Go Greener Tips

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
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My parents only recycle paper because if they tried to recycle both paper and plastic/glass/aluminum, the one recycling bin they have would overflow. They said if I got them another recycling bin, they would recycle everything, but I don’t know where to get it. Can somebody help?

What do you think about hybrid cars? Would you buy one? Do you think they’re a genius creation or a waste of money?

Today with the onset of climate warming, pollution in the air and the ever growing mounds of garbage more and more people around the world are thinking green. Part of this mentality is concerned with the three “R”s Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. The general public just cannot accomplish this by themselves; they must enlist the help of the manufacturers of the products they use. These products are commonly referred to as green gadgets.

What is meant by this is that the manufactures have to take into consideration the environment when building and packaging their products whether be common gadgets or electronic products. In developing these eco friendlier products, manufactures have to keep the following characteristics in mind.

• The product itself should consist of little or no toxic materials.
• The manufacturers should adopt policies and processes that are environmentally friendly by using efficient manufacturing processes and reducing the number of materials used in the product.
• The components of the product should consist of recycled materials such a recycled plastic bottles and arsenic free glass.
• Their processes should be efficient as possible while drawing very little power.
• The products they produce should have the ability to use rechargeable battery packs rather than disposable ones.
• Rechargeable products can be recharged from power sources such as gadgets that generate power from the sun, the wind or simply by cranking or winding.
• The green gadgets themselves must be useful in performing jobs that help reduce energy in your everyday life such as helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions into the atmosphere.
• Packaging is also very important, the materials used in the packaging of any produced should consist of 100% recycled materials.
• All products should also have the ability to be recycled easily through trade in programs offered by the manufacturer.

If you would like to do your part to help save the planet, then you may want to check out http://www.greenenergytechnology.info to find out how you can save on electricity.

Author: Gordon Capstone
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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.

join the community of green energy here: http://www.inverter-china.com/blog

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Author: Jerry Ke
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Not long ago, CBS’ “60 Minutes” program broadcast a story on e-waste and global dumping. The reporters followed a trail of electronic recycling items from a Denver-based company all the way to Hong Kong, China and caught the so-called “recycling” company red-handed engaging in global e-waste dumping.

With over 80% of recycled electronics and computers ending up as high-tech e-waste in developing countries such as China, India, and Africa, we need to step up as responsible citizens of the world and choose computer and electronics recycling companies very carefully. We must support only those electronics recycling companies that are running both a socially and an environmentally sound operation, end-to-end. To understand how global dumping occurs, it helps to first understand the business model for electronic recycling.

To sustain as a business, electronic recyclers must generate enough revenues from all its recycling and reuse services and the reclamation of precious metals and other recycling materials, minus operating costs and the cost of de-manufacturing those items that yield no value (yet harm the environment).

The difference between an environmentally responsible computer and electronics recycling company and an irresponsible one can be broken down as follows: a) the way they generate reuse revenues; b) how they reclaim precious metals and recycling materials; c) how they manage the de-manufacturing process of low-value, toxic elements.

Consider the precious metal reclamation process for a moment. A responsible company would need to invest in having a safe working environment with proper protective gear for it workers and proper waste treatment procedures to prevent environmental contamination. In addition, a responsible electronics recycling company will operate using specialized de-manufacturing equipment that protects the workers from the harmful materials or dust that escapes during the de-manufacturing process.

An irresponsible recycling company avoids any investment in the de-manufacturing area. In fact, irresponsible recycling companies never lay eyes on the workers who eventually break apart the leftover electronic parts. As seen in the “60 Minutes” program, those workers are typically low-paid laborers from remote villages, who use bare hands and primitive tools such as chisels and hammers to pry the precious materials from the discarded items. The final discarded parts are then dumped anywhere – in rivers or streams or burned in a swamp – causing major public health issues.

The most hazardous materials found in e-waste are not the reclaimed precious metals, but the low-value, toxic materials such as Mercury found in switches and flat screens and the brominated flame retardants used on printed circuit boards, cables and plastic casings. These are the materials that require major investment in the de-manufacturing process. In summary, the cost to operate a safe operating de-manufacturing facility makes responsible electronic recycling much more difficult than the much used alternate: global dumping.

