| eed for alternative energy sources is nothing new | | | | These are very good reasons for evaluating |
| but in this present time, the need is urgent on a | | | | alternative energy sources NOW. |
| global level. People and governments are reeling from | | | | To get started, assess which alternative source of |
| the impact of the startling rise in energy costs and | | | | energy is best for your needs – solar, |
| alarmed at the many dangers posed by | | | | geothermal or wind energy options. |
| environmental problems. | | | | Popular Forms of Alternative Energy Sources |
| Across history, we have seen change in the kinds of | | | | Solar energy is a favorite renewable energy |
| energies used. As early as the 1200s, people | | | | alternative for domestic energy. This option uses |
| swapped wood for coal as deforestation occurred | | | | photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight into |
| locally. 300 years later, societies then depended on | | | | electrical energy. Solar panels alone produce hot |
| petroleum after depleting the supply of whale oil used | | | | water and steam. Combined, these technologies |
| to fuel lamps. In the early 1900s, corn-based ethanol | | | | provide optimum energy to power homes. Solar |
| oil supplied the demand for energy. | | | | energy has very low levels of carbon dioxide |
| When the world started to run on wheels and | | | | emissions compared to gasoline emissions of the |
| navigate the skies and seas, the need for fuel | | | | same chemical compound that is partly to blame for |
| increased, eventually drying up local oil wells. As a | | | | climate change. |
| result, the US turned to importing oil to keep | | | | For geothermal energy, the earth’s heat is |
| transportation, industry, and domestic needs moving, | | | | tapped to supply energy needs. To trap this energy, |
| eventually relying so heavily on foreign oil that 58% | | | | holes are drilled deep to the level where a potential |
| of its supply is now imported. | | | | geothermal heat spot is present. The escaping steam |
| According to the latest statistics from the US | | | | is directed into a turbine linked to a running generator, |
| government, global energy consumption is still | | | | which converts steam to electricity. This is the |
| increasing and by 2030, it's expected that the world | | | | preferred method for large industry and utility |
| will require 700 quadrillion BTU in order to keep | | | | companies. |
| running. | | | | The homeowner, however, need not dig so far to |
| Switch or Stay? | | | | enjoy the benefits of geothermal energy. The |
| Besides the depletion of our natural energy | | | | geothermal heat pump uses the stable ground |
| resources, across the globe, people are also feeling | | | | temperature a few hundred feet under the ground |
| the effects of the increasing cost of electricity and | | | | to provide you with heat and air conditioning. It can |
| the rising cost of living expenses. On the home front, | | | | also provide you with hot water. |
| this poses a dilemma, as family needs are a priority, | | | | Wind energy is converted to electricity with the use |
| and electricity certainly qualifies as a basic need. | | | | of wind turbines. Wind power produces a minimal 1.5 |
| So what are the alternatives to providing the basics, | | | | per cent of the world’s electricity. Currently, |
| yet still offer affordability? | | | | this is a popular alternative energy source in |
| As a result, many people are seeing "green". The | | | | Denmark, Germany, Spain and Portugal. |
| green movement is tapping alternative energy | | | | Choosing Your Alternative Energy Source |
| sources instead of relying too much on utility | | | | Keep in mind that it is not cheap to install solar panels |
| companies for energy needs. Alternative sources of | | | | or invest in geothermal or wind energy – it will |
| energy provide renewable sources for your electricity | | | | depend too on the volume of electricity you need to |
| needs at the fraction of the cost of utility-supplied | | | | power your home – but the rewards later on |
| energy. | | | | will last a lifetime. You may also be eligible for a |
| The switch to alternative sources of energy will take | | | | federal tax credit, if you're a US resident, but many |
| time to put into action across the country but as the | | | | governments around the world are offering |
| energy landscape changes, more homes and | | | | incentives to residents to convert to renewable |
| industries will be using alternative energy. likely | | | | energy sources. |
| triggering the decline of over-dependence on | | | | Talk to alternative energy merchants and ask them |
| imported oil. This will be good for economies | | | | to help you make the transition from utility supplied |
| dependent on expensive imported oil, like the United | | | | energy to alternative energy source today. |
| States. | | | | |