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Sources for renewable energy are all around us. When you say renewable energy the first things that always come to mind are wind and solar power. These two technologies have been the primary focus for discussions about renewable energy for quite some time. Complimented by geothermal energy and biomass production, these four get 99% of the attention when it comes to renewable energy sources. However there are many more potential sources for renewable energy sources in today’s world and it is going to take a broad approach utilizing multiple technologies to truly solve our current energy problems.

The big four sources of renewable energy have gotten the most media and government attention because they all at one point in time were thought to have the potential to be the silver bullet for the energy problem. They were all supposed to be THE solution to our growing demand for energy and dependence on foreign resources. However, it has become quite apparent that no one of these technologies alone can actually provide that kind cure all effect, thus it is time for us to take a broader look at the potential sources of renewable energy around us.

Anywhere there is motion; there is energy being spent and energy that can be captured. The goal of renewable energy sources are to find naturally occurring or wasteful sources of motion and harness this motion to create energy. This is precisely what wind turbines do, they harness the motion of the wind to turn a generator and make power. This same idea can be applied anywhere that here is naturally occurring motion. One example that has actually been tried with some success but needs further development is river turbines.

Of course hydro power has been around for a long time inside of dams, but the building of reservoirs and flooding of land is tremendously harmful to the natural environment. The river turbines of the future will simply harness the natural flow of a river to turn a generator. They will be similar to wind turbines, with blades that extend out into the river current. These turbines could be sunk into the bottom of deep sections of river and have no noticeable effects on the area around them. These river turbines however need to be incredibly durable and low maintenance, which is part of the reason they have only seen limited success and use thus far. However, with further development it is quite possible that they could become a very reliable source of renewable energy.

Another naturally occurring source of motion is the ocean. Ocean’s are constantly in motion, between wave action and tidal changes there is a lot of potential energy that would capture. There have been several different attempted technologies for capturing the motion of the ocean for energy purposes, but they have not received much attention. One major difficulty is the harshness of the environment in the ocean, which corrodes metals and is generally a treacherous environment. Again though, there is a huge potential for renewable energy in this as of yet unutilized source, it will simply take smart development of new technologies.

Turning to wasted potential from human endeavors the smoke pouring out of manufacturing facilities around the country is a prime example of wasted motion. There are several technologies in place and underdevelopment that take this motion of hot air up smokestacks and use it to generate electricity. You can think of it as a constant wind, as long as the factory is running, there will be air moving up the smoke stack, and if you had something in the smoke stack capturing that potential energy you could use those pollutants to help reduce the strain on the environment from power generation.

It is these kinds of creative solutions that, all put together, will be able to truly impact the way we generate power. No one source of renewable energy will ever provide the silver bullet everyone is looking for and it is time to give up the hunt. We need to invest in and pursue a broad spectrum of renewable technologies, not in the hopes of finding the best one that will solve all of our problems, but with the goal of getting all of them to the point where they can contribute to the overall solution. Simply looking at the world around us will show an untold number of potential renewable energy sources, all it takes is creativity and a commitment to pursue multiple technologies with the hope of developing a diversified renewable energy platform that can replace our current dependence on fossil fuels.

About the Author: Barret Hudson is a representative of Green Collar Operations, a home weatherization company in Austin, TX specializing in home energy efficiency improvements. More information at http://www.greencollaroperations.com

Author: Barret Hudson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The world today has an even greater increase in its demand for energy. This is due mainly to the rapid growth of population, which has more than doubled in the last 50 years. This has caused a strain on our energy supply, which has led to an increase in energy costs as well as shortages in many parts of the globe. Conventional energy sources such as petroleum and gas are said to have been dwindling significantly and has the possibility of running out completely in the future. This has encouraged many people to look for alternative energy sources one of which is renewable energy.

The concept of renewable energy is not new. People have been utilizing every advantage of renewable energy for thousands of years for various purposes. Some use it for heating and cooking while others use it for lighting their homes. There are those who use it move their vehicles and power up their machines. This renewable energy comes in many forms the common ones being solar, water, wind, biomass and geothermal energy. Now, with the current situation regarding conventional energy sources such as fossil fuel, people have been looking for ways to use this energy to provide electricity and power to their homes.

The main advantage of renewable energy over fossil fuels is the fact that it is renewable. This means that it can easily be replenished without so much effort for man. This is because this energy is produced through natural processes so they are generally found in nature. These makes them virtually infinite in quantity and so are not in danger of running out. Also, this energy can’t be easily wasted because it just goes back to nature where it was harnessed.

Because of the fact that they come from nature, renewable energy is also clean and does not usually produce harmful effects when harnessed and used. This advantage of renewable energy is very important especially nowadays where much of the environmental pollution comes from power plants and factories that are used to provide electricity. With renewable energy, this pollution can be greatly lessened and even eliminated in the future.

