Environmental Friendly Alternative Fuels

Environmental Friendly Alternative Fuels

Oil may be the foremost fuel that powers the industry but alternative fuels are increasing in popularity as it is environmentally friendly. Basically, there are fossil fuels which include coal, natural gas and oil and alternative fuels.

Fossil fuels are the fossilized remains of ancient animals and plants and presently power 95% of the world energy usage.

The alternatives to fossil fuels are natural gas, propane, electricity, biodiesel, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen in addition to P-Series fuels and they are just not only appropriate for our environment but for the economy too. Alternative fuels are rising in popularity, especially for vehicles mainly because fossil fuels resources are finite as well as putting less reliant on current energy source and they contribute to less environmental harmful emissions that result in global warming.

The fuels of the future such as biofuels are derived from plants and they are more renewable and environmental friendly than petrol chemicals. Ethanol and biodiesel may provide a cleaner options but they need as much energy and land to make it viable. Biodiesels diminish the dependent on foreign oil as it can be planted domestically but the task is to grow the crops to meet the demand and that might be asking too much. It also has its skeptics as creating the crops needed more energy than they can produce.

Hydrogen, in reality is a very clean fuel but the stumbling block is the cost. Burning fossil fuels add to global warming but the by-product of hydrogen is only oxygen and water. That do not harm our health and the environment but you need fossil fuels to harness it, unless we can employ solar, wind and other to generate it.

Natural gas may be cleaner than gasoline but it is finite and does not generate carbon dioxide.

Wind energy is one of the oldest and the most advance of all the alternative fuels and there are ample potential to harness it.

Hydroelectric energy may be a well developed alternative fuel source but not as receptive as harnessing it can have destructive effect on local environment and habitation.

Solar energy fuel the emergence of the human race as all other energy sources emerge from it.

Nuclear energy is a good substitute but it is too unstable when fall into the unscrupulous people.
Irrespective of what alternative energy sources we consider, it has to be cost effective and time will tell which will emerge as the most viable.

At present we are still very reliant on fossilized fuels and the likely solution in the near future is to prudently make full use of all other alternative fuels in addition to reduce our reliance on fossilized fuels. All things considered, the most ideal option is to conserve by lessening consumption.

About the Author
Jason is environmentally conscious and will like to see an emergence of a viable alternative fuel in the near future. Check out the website at http://www.researchalternativefuels.com/

The Alternative - Free Energy

The Alternative - Free Energy

Much has been discussed over the subject of "free energy" because this definition is supposed to stand for energy that can be directly extracted from atmosphere and in vast quantities, without affecting the environment. The debates have concentrated over whether free energy exists or not and how much it would cost to be used for large scale production; also, controversy has arisen over the terms abundant and efficient; how much do you need to be abundant? How much do you need to become efficient? The potential in research in this area needs to be exploited to its full maximum, therefore new things need to be uncovered before using free energy.
The term "free energy devices" has been coined to serve for multiple purposes. People use this term to describe a device used to collect and transmit energy from one source to another; it is also used to describe something that collects energy without requiring any fees or even to name machine with perpetual motion. Though it is needless to say, recall that the machine that produced perpetual motion by using only energy produced by itself was and is fiction, an impossible concept to put into practice. There is no possible machine on earth that is capable of being turned on and then starting to produce its own energy until infinity, without using any resources from the exterior. Technology, however, has advanced over the course of time and new ones have replaced the old technologies, thus giving rise to more efficient devices and less energy consuming approaches.

Nonetheless, no one can until now, come up with the technology to exploit all the free energy in the space and this idea is also something that hasn't been put into practice until now. Therefore, we needed to exploit the potential of atoms to create huge energy amounts. This fact become possible in the '40s when nuclear power proved to all that we can create incredulous amounts of energy. Flying was also fiction until the Wright Brothers were able to fly for the first time at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Those who support the ideas of "free energy" argue that mankind can utilize large amounts of energy coming from the Field named Zero Point. This represents the states where a defined system enters the mechanical state and then reaches a point in which the lowest energy points is located. Otherwise known as the "ground state", the Zero Point Energy is also known as "residual energy" because you are using an alternative to generate energy. This idea was initially coined by Albert Einstein together with Otto Stern.
This idea is also used to refer to vacuum energy, when studying quantum mechanics for instance. It is utilized in expressing the idea of empty space. The energy field generated inside the vacuum is attributed to the base of waterfall, according to the idea of one of those who proposed the idea, Hal Puthof. Puthof gives an explanation for the zero point, which basically means that provided that the universe is frozen completely, the energy from zero point would still remain there. Even so, it is not quite well known whether these implications are merely derived from the fact that this belongs to quantum physics or whether this is the consequence of another phenomenon. Therefore, finding the reservoir for such a big amount of energy is extremely difficult to do and there are also question on how gravity or inertia affect this side of the discussion.

These questions remain to be answered and they generate a lot of interest along the academia because they prove to be enticing challenging to an ever changing world, where finding the right resources of energies would insure the survival or the demise of the environment. Therefore, mankind needs to make some progress in the category of energy and be able to realistically advance with research. New engineering solutions might be coined in the future to help with the emission rates concerning atoms, molecules, laser research and other potential, interesting topics.

About the Author
Find out from the experts about the career options in alternative energy as well as the availability of government grants for research in alternative energy when you visit http://www.replaceablegas.com, the premier free resources on alternative home energy

Alternative Energy - The Increasing Use of Liquefied Natural Gas

Alternative energy article
The Increasing Use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by Chris Jent

When natural gas is cooled at normal pressure to about -260°F, it condenses into a liquid form known as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). LNG takes up about one six hundredth the volume of gaseous natural gas making it very efficient to transport. When it is necessary to transport natural gas energy to stranded or mountainous destinations, shipping it as LNG is much more practical. The absence of a pipeline infrastructure to these areas make direct connection of small gas utilities to the pipeline grid impractical.

Liquefied Natural Gas when vaporized to gaseous form, will burn in concentrations of between only 5 and 15 percent mixed with air. Another advantage is that LNG, or any vapor associated with it, will not explode in an unconfined environment. In the unlikely event of an LNG spill, the natural gas has little chance of igniting an explosion. The process of turning natural gas into a liquid form removes from it, oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulfur, and water, resulting in almost pure methane. LNG is a clean fuel and a safe fuel.

Liquefied Natural Gas is usually transported in specialized tankers with insulated walls. The process of auto refrigeration in these tankers is used in which the LNG is kept at its boiling point, so that any heat additions are countered by the energy lost from LNG vapor that is vented out of storage and used to power the vessel. This is another example of the efficiency of LNG.
LNG storage facilities continue to be important in meeting peak demand needs of local utilities and also provide a more economical way to store gas until it is needed. Several niche markets, such as vehicular fuel and using it as an alternative energy to propane for facilities off the pipeline grid, keep LNG in an increasingly high demand whether its from domestic or foreign sources. Replacing propane or other fuels in certain isolated industrial sites such as mineral extraction and forest product facilities has proven to be effective economically. Growth depends on expansion of current facilities and new construction. The need for additional supply sources to meet projected U.S. demand generally coincides with numerous developments in LNG trade on a worldwide basis.

