A Quick Look at Alternative Energy Sources

In the United States and most parts of the world,power generation. As new, more efficient systems
fossil fuels have shouldered much of the burden forcome online, and more energy is produced by
providing energy. Increased demands due toexisting systems, then additional hydroelectric power
population growth and expanding industries requirewill be available.
more and more energy. Also, since most countries doSolar Power - This natural energy source has been
not produce enough oil and gas for their own needsproviding warmth for humans throughout the ages.
they are dependent on other countries for much ofThe problem has always been in developing ways to
their supply. In recent years this has resulted in wildcollect and harness this energy so that it can be used
price fluctuations, which have had a dramatic impactefficiently long after the sun has gone down. Solar
on our everyday lives. There are many alternativesPV panels are used to collect sunlight and turn it into
to fossil fuels -- not all are practical, but here areusable electricity. Unfortunately, today's typical solar
some alternative energy sources that have beenpanels are only able to convert a little over 15% of
proven to be valuable in the past, and still have quitethe sunlight energy into electrical power. Good
a bit of future potential.progress continues to be made, though, making this
Nuclear Power - In the United States there are overone of the most promising forms of alternative
100 nuclear reactors, which currently generate aroundenergy available today.
20 percent of our energy needs. Nuclear powerWind Power - Some areas are better suited for
produces over 75 percent of France's energy, andgenerating wind power than others since wind
large amounts for many other nations. There havespeeds vary greatly all over the world. Wind power is
not been any nuclear power plants built in the Unitedgenerated by wind turbines or windmills. These
States since the 1970's, but in 2007 a company inwindmills can range in size from small residential units
New Jersey filed a license to build a new plant, andthat provide some or all of a home's energy, to large
other companies have also applied for licenses.commercial wind turbines distributed in wind farms to
Because of past issues associated with nuclearpower entire communities. In the United States,
waste, nuclear energy often has a stigma attachedCalifornia and Texas currently generate the most
to it, but we have come a long way in our ability towind energy, but there is still much untapped
safety store waste temporarily and then reprocesspotential not only in these states, but all across the
the waste for additional energy or medical isotopes.country.
Hydroelectric Power - This type of power is widelyEach of us has heard the phrase "don't put all your
used in many parts of the United States. Electricity iseggs in one basket" probably many times over the
generated by dams when high water pressure flowsyears. Even so, we have relied on fossil fuels for
through turbines and causes them to spin. Grandmost of our nation's energy needs for far too long.
Coulee Dam, located in Washington State, is theFossil fuels are important, but alternative energy
nation's largest hydroelectric facility. and is one of thesources must be developed so that our country can
major reasons why Washington State generateshave a more diversified approach to our energy
approximately 30% of all the hydroelectric power inproduction. The energy sources mentioned in this
the country. There is still plenty of potential forshort article are just a few of the many alternatives
increased hydroelectric power, especially since only ato fossil fuels.
small portion of the dams that exist were built for