Alternative energy and its benefits

Alternative energy is the energy obtained from sources like the sun, wind, tides, water, decomposed wasted of plants and animals and the interior of the earth. Alternative energy is used in its several forms for a variety of purposes. As solar energy, alternative energy is used for generating electricity, to cook food, to heat water and to keep buildings warm. In the form of wind energy and tidal energy, alternative energy is used for the generation of electricity. Alternative energy from biomass is used to make bio fuels and generate electricity. Geothermal energy is the source of alternative energy that is used to keep buildings warm or cool, depending upon the weather and to generate electricity.

The reason as to why alternative energy is put to so many uses lies in the fact that it has several advantages. Alternative energy is a green and clean form of energy which does not affect the environment adversely. It does not cause any pollution and does not emit any harmful gases into the atmosphere that cause global warming or are otherwise dangerous for the health.

Alternative energy can be used again and again without the fear of it getting depleted because it comes from sources that are renewable and can never come to an end. The use of alternative energy sources reduces the dependence on fossil fuels or other sources of energy on which the entire world depends for energy requirements. Alternative energy is also a less expensive form of energy. Alternative energy is readily available and can be used by alternative energy companies as and when required.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy is widely accepted worldwide for its multiple uses. This energy is used in various ways and every person uses this energy irrespective of the fact that he knows very little about Solar Energy. This energy is utilized by plants in order to prepare food for them and animals, in turn, eat these plants. Using Solar Energy, one can avail different benefits; this energy comes under renewable energy forms. This fact is known to everybody that sun is going to be existed for infinitive time so one never gets short of Solar Energy. Non-polluting nature of this energy is another benefit of this energy. On the other hand, if we burn fossil fuel then, they will produce lot of carbon dioxide along with other toxins. Another big advantage of using solar energy is that this energy is associated with low maintenance cost as solar cells can be corrected very soon.

Direct form of Solar Energy is solar cookers that are known for excellent heating qualities. The quality of food which is prepared with these cookers is unquestionable and good thing is that these cookers do not need any kind of fueling. If you are using kerosene oil for cooking purposes, then, you may have diseases like low eye sight, respiratory problem but same is not the case with Solar Energy. Reliability makes solar energy a popular alternative for various purposes. So, this energy is relied for its broad range of applications. Solar Energy is a renewable energy and moreover, this is environment friendly.

Geothermal heat pumps

The energy obtained from the inside of the earth is called geothermal energy. Geothermal energy can be put to many uses. One of the most common applications of geothermal energy is a geothermal heat pump.

The upper ten feet of the earth’s surface maintains a constant temperature. During winters, this temperature is warmer than the air above it and in summers, this ground temperature is cooler than the air above it. The geothermal heat pumps take advantage of this fact for heating and cooling buildings.

A geothermal heat pump consists of three parts- heat exchanger, heat pump unit and air delivery system. The heat exchanger consists of pipes called loop. The heat exchanger is buried in the ground near the building. A fluid flows through the pipes and absorbs or releases heat within the ground.

During winters, the geothermal heat pump removes the heat from the heat exchanger and pumps it into the air delivery system to keep the buildings warm. During summers, the geothermal heat pumps move the heat from the air delivery system into the heat exchanger thus cooling the building. The heat removed from the geothermal heat pumps during summers can be used to heat water as well and thus provide a free source of heating water.

Geothermal heat pumps use less energy than the conventional heating systems because the energy is drawn from the ground. Also the geothermal heat pumps are not very expensive. They are easy to use, install and maintain. They are beneficial for the environment as well as they do not cause any pollution.

Breakthrough in wind power technology

Wind power is generated by wind energy. The main function of a wind turbine is to use the energy possessed by the wind and convert it to electricity or wind power. Strong winds are good for more electricity production. However, the speed of the wind should not be too fast because it spins the turbine too fast, thus creating damage for the wind turbine. Strong winds may rip off the blades of the turbine and the excessive heat damages the alternator. The turbine tower is also affected by strong winds.

To prevent all this damage, a breakthrough has been made in wind power generation technology. A mechanical breaking system called furling has been developed that reduces all this damage. It prevents the wind turbine from rotating too quickly by turning the blades away from the direction of the wind. Furling acts by decreasing the angle of attack. It can be either manual or automatic. In both cases, the process of furling turns away the turbine blade edges when the wind is too strong or it is stormy.

Another method of reducing damages caused by strong winds is to use a microprocessor in a wind turbine. This microprocessor manages the speed and power of the wind turbine rotors when the wind is too strong. This is a fully automatic system that is more reliable for generating wind power by using wind turbines.

Wind power is a cost effective and renewable source of power that is the requisite of the world at this time. Automatic and mechanical wind controller systems are the need of the hour to help wind turbines function properly for the generation of wind power.

Alternative energy homes

Energy in the forms of heat and light are necessary for modern homes. Heat energy is required for cooking food, heating water and for other purposes. Light energy in the form of electricity is a necessity for all households. However, the increasing cost of electricity production has led to an increase in the electricity bills. Alternative sources of energy are therefore required for homes to provide heat and light at lesser costs.

Alternative energy homes make use of advanced technology to provide heat and light almost free of cost. They convert the energy of the alternative sources of energy into heat and electric energy. The use of sunlight, biomass and wind is used to meet the energy needs by such homes.

Alternative energy homes can be powered by the use of any of the following:
Solar energy can be used to either provide heat or generate electricity for alternative energy homes. Electricity can be generated using photovoltaic cells. Heat can be provided by storing the solar energy in solar collectors.

Wind energy can be used to provide electricity to alternative energy homes by using windmill type devices that can run turbines. The electricity so generated can be stored in batteries for future use.

The use of alternative sources of energy to provide electricity and heat for alternative energy homes is the best way to save money. Alternative energy homes are very effective and efficient. They are the houses of future that will help preserve the environment and result in a cleaner and greener world.