Although Liquefied Natural Gas currently accounts for a small percent of natural gas used in the United States, it is expected that LNG imports will provide a steady, dependable source of natural gas for U.S. consumption. Domestic natural gas exploration companies like Triple Diamond Energy Corporation continue to locate new sources of natural gas as well. Since 2001, companies have announced plans for the construction of LNG import facilities to serve U.S. markets. LNG imported to the United States comes via ocean tanker, and receives the majority of its LNG from Trinidad and Tobago, Qatar, and Algeria. Some other shipments arrive from Nigeria, Oman, Australia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.

About the Author
Chris Jent is the Chief Marketing Officer of Triple Diamond Energy Corp. Triple Diamond Energy specializes in acquiring the highest quality prime oil and gas properties. For more information, visit http://www.triplediamondenergycorp.blogspot.com.

Alternative energy article

Hydrogen Fuel Cells - How It Works by Jon G. Michel

Hydrogen Fuel Cells - How It Works by Jon G. Michel
Alternative energy article

Converting your car to run on water is a technology based on splitting water on board a vehicle, and using the resulting gases not to drive the vehicle, but rather to boost the efficiency of its combustion. It is a do-it-yourself technology, specifically designed for beginners with no special tools and very limited budgets.

A working system can be built at home with basic hand tools for $20-$100, installed in minutes and removed in seconds. No modifications to the engine, computer or fuel injection systems is needed, so any backyard mechanic can install it easily.

The technology is age old... over 91 years, and all that's been done since then, is raise it from the dead and develop a simple structure based on low cost hardware. Basically, the hardware consists of an electrolyzer, bubbler and water reservoir which have all been combined into one super-simple device.

Another advantage is the employment of coiled/spiraled electrode wires - rather than flat plates or spiraled plates. The magnetic vortex created by the coil assists water splitting, so you don't need as much power from the car's electrical system, thus simplifying the system even further and lowering its cost.

Three major factors work together to cause water splitting; direct current flowing through the electrode wires to the water, the magnetic vortex created by the shape of the electrodes, and the vacuum provided by the engine itself.

The effects of this technology is lowered emissions and improved mileage, simply due to a more complete combustion. Today's internal combustion engines suffer from poor efficiency of 20%-25%, as any mechanic will tell you; 75%-80% of the gasoline, instead of being converted to forward motion, is instead converted to pollution and carbon deposits (unburned fuel), as well as heat (global warming), vibration and noise (knocking/pinging).

The main problem is oversized fuel droplets in the mixture . The hydrogen, being such a small particle, hits a droplet, cuts it into smaller droplets and attaches itself to the smaller droplets. Now the finer, hydrogen-enhanced mixture, is capable of burning more thoroughly. That basically explains hydrogen fuel cells and how they work.

On top of improved performance, the engine steam-cleans itself every day, and the resulting effect is smoother and quieter operation.
This technology is not capable of running a car on water alone. The aim is not to replace gasoline but to enhance it, and open the door and the mind to the possibilities of water to fuel technology. With correct fine tuning you can double the mileage, rendering a new energy balance... half gasoline, half water.

Very little water is used, in an economy car it's around 2700 miles per gallon of distilled water, together with 4-6 teaspoons of household baking soda as catalyst. Tests have demonstrated many times that the fuel consumption of a 4-stroke generator can also be cut in half with this technology.

Not all cars, loads and driving conditions will gain the same, obviously. For ethical reasons one would not build up expectations for more than 10%-50% improvement in fuel economy, however there are daily success stories from experimenters who are seeing gains of 80%-100% in various vehicles. For some, significant economy gains inflict a revelation that something can be done about it, while for others it's a life changing factor.

There are books that teach everything about the technology and how to manufacture it. Like in the Golden Age of Greece, we're in a period where one has to take advantage of this technology... before there's very little government and corporate america interference. Actually, from what I've heard, government is already making use of this technology in their army hummers. Plus their are contracts on the tables waiting to be signed from the big car manufacturers (hint).
All in all, with today's high prices in gas, this technology has become a buzzword for practicality and affordability. Now something can be done about gas prices, pollution and global warming... all three in one.

At the time of this writing the technology is only for gasoline and diesel cars and trucks. However many experimenters are working on adaptations to propane/LPG/CNG propelled vehicles, as well as boats and other applications such as stationary generators, lawnmowers etc.


About the Author
JG Michel webmaster and publisher, often writes about topics that improves people's lives, such as in this topic. Visit this site for more information on "how to convert your car to run on water"

Alternative energy article

Bioethanol: The Golden Fuel by Andrew Beckers

Bioethanol: The Golden Fuel by Andrew Beckers

With governments like the U.S. backing the bioethanol industry, biomass crop productions are growing. If CO2 emissions can be cut in half by growing and manufacturing conventional farm crops like corn, then bioethanol stands a good chance of becoming the soup du jour from the alternative fuel menu. Yet there are other complications like food price inflation due to increased food scarcity resulting from food being diverted energy creation. Of course one must first decide if bioethanol is really worth it in terms of its "green claims."

What is it, and is it clean enough?
Bioethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, is a non-fossil, high octane fuel with lower emissions than gasoline. Made from renewable agricultural sources, it is a clean fuel for internal combustion engines. Hydrous ethanol contains water and can be used as a gasoline substitute, but requires a modified engine. Dehydrated ethanol can be used in proportions of 5% (E5) to 85% (E85). Most cars today can use E5, and Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) use E85. Both can be blended with conventional fuel.

It does take energy to produce it, and there are concerns related to the large amount of land needed for crops. Another concern is whether such biofuels release more carbon dioxide into the air than can be absorbed by growing plants. A better solution might be a process currently being developed in the U.S., whereby trash like waste paper is broken down into sugar and then converted into ethanol. This would by pass many of the ethical, environmental, and financial issues connected to bioethanol production.

How do they make it?
Bioethanol is obtained through a manufacturing process of fermenting biomass, which contains sugar and starch. Sugar cane is used in tropical areas, primarily wheat in Europe, and corn is produced in the U.S. and Brazil. Rectification and distillation processes turn the biomass into a concentrated form and removes by-products that are no needed in the fuel itself. The negative side of bioethanol as mentioned above is it's use of fertile land for food, which drives the food prices up and locks up usable land to grow more foodstuffs. There has all been great concern amongst certain environmental groups about the waste products left over from manufacturing bioethanol as evidenced in bioethonal pollution finding it's way in to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. This of course provides a big argument from within the green fuel camp against bioethanol production and use. Despite it's negative aspects, when the issues have been worked like, which crop to use and where to grow it and of course what to do with the waste, bioethanol stands to be a very powerful clean fuel alternative. One hopes as the oil price continues to stay above 10 dollars that every means necessary is found to make bioethanol as efficient, clean, and financially attractive as possible.

