Alternative Energy Solutions
In an age where every second news story tells us about the ice caps melting, fossil fuel depletion, rising oil prices, energy grid meltdown, global warming, climate change, and a multitude of other examples of how our voracious energy use has contributed towards the destruction of our planet, more and more people are looking to alternative energy solutions.
The natural resources available to us on this planet fall into two basic categories: those that once depleted, will no longer exist, such as fossil fuels, and those that when harnessed will continue to renew themselves, such as wind, solar, water and so on.
Tapping into these alternative energy solutions is easy, the research, studies and technology development has already been done. The ability to free ourselves from our dependence on fossil fuels is already in our grasp and many people are already harnessing the power of renewable energy sources.
Learn how to harness alternative energy solutions
Wind power is one of the most common alternative energy solutions, especially in the DIY market. Home made wind turbines continue to be popular because they are energy efficient and cheap to make. Wind spins a propellor, which turns a shaft and energy is made and stored for use in the home. There are many DIY kits available and you can often make your own wind turbine for less than $200 using parts from the hardware store.
Click here to find out how to make your own wind turbine
Another of the well known alternative energy solutions is solar power. As with wind energy, solar energy contributes nothing to air pollution, but it is also much quieter, and can be used in areas that have no wind. Again, solar power is very popular in the DIY energy market because there are many kits and instruction packs around that teach the basics of how to make your own solar panels. Again, you can use parts available from the average hardware store, for only a few hundred dollars. Obviously, the more panels you make, the more power you can generate and store.
Click here to find out how make your own solar panels
Ocean wave energy is potentially a very powerful source of energy, but requires a degree of infrastructure to harness. Governments and investors can see long term potential in the energy source, and are conducting trials around the world to investigate its long term viability. A French facility has been in operation for many years now and appears to be a great success, so Irish and Scottish trials are now being conducted. Stay tuned to find out more.
Hydroelectric power has been used by Governments in various countries for a while now. The limitation is similar to ocean wave, in that you need a certain degree of infrastructure, and also the right sources of water and a usable location, such as a dam or river powered system. Hydro is a powerful generator of electricity and cleaner than a traditional power grid. The main issue is that damming a river leads to the destruction of a certain amount of the local environment, by essentially permanently flooding it underwater.
Geothermal energy is extremely abundant, since it lies just a few miles below the earth’s surface. Geothermal energy is produced by heating water using the planet’s incredibly hot molten core. This superheated water turns to steam, which is then harnessed and used to power turbine engines which in turn generate electricity. This heat source is permanent and the water a renewable resource, so it is a fantastic alternative energy solution that needs much more research and development by Governments around the world.
Waste gas energies are another alternative energy solution. Waste gas, or methane is opposite to the usual energy-pollution relationship because it creates energy from the existing waste that lies in landfill dumps and from some air pollutants, such as livestock. This waste gas is used in fuel cells and standard gasoline generators. It is of course, fairly toxic and unpleasant for a domestic application.
Ethanol is a gasoline substitute and is created from wood chips and cellulose, grapes, wheat, sugarcane, strawberries, and even corn. Some petrol and gasoline manufacturers are producing motor vehicle fuels that have a small percentage of ethanol, those it can be quite expensive to produce. Modern cars are able to take a small amount of ethanol.
Bio diesel fuel is made from plant oils. Commercial bio diesel is made from soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower oils, and Brazil and the Us are leading the way in its manufacture. Commercial manufacture of bio diesel is on the rise as it has several benefits: commercial waste oil can be recycled and used to make bio diesel, it burns much cleaner than traditional diesel, produces less emissions, lubricates the engine and can be used in ordinary diesel vehicles. Many people with diesel cars and machinery are starting to make their own. It’s a reasonably easy process and reduces domestic fuel costs by a considerable amount. As far as alternative energy solutions go, it is one of the cheapest and easiest to implement, with consistent results. Click here if you want to learn how to make your own bio diesel fuel.
Atomic energy, as most people would probably know, is created using nuclear fission. Atomic energy is extremely efficient and can generate huge amounts of power. However, there is a small amount of waste product that is highly toxic. This radioactive waste takes hundreds of years to dissipate, and concerns about the risk factor means whole communities can be wary of an atomic energy plant being located near their homes.
Do you want to explore alternative energy solutions in your own home?
As far as DIY energy solutions go, solar, wind and bio diesel are three of the cheapest, easiest and most efficient forms of energy to produce and use in the home. If you’re interested in using all, or some of these methods in your own home, to save money and help save the environment, for much less cost than you would think, click here to find out how.