Yielding to the higher reclaim prices offered by the irresponsible global dumpers, many so-called recycling collectors send their materials to irresponsible recyclers, who in turn “sell” the recycling cargo to exporters. A few handshakes later and the e-waste cargo arrives at the ports of the global village’s poorest countries. Since the U.S. prohibits dumping of electronic waste in other countries, most of the e-waste cargo is shipped under the label “Used Equipment,” whereas in fact most of the recycled electronic waste is either too old or too out-of-order to have any reuse value.

In order to identify a responsible recycling company, one must first be able to pinpoint the telltale signs that a recycling company engages in global dumping.

Irresponsible recycling companies:

1. Avoid educating the public about the e-waste crisis either on their company Web site or in their company marketing collateral. Irresponsible electronics recyclers make it look very easy so that the consumer won’t ask any questions.
2. Omit details about how they track and manage the recycling process to avoid global dumping. Again, the less the consumer knows, the easier it is for an irresponsible electronics recycler to engage in some form of global dumping
3. Host greenwash events with reputable nonprofits that don’t understand the proper recycling process. By making the electronics recycling process sound easy and by hiding under the guise of fundraising for schools, chambers of commerce, police association leagues and other nonprofits, these electronics recyclers further disarm the general public about “donating” their unwanted electronics at “fundraising” events.
   Electronics recyclers participating at a greenwash fundraiser do not charge any recycling fees, yet generate enough funds to donate to the nonprofit and can still pay the high costs of de-manufacturing toxic elements. This business model doesn’t exist because it is simply too good to be true. It’s also an abuse of the goodwill of the nonprofits involved.

   The truth is, these fundraising “recyclers” collect items that can be reclaimed for cash and then dump the rest on developing countries. They incur minimal handling costs by selling them as “exports.” That is how 80% of computer and electronics recycling materials in the U.S. end up as e-waste in developing countries.

4. Fail to provide either a permanent address for their electronics recycling facility or a proper permit to operate as a recycler. Many use a P.O. Box or just a phone number that they publish during neighborhood pick-up campaigns. When you call, it always goes directly to an answering machine. There is no one available to tell you more about their services.

Now that you know how to identify an irresponsible electronic recycling company, let’s review what a responsible electronics recycling company looks like.

1. Look for an electronics recycler who states a corporate commitment to addressing the global e-waste crisis.
2. Use computer and electronics recycling companies that actively educate the public about the e-waste crisis and the socially responsible way to recycle and de-manufacture.
3. Make sure your electronics recycling company can demonstrate its thorough process in evaluating reuse items, items for de-manufacturing and also its monitoring system to keep track of the entire de-manufacturing process.
4. Support electronics recyclers who use only U.S.-based de-manufacturing facilities that have the proper permits, de-manufacturing machines and processes and safety and health monitoring system for their workers.
5. Use computer and electronics recyclers that generate enough revenues from services to be able to allocate the proper budget toward responsible processing of toxic materials.
6. Choose an electronics recycler that is well respected by environmentalists who have been focused on the e-waste crisis. These environmentalists have seen firsthand how dumping occurs and are very knowledgeable about how to identify responsible recyclers.

GreenCitizen, Inc., is a socially responsible recycling company addressing the global e-waste crisis. GreenCitizen currently has three recycling centers located in the San Francisco Bay Area, one in San Francisco at 591 Howard Street (at 2nd Street;) one in Burlingame at 801 Mahler Road, Suite I (just north of the Hyatt) and one in downtown Palo Alto at 161 Homer Ave (next door to Peet’s Coffee and Whole Foods Market). Find out more about electronics recycling and how to help stop global dumping at http://www.greencitizen.com/ now! Join http://www.greencitizen.com/Community/home.php an eco-conscious community and plant some green wisdom of your own with like-minded citizens.

Author: James W Kao
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.

Read more about Jamestown Pellet Stove

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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