Is your car a FFV?
Many FFV owners may not even know if their car is a FFV. Since most U.S. manufacturers, Japanese and European car manufacturers now produce FFVs, it may be worth checking to see if your car can use bioethanol - and where you can buy it.

Alternative energy article

About the Author
Andrew Beckers writes about information that is important to humanity. Learn more about bioethanol.

Brazil And The Road To Fossil Fuel Independence by James Chandler

Brazil And The Road To Fossil Fuel Independence by James Chandler
Alternative energy article

In the world today, Brazil is the one country that has already taken major steps to greatly reduce their dependence on foreign oil. During the 1973 oil crisis, the Brazilian Government at the time decided to implement their "National Alcohol Program", better known in Brazil as "Proalcool". It was in essence a plan to create an ethanol production infrastructure for the country's automobiles.

Today, 8 out of 10 cars on the road in Brazil run on ethanol. Some run on 100% ethanol. This brilliant program set the stage for ethanol to fulfill the promise of energy independence and freedom from reliance on fossil fuels for the Brazilian people.

The Source
The United States is the largest producer of Ethanol producing about 35% of the world's ethanol. Brazil is a close second producing about 32 to 33% of the world's ethanol. In America, Ethanol is derived from the distillation of sugar that is obtained from corn. In Brazil, ethanol is derived from the sugar cane plant. Sugar cane grows all year round in Brazil. The ethanol derived from sugar cane provides 8 times the energy that was used to make it. Also, the waste material after the sugar is extracted from the cane is used as energy for power plants.

Ethanol burns cleaner than regular gasoline because of the extra oxygen in its chemical makeup. Because ethanol is distilled from a plant, it emits no harmful toxic emissions such as carbon monoxide. The CO2 that is released into the air when ethanol is burned is absorbed by the original plant or biomass (such as the sugar cane plant) that the ethanol was extracted from to begin with, making ethanol a carbon-neutral fuel.

Brazil is poised to greatly surpass the United States in ethanol production worldwide. The road that led to this energy paradigm shift was not so smooth though. In the beginning, the government was subsidizing sugar cane growers. But as soon as oil prices dropped in the early 80's, the government stopped subsidizing sugar cane growers and many of them went out of business. Demand for ethanol had dropped.

The Future
Brazil has managed to achieve a 50% replacement of petroleum by ethanol. Also, 80% of all of Brazil's car fleet is flex-fuel capable. They can run on 100% gasoline or any combination of ethanol/gas mix such as E10, E25, or E85. Brazil is on the road to total oil replacement by ethanol, a notion that doesn't sit well with the national oil company in Brazil; Petrobras. The present sugar cane cultivated area in Brazil dedicated to ethanol production is about 7.4 million acres. It constitutes about 1% of the total arable land. In Brazil, there has been an increase of about 3% a year in ethanol production without having to add to the arable land with more sugar cane plantations. This is due to the refining of extraction technology and the derivation of higher yielding sugar cane plants. It wouldn't be hard for Brazil to achieve 100% replacement in the very near future.

About the Author
If you want to learn more information about ethanol, ethanol production and ethanol products, please stop by All Ethanol and have a look

Alternative energy article

Alternative Energy/ Geothermal Energy ─ TAPPING THE EARTH'S UNDERGROUND ENERGY TREASURES

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY ─ TAPPING THE EARTH'S UNDERGROUND ENERGY TREASURES by Kartel

"Some researchers believe that by pumping water down to that trapped heat and then using the hot water to turn turbines as it returns to the surface under very high pressure. We could generate power for decades ─ even centuries" Australian Geographic

Beneath the surface of the earth lies a huge treasure of earth's deposit. It is not gold, silver, precious stones or oil. It is the tremendous store of heat called GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.
The temperatures deep inside the earth are in the order of hundreds and even thousands of degrees Celsius. The amount of heat conducted to the earth's surface from this interim in one year is thought to equal some 100 billions megawatts hours of energy ─ many times the electrical power used world wide; an astounding amount of energy indeed.
Much of this heat is stored in underground layers of molten rock, or magma. Harnessing this treasure, though, is a challenge. However, the earth's heat is indeed a treasure because it is a clean source of energy that offers distinct advantage over oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear power.

The greater concentration of this heat lies under the earth's crust in a layer called the mantle. The average thickness of the crust ids said to be about 35 kilometers. This is much deeper than the drilling capacity of present technology. These crusts, however, is made up of a good number of plates and is thinner at certain places, especially where the plates meet.
The magma at the locations is said to be able to rise closer to the earth's surface and the heat the water trapped in the rock layers. This water is usually only two to three kilometers below the surface of the ground, well within the reach of modern drilling techniques. It can be mined and put to good use.

To mine or tap this heat, heat pumps are connected to loops of piping buried in the grounds. The energy is thus gathered and can be used to heat homes in the wintertime or perform other useful works. Usually, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. However, pressures are much higher underground, and water remains liquid at higher temperatures. The boiling point of water remains increases to about 230, 315, and 600 degrees Celsius at the depth of 300 1525, and 300 meters respectively. During the drilling process, where the drilling taps into water that is above 175 degrees, the water can be used to drive electrical generators.

A lot have been said or have to be said about geothermal energy and its impact on environment. One striking thing about it is the fact that countries that develop power from it reduce their dependence on oil. Take for example, every ten megawatts of electricity generated for a year represents a savings of 140, 000 barrels of crude oil per annum. Equally, geothermal resources are immense, and the dangers of depletion are much less than it is with many other energy sources. Pollution problems are greatly reduced. In addition, geothermal energy production costs are very much at a low side compared with those of many other energy forms.

In spite of all these positive notes, there are some environment concerns. Geothermal steams usually contain hydrogen sulfides, a toxic. This is quite a lethal toxic when much in high quantity and equally a nuisance in low quantities because of its uncomfortable sulfurous smells. However, unlike the other energy sources such as fossil fuels in particular, treatment processes for removing it are effective and more efficient than emission control systems at fossil -fuel power plants. Even at that, particulates in the effluent may contain small amounts of arsenic or other toxic substances. Happily, when these particulates are collected and reinjected into the ground, the danger is kept to a minimum.

Another negative side is the possibility of contamination of underground water supplies, this though can result only when and if the geothermal wells have not been sealed to great depth with steel casings and cement.

Above all, one is quick to note that the sitting of most geothermal power plants is only noticeable by the steams vented from the power plant. With careful management, geothermal power can co-exist with people, animals, plants, and the environment.

