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Alternative Energy Source
http://tinyurl.com/6qtdprm
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The big question today is whether to replace and reduce our reliance hydrocarbon fuels such as
coal and petroleum fuels. Alternative energy is perhaps one of the most discussed and talked
about resource in today's society as a possible replacement to hydrocarbons. It is has been
estimated that all our natural resources will have been completely depleted within 150 years and
as such we need to be in continuous search for viable sources of alternative energy.
The most common types of alternative energy currently in use are wind power, hydro power and
solar power. The alternative energy sources are harnessed from natural phenomena abundant on
the planet, and as such they are in essence free. It is these sources of alternative energy that are
frequently being pursued to provide an economically viable energy source that can be used by the
whole planet.
Taking a look at these types of alternative energy resources, we are able to see the differences of
each and the advantages they could possibly have over each other as replacements of
hydrocarbon fuels.
Wind Power
The use of wind power, while a free alternative energy source, would be in the current scenario
the most costly renewable energy source. The costs are high largely in part to the fact that wind
turbines must be put in place throughout countries with sufficient numbers to ensure that enough
electricity is generated to meet the needs of the population, this includes areas where the wind
velocity are not very strong. The evident cost of building enough wind turbines capable of
harnessing the wind's alternative energy is astounding.
The current use today is in countries with the financial strength to invest in wind power and where
the climate allows for sufficient wind to power the turbines. However, many farms and rural
communities do use wind turbines to provide power for themselves. In low numbers the inherent
cost of building wind turbines allows such investment to pay for themselves quite quickly, however
in larger quantities the costs escalate incrementally and as such have not been used by many.
Solar Power
As an alternative energy [http://www.globalearth.info] source, solar power is derived from the
natural power of the sun. Other than the installation of necessary equipment to convert the sun's
rays into usable electricity it is generally free. The cost of equipment required to harness the power
of the sun has in recent days become less and less expensive, primarily due to advances in the
technology. The cost of investment for smaller installations generally pay for themselves with a
few years or so.
2. Many of you live in areas trying to conserve energy by having rolling blackouts on a daily basis.
This is no longer a concern for those who use solar power! When you use solar power to power
your home, as long as your generator is turned on, you will have power. The way these generators
work, is that during the day the sun's power is drawn into the generator into storage cells. The
generator then converts the stored solar power into usable energy for your home. This means that,
even when the rest of the city is under a blackout, your home can still be running smoothly on
solar power.
For the many that live in areas that are trying to conserve energy by utilizing rolling blackouts day
in and day, the use of solar power allows flexibility and loss of of regular power would no longer be
a concern. Using solar energy at home only requires your generator to be turned on to have the
power needed when the blackouts occur. These generators work in such a way that during the day
the sun's power is drawn into the generators to the storage cells and generator then converts the
solar power that has been stored in the cells into usable electrical energy to which an be used in
the homes. So in short, intermittent or scheduled blackouts still allows for the home to still have
electricity with this alternative energy source.
Equipment required to build systems to make use of solar power as an alternative energy source
for homes can quite easily be bought in most home improvement stores in developed nations, and
as easily be installed in a few short hours. Solar panels are easy to install on your own, however
doing it yourself can sometimes be difficult, but there are normally contractors that can do the job
of installing the solar panels and generators at a reasonable cost.
Hydro Power
The use of water has long been in existence particular its use as a replacement for manual labor,
and there is also evidence of some of the very first commercial use of hydro power as an
alternative energy are still in existence today in the as evident from old milling and industrial
facilities. Hydro power is nowadays used produce power on larger scales and the constructions of
dams and hydro facilities is fast increasing due to concerns on the depleting natural hydrocarbon
resources.
The use of hydro power as and alternative energy source however is limited to areas where water
is abundant and the natural terrain allows for it to be harnessed in order to power turbines that
generate that electricity required. Some homeowners have however in recent times started to
device and develop devices to produce small amounts of electricity enough for their home or
farm's outdoor needs.
Keeping the Earth Green!
Using alternative energy sources such as solar power to provide power to your home is one of the
best ways that you can help keep earth green! Solar power does not require you to burn up fossil
fuels and hydrocarbons and as such provides you with the necessary energy without depleting the
earths resources considering that in our lifetimes there is no possibility of depleting the energy
from the sun. The use of such alternative energy also ensures that you do your part in keep the
environment healthier and cleaner since you do not in anyway contribute to depletion of natural
resources.
3. Regardless of which type or source of alternative energy you decide to use for your homes, the
fact is that we still need a viable source of renewable energy that can be used by everyone soon,
as the longer it takes to find this, the more natural resources will be depleted and used up.
Luvi Marie Corcuera is the Editor of Informational sites such as:
Hydroponic and Making Money [http://www.energizedcontent.com]
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luvi_Marie_Corcuera
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Alternative Energy Source
http://tinyurl.com/6qtdprm
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