Once a person is able to effectively utilize it in his or her home. He can save a lot of monthly costs that come with power and electricity bills. He will be able to enjoy as much power and electricity as he wants without worrying on how much to pay at the end of the month. Aside from that, he can also sell some of this electricity if he is able to produce more than he will ever need in his home.

However, Every advantage of renewable energy comes with its own disadvantages. One of these is because the current methods and technology that are available nowadays are still so costly and is not readily available to most of the world’s population. This is the only major disadvantage that can be encountered by those who wants to avail of renewable energy resources. Still, once it’s installed and are working properly, it can contribute to big savings in the long run.

In order to learn more about generating your own power at home with renewable energy sources and to get your free guide How To Generate Your Own Energy And Eliminate Your Power Bill Today!, you can visit http://www.bestwaypower.com for further details.

Author: Jukka Koivukoski
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Many people have an incorrect image of green energy and believe that it takes a great deal to enjoy the cost savings and benefits. Today, nothing could be further from the truth. Green products and technology are becoming much less expensive with many homeowners discovering ways to cut the costs by making and installing products on their own. Solar panels and wind energy can be installed in your home to cut the costs of your energy bills for a fraction of the cost than it was just a few years ago.

Imagine cutting your electric bill in half. Then imagine eliminating your electric bill completely. What would you give to gain that kind of control over your family budget and finances? The possibilities are limitless when you begin to green your home and your life. The increased attention on the topic of green energy products has led to an innovation bonanza in the industry. More and more people are coming up with ways to reduce electric consumption and generate their own power than ever before.

Solar panels were once only available to those who had a lot of money on buying the panels and having them professionally installed. You can still install solar power in this way, but it is far from the only method available. A handy do it yourself-er can build their own solar panels and install them in their home with a considerably smaller amount of money.

The flexibility that you will gain in your lifestyle when you are in control of your energy production and use is astounding. The power companies are in charge of the money that you spend each month when you are using the power that they generate. But when you install solar panels and green energy products in your home, you are in charge of the power and how much you generate in your home each month.

Many families today are struggling just to get by. With solar technology and green energy, many of these families can retrofit their home so that they significantly cut their budget. These homeowners have discovered one of the biggest financial benefits of green energy.

Take the time to explore what green energy products can do for your family budget. The initial outlay of money for solar panels and wind energy products is far lower than the money that will be saved in the long run. A simple cost benefit analysis will show you how quickly you will regain your money that was spent on the solar products and other green energy techniques. This extra step in your planning can be a great incentive for those considering using green energy in their home. The flexibility that you will gain in your life from going green and saving money will make you wonder why you waited.

Get your FREE Report and information on how not to pay a single dime to the power company at http://www.GreenFuelProducts.com.

Author: Alfred Blaine
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There are numerous renewable sources of energy available to power home and industry. These include, wind power, hydro-electric, biomass, and solar to name a few. Understanding which ones are best suited comes down to a question of geography and economics. Home and business owners are often presented with colorful options on the wide variety of alternative energy sources available, but can find themselves faced with a large up-front cost and only a vague idea of what the savings and payback period would be. Now, I want to point out that the savings and payback period should not be the only criteria for making a decision. I firmly believe that environmental responsibility should be a high priority, but am also sympathetic with anyone who refuses to pay tens of thousands of dollars to install a system in order to completely live off the grid. There should be serious effort on the part of industry and government to invest in the advancement of the technology, and to drive down the cost, in order to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to make a shift in their energy use.

Shifting global energy use towards cleaner sources is very possible, but it will require a utilization of all the renewable sources available worldwide. This will mean that the areas of the world that are rich in geothermal energy, would contribute to the energy “pot” along with those areas that are rich in say, wind energy or solar energy. There are few places in the world that will have all their energy needs satisfied by a single local and renewable source. This will mean that “sharing” of renewable energy must occur across all borders. It will take a keen understanding of what best applies to different areas and then proceeding forward. For the most part this must happen on the industry scale, where the economics of scale will make it most feasible. Individual home and business owners can certainly do their part as well, either in using less energy and/or reducing dependence on the grid by installing some solar panels, or maybe a wind turbine, which they can afford. Certainly those people with larger properties, such as farmers, can make the most of this. But most don’t have this opportunity. So for the most part, renewable energy must come from large scale applications designed to power hundreds, if not thousands of homes, per installation.

Let’s look at the key areas of renewable energy potential.

Solar Energy

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaics (solar panels) can generate electricity year round but their output can vary depending on if it is sunny or cloudy. Their output efficiency is 10-15%, meaning that 10-15% of the solar energy that reaches the solar panel is converted into electricity, which is somewhat low. Furthermore, their cost is high, around $10/Watt if you’re looking at a home installation. The cost per Watt tends to be lower for large utility-scale installations.

