Archive for January, 2012
Save our Earth: Renewable Energy
Alternative energy is more often than not a phrase used to describe anything other than fossil fuels-and most of these alternative energy solutions fall into the category of renewable energy. Renewable energy is important to us for two reasons. First, it helps save the environment from future harm caused by fossil fuels and the greenhouse effect. Renewable forms of energy are typically safe for the earth, making them a much cleaner option. Second, renewable energy sources are exactly what their name implies-renewable. Therefore, these sources of energy will not run out or become scarce and expensive, as fossil fuels eventually will. As renewable energy technology is researched and becomes more cost-effective, we may see a switch to these forms of energy from fossil fuels by all the major energy companies in the world.
There are many different types of renewable energy, including solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass, and tidal. Each has great benefits when it comes to protecting the environment, because no harmful byproducts are produced. Solar energy refers to power from the sun. We see this in everyday life as solar covers are placed on swimming pools to help then gather and retain heat. We can even feel the effects of the sun’s energy-wear a black shirt on a sunny day and you will soon be overheated. Solar power takes this heat and turns it into useful energy, which we can use to heat our homes and power other electronic devices. Wind energy is one of the oldest forms of alternative energy, along with water power, Windmills and waterwheels were used as early as the middle ages to produce energy, and are still being used in many countries today in refined forms. By converting their power to useful electricity by using generators, windmills and waterwheels, although ancient technologies are still very useful. Geothermal energy taps into the heat from the earth, by using geological hotspots such as volcanic sites, to produce energy. Biomass is also a very earth-like way of producing heat. This form of renewable energy refers to the use of once living organisms to produce heat and other forms of energy. Tidal energy works by harnessing the power of the ocean’s tides and currents, in much of the same way energy is gathered from waterwheels and windmills. The ocean can also be used for it’s heated surface temperatures and cool deep water temperatures to convert heat energy into useful electricity.
Overall, the only drawback to using renewable energies in place of fossil fuels is the current cost. However, as these technologies are further researched, cost of production is sure to go down, making these forms of energy production more efficient. Solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass, and tidal energies are just a few of the renewable alternative energies being studied today. Critics agree-fossil fuels will not last forever, and so, it is time to begin looking for healthier and less expensive means of producing energy to run the world.
