Three Alternative Energy Sources

Searching out alternative energy options is neededbe used for specific tasks, but is most commonly
now more than ever before, because of theused to convert mechanical power into electricity.
rising cost of oil and the threat of Global Warming.Simply stated, a wind turbine works the opposite
With the conditions of the World today, we allof a fan. Instead of using electricity to make
should be looking at the alternatives that arewind, which is what a fan does, wind turbines use
available to us. The signs of environmentalwind to make electricity. The wind turns the
changes cannot be ignored, even by those of usblades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a
who are not scientists or environmentalists, yet itgenerator and makes electricity. Single small
will ultimately depend on each one of us to maketurbines, below 100 kilowatts, are used for
the adjustments necessary in our lifestyle habitshomes, telecommunications dishes, or water
and spending. Collectively, we can all help to savepumping. Small turbines are sometimes used in
the earth from the threat of impendingconnection with diesel generators, batteries, and
devastation, if we act now by switching to naturalphotovoltaic systems. These systems are called
and renewable energy resources.hybrid wind systems and are typically used in
The three energy sources I will focus on haveremote, off-grid locations, where a connection to
been around for years, and as time passes theirthe utility grid is not available. The initial investment
respective technology and efficiency increases.of these technologies can be quite high, but they
These three energy sources are Solar Panels,can be capable of paying for themselves within a
Wind Turbines, and Geothermal Power.matter of years.
Solar PanelsGeothermal Power
Solar energy was first being utilized, more than"Geo" means "from the earth," and "thermal"
100 years ago, since the middle of the industrialpertains to "heat or temperature", so this type of
revolution. Early solar power plants were built toenergy is found under the earth. Here is how it
produce steam to power the machines ofworks: about four feet underground, the
factories. Around that time, Henri Becquereltemperature of the earth stays the same all year
discovered the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic islong - about 55 degrees. The system pumps a
the production of electricity straight from the sun.liquid through the pipes to absorb the heat and
Solar (or photovoltaic) cells generate about 10brings it back indoors. A device called a "heat
watts per square foot and are mounted on yourexchanger" takes the heat from the liquid and
rooftop. The maximum amount of solar electricityuses it to heat or in some cases cool, the air
that can be efficiently generated is determined byinside the home.
the amount of southerly roof exposure availableA geothermal heating system uses pipes buried
that remains completely unshaded most of themore than four feet deep in the earth.
day. It is best to continue to be hooked up to theBy burying some water pipes and then running
utility grid for two reasons. 1. They are requiredthe fluid through a heat exchanger, you can
to purchase any extra electricity that is producedproduce ambient air that warms you in the winter
from your solar panels. 2. The days that areand cools you in the summer.
cloudy you may need to use their electricity.It's a little more complicated than that, because
People decide to purchase solar electric systemshumans like it around 70° in the winter, a
for different reasons. Some want to stop the usecompressor is needed to bring the temperature
of fossil-fuel resources and reduce air pollution.of the air up a bit. But the net energy and cost
Others would rather spend their money onsavings are still considerable.
energy-producing improvement to their property.We can also use geothermal energy to make
Some people just want to reduce the amount ofelectricity. A geothermal power plant works by
electricity they purchase from the utilitytapping into steam or hot water reservoirs
companies. There are people who just don't likeunderground; the heat is used to drive an electrical
paying high prices of their utility bills. No mattergenerator. Most geothermal plants are located in
what the reason, solar energy is a sensible choicethe western United States, where hot water
with a great return on your investment.reservoirs are common. The Geysers power plant
Wind Turbinesin northern California is the world's largest
The use of wind turbines can be a great way togeothermal power plant, producing enough
provide a source of clean and renewable energyelectricity to light up more than 22,000 homes.
for your home or business. There are severalIf we can put our money into these three
different wind energy devices available on theAlternative energy sources we can cut our ties
market today which can be used to generatefrom fossil fuels, specifically (OIL), the source of
power. Most are cost effective and provide aescalating global conflict, and become a more
substantial level of electricity for your home orself-sufficient country. No matter what the state
business.of your pocketbook, there are options available
The terms wind energy or wind power describesthat allow each one of us to make the changes
the process by which the wind is used toto renewable energy resources. At our website,
generate mechanical power or electricity. WindEcoloChi.net we focus on ways to become more
turbines convert the kinetic energy in the windearth friendly, with a growing list of "green"
into mechanical power. This mechanical power canproducts and information.