Solar panels utilize the “photoelectric effect” to produce electricity. The sun’s photons excites the electrons in the photosensitive panel material to produce electricity. The technological hurdle in constructing solar panels is that the photosensitive material made out of high-purity silicon, has to be “grown”, which is a slow process. Because of this the economics of scale don’t benefit large-scale production of solar panels as much as say, wind turbines which can be produced at a faster rate. Nonetheless, in certain applications solar panels are valuable since they are a consistent source of power as long as there is regular daylight intervals, which is true almost everywhere. If budget is not an issue and you want steady reliable power from one single source that is almost entirely independent of geographic location, then solar panels are for you.

A further advantage of solar panels is that they require little maintenance once they are installed. There are no moving parts. All that is required is to keep the surface clean so that sunlight can get through.

Solar Thermal Energy

This source of power is most suitable in areas where there is little cloud cover year round. It relies on the unimpeded intensity of the sun, just like a magnifying glass will only focus sunlight when there are no clouds blocking the sun. The energy efficiency achieved by solar thermal can be twice that of photovoltaics.

There are two main methods to capture the sun’s thermal energy. The first is with flat-plate solar collectors. These are collectors with a clear glass plate on top to help “trap” the sun’s heat, much like a “greenhouse” effect. This causes the interior of the collector to heat up. On the interior of the collector there is tubing which is painted black in order to better absorb the sun’s heat energy. This, combined with the “greenhouse” effect, will result in the tube temperature reaching 80-90 degrees Celsius.

Inside the tubes there flows a coolant that heats up and then flows out of the collector and exchanges heat with another device, such as a water heater. This helps reduce water heating costs. This heat can also be used for space heating, reducing costs there as well.

Flat-plate solar collectors can also be “evacuated”. A vacuum is created between the collector tubes and an outer glass tube. This allows the collector temperature to become even hotter, over 100 degrees Celsius. The reason it gets hotter is because, in the absence of air, there is no heat loss due to convection, which is basically the transfer of heat to the glass tube, with air as the transfer path. With this heat loss medium removed, the collector heats up more.

Solar collectors are among the least expensive of all solar installations, costing only a few thousand dollars for a typical home installation.

The other way to collect the sun’s thermal energy is by focusing the sun’s energy on to a small area, much like a magnifying glass, resulting in localized very high heat. This high heat can be utilized for electricity generation.

One application for concentrated solar heat is in “power towers”. Using many heliostats (mirrors), the sun is focused onto a central tower using tracking mechanisms. The power tower receives this concentrated energy to heat up water and run a steam turbine to generate electricity. Heat from the power tower is initially stored in a salt compound which becomes liquid at high temperature, and its heat is then used to turn water to steam. Because of the ability of salt to act as an efficient thermal storage at high temperatures and low pressure, it can be easily transported through piping and into a storage tank for subsequent use in the steam generator. It can store sufficient heat energy to provide electricity generation well into the night, well after the sun goes down.

The efficiency of a power tower can be around 20%, which means that 20% of the sun’s energy falling on the mirrors can be converted into electricity. Efficiency as high as 25% can be achieved with larger installations. Efficiency is somewhat proportional to the size of the installation.

Another means to utilize the sun’s thermal energy is with a solar concentrator, such as a SunCatcher system. A Stirling engine is placed near the focal point of a large parabolic dish, around 11 m in diameter. The dish is pointed directly at the sun by using a tracking mechanism. This allows the sun’s energy to be focused onto a receiver placed at the focal point. This receiver channels the heat energy into the Stirling engine which then generates electricity.

The Stirling engine is unique among engines in that all it needs to run is a hot and cold source. In this case the hot source is the sun’s heat and the cold source is the ambient air. The concentrated heat energy of the sun hitting the receiver can be as much as 800 degrees Celsius! The higher the temperature, the more efficient a Stirling engine will be, which is why a parabolic dish is much more effective than a solar collector as a source of heat. It generates more power per unit area of sun exposure. In the SunCatcher, the efficiency is around 30%, which means that 30% of the energy that reaches the parabolic dish is converted into electricity. This is the highest efficiency of any device that converts solar energy to electricity. It is comparable to coal generating stations which can operate with an efficiency of 35-40%. Each SunCatcher can generate an average of 25 kW of power. That is enough power for a dozen homes.

The SunCatcher is ideal for scalability in that it is modular, meaning that to get more power you simply add more units. This type of scalability is not as easy to implement for a power tower.

Areas such as the southwestern United States are ideal for solar thermal energy. Any areas that have ample sun and little cloud cover year round, are suitable. The outdoor temperature does not have to be hot year round. As long as the sun is shining the receiver can reach a high temperature. In fact, the efficiency record for a SunCatcher was set on a cold and sunny winter day. This is because the cold “source” temperature, which is the ambient air, is colder than in summer months. And since the efficiency of a Stirling engine increases with increasing temperature difference between the hot and cold source, it resulted in a higher than normal power output.

