Tidal power or tidal energy is one of the important conventional sources of energy. It is produced from the energy of the tides which is converted into electricity. At present we are not able utilize it for maximum benefits but in near future, tidal power will be one of the important source of electricity generation. Besides, we can predict tides more easily than solar power or wind energy. Not only was that, from very ancient times tide mills used in Europe and Atlantic coast of USA. The earliest being during middle Ages or even Roman times.
Tidal power generation
Tidal power is generated from the tides which are produced due to the relative motion of the earth and moon and to a very small extent due to the Earth-Sun system. This is the only source of energy which is generated from the motions of the earth and moon. Other sources of energy like fossil fuels, bio-fuels, solar power, and wind power, wave power and hydroelectric originate from Sun either directly or indirectly.
For the generation of the Tidal energy gravitational forces play the major role. Gravitational attraction of the Sun and the Moon are responsible for the rise and fall of the water levels and the production of the tidal currents. The level of the tide at any location depends upon
The change in the position of the Sun and the Moon relative to the Earth
Effects of the rotation of the earth and
The shape of the coastlines and sea floors
Types of tidal power
Tidal power is classified as:
Tidal stream system which uses the kinetic energy of the flowing water to supply power to the turbines. The method is popular because of its cost effectiveness and lower ecological impacts.
Barrages which uses the potential energy of the difference in the head between low and high tides. Barrages are basically dams which are built across a tidal estuary. They are not that much popular because of the high infrastructure cost and environmental issues.Tidal lagoons which are very much similar to the barrages and cost less. Besides, they can be configured so that they can generate continuously.
To produce energy using tidal power, a tidal energy generator is used. Higher the height of the water levels or stronger the tidal current velocities, greater will be the tidal power generation.
Tidal movement causes the Earth-Moon system to loose energy continuously. This happens because of the water being pumped up around the coastlines due to the natural restrictions and because of the viscous dissipation in turbulence and at the sea bed.
Tidal energy is inexhaustible and can be regarded as a great renewable energy source.
Tidal power generation is not as famous as the other conventional methods of power generation like thermal power or hydroelectric power. But it does not imply that they are not useful. In future we will be dependent on tidal power, solar power and wind power for our energy consumptions. Amongst them, tidal power is going to play a strong role as tides are more predictable than the other sources. But to use tidal power to produce electricity is not that easy and is also very expensive. But with the progress of the science, we are sure to find a cheaper and more effective way to generate electricity using tidal power.
The benefits of the tidal power generation are as follows:
1. Resource:
The first most important benefit of the tidal power generation is that the resource which is required for its generation i.e. tidal water is available quite easily and is free of cost. Tidal water which is used to rotate the turbines is available during the tides and both high and low tide water are used for the purpose. The speed of rotation of the turbines depends on the height of the water level and the tidal current velocities. Greater height and stronger velocities helps in more tidal power generation. This helps the tidal power plant to save the expenses which are incurred by the other power plants like nuclear or thermal or hydroelectric for procuring radioactive materials or coals etc.
2. Renewable form of energy
Tidal energy is a renewable form of energy as it is inexhaustible because it is produced from the tides which are caused due to the relative motion of the Sun and the Earth and the Earth and the Moon.
3. Cost effective:
Tidal power plants can be maintained easily and that too without spending much. Moreover, the vertical axis turbines and the offshore turbines are not that much expensive to build.
4. Eco friendly
Tidal power plants are eco friendly. No greenhouse gases or other poisonous gases or other wastes are produced.
5. Tourism
Construction of structures like barrages, turbines and lagoons which are commonly not found becomes a craze for the general public. Hence, a tidal power plant can make a place popular. It can also help to encourage tourism in the neighboring areas. In this way, local people can be helped so that they can improve their economic condition.
Though, there are lots of advantages to tidal power generation there are disadvantages too. So to use the tidal power more effectively for the generation of electricity, it is necessary to overcome some of the major disadvantages. Moreover, care should be taken so that the marine environment does not get badly affected.
