources – A replacement for Oil

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

The modern world has several energy requirements. These energy requirements are met by oil. Oil in the form of kerosene, gasoline and diesel runs the modern world. In addition to meeting the energy needs, oil can also be put to a number of uses in all its forms. Oil in the form of gasoline and diesel can be used for running vehicles and thus hep in transportation of goods. In the form of kerosene, oil can be used in kitchens for preparing food and for heating water. Oil also finds use in a number of industries in the modern world. Oil is an important part of the petrochemical industry. It is also used in manufacturing industry for manufacturing medicines, paints and many other products. Oil is popularly used because it is easy to transport, readily available, safe and versatile. However, oil is a finite resource that will exhaust one day. In the times to come, no oil reserves will be found in the world. As a result we need to look for alternative energy sources that can meet the energy requirements.

Renewable alternative energy sources will always be available for use on the earth.  The alternative energy resources will be the ones that will be used in place of oil in the future. The use of alternative energy sources will result in substantial growth and will also help to overcome the energy crisis.

It will take us years to get used to the idea of using alternative energy resources. This change will also require a lot of time but once done, the benefits will be enormous.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Energy Sources | 1 Comment »

Alternative Energy Sources Innovation

Monday, May 18th, 2009

Alternative energy sources must be extracted and exploited in order to curb greenhouse gas emissions. These processes of extraction and exploitation, however, must be subject to intense and constant innovation and technological progress to ensure maximum efficiency and efficacy.

For example, geothermal energy is an important resource in volcanically active places such as Iceland and New Zealand. Its importance is increasing in the United States, although it only makes up 3 percent of the nation’s alternative energy sources. The process is that vaporized water is emitted from the earth and cranks a turbine. Water is pumped down an “injection well”, filters through the cracks in the rocks in the hot region, and comes back up the “recovery well” under pressure. It “flashes” into steam when it reaches the surface.

However, Raser Technologies and the United Technologies Corporation revolutionized the technology behind geothermal power with its PureCycle225 power plant at Chena Hot Springs, built originally in 2003. The power plant’s modular design exponentially increases building times. Because of the use of a specific liquid known as R-134a, it can also use cooler water, which increases the number of potential sites and expands the geographic possibilities outside just countries like Iceland or New Zealand that have extremely active geothermal conditions.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Geothermal energy | No Comments »

Types of Alternative Energy Sources

Friday, May 15th, 2009

What Are The Different Types of Alternative Energy Sources?

Alternative energy sources may be the key in reducing the amount of mostly carbon-based toxins that are by-products of energy use. Alternative energy sources are also in many cases virtually infinite. Solar and wind are two prime examples, however both are termed as “intermittent”, meaning they are not constantly present. To remedy this, systems of storage and transport will have to be developed. Wind energy sources harness the power of the wind to propel the blades of wind turbines.
Solar energy sources are used commonly for heating, the production of electricity, and even in the desalination of seawater.

There are other alternative energy sources, such as geothermal energy. Geothermal energy sources capture emissions of ultra hot vapors that emit from fissures in the earth. Hydropower energy sources come from harnessing the gravitational descent of a river into driving a water turbine and generator. Another variation is to make use of water’s kinetic energy through sources such as tidal power. These alternative energy sources, however, are basically infinite as solar and wind, and as such have their own definite limitations.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alternative Energy, Alternative Energy Sources | No Comments »

Alternative Energy Sources

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

New National Grid to Optimize Use and Transport of Alternative Energy Sources

In February the National Clean Energy Project conference convened, where a veritable army of policymakers and policy experts caucused over the need for a modernized electric grid in the United States. This new latticework of power lines buttresses the Obama administration’s efforts to promote alternative energy sources, which will need an effective transport system, comprised of a high-voltage mainline and state-of-the-art grid technology, to actually be effective. For example, the American Southwest may have solar plants galore, but since sunlight is a transient alternative energy sources, the energy captured may never reach, say, Virginia. Additionally, the electric grid would also need “two-way flows” to effectively disperse surplus alternative energy sources from one structure to another. This is in addition to the stimulus package $4.4 billion for “modernization of the electric grid” and $8 billion for transmission improvements, with entirely separate measures for climate legislation to cap carbon-dioxide emissions.

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu reiterated transient energy conundrum with wind and solar energy: how do you store alternative energy sources that are not constant? In the U.S. wind and solar energy production only comprise 0.8% and 0.02%, respectively. However, aggregate estimates state that solar and wind could have potential outputs of up to 69% and up to 20%, respectively. At such quantities, storage becomes a problem. In times of no sunlight and no wind, Chu suggested the U.S. expand its pump-hydro storage capacity while developing compressed-air storage. Transporting the alternative energy sources will then present the prospect of perpetual resistance from local governments about having to build through their areas. Senator Reid’s solution was to introduce a bill expanding presidential powers to designate “renewable energy zones,” where the federal government could overrule local governments.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Alternative Energy, Alternative Energy Sources | No Comments »