The disadvantage of a SunCatcher power plant is that it can only output power during the day. There is no overnight storage capacity as is the case with a power tower. However, it is still valuable as it can help reduce grid load by offsetting some of the peak power use which is generally during the day.

Currently, these SunCatcher units are very expensive, around $250,000 per unit. However, this is the cost of making prototypes. Economics of scale can greatly reduce the cost, since these are essentially mechanical devices which can be manufactured at high volume, the same way as automobiles. And indeed, they are not as technologically complex as many of the cars produced today.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines have little environmental impact and in high volume can greatly contribute to grid quality electricity. For large installations (on the order of MW), the rated power output is 1 Watt per 1-3 dollars of installation cost. Compare this to large installations of photovoltaics that have a rated power output of 1 Watt per 4-7 dollars of installation cost. Wind is (currently) a better return.

Wind turbines are one of the largest sources of renewable energy production in the world. In Germany they supply nearly ten times as much energy as photovoltaics. The same can be said of the European union, which leads the way in renewable energy development.

As said before, it’s easier to produce wind turbines in large volume than photovoltaics, since they are basically mechanical devices. This no doubt contributes to their much larger numbers.

Wind turbines work best on a large scale in large open areas, where one can install towers tall enough to capture the full brunt of the wind energy available. Coastal areas and areas near large bodies of water are often best suited for wind power.

Wind turbines can be very large, up to 200 meters tall, with 125 meter blade diameter, providing up to 6 MW capacity. One such turbine can power thousands of homes.

To have the best chance of producing steady output power, it is necessary to install wind turbines in numerous locations, spread out across large regions. This way, even if one area has insufficient wind speed, statistically speaking there is enough wind blowing in different areas such that the wind turbines will produce steady output on average. Wind speed varies much more with respect to local regions than does other sources of energy such as solar, so multiple installations covering a large area is essential.

Geothermal Power

This is heat energy that is captured from underground, which is escaping from the earth’s core and venting close enough to the earth’s surface to be accessible. Certain areas of the world are rich in geothermal energy, such as Iceland. This energy can be used to heat water and create steam to power turbines that generate electricity. It can also be utilized to heat homes.

The technology is progressing so that areas that were previously considered “too deep” to access geothermal energy can now be drilled and tapped. This will contribute to the number of areas that can be harvested for geothermal power.

Wave and Tidal Power

Wave power is generated by using the “up and down” motion of waves to drive a generator using an actuator such as a hydraulic ram.

Tidal power is generated by placing turbines underwater that rotate due to the bulk motion of the water. This is similar to how wind turbines rotate in the presence of wind.

Biomass

This entails the burning of plant matter for energy. It is carbon-neutral because during the life of a plant, it captures carbon dioxide from the air, using photosynthesis. This carbon is stored in the plant tissue. When the plant is burned it releases its stored energy as heat and the carbon dioxide returns to the atmosphere. So there is no net gain or loss of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Therefore it is carbon-neutral. Sources of biomass can be wood or plant husks. Ethanol derived from sugarcane is another example.

Hydro Electric Power

Many are familiar with this mode of power generation. It is the kind of power that uses the gravitational potential of falling water to rotate large turbines. Niagara Falls is an example, along with the Three Gorges Dam in China, which will produce 22 GW of power when completed. That is enough power to supply almost the entire province of Ontario.

Hydro-power is an excellent source of power when used from natural sources. It can become an environmental problem when large stretches of land are deliberately flooded to achieve it. Notwithstanding, it remains one of the largest sources of renewable energy.

Looking at all these options, it becomes clear that the solution is not a single one, but all of them put together. Different areas of the planet would lend themselves to different renewables. Some areas would be best suited to solar energy. Others may be better suited to wind power. While others may be best suited for geothermal or even tidal power. Combinations are certainly possible if the natural conditions favor it.

It’s also clear that mechanical means of extracting energy from nature will form the bulk of clean, non-polluting, energy sources. It is a fact that the motion of wind and water lends itself more easily to power generation in more areas of the world than does solar. And it’s fairly easy to scale up these sources. You just “add” more units.

The job of government and industry is to push for large scale installations where they are feasible, as they will supply the bulk of the electricity needed by society. Economics is not the only hurdle here. There has to be a willingness to invest in something which cannot have a price tag on it. Maintaining a habitable planet should be a priority no matter what.

