Oil prices seem set on continuing their upward spiral as the instability in the Middle East continues and developing nations like China use more and more of this finite resource. Add in climate chance, and pollutions/health effects and it quickly becomes evident that the economy is on an unsustainable path, whatever position you take. One Al Qaeda strike on a Saudi Arabian oil refinery and America’s economy would be on its knees.
The climate change effects can be mitigated by the setting of up to 5bn trees over the next 20 years but it is more focused on resolving current damage rather than preventing future effects. One thing that can be done to benefit the economy and the environment is to use alternative energy sources, that are cost effective, that support local jobs rather than Arabian racehorses and are not negatively impacting on the environment.
These are a quick overview of the options that I feel over most hope as Alternative Energy Sources.
Solar Energy – Harnessing the rays of the sun. Solar panels installed on roofs or exposed areas, such as scrubland are utilized to turn solar energy in to electricity. Solar panels are still in their infancy, and while currently expensive to use on a home, they are getting less so all the time. Many countries, especially in Europe are offering grants to cover the cost and installation. Over the life time of the panel, they will pay off the costs, through reduced utility bills. An interesting aside regarding solar panels, is that micro sized panels are being attached to trees in some forests to power woodland fire detectors in remote areas.
Wind Energy – Wind has been proven as an effective generator of electricity. Turbines can vary from family home sized to 3 mw power house with 300 ft blades. When used as a domestic powers source it is often used in conjunction with Solar panels and batteries. One to compensate for low wind days and the other to save the electricity.
Hydro– 71% of the earth’s mass is covered in water, and there is immense power and energy stored within. It is not really cost effective to use as a domestic energy source, more suited to the large scale producers like the Aswan dam and Hoover dam. Massive turbines are turned by the rush of water past the blades and this in turn generates electricity. The most exciting form of Hydro being developed at the moment is Tidal energy, which uses underwater turbines to generate electricity from tidal flows and ocean streams.
BioMass – All plant matter such as Trees can be considered biomass, and it is the oldest of our energy sources, having heated mankind for millennia through burning chopped down trees. It involves the incineration of tree clippings and waste, with fast growing trees such as the willow being harvested every 3 years to provide the fuel. Biomass can also tackle the use of Oil outside of energy production. Plant fibres can be used as an alternative to plastic compounds. Renault has already made some car bodies out of plant fibres, which are more cost effective and safer than existing versions.
The initial costs of these sources may seem high, but they are cost effective over a number of years. In many areas the initial outlay can be recouped through the use of grant aid and tax rebates, or selling surplus electricity back in to the grid.
Eric lives in California and is passionate about trees and works as an SEO advisor for memorial trees businesses across America and further afield amongst other niche businesses.
Welcome to the site. This is Hopkin Joseph. A 53 year old electrical planner from .
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