A Primer On Alternative Power

Thanks to the advent of alternative power, nonon-renewable energy to renewable energy are vast
longer must we rely on depleting the planet of itsand varied, and the list grows larger every day.
natural resources, burning fossil fuels that causeAmong them are:
pollution of the atmosphere, depletion of the ozoneÂ- it has a small to nil environmental impact
layer, can potentially be unstable (as in nuclearwith little to no harmful emissions, as a result
energy), and continues to increase in cost year aftersupporting and protecting our natural ecosystem for
year. The main sources of alternative power are thefuture generations to enjoy;
following:Â- supplementing utility power with renewable
Â- energy producing crops: synthetic biofuelspower allows you a precious and invaluable backup
and direct combustion;system in the case of emergencies such as power
Â- wind power and power from waves andoutages and shortages;
tides;Â- once a renewable energy system is
Â- hydroelectric (water) power;installed, the energy costs a consistent amount to
Â- solar power: heat and electricity;use year-round - as opposed to utilities that fluctuate
Â- heat power: from man-made and naturalin price throughout the year based on seasonal as
waste products and from the making of syntheticwell as socio-political factors;
bio-fuels;Â- it is "distributed" energy, or energy that is
By definition, an energy resource is renewable if it isused in the same location where it is produced - this
replaced at a rate equal to or faster than the rate atcuts down considerably on transportation and
which it is consumed. Renewable energy is thereforedistribution costs;
also considered sustainable energy, since it willÂ- many local and state governments as well
continue to be available in unending supply even asas the federal government offer incentives in the
it's being utilized. Renewable energy has also beenform of tax breaks for the production and use of
given the moniker alternative energy in reference torenewable energies;
the alternative it offers to conventional,Â- if you produce more power using
non-renewable sources.renewable resources than you need for your own
Renewable energy can be utilized in one of twopersonal use, you can actually sell that power back to
ways:the utility companies in a program called "net
Â- directly: as in water mills, windmills, solarmetering".
ovens, geothermal heating;To complete a truly well-rounded discussion on
Â- indirectly: using the renewable resources torenewable energy, there must be equal time given to
create other sources of power, either as fuelsits drawbacks as to its benefits. The most prevalent
(biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas) or by generatingconcerns about the long-term viability of renewable
electricity (wind turbines, solar panels).energies are that it is extremely dependent on
Before renewable energy replaces the conventionalnumerous climactic factors and that it is considered
sources of power that we're used to (ie. public utility"diluted" energy in that much more is needed to
grid power), it will take years of research andgenerate much less power. These so-called
development, continually studying, experimenting,drawbacks, however, are no reason not to continue
improving, and innovating. The study of renewablea fervent pursuit of incorporating renewable energy
energy, its applications and repercussions isusage into more and more parts of our everyday
concerned with environmental, economical, social, andlives. They are only to keep us present to the issues
political factors.we must address in order to make a widespread
The reasons for switching from conventional,switch to renewable energies a viable reality.