Posts Tagged ‘wind energy sources’

Wind energy

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

The uneven heating of the earth’s surface causes winds to blow. The earth gets heated in different manner because of the difference in the surface temperatures at various places. The air above the surfaces that get more heated heats up and gets warm. The warm air that is lighter rises up creating a low pressure at the area left vacant. The cooler air from surrounding areas then rushes in to take the place of the warm air and this movement of air is called wind.

Wind possesses kinetic energy which is called wind energy. The sun indirectly provides wind energy and so this is a renewable energy source. Wind energy will be available for as long as the sun shines.

Wind energy is also a clean and green renewable energy source. It neither causes pollution nor does it emit harmful substances that might be hazardous for the health. As a green renewable energy source, wind energy also does not contribute to global warming in any way and prevents the degradation of the environment.

Wind energy companies use wind energy by harnessing it by using wind turbines to produce electricity. This electricity can be used for both domestic and commercial purposes. The development of technology has resulted in wind energy being used as an alternative energy source for the generation of electricity.

Renewable wind energy can produce enough electricity that can meet the power and energy demands of a whole nation. Technologies must be developed that can further promote the use of wind energy as an alternative energy source.

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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.

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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.

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