Most geothermal power plants are installed using only high- temperature steam for power generators. However, efforts are in top gear to extract energy from fluids that are less than 200 degrees Celsius. As a result, binary -cycle technology has been developed. This uses tapped hot fluids to vaporize a secondary fluid, which in turn drives a turbine/generator set.
All countries living in areas of recent volcanic activity or dormant hot springs sources are enjoined to tap into these earth treasures to save our planet earth from the deadly effects of fossil fuels and make the earth a GREEN place to live in.
http://getechsol.blogspot.com/

About the Author
A prolific online and offline writer. HE IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO ISSUES OF THE MOMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCALE

Alternative energy article

Alternative Energy - Discover How HHO Outperforms Other Renewable Fuel Solutions

Discover How HHO Outperforms Other Renewable Fuel Solutions by Bret Copeland

Discover How Hydrogen Succeeds Over Other Renewable Energy Sources. The generation of energy sources beyond those derived from fossil fuels has attracted increasing attention and gone more mainstream in recent years. This is not a movement confined to any particular geographical zones, it is actually becoming more and more pervasive on a global basis.

What has brought about this significant change? One reason is the need for energy sources that are renewable and won't eventually run out at some future date. Currently around the world the consumption of fossil fuels is 100,000 times faster than their natural production. According to an estimate the demand for these fuels will suddenly outstrip their availability in a matter of centuries-or less.The effect of toxic emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels is another, more urgent reason to seek out alternative and cleaner energy sources. The consumption is not the only thing that adds to the pollution. The development in technology has made it possible to extract fossil fuels in a much easier and more cost effective way. This has lead to the corporate race of finding more resources. This involves digging deeper and deeper into the ground. This further causes the scraping off ever more layers of precious topsoil. Run Your Car On Water To Boost MPG But not all alternative energy sources were created equal.

For instance, biofuel sounds like a great idea... how could the environment possibly be harmed by growing more corn. Well, you need more agricultural land in order to grow the corn without hurting the food supply. In order to provide that land you have to kill trees. Trees are the front line troops against the environmental harm done by fossil fuel emissions.
And electric cars sounds great until you realize that you need to recharge the batteries every day and consider how that could impact the power grids in large cities, etc. These are the big picture factors that have to be considered when assessing the value, benefit and effectiveness of alternative energy sources.

There have already been cases of biofuel facilities being guilty of the kind of environmental crimes and corruption that their industry supposedly exists to combat. There have been several instances across the US of the dumping of glycerin into nearby bodies of water by biofuel plant companies. Glycerin is the waster product from biofuel generation. Glycerin can be sold on the market but it has to be processed and the processing costs and the market value after the processing make it unprofitable so these plants have just been dumping the stuff, in one case they were also charged with wiping out an entire species that was on the endangered list! Run Your Car On Water To Boost MPG

Fossil fuel experts forecast that worldwide fossil fuel availability will peak in ten to thirty years. It's a falsehood. But even if it was true, we can stretch the availability of oil indefinitely by doing a couple of different things. Primary is to do an installation in your current vehicle engine of a converter to enable your vehicle to run on a combination of gas and hydrogen.But the best solution for generating hydrogen is through electrolysis. A Hydrogen On Demand type system!This process is very simple and direct. It uses an electrolyzer, through which a small current is sent through water, which simply splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen.

About the Author

Bret Copeland writes regularly about autos related topics. I hope you enjoy this article.

Alternative energy article

Alternative Energy - Renewable Solar Power

Solar power is recently broadly used not only from business but from private homes instead of traditional energy resources. The main benefit of using it is that it is renewable - solar power cannot finish and as long as there is sunlight power can be generated.

What do you need to have to benefit from renewable solar power? In fact the equipment needed is neither extraordinary nor very expensive. All you need to have to start using solar power as alternative energy sources solar panels. Moreover solar panels are pretty easy to be manufactured in case you want to do them yourself. The materials required are not very expensive and the actual manufacturing does not require great skills.

Once you have the solar panels installed you should decide what for you will use the renewable solar power. It can be used for generating electricity or heating of your home or just for heating water. Many people prefer using solar panels to get hot water only. Other uses it for home heating as well. Some also get panels installed to generate electricity. Still you will have to get a lot of solar panels installed if you want to fully replace your current electricity supply. However in the most cases you will be able to generate enough power for your garden lighting or other small electricity consumables.

No matter what power of your home needs you replace with renewable solar power, you will definitely cut your utilities bills, especially during winters when you have to pay hundreds just for heating.

Not only renewable solar power is good for your pocket, it is in fact very beneficial for the global ecology. Solar power is totally pollution free - to generate it you don't need to use any fuels and by generating it you don't pollute the air, water or soil in any way. It is actually better than using wind power because solar power generators do not produce any noise. The only real disadvantage is that you cannot generate power during nights and if bad cloudy weather power generation is greatly reduced.

Alternative energy article by Ashish Arora
Earth4Energy is a Solar Power do it yourself guide that explains you generating you own electricity from Solar Power however the benefit of Earth4Energy is that you can save few thousand dollars, which would have otherwise been paid for Electricity Bills.

Alternative Energy - Queen of England to use only hydro power at summer retreat

London - The Queen of England plans to only use electricity generated from alternative energy at her summer residence in Scotland, the Daily Telegraph has reported.
Balmoral Castle is to become the first royal household to be energy self-sufficient. A hydroelectric power station fed by a river - the Gelder Burn - on the castle's estate is to power not just the Queen's apartments but also around 1000 homes in the neighbouring area.The manager of the power plant, Alasdair Gill said "The powerful year-round flow of water should generate about one megawatt (MW) of electricity and run like a miniature version of the massive Scottish hydro plants that can produce 300MW of power. These initiatives have been welcomed by environmental campaigners." The Queen has recently made concerted efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the royal household, such as converting the state cars - a Rolls Royce, a Daimler limousine and a Rover 400 - to liquified petroleum gas (LPG), the paper said.//dpa

Alternative energy news
From The nation

Alternative energy - US announces new prize for fuel-efficient planes

Washington - The US plans to offer monetary incentives to the developers of a viable substitute for jet fuel, which could bring down surging petrol costs in the aviation industry, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced Thursday.An amount was not given, but the competition, in conjunction with the X Prize Foundation, would be similar to a 10-million-dollar 2004 award given to the first private company to launch a manned spacecraft.
"The race to refuel American aviation is on, and our hope is that the X Prize will jump-start investment and spur innovation," Peters said at an aviation and energy summit in Washington.Rising fuel prices have forced US airlines to make significant cutbacks in their services in recent months, including charges for checked baggage and in-flight meals.US Airways late Wednesday announced it was removing video screens from all domestic aircraft, because the 500 pounds in saved weight per flight would reduce fuel costs by 10 million dollars per year.
A group of 12 US airlines launched a publicity campaign Wednesday, deflecting blame for higher ticket prices and pressing for legislative action on energy costs, in an open letter to customers.Peters said the new competition could change the face of the aviation industry."A breakthrough in alternative jet fuels is a potential game-changer that could bring lower airline fuel costs, greater US energy independence and cleaner air," she said.//DPA

Energy news

by The Nation

Alternative Energy - automaker Creates New Fuel cell Car

Prototype is powered by electricity generated from hydrogen and oxygen
Developed by the research team of local electriccar manufacturer Clean Fuel energy Enterprise, the new Thai fuelcell car will run on electricity produced by the latest fuelcell technology - a new kind of power that uses hydrogen and oxygen.