It is seen that the construction of power production stations of most of renewable sources of energy are quite costly. Hydro electric power station installations are also very costly.
For hydroelectric power, the initial costs of building are high and the period of construction of dams is long due to the time taken to relocate all the living things originally placed in the site. It also is quite difficult to channelize required amount of water into the dam. But, in the long run it is seen that the cost of production of power is quite cheap, hen calculated on an overall long term basis.
Once the basic structures are built the process becomes quite simple because, water is free and is also a renewable resource.
When compared to the cost of production of other power production is very low, it is almost half when compared to that of power production using coal. Also there are no techno- barriers in hydro power production, because all technologies are quite established.
When the construction of hydroelectric power plant is properly handled a lot of water can be conserved and used up for irrigation and other household uses. This makes the construction of dams multipurpose. It is used as a flood control mechanism also and a reservoir for the associated wetland flora and fauna.
For the multiplication of fishes a ladder system can be provided, thereby making the water stored restore the natural environment of the fishes and other organisms. Thus with one establishment cost many purposes can be solved, along with the conservation of the ecosystem.
The clean energy generated every year offers a valuable alternate for the very polluting and carbon and sulphur di oxide emitting other non renewable sources of energy, and reducing the amount of acid rains.
The viability of hydro electricity can be understood from the fact that more and more countries are increasing the production of electicity from water. 82% of power generated in the US is from hydroelectricity, Japan produces 84% of its energy from water followed by more than 80% in France and 73% in Germany. China, which primarily depends on its large coal deposits, has also started to turn its attention towards hydropower.
Generally the pay back period of hydropower is after 5-8 years, this period onwards the returns are very stable and the maintenance becomes simple. Having a power project in hilly terrains also reduces the cost of construction because, here we can use adjoining hills as a natural barrier for water and construct a structure to control the flow of water alone.
This kind of structure is helpful to restore the agricultural landscape of the area, it broadens the recreational quality and also makes the environment more healthy and picturesque.
Every system, natural or man made has advantages and disadvantages of its own. Depending on the extent of disadvantage the system is exploited further or discarded. Though hydro power has a number of advantages, it also has some disadvantages. Some of the problems faced during the generation of hydroelectricity are given below:
ALTERATION OF SURROUNDING- Generation of hydroelectricity demands a vast area of land to construct dams and the hydro electric power station. To store water in dams, large area has to be evacuated first and then water is let in. This is not an easy job, because such vast barren land is not available in most parts of the world. They are occupied by human beings, plants and animals. All these have to displaced to construct a dam, and trees have to be felled. This causes a large damage to all the flora and fauna of the area, bringing about a destruction of the ecological balance of the place. The food chains of many organisms, micro and macro are also disturbed. This causes serious trouble to these organisms, sometimes causing the extinction of certain species altogether.
CHANGE IN PHYSICAL CHARACTER OF WATER- in the process of generation of hydro power water is used to rotate large turbines, in the process the water is also circulated along with the turbine. During such circulation a number of physical changes occur to the water such as
The rise of temperature of water- the temperature of water increases thus bringing about loss of water due to vaporisation. Decrease in oxygen content- large amount of water is present dissolved in the water. This oxygen is used by the aquatic organisms for their breathing process. Due to rotation the oxygen reduces bringing about reduction of biological oxygen demand for the aquatic organisms. This in turn reduces the number of flora and fauna present in the water. Rotation of water also changes the phosphorus and nitrogen content of water. The carbon content responsible for the temperature maintenance of water increases; this may increase the temperature of the water.
DAMAGE TO AQUATIC LIFE – When dams are constructed in the path of water the life of many plant and animal life in the water is damaged. This is evident in the case of salmon fish. Salmon fish generally migrate upstream to spawn, but due to dam construction they are hindered from travelling upstream. This reduces the population