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Alternative energy

Alternative energy, as it name suggests, is energy derived from nontraditional sources. These different sources may be used to supplement or replace conventional options. They also may be used simply to gain a deeper understanding of the science involved for different energy options.

Today the term is commonly used in reference to renewable energy. If energy is renewable, that means it is capable of being utilized without depleting the resources of the environment. It also means that it does not harm the environment through the release of harmful greenhouse gases.

Here are some of the popular forms of alternative energy:

• Solar power– Energy from the sun may be harnessed in two ways. The first is through its heat, or solar thermal power. Heat can be captured with solar thermal collectors as well as with solar furnaces. The other way of utilizing sun is through its light. Photovoltaic solar panels are used in this method to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. The heat from the sun can also be used to create electricity through the use of solar power plants.

• Wind power – When it comes to gaining power from wind, turbines are the means of converting it into a useful form. Throughout history, wind power has been used to propel ships and to perform architectural ventilation functions. It has also been used in windmill design for the grinding of grains as well as for drawing up water. Today, turbines are more commonly used to generate electricity. Turbines may come in small personal forms to run smaller appliances. Large scale winds farms also exist which are made up of numerous giant turbines and connected to a local electric grid.

• Biomass/Biofuels – Biomass is living or recently dead plant or animal matter which can be used as fuel for industrial purposes. A biofuel is such a fuel created from recently dead matter. Fossil fuels are different from biofuels because they make use of biological material which has been long dead.

• Geothermal power – This energy comes from heat that is stored within the earth. It can be harnessed in many ways. Hot water springs can be used for bathing and cooking and heating. Piping which taps into hot water supplies can be used to directly heat buildings. Geothermal power plants exist which use steam directly or indirectly gained from hydrothermal resources.

• Hydropower – Flowing or falling water is used to create hydroelectricity. A complex that has been created to make use of this power form will generate no waste. However, the impacts of dam construction and maintenance can pose a considerable issue for human life, economy and ecosystems.

Though the above forms of alternative energy are the most common, many smaller types also exist. For instance, some devices are designed to be hand-powered, such as flashlights and battery chargers. Piezoelectric appliances make use of materials such as certain crystals or ceramics to generate power when pressure is applied. A commonly recognized example of this is seen in cigarette lighters. A stranger option for producing energy is the use of cow manure in biogas digestion. As time progresses new options are continually being discovered while older ones are being improved upon.