The technology is expected to provide a new, alternative energy source at a time when the world is facing an energy crisis.
Best of all, its only byproduct - water - will cause no harm to the environment.
The company's research team has spent six years to develop the indegeneouslymade fuelcell technology for electric cars and has recently come out with the country's first prototype, which can go up to a speed of 130 kilometres per hour.
"Starting with 960 watt fuel cells, we have succeeded in improving the cell capacity to 10 kilowatts, which is potent enough to power a car," company chairman Air Marshal Morrakot Charnsomruad said.
Of the total 10 KW, he said, 5 KW of its power would be used to drive the car's motor, while the remaining power would be supplied to ancillary parts, such as the air conditioner and audiovisual equipment.
The company has received funding support of Bt14 million from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) for this project.
Morrakat said that to put the technology to practical use, the company is in talks with three to four other companies, who would be able to leverage the fuelcell technology for mass production.
The negotiations are expected to conclude soon and Morrakot expects the fuelcellbased electric car to be available commercially in the Thai market by next year.
Even though the prototype costs about Bt6 million, he believes the price will come down to about Bt2 million when the car is launched commercially and will further reduce when the production volumes go up.
Project manager Group Captain Chesda Kiriratnikorn said the company's 10KW fuel cell could be used to not only drive the car but also to generate electricity for home appliances.
For the new version, the team has developed a technology to enhance the car's hydrogenstorage capacity.
Developed from a previous model which had a storage capacity of just 280 to 400 litres, the new version can carry 900 litres of hydrogen and provide longerlasting power. The enhanced hydrogen tank can drive the car for about 40 kilometres.
The company's fuelcell technology is based on Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells. Because it can operate at low temperature and pressure, it offers a longer lifecycle of 10,000 hours, or about 13.7 years.
The NRCT also plans to push for the establishment of hydrogengas stations in the country, which will become a necessity when these fuelcell cars are available for commercial use.

Alternative energy news

By Pongpen Sutharoj The Nation; Published on August 5, 2008

Alternative energy news - Asean set for deal on oil reserves

Asean energy ministers will later this year sign an accord on creating oil reserves for an emergency to build energy security given the high consumption rate in the region plus China, Japan and South Korea, said Asean Secretary-General Surin Phitsuwan.
"The reserves are necessary due to high energy consumption. Over 80 per cent of imports come from the Middle East. energy cooperation would strengthen Asean's energy strategy and bargaining power," he said yesterday as the 26th Asean energy Ministers' Meeting came to an end.
To be considered is where the oil would be stocked. Thailand's Land Bridge project in the South is seen as a possible location.
Surin said that to become an Asean Community by 2015 as planned, further energy integration is vital so that each member can help others, and that will pave the way for shaping economic policies.
So far, there has been a power grid and the linkage of natural-gas pipelines. Indonesia also opened its door for the Natuna gas field, and pipelines are to be built to ship the gas from the field to other Asean countries.
He said Japan is also lending help in boosting energy efficiency in the region.
Asean is expected to consume 400 million tonnes of crude oil equivalent in 2020, compared to 265 million tonnes in 2000.
At the meeting, Thailand showed its prowess in alternative fuel development and pushed to turn Asean into the ethanol production and exporting hub. Thailand's energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop said this requires cooperation from other member countries.
Bangchak Petroleum president Anusorn Sangnimnuan said Thailand has the potential to become the ethanol export hub in Asean, due to its proximity to the region compared to Brazil, which is now the world's largest ethanol producer.
Anusorn said that as several countries are considering importing ethanol, which is cheaper than oil and environment-friendly, Thailand has the potential to produce ethanol, and can compete with Brazil in terms of transportation cost. Japan and Korea's ethanol demand is 2-3 million litres per day.
At present, Thailand can produce 1.5 million litres per day, and will increase to 2.5 million litres per day by the end of this year, said Anusorn.

"If we can develop our country as the ethanol production and export hub in Asia, we believe that Thailand will be the retail ethanol price reference in the region, which will replace Brazil," he said. To achieve the goal, oil retailers should be allowed to export ethanol aside from ethanol producers.
About 10 members of Greenpeace Southeast Asia Thailand yesterday submitted a letter to the Asean ministers asking the grouping to boost alternative energy production to 40 per cent of total consumption in 2020. They also asked all countries to stop construction plans for nuclear and coal-fired power plants to reduce environmental problems.
They said Asean must pay more attention to alternative fuel given that its greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise and lags behind only China and India.

Alternative energy news
by The Nation
Published on August 8, 2008

Alternative energy news - Queen of England to use only hydro power at summer retreat

London - The Queen of England plans to only use electricity generated from alternative energy at her summer residence in Scotland, the Daily Telegraph has reported.
Balmoral Castle is to become the first royal household to be energy self-sufficient.A hydroelectric power station fed by a river - the Gelder Burn - on the castle's estate is to power not just the Queen's apartments but also around 1000 homes in the neighbouring area.The manager of the power plant, Alasdair Gill said "The powerful year-round flow of water should generate about one megawatt (MW) of electricity and run like a miniature version of the massive Scottish hydro plants that can produce 300MW of power. These initiatives have been welcomed by environmental campaigners." The Queen has recently made concerted efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the royal household, such as converting the state cars - a Rolls Royce, a Daimler limousine and a Rover 400 - to liquified petroleum gas (LPG), the paper said.//dpa

