Aternative Energy
Alternative Energy Sources
Alternative energy has seen a marked increase in investment over recent years. As the world responds to the range of crises presented by global warming, viable solutions are being sought to combat the problem.
Demand for fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal have led to the depletion of the earth’s natural resources. The world’s forestry reserves are in trouble too as they are being cut down to supplement energy requirements. Solutions are desperately being sought in order to avert global disaster.
Many people think of alternative electric energy as advanced scientific concepts that are too complicated for the ordinary lay man. While many alternative energy systems are indeed high technology, the principle behind most of them is actually quite straight forward. The basic idea is to harness energy sources that are infinitely available or renewable to produce electricity instead of depleting finite sources any further.
Many alternative electric energy systems have been around for a long time. They have been modernized and operate with the use of updated technology. We’ve probably all come across terms such as wind power, solar energy or even water power.
The old windmills that were used by farmers to grind wheat can still be seen as historic artifacts gracing many European landscapes. Modern alternative electric energy windmills now turn to produce electricity instead of mill grain. The basic principles behind the old and the new windmills is essentially the same. Both trap the wind’s energy in great vanes which turn a shaft. Old mill shafts were connected to millstones while their modern counterparts spin turbines that produce electricity.
Hydro electric power is an alternative electric energy system that is not new in concept. Hydro power stations are the preferred choice in some areas for providing electricity to a large population. Their main benefits are that they are not expensive to run and they do not pollute the environment. This type of alternative electric energy system is often worked by the force of water in a dam which passes over turbine blades to generate electricity. Prototypes of the modern hydro turbine were huge wheels that turned millstones in the past.
Solar power is a very convenient alternative electricity system that is becoming very popular for small user and domestic application. This system is highly adaptable and can be fitted on rooftops. Solar power has been praised for its ingenious simplicity which rests on the invention of the photo voltaic cell. The cells are very small components that trap the sun’s rays and convert it into electricity. The consumer is able to utilize this electricity which is stored in batteries.