The role of the home and business owner is to participate in the effort to use less energy, and conserve more. This could be by driving less, using public transit more, installing more energy efficient appliances even if it costs more, and being more cognizant of where energy use in general can be reduced. Doing this and making this part of a way of life need not be perceived as a sacrifice, but a responsible way of living harmoniously with our surroundings.

http://newenergydirection.com/blog/

Author: Vittorio Norman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News

As traditional energy resources (read: fossil-based fuels) are being depleted, more and more countries are turning to renewable energy. As the definition implies, renewable energy sources are not depletable. Instead, they can be replenished as they are being used. This makes renewable energy a very appealing alternative to our overdependence on other natural resources such as fossil fuels, which are not only pollutants but are not replenishable. Renewable energy comes in many different forms. Below is a review of the most popular forms that are receiving attention in the emerging green marketplace.

Solar power is perhaps the most well-known renewable resource. In fact, its popularity is growing with consumers who are beginning to install solar panels to help power their homes with natural sunlight. Solar power works on collecting sunlight, which is converted into energy and becomes a power source for machines and equipment. Solar panels are currently being tested on vehicles to generate power without using fuel.

Biomass energy is created from organic material obtained from plant and animal matter and their byproducts. It is a renewable energy source based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources (e.g., coal and petroleum) that are based on fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide (a pollutant). There are many different sources of biomass energy, including wood, crops, manure and certain types of garbage. From these sources, methane gas and ethanol are created to make alternative sources of fuel. This may be a boon to car manufactures in their efforts to create cars that are more environmentally sound and energy-efficient. Namely, cars that can run on ethanol and biodiesel instead of gasoline.

Hydropower uses water to create energy. Some regions of the country (like the Northwest) use hydropower energy plants to power entire communities. However, there are problems associated with hydropower plants that strict environmentalists are quick to point out. They argue that hydropower plants threaten to disturb and/or adversely affect natural habitats that involve water. Instead of allowing water to flow freely, water is being redirected and controlled in a way that alters the natural order of ecosystems.

Geothermal energy uses heat from the earth stored below its surface. Volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers are natural sources of geothermal energy. With this source geothermal power plants are built near geothermal resources, usually located within one or two miles of the site.

Wind power is another commonly used renewable resource, which converts wind into electricity. Remember the good old windmills seen in the Dutch countryside? Yesterdays windmills have turned into modern wind turbines. Many countries throughout the world, including the United States, are taking advantage of this source of energy for an obvious reason: It is readily available, particularly in areas now described as wind corridors, such as Texas and parts of the Midwest.

While renewable energy has many benefits as it relates to the environment, it does have some drawbacks that are worth noting. One of the main problems is that it is difficult to generate the same amount of energy that can be generated from traditional sources (fossil fuels). Also, some of the methods described above cannot be used everywhere because many renewable resources cannot be transported, and even those that can come with a high transportation price tag. This means that a specific method has to physically be constructed around a specific renewable resource. This can compound problems for the construction of power plants. Expensive transmission infrastructure and permitting processes would also be required to get power from the area generated to consumer locations.

Scientists are currently working on ways to get the most out of using renewable resources and are creating better and more methods to make renewable resources more widespread and easier to use. In the end, if renewable energy resources are to replace traditional sources of energy, they will have to seen as having all of the benefits of traditional methods. Although recent developments have shown that scientists are well on their way to making renewable energy more readily available, we are not quite there.

Current congressional leadership favors a greener world by way of issuing carbon taxes and stricter regulations, many of which are untested and fraught with political pork issues. This situation will definitely create winners and losers, which points to the urgency for businesses and consumers alike to begin planning for the inevitability of a greener world, with all of its associated pros and cons and unintended consequences.

Bottom line? – Apply this information to improve your profitability, reengineer business models, and strengthen or gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. And apply the free Fiscal Test at http://fiscaldoctor.com/fiscaltest.html

From Gary W Patterson, http://www.FiscalDoctor.com – Copyright 2008

Author: Gary W Patterson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Times

The definition of renewable energy is dependent on the term renewable. An energy source that naturally replenishes is considered renewable. Unlike fossil fuels which take millions of years to form, wind, rain, water and sunlight are self contained and naturally replenishing, thus renewable.

Many people think solar energy, the most popular form of renewable energy, is a new concept. The truth is solar panels were used as far back as the 1920s to heat water in lieu of more expensive electrical heating systems.

Renewable Energy Past to Present

When fossil fuels were unearthed, much of the previous solar energy use was abandoned for the cheaper, more reliable fossil fuels. As these fuels began to have an impact on the environment and their levels diminished, a resurgence of the renewable energy sources occurred.

Today, wind farms, solar electrical plants and solar thermal plants are used to power entire towns and cities.

Alternative energy communities are also popping up throughout the world with Canada being the first country to boast of an entire community based on solar energy. Technology is constantly changing and the future definition of renewable energy is also changing.

The Future of Renewable Energy

Everything that moves creates energy. This fact applies to wind, water and sunlight which are the most commonly used renewable energy sources. However, the movement of man is also being viewed as a source of renewable energy.