Alternative energy news
by The Nation

Alternative energy-Conserve Energy with Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Today, prospective car buyers do not only look for performance and aesthetics in the vehicle they intend to buy. They specifically want a fuel-efficient engine that will allow them to save on gas, especially with today's unpredictable fuel prices. Finding a vehicle with such quality is not difficult thanks to modern vehicles that are equipped with advanced engines and supporting parts. Aside from allowing the vehicle to accelerate better than before, these modern components also enable the vehicle to be more energy efficient. Better road performance with minimal energy or fuel consumption is the idea behind the vehicles being produced these days. Rising fuel prices make these energy saving automobiles even more relevant.
Still, more and more vehicle manufacturers nowadays are designing engines that run on alternative energy sources. Proof of this is the limited number of solar-powered vehicles that have been introduced to the market. Solar panels, usually installed on the roof, convert the sun's energy into electrical energy that runs the various vehicle components. Aside from the solar-powered driving machines, hybrid vehicles are also becoming increasingly popular now. These are equipped with an engine that uses two or more different power sources. With these new inventions and innovations being presented to the world at large, consumers now have great choices if they want to take an active part in energy conservation.
Vehicles that use alternative energy sources are still costly and not everyone can afford to buy one. Nevertheless, even the common car owner can save energy in his car by practicing some helpful energy saving tips. One is to keep the engine well-tuned. Start by having a regular check-up of your under-the-hood components. In doing so, defective parts can be found and the appropriate replacements sourced as soon as possible. Another tip is to replace air filters on a regular basis. Clogged air filters are unable to supply the required amount of oxygen to the combustion chambers; hence, fuel burn is not as efficient. Impurities are also more likely of getting inside the engine if air filters are dirty. Moreover, keeping your engine parts well-oiled with the manufacturer's recommended motor oil is another means to more efficient engine performance. Observing these tips ensures a car owner with a more energy-efficient vehicle.

Alternative energy article
by Donald works as a mechanic in a car rental services company in Arkansas. His work gives him opportunities to know different car models

Alternative energy- Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the lightest alternative energy source, allowing for greater use in transportation and storage. The gas is being used experimentally for fuel cell vehicles and combustion engines. Hydrogen energy is an easily renewable energy source that can be produced using variety of methods and its use may improve air quality and reduce green house gas emission.

Alternative energy
by cnn

Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The Efficient Alternative energy in Reducing Daily Fuel Expenses

People who commute everyday on public transport wish they have their own cars to drive themselves to work, whereas most current car owners-"feeling every whip of the mounting price of fuel-"would opt for public transportation which they find to be more financially convenient. Of course, cars will not rot in the garage as scientists, academicians, businessmen, and even the government, are jointly seeking for alternative and practical ways for an energy and cost-efficient source of fuel for vehicles, and their collective efforts brought them to adapting hydrogen fuel technology and hydrogen fuel cells.
Now, water can´t be used to totally replace gasoline but to act as a supplementary fuel that will make a vehicle run. Cars run by water fuel cells are made possible because water can be converted into energy through hydrogen fuel technology. The said technology will split water molecules through another process known as electrolysis. Once water is split into oxygen and hydrogen, the properties of hydrogen gas will be a good source of energy that is efficient to make a car run.
Conventional cars need some modification through installation of a hydrogen fuel system for the electrolysis to be performed. Compared to cars that are run by regular gasoline, cars run by hydrogen fuel cells excel in two amazing ways: Reduced fuel consumption and greater mileage (about 50%-60% increase). The energy density of hydrogen is relatively higher than that of a gasoline´s and is also proven to be more efficient as a fuel source. These established facts make car fuel cells the perfect alternative solution to prevailing fuel crisis!
No wonder more and more car owners are greatly considering water fuel cells for their cars since it´s not only easy for the pocket but environment-friendly as well. The only by-product of hydrogen is water, so it doesn´t cause air pollution. Plus, hydrogen is odorless. Less irritating fumes can be inhaled from cars using a car fuel cell.
By the way, cars can be modified for less than a couple of hundred bucks, so for those who want to save on their fuel expenses, hydrogen fuel cells are here to save the day.

Alternative energy article
by Andrew Braithwaite

Hydrogen Fueled Cars - Unlocking Gas Savings With Hydrogen (alternative energy)

Everybody has heard of hydrogen fueled cars. The price of gasoline keeps getting higher these days and most believe that the days of cheap gasoline are dead and gone. Everybody is looking for a viable alternative and hydrogen seems like it may be the most logical choice. Since about 70% of the planet is covered in ocean, it looks like we have enough hydrogen to go around.
You probably first think of hydrogen cell vehicles when you think of hydrogen fueled cars, but actually hydrogen cell technology is still far from perfected and not available on the market as of yet. Sure, the ads are on TV and you may have even seen a hydrogen cell car on the road, but these are not yet available to the general public and even if they were they would not be anywhere near affordable. In the meantime, there is an old patent that has recently been dug up that may give you a short cut to saving money on gas.

The hydrogen car kit is an old patent that actually turns your car into a water hybrid. All you need to do is add a few small components (essentially, some baking soda, electrical wiring, a fuse, a vacuum hose, and a sealed, quart-sized glass jar) to your vehicle to enable it to run on both gasoline and water and possibly even double your gas mileage. Here's how it works: first, you build a device that you can put together with items you can buy at a local hardware store and add water. Then, you attach this device to your car's battery and engine. The device uses a little bit of energy from your battery to transform the water inside the device into a gas called 'HHO' which is two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. This gas, also known as Water-Fuel, Brown's Gas, or Hydroxy, provides a lot of power, burns clean, and it's only byproduct is water.

The easiest way to figure out how to convert your car yourself is look online. A quick search will turn up dozens of websites that can show you how to convert your car. Though there are a few that want to charge you extravagant amounts for the information, you can get just as good information for much cheaper and the parts you need to pick up at a hardware store will only cost you about $20. Some mechanics out there know how to convert cars into hydrogen fueled cars, but they'll probably charge you about $300 or more to do it and it's also very hard to find a mechanic that knows how to do the conversion.

Conclusion - alternative energy
Who isn't interested in saving money on gas? The increase in the cost of fuel/energy affects every facet of the economy and we're all feeling the pinch from every angle. By converting your car, you're steering yourself in the right direction towards the future. Hydrogen fueled cars are a great way to save money and help preserve the environment in one fell swoop.

Alternative energy article
by Peter Johnson

Plans for Homebuilt Wind Generator Power

As the wind energy market grows and changes, many residences and small business owners are developing plans for homebuilt wind generator power. Homebuilt wind generator power has many great and far-reaching advantages. Its economical and environmental benefits cannot be overlooked. However, there are a few factors that should be examined before beginning plans for homebuilt wind power. Location and production are important and detrimental to wind energy production. With enough research and patience, any home or small business owner will be able to reap the benefits of this amazing energy alternative. Homebuilt wind generator power has many advantages. The two main reasons for home wind energy production are economical and environmental. Typically, a homeowner can save between fifty and ninety percent on their overall utility bills with the integration of homebuilt wind power to their electric grid. In some cases, the generation of wind energy can exceed the local energy use. In these cases, the utility company will purchase the excess energy from the homeowner. Wind energy is also a zero emissions energy source. The amount of environmental damage that wind energy offsets is astounding. Wind power is globally recognized as one of the cleanest energy sources, even more so when comparing it to fossil fuel derived energy sources.Plans for homebuilt wind generator power should include a budget and plans for construction. Homeowners with a larger budget may purchase a home wind power kit from a factory and pay for installation. Other homeowners with a smaller budget may find it more economical to purchase the kit from a factory but install the wind energy generation system themselves. This is entirely possibly and can save the builder thousands of dollars. Both are viable options with entirely different budgets. Nonetheless, there is a wind energy kit to suit both needs. Once the decision has been made to go forth with plans for homebuilt wind power, decisions must be made as to the location of the wind turbine. For optimal performance, builders need to pick a location with unobstructed and high wind speeds. The best locations for wind turbines tend to be in open fields, Oceanside, and mountainside. It is also important to consider others in the area. Although the technology has developed in a way that noise pollution is no longer a problem, others in the area may have concerns about the unsightliness of a turbine or satellite interference. However founded or unfounded their concerns may be, it is in the best interest to consult with concerned parties. Developing plans for homebuilt wind power is great for homeowners looking to save money with a small (or large) investment. It is also a great way for a homeowner to do their part for the global campaign for environmentally friendly goods and services. No matter the reason, homebuilt wind generator power is a great option.

