Geothermal electricity production

A power plant is used to generate electricity from various renewable energy sources as well as conventional sources of energy. A hydro electric power plant makes use of running water to generate electricity or hydropower. Wind turbines that convert wind energy to electricity are used in wind farms. But the majority of power plants run on steam. Steam as a geothermal power product is used to run turbines that in turn power a generator to produce electricity. The steam used is obtained from geothermal reservoirs in the earth to produce electricity.

There are three types of geothermal power plants that are used to generate electricity that can meet the power needs of a rural or urban area. A dry steam geothermal power plant uses steam that is directly pumped from underground wells into the power plant as a geothermal power product. The steam is then used to drive a turbine and generator unit to produce electricity.

Flash steam geothermal power plant uses geothermal reservoirs as the geothermal power product to get geothermal energy. The Hot water from the geothermal reservoirs moves upwards and a small part of it condenses to form steam. Water and steam are separated in the power plant and the steam is used to run a turbine and a generator that produce electricity.

Binary cycle geothermal power plants use water as a geothermal power product. A working fluid which is usually an organic compound is heated by the hot water. The heated working fluid changes to steam and is used to run a turbine to produce electricity.

Wind Energy

Out of the innumerable renewable energy sources available, wind renewable energy is the best renewable energy source that can challenge the energy crisis effectively. The use of wind energy was made in earlier times for purposes like exploration, farming and navigation. In ancient times, the renewable wind energy was also used to pump water and grind grain. The modern society uses wind energy for the generation of electricity that can be used to supply power to a number of houses in both urban and rural areas.

Renewable wind energy is favored by environmentalists across the globe for many practical applications. As a renewable energy source, it does not cause any pollution at all unlike other conventional forms of energy. As a green renewable energy source it prevents the degradation of the environment. As opposed to the conventional methods of electricity generation that are very expensive, the use of renewable wind energy for the generation of electricity is not costly.

Since no fuels are required for the working of wind energy there is no emission of green house gases that cause global warming which is a threat to the living beings on this planet. This alternative energy source is available in abundance and can be readily used. The use of renewable wind energy also benefits the economies of several rural areas. Farmers can use this energy source effectively for several purposes like pumping water, driving machines etc. and so reduce their expenses. As a renewable alternative energy source, wind energy can be cost effectively used several purposes that otherwise would have been expensive.

Biodiesel power

Biodiesel fuel is an alternative energy source that can be produced from natural crops like mustard, sunflower, hemp and waste vegetable oils. Biodiesel fuel as a renewable energy source can generate biodiesel power. Biodiesel power resources are used to power vehicle. Since biodiesel power is an alternative energy source, it reduces the dependence on fossil fuels like gasoline for running vehicles.

The use of biodiesel power resources for running vehicles does not cause any problems in the vehicle. The biodiesel power resources that are used lubricate the inside of the engines and helps in reducing the wear and tear of engines. Biodiesel power resources increase the life of engines. Bio diesel is available at several gas stations at prices that are much lower than that of the conventional diesel. So more and more people are now using biodiesel power resources.

The use of biodiesel power resources keeps the air clean because when they are used to power vehicles, they do not emit harmful particles into the atmosphere. This keeps the environment healthy and does not cause its degradation.

The use of biodiesel resources in vehicles results in higher engine efficiency and power. A problem however, maybe encountered when starting biodiesel powered vehicles during winters because biodiesel in its pure form is very thick. One way to solve this problem is to add petroleum to bio diesel. Generally a mix of 20% petroleum and 80% biodiesel is considered to be the best to power vehicles.

Wind Power- An Introduction

The earth gets unevenly heated by the sun. During the day when sun shines, the air over landmasses gets heated more quickly than the air over water. Since this air is warm it expands and rises, and the heavier cool air, over the water, moves to take its place creating local winds. During night time, this process gets reversed. The wind that blows is called a renewable energy source because wind will be produced as long as the sun shines over the earth.

Wind renewable power has been used as an alternative energy source since long in traditional forms but its sophisticated use was first made in Netherlands. Wind mills are used to generate wind renewable power. The wind mills capture the renewable wind energy that is used to rotate turbines to generate electricity. This generated electricity can be used as an alternative energy source to pump water in wells for irrigation, for lighting houses and streets and for use in small units of industries.

The amount of electricity generated by wind renewable power from a single wind mill cannot be used for commercial purposes. Therefore, to generate wind power or electricity for commercial use a number of wind mills are erected over a large area known as a Wind Energy Farm.

The calculation of average wind speeds is required since different wind mills are suitable for different speeds in different terrains. The design and construction of wind mills or machines that use wind renewable power can be adapted to suit a specific location and the end use of the electricity generated by wind power.

Potential and prospects of wind energy

Wind energy is the form of renewable energy that we get from the blowing wind. Wind blows because of the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sunlight. This blowing wind possesses kinetic energy that can be harnessed to generate electricity. Wind turbines are wind machines that convert the wind energy into electricity. This can be used for both domestic and commercial purposes. Wind turbines have rotors that move because of winds. The rotors are connected to generators that are turned on by the movement of rotors. The generators produce electricity.

The potential of wind energy as an alternative source of energy is increasing rapidly. A major factor responsible for this is the fact that wind energy is a clean and non polluting source of energy. Wind energy does not emit any greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Also wind energy does not add toxic elements to the atmosphere. It can be used as an alternative source of energy because the conventional sources of energy are fast depleting and their prices are sky rocketing. The energy crisis so created can be challenged by wind energy.

Wind energy technologies have seen a change over the years. They now produce a significant amount of wind power for the entire world. The global prospects of wind energy are on the rise. Wind energy technologies are used all across the globe for cost effective power generation. The amount of electricity produced by wind energy is so enormous that even if electricity is not produced by conventional methods, it would be sufficient enough to provide power to the generations to come.

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.