Alternative Eenergy Today

Alternative green energy might be used to describe any unconventional system that is used to generate electric power or heating. There are two distinguishable types of alternative green energy. One is defined as renewable sources of energy and includes, wind power, solar power and various water power options. The second and most controversial types are described as earth-based sources of energy. This second type includes geothermal power and biofuels.

Wind power is an alternative green energy that works by harnessing the wind to rotate the blades of a windmill. The windmills drive power-generating turbines to produce electricity. Wind technology has seen huge advances in recent years making them a highly efficient form of renewable energy. The main arguments against wind power are that the mills can be noisy and that their huge structures are a blight on the landscape.

Solar energy is a popular alternative green energy system. The energy of the sun could potentially be harnessed to power every home on the planet. Solar power is used to heat water that is fed into pipes for heating and hot water supply. Solar heated water can be transformed into hydrogen gas which is used for driving turbines. Solar energy can also be converted into direct electricity with photovoltaic solar panels. It is often argued that the production of solar cells is expensive and creates its’ own environmental problems.

Hydroelectric power is the alternative energy system that has seen the greatest degree of implementation worldwide. This is because it is relatively cheap to install and many countries have the resources needed to operate it. Energy is generated through the action of moving water through turbines. The main criticisms of hydro power are that the dams necessary to create them often disrupt natural waterways and fertile lands are often flooded to create the lakes required to implement this technology, thus displacing local people.

Deep below the earth’s surface molten rock known as plasma. This plasma heats all rock close to it to tremendously high temperatures. The alternative green energy solution that taps into this heat source is geothermal power. By drilling bore holes up to 3 miles deep, it is possible to send water down to make contact with these sizzling temperatures. Water is forced back up through a second bore hole. As soon as it makes contact with the air it is vaporized into steam jets that drive generating turbines.

The use of geothermal power to operate power plants is very expensive to set up mainly due to the high costs of drilling. Opponents to geothermal technology further argue that the drilling processes involved could potentially cause earthquakes.

Biofuels are a controversial type of alternative green energy. Plants that are rich in oils or sugars are specially grown to be processed into fuel for powering engines. Biofuels are regarded as renewable energy because there is no limit to the amount of times a specific plant can be grown, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. The main argument against biofuels is the land that is needed to grow them which could alternatively be used for growing food for human consumption. Also, burning biofuels still produces carbon emissions although the amount is thought to be cancelled out by effect of growing the fuel crops in the first place.