by William Williams writes regularly about environment related topics.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles Or HEV -alternative energy

With the rise in the price of gasoline, more and more people are taking interest in electric vehicles as means of transport. Another major advantage of electrically operated vehicles is that these vehicles offer pollution free means of transportation. Therefore even if 70% of people start using an electrically powered vehicle, we will be free of global warming caused by emission of gases like CO and CO2. There will be almost no instances of cancer caused by pollution.
Electric vehicles are more energy efficient than the contemporary vehicles wherein the electric vehicles operates at approximately 47 percent of effectiveness, while a contemporary vehicle operates at about 19 percent only. There are studies that generally conclude that electric cars with batteries are approximately 12 to 35 percent more efficient with energy than the traditional cars which run on gasoline.
But the electric car which can truly replace a traditional car is still in the conceptual stage as the electric vehicle would need continuous electric power from the batteries. The major disadvantages of present day electric cars are the time period required for recharging the batteries and their limited range

Now, it has almost been a century since the electric car has been popularly discussed, but recent developments in the Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology and the growing concerns for the environment has revived the drive for an Hybrid Electric Vehicle and this has become a realization today

Due to this problem of recharging batteries, a new type of design conceptualized in the minds of researchers and they came out with a solution. The researchers have put forward a new electrical vehicle fitted with on board electric power storage system and means of generating power. The generated power would be stored in the storage system and would be used to drive the vehicle. This new type of vehicle is called Hybrid Electric Vehicle or HEV.

The present day storage system in HEV uses NiMH batteries and not the rechargeable nickel cadmium. Nickel cadmium batteries are usually bad for the environment, but the NiMH batteries that are used in Hybrid Electric Vehicle are totally recyclable.
Battery packs in Hybrid Electric Vehicles do not need to be replaced. Made to last over the lifetime of the vehicle, a Hybrid Electric Vehicle's warranty covers the battery for a time period that lasts between nine and ten years. In terms of mileage, a battery pack is expected to last between 125,000 and 200,000 miles, and would probably last longer than that.

In Hybrid Electric Vehicles the generating system consists of electric generator powered by internal combustion engine which runs on fuel. Hybrid electric vehicles are the definitive alternative fuel vehicles because their power is taken from the source fuels utilized to produce electrical power. Apart from that, the flexibility of the fuel alone can offer important beneficial and economic advantages especially in relation to a variety of available energy resources.
Researchers are optimistic about the performance of the hybrid vehicles. They are sure that the HEV will be more fuel efficient than the traditional vehicle powered by internal combustion engine.

Alternative energy
by Jay Prasad is an electrical engineer. For more information on Hybrid cars please visit the Hybrid Cars Online Resource

Alternative Energy - What Types of Alternative Energy are Available?

With all of the environmental problems happening these days it is a good idea for everyone to use alternative energy. There are many different types of alternative energy that you can use on your home and your car. You need to know what these different types of energy are so you can do your homework about them and decide which ones to use.
Using an alternative energy is especially important on your vehicle because on cars and trucks that you use regular gasoline, they are adding to the problems with the environment.

Do you know what the definition is for alternative energy?
Alternative energy is where energy is formed using sources that don't harm the environment or deplete the Earth's natural resources. Now that you know what it is you need to know what the different types are.
Here are the different types of alternative energy you can use for your home and especially for your cars.

One: Hydro Power - This is formed by using a small water generator that is known as micro-hybrid turbines that are put into the flowing water's stream.
Two: Solar Power - This type of alternative energy is made by converting sunlight into electricity using cells make from silicon, which, when it is exposed to sunlight it will create an electric charge.
Three: Wind Power - This energy is created by a turbine that is placed on a tall tower and uses wind to kinetically produce electricity.
Four: Ethanol - This is one alternative fuel that is made to replace gasoline in vehicles. It is made from ethyl alcohol, which is a common alcohol that is made using corn or wheat.
Five: Biodiesel - This is an alternative energy that is for petroleum diesel and is made from vegetable oils and animal fats.
Six: Hydrogen - This alternative energy is the most abundant element in the world and it can be made from fossil fuels, biomass or by electrolyzing water.
So, as you can see, there are many different types of alternative energy. You want to do your homework about these types of energy for your home and your vehicle. When using alternative energy you will be able to save money on gas and other things, plus you will be helping to keep the environment as clean as possible. Just remember to do your homework first before you choose what types of energy that you are going to use for your home and your vehicle.
Summary:
Do you know what types of alternative energy that you can use for your home or your vehicle. There are many different types that you need to know about. It is important for you to learn about alternative energy before you use any of them. Find out more now

by Mike Hepburn
Mike Hepburn is a growing authority and researcher on Natural Health prevention, cures and all things green. Mike is deeply concerned about our planet in peril and wants to help reduce our carbon foot print. http://www.youralternativehealthnetwork.org/

Water Fuel Cell: The Next Best Thing among Car Owners

With the staggering price of fuel, more and more people are beginning to rely on public transportation, if they do stay with their cars they will just have to bear the additional financial burden. Much to the motorists annoyance.
Still, there´s a newfound solution or alternative to this fuel crisis: A new form of energy that will run cars on water instead of fuel. Yes, you read that right. It can be made possible with the right application of technology combined with the wonders of science of a car fuel cell.
Don´t think that water alone will make the car run. That would be science fiction already. What will happen is that a small amount of water will be used (it will be converted into gas actually) combined with gasoline.
Electricity is sourced from the battery. Water and electric is passed through a membrane, and this is what´s behind the concept of a fuel cell. An electrolysis device should be mounted to the car´s engine for one to have a water fuel cell. Since there are two molecules of hydrogen in water, hydrogen gas or H2 can be taken from it through electrolysis. Once taken out and gathered, it will be released in the car´s engine air intake system. From there, it will travel to the combustion chambers where it will eventually get united with gasoline vapor. Alongside with the process of electrolysis, a hydrogen generator is needed to convert water into hydrogen gas.
Proven to be three times more powerful than normal gas, hydrogen gas will make the engine function better and stronger, and there will be less exhaust emissions as well. The materials that are required to run cars on water are easily obtainable from local hardware store or right from one´s garage. The budget usually plays at around $150.
With the incessant rise in fuel cost, taking advantage of a water fuel cell for your car would be the next best thing to do, and there is more information regarding how a car fuel cell will help you save money and at the same time boost your engine´s performance available at this website

