Alternative energy is a general term used for all sources of usable energy that can replace the fuel sources. To qualify as the source of alternative energy, it should not have undesired consequences of the fuels it replaces. Nuclear energy and fossil fuels cannot be called alternative energy sources as they have high levels of carbon dioxide emission and contribute to the global warming.
Many countries have signed the Kyoto Treaty that calls for efforts to reduce the greenhouse gases and pollutants. Use of alternative energy helps preserve many natural resources that are currently being used to generate power.
Various Sources Of Alternative Energy
There are many ecologically friendly alternatives energy sources that can replace the fossil fuel. These sources have less impact on the environment, and at the same time, do not consume huge amounts of natural resources.
Alternative energy can be drawn from many untraditional sources such as compressed natural gases, winds, sun and hydropower.
We have made use of solar energyfor many years, and today, we know various ways in which it can be used efficiently. Solar energy can be categorized as heat or thermal energy and light energy. Solar thermal technologies heat the substances by using solar hear energy, and this energy is applied in water heating, pool heating or space heating. This alternative energy is renewable, and releases no air or water pollutants. This energy can be very efficiently used for lighting and heating.
Wind power is another alternative energy and it harnesses wind power to propel blades of wind turbines. The blades of turbine rotate, and convert the energy into electrical current with the help of electrical generator. Wind power does not cause any pollution that may contaminate the environment. As there are no chemical processes involved, there is no left-over of harmful products.
Another source of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which means the earth heat. Geothermal energy involves harnessing the heat energy that is present under the Earth. In Earth’s crust, there are hot rocks that heat the water and produce steam. When holes are drilled in these regions, the purified steam shoots up and is used to drive the turbines that power the electric generators. If done carefully, this alternative energy has no harmful by-products.
Hydroelectric energy is another alternative energy that comes from the energy of dammed water driving generator and water turbine. It is also possible to use the undammed sources and kinetic energy of water. Hydropower harnesses powerful gravitational descent of the water compressed from a long run with a flume or dam. This concentrated pressure created by flow of water can be used to turn the water wheels or turbines.