Speed bumps that harvest kinetic energy are one concept currently being tested by New Energy Technologies. The “bumps” are actually an inversion of the typical motion inhibitors. These flat panels sink slightly into the ground when a car passes over. The bump is created by the difference in height between the road and the lowered panel.

Under the panel, 2000 watts of instant energy is created for every passing car. With 1000 cars passing over the speed bump every day, 2,000,000 watts or 2000 kilowatts are produced every day.

Over the course of a month, that number jumps to 60,000 kilowatts. That is enough electricity to power 60 average homes for an entire month!

This type of kinetic energy harvesting is not limited to speed bumps. In Israel, roadways are being tested that collect small amounts of energy as cars pass over the special roadway surface.

The amount of energy is small, at an average of 400 kilowatts per kilometer (0.6 miles). While this does not seem like a lot of energy, if the entire United States interstate system were converted to kinetic energy harvesting material, the 75,000 km would produce 30,000,000 kilowatts of power. That is one very new and innovative definition of renewable energy!

The world is just beginning to see the potential kinetic energy has as a renewable source of electricity. Tokyo is installing flooring that harvests energy from daily subway visitors. Dance clubs are utilizing the energy created from movement on the floor to harvest energy.

Even asphalt is being considered as a prime material for harvesting thermal energy in desert climates where roadways can reach temperatures hot enough to fry an egg.

There are an abundant supply of new and innovative renewable energy solutions available to help us to transition our world to more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Even today there are many new technologies that can help us to heat our homes, recharge our batteries and light our yards using clean, green energy sources.

M.S. Rochell is the editor of http://www.Go-Green-Solar-Energy.com which offers education and inspiration on the benefits of going green with solar energy, DIY solar power, and affordable solar energy solutions. Visit for more on the definition of renewable energy, and to receive our free Affordable Solar eBooks.

Author: M.S. Rochell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Green energy is the way to go in today’s world. It is a method in which natural energy such as wind, solar, water and geothermal are used instead of other non-renewable sources of energy to heat or cool a house and run the everyday activities. Green energy is better for the earth and for the user.

Today it is a relatively simple process to start to convert to green energy. Solar Energy is becoming more and more prevalent in this day and age. Home solar systems are easier to install, they no longer take up as much space as they did before, and they are easy to maintain. Solar energy can be used to produce electricity and heat and store water for home use. Solar panels are readily available all over the world and they are easily installed by a solar professional. There are also opportunities to build your own panels and heated water systems that can be cheap for the homeowner.

Passive solar heating is very simple. If your house faces the south you can install efficient windows that will let the sunlight in during the day. Placing brick or stone on the south side of the house will soak up that heat and retain it until it is needed later when the sun goes down.

Wind power can be utilized by a regular homeowner as well. Windmill kits can be purchased and installed by professionals or by a crafty homeowner. The windmill produces electricity that does not pollute the atmosphere. Windmills can be attached to the roof of a house or be free standing in the yard. If you are in an area that receives a breeze on a constant basis, this is the green energy source for you.

Water power is another option for those that have a running stream on their property. It is a little more complex than solar and wind power but it can be done. The stream should almost constantly be moving in order to use hydroelectric power and this does involve a turbine so the regular homeowner rarely uses this type of green energy.

A great option is to use more than one renewable energy system to get the most use from it. Homeowners that use renewable sources for their energy find they save a great deal of money on heating and cooling and they also make profit from it. In most states in the United States the local energy department purchase any extra energy made by your green energy systems.

Maintenance is very simple on renewable energy systems. Solar power systems do not usually need to be maintained much at all and wind and hydro systems need to be oiled once in a while. It probably requires less maintenance than an electric or gas system.

If you can not go green with a green energy system there are other things you can do to help the environment. Replace all regular light bulbs with long lasting ones. Start using cloth towels and washable plates instead of filling landfills with paper ones. When possible purchase a hybrid car that does not need gasoline to run all the time and does not give off harmful emissions. Make sure your windows and doors fit well and if not make sure to add caulking so that no heat or cooling will escape. Make sure the freezer is full when running it even if you fill it with jugs of water. Do what you can to make sure the earth will be around for our children and our children’s children.

Help to save the world for future generations by using green energy sources. By putting more alternative energy sources to work instead of non-renewable sources, we can create a sustainable future.

Author: Adriana N.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty

Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day with events that promote environmental health and sustainability. And since it was first observed in 1970, Earth Day has grown from a once-a-year holiday into an international movement that strives to ensure a healthy environment for our children and generations beyond.

Moving Toward Renewable Energy (Green Energy) Sources

One of the most effective ways of improving and maintaining the health of our planet is decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels and increasing our use of renewable energy (green energy) sources that, unlike fossil fuels, are inexhaustible. The most compelling reasons for moving toward renewable energy sources, says John Duffy, a professor and graduate coordinator of the Solar Engineering Program at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, are twofold:

Renewable energy (green energy) sources are generally cleaner than burning fossil fuels, thus reducing the emission of greenhouse gases that cause the serious global warming.

Supplies of fossil fuels are running out. No one can say with certainty when the world’s oil production will peak, that is, when production will no longer meet or exceed demand, but many forecasters believe it will absolutely happen within the next few decades. Increasing our reliance on renewable energy (green energy) can be the key to avoiding devastating economic and social upheaval when that peaking occurs.

But what Are Renewable Energy Sources?

Of the numerous energy sources that are considered renewable, some of the most widely used at this time include the following:

Solar: Solar energy, or solar power, which is provided by the sun, can be passive, such as maximizing south-facing windows to heat rooms, or photovoltaic (pv), using special equipment to collect the sun’s energy and transform it into electricity. Photovoltaic (pv) energy is still relatively expensive, says Duffy, but it can be cost effective in remote areas off the main electric grid. Photovoltaic energy has been gaining popularity throughout the world in recent decades, with strong demand in Japan and much of Europe. Among the most efficient uses for photovoltaic solar power, says Duffy, is heating water. “In most places in the United States where people heat their water with electricity,” Duffy notes, “they could actually save money over a reasonable number of years with solar systems.”

Wind: Harnessing the power of wind to produce electricity is perhaps the fastest growing renewable energy source in the world. Wind power is clean. Wind energy is been used for centuries in many parts of the world, and in areas where high winds are prevalent, says Duffy, wind power can actually cost less than electricity produced by burning fossil fuels.

Geothermal: Geothermal energy comes from heat deep in the earth’s crust which rises toward the surface producing hot water and steam. In areas where good geothermal resources exist, including many parts of the western United States, the heated groundwater can be used directly to heat homes and other buildings, or it can be used in power plants to produce electricity.

Biomass: Biomass, or bioenergy, refers to solar energy that has been stored in organic materials such as plant matter and animal waste. Biomass (bioenergy) is considered renewable because it develops more quickly than fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form. Electricity, heat, steam, and some fuels can be produced from biomass sources.

The Future of Renewable Energy (green energy)
A great deal of effort is being devoted worldwide to developing new and/or improved sources of renewable energy. For instance:

Cheaper Photovoltaic (PV) Cells: The late Sukant K. Tripathy, a chemistry professor and colleague of Duffy’s at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, helped found a company whose goal is to produce inexpensive photovoltaic cells using plastic rather than silicone. Produced in rolls, Duffy explains, the photovoltaic cells would be easy to install and could be used in a variety of forms. “You could even make clothes out of the things,” he says, “so you would produce electricity from your cap or your shirt.”

Fuel Cells: Fuel cells generate electricity using a combination of oxygen (air) and fuel (most commonly hydrogen). This technology is very clean, producing only water and heat (in addition to electricity) as byproducts. At this point, fuel cells technology is relatively expensive, but a great deal of research is underway to make fuel cells technology more efficient and affordable. Fuel cells are promising as an environmentally clean method of powering vehicles, and they can also be adapted to power cell phones and other small electronics.

Reconsidering Conservation

With all this talk about renewable energy (green energy), it’s easy to overlook the impact each of us can have simply by using energy more efficiently. While the word “conservation” often invokes images of the 1970s when we were told to turn down the heat and put on a sweater (still not a bad idea!), energy efficiency is an idea that deserves more attention.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Incandescent lights, for example, produce more heat than light, making them extremely inefficient (and expensive!) light sources. A comparison by the Consumer Energy Center, using data from the U.S. Department of Energy, shows that using a $0.75 incandescent bulb for four hours a day over a three-year period will cost the consumer approximately $39.54, including electric bills and about six replacement bulbs. The same lighting from an $11.00 compact fluorescent bulb will cost $19.06 over the same time period, and you won’t have to change it for over six years!

Simple Lifestyle Changes: Using human energy, for example, walking and bicycling rather than driving, is healthy for people and our planet. Rather than driving to the gym and spending thirty minutes on the Stairmaster twice a week, why not shun the elevator for the stairs at work? And other simple changes such as turning off lights when you leave a room, keeping doors closed during cold weather, and making sure windows are sealed effectively can go a long way toward reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

A Healthy Future for Our Kids

It’s never too early to introduce children to simple conservation habits and renewable energy (green energy) use. If our kids get familiar with renewable energy, says Duffy, they’ll be more likely to use it as adults. Besides, scientists and engineers must continue to develop increasingly effective sources of renewable energy (green energy), and most of the world’s future energy innovators are the children of today.

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Author: Jerry Ke
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you are very confused whether or not you are able to set up an electrical generator in your home, then you will discover this article absolutely advantageous. Here we have outlined quite a few advantages that you can derive from these magnificent magnetic motor devices.

Quite a few benefits of the free energy machine.

Not dependent on any weather environment

Not like the other renewable energy power making designs, like wind turbines and solar collective cells, the electrical generator is not reliant on any natural climate occurrence. A electromagnetic motor is able to continue to create power for your residence under every weather conditions.

Requires less room

The free energy machine system is rather simple to install plus needs just a small space for the instruments installation. Accordingly, the free energy magnet device will be able to be easily constructed even in a small space in your home.

Cost of upkeep is less

An additional beneficial feature about these free energy motor machines is that they require very minimal upkeep expenditure. When the magnet energy instrument is built in your residence the machine is able to continue to operate without having any troubles. Hence, the free energy motor machine removes you from the task of having to inspect the instrument on a regular basis.

Harmless to use

The free energy magnet instruments are totally eco-friendly mechanisms for producing electricity for your residence. They perform in the most harmless and clean manner and do not emit any unsafe gases which may pollute the atmosphere. Consequently, the magnetic motor system is harmless to be used in your house for meeting your daily electricity needs.

Uncomplicated to utilize

The electrical generator is also extremely easy to run. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to grasp its function. Any layman can absolutely simply use the magnetic motor device without any difficulty.

Straightforward to put together

A further benefit of the electrical generator is that the apparatus is straightforward to build. You are able to straightforwardly put together a generator in your residence and do not necessarily have to purchase one already assembled. The parts essential for the machine’s assembly are available in any hardware shop and the entire free energy magnet system will be able to be made in a matter of just a couple hours. After construction and installation, you will be able to continue to profit from furnishing free electric for your house.

Decrease your monthly electricity bill

One of the most significant advantages that you are able to acquire from this free energy device is that it can assist you in generating an enormous amount of power for your household needs, as a result decreasing and maybe even eliminating your monthly power expense.

By means of free energy machines you are able to produce adequate free power of your own and will no longer have to rely on the electricity company for your every day power needs. Therefore your electric bill should drastically lessen and you will be in an arrangement to save lots of your own hard earned money.

For numerous people who normally end up incurring high monthly electricity bills, an electrical generator is really a welcome benefit for them.

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Pellet corn stoves over the recent years have become more unpopular as a house heating source. This is owing to the growing costs of corn pellets which have increased significantly since the enlarge in oil prices as well as general food manufacture costs. Therefore purchasing a pellet stove that can only burn one type of energy is not a sound investment. There are many multi fuel wood pellet stoves on the market today burning pellet fuels such as biomass, straw in addition to straw. As these wood fuels are all carbon neutral fuels you may find that you are entitled to help towards pellet stove installations costs owing to government grants and tax breaks as governments are trying to promote the use of carbon neutral fuels. You will also find that by means of using multi fuel biomass pellets as a residence heating energy it is not only a way towards a greener way of living but is also is a lot cheaper than using conventional residence heating fuels such along with oil and gas.

Learn more about Wood Pellet Stove

As I have stated above there are many diverse types of biomass energy plus they all have a mixture of advantages along with disadvantages. For case in point premium wood pellet fuel is a very clean combustion pellet fuel which when burnt produces very little smoke, ash, clinker along with slag formations however premium wood pellets are a lot more expensive than supplementary pellet fuels such as basic biomass, grass in addition to straw pellets. The only disadvantage to burning these fuel pellets is that they do tend to produce more ash, clinker along with slag formations, though if you buy a pellet stove that is designed to burn multi fuel pellets then this supplementary ash clinker in addition to slag won’t cause you any problems, you will just have to empty the ash bin a bit more frequently. If yet you try as well as burn multi fuel pellets in a pellet stove that is only designed to burn premium wood pellets then you will run into problems in addition to the excess waste materials can cause problems by means of the mechanics of the pellet stove in addition to in some cases can cause major breakdowns which will result in one very large repair bill.

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Choosing the best type of pellet stove for your heating requirements is very important along with there are many diverse types of pellet stoves to choose from. You will have to take into consideration what pellet fuel you are going to use. Clean burning but more expensive premium biomass pellets or cheap multi energy wood pellets. As I have said before its top practice not to purchase a pellet stove that is solely reliable on a single energy source like corn pellets or premium wood pellets There are many diverse types of multi fuel pellet stoves on the market today, ranging in heat outputs from 10,000 BTU up to 70,000. So you’ll necessitate to work out what the maximum heat output is you’ll call for to warmth a exact space. You’ll also require to decide if you want to go for a traditional looking pellet stove that resembles a traditional biomass incineration stove or do you want a more modern looking stove. If you require any help decided which are the best types of pellets stoves to obtain by way of answering these questions as well as many more then we have developed the pellet stove as well as boiler guide to help you.

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