Alternative energy article
by Sturat

How Wind Power Works - alternative energy

Wind is a natural environmental occurrence in which air flows at varying rates throughout isolated areas or on a global scale. Since wind is a force, it can be put to use if harnessed appropriately.
Wind power is not new, and has been used for thousands of years, albeit it is only recently that it has been converted in to electricity for those power companies who are going green. Even today, sail boats use wind as their means of transportation. It was not until 1979 that the wind industry we know today came in to existence. Since then, countries have quickly adopted it, and in recent years, wind power has been the fastest growing source of renewable energy. Denmark is a leading example of how useful wind energy can be, as they generate one-fifth of their national electricity from wind.
Air is a fluid comprised of gaseous particles, and since particles have mass, they exert kinetic energy when in motion. Wind turbines simply convert this energy in to a more useful form. When fast moving air comes in contact with a turbine, it forces it to turn. The device is connected to a generator close by that changes the rotational energy in to stored energy. Being that one wind turbine cannot collect large amounts of energy on its own, wind farms have been established that utilize a multitude of wind apparatuses.
The primary design most people are familiar with is the horizontal axis-wind turbine, which is the three bladed structure shown when referring to wind power. The alternative is the vertical-axis design, although these are much less efficient than their horizontal counterparts, and thus are rarely used.
Like other forms of renewable energy, wind turbines are continually becoming more efficient, so in the future, it will take less space and fewer turbines to generate the same amount of wind energy that we can now.

Alternative energy
by Justin Kander
The author works with GreenExperience.net, a blog that helps people go green

Home Solar Energy System-alternative energy

Alternative energy is everywhere around us and it's possible to use it in many different ways. Solar power which is driven by photovoltaic cells is just one of these alternative energy sources that are increasingly becoming more advanced and less expensive. Solar energy is non-polluting and can be used to produce electricity in addition to hot water. Making use of the sun's energy is not that easy to do and requires a lot of labour for us to efficiently utilize it in a reasonable manner. The biggest downfall to solar power is it requires clear days so methods of storing this energy need to be found to cater for this and when night falls.
Wind energy has become the most invested in (by private investors and governments together) alternative energy source lately. Huge double and triple bladed windmills can be seen around the world, working constantly, day and night to produce large amounts of electricity. Windmills have been used for a number of centuries but it is only recently that they have been converted to produce electricity on an industrial scale. The windmills used today are massive compared to those used in the past and much more 'high-tech' and often referred to as 'wind-turbines'. Just like any other methods, using the wind energy has its own hitch such as having to worry what to utilize if ever the days are calm and still. Of course, the power we need can come from other sources when this happens so currently we cannot rely completely on wind power even if we had sufficient farms to cater for our needs.

Hydroelectric energy is available as a source of alternative energy, and it can generate a substantial amount of power. The concept of hydroelectricity is simple - using vast amounts of water and gravity to turn electricity producing turbines. The use of water for driving hydroelectric turbines is not much of a worry because water is just about everywhere. The main problem with this process is the initial financial cost and the size of these dams means it is a lengthy project which does not come without its own issues. Dams are often built in order to be able to control the flow of the water sufficiently to generate the needed power. Building a dam to store and control water's potential and kinetic energy takes quite a lot of work, and operating one is complex as well, and conservationists grow concerned that it is creating environmental problems.
If you don't need to supply the electrical needs of a city or an area with a huge population, then building a dam is overkill. One good alternative to consider is using small run-of-river hydroelectric converters to provide electrical needs to neighbourhoods or even to an individual office or home.
Probably the most underrated and under appreciated form of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which is simply the naturally occurring energy produced by the heating of artesian waters that are just below the earth's crust. The earth's inner molten core is the one responsible for transferring the heat into the water. There are various different methods for drawing up water to harness geothermal energy and they can be from dry steam power plants, flash power plants, and binary power plants. Steam is essentially gathered and for this reason, hot water should be drawn up. Approximately one hundred miles north of San Francisco lies 'The Geysers', probably the most famous of geo-thermal power fields where they use what is known as 'dry steam' power plant technology.

by Scott Morgan

Alternative Energy Sources for the Home

Alternative Energy for the Home
The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21st century and beyond. We have great need of becoming more energy independent, and not having to rely on the supplying of fossil fuels from unstable nations who are often hostile to our interests and us. But even beyond this factor, we as individuals need to get off the grid and also stop having to be so reliant on government-lobbying giant oil corporations who, while they are not really involved in any covert conspiracy, nevertheless have a stranglehold on people when it comes to heating their homes (and if not through oil, then heat usually supplied by grid-driven electricity, another stranglehold).

As Remi Wilkinson, Senior Analyst with Carbon Free, puts it, inevitably, the growth of distributed generation will lead to the restructuring of the retail electricity market and the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. The power providers may have to diversify their business to make up for revenues lost through household energy micro generation. She is referring to the conclusions by a group of UK analysts, she included among them, who call themselves Carbon Free. Carbon Free has been studying the ever-growing trend toward alternative energy-using homes in England and the West. This trend is being driven by ever-more government recommendation and sometimes backing of alternative energy research and development, the rising cost of oil and other fossil fuels, concern about environmental degradation, and desires to be energy independent. Carbon Free concludes that, assuming traditional energy prices remain at their current level or rise, micro generation (meeting all of one's home's energy needs by installing alternative energy technology such as solar panels or wind turbines) will become to home energy supply what the Internet became to home communications and data gathering, and eventually this will have deep effects on the businesses of the existing energy supply companies.
Carbon Free's analyses also show that energy companies themselves have jumped in on the game and seek to leverage micro generation to their own advantage for opening up new markets for themselves. Carbon Free cites the example of electricity companies (in the UK) reporting that they are seriously researching and developing ideas for new geothermal energy facilities, as these companies see geothermal energy production as a highly profitable wave of the future. Another conclusion of Carbon Free is that solar energy hot water heating technology is an efficient technology for reducing home water heating costs in the long run, although it is initially quite expensive to install. However, solar power is not yet cost-effective for corporations, as they require too much in the way of specialized plumbing to implement solar energy hot water heating. Lastly, Carbon Free tells us that installing wind turbines is an efficient way of reducing home electricity costs, while also being more independent. However, again this is initially a very expensive thing to have installed, and companies would do well to begin slashing their prices on these devices or they could find themselves losing market share.

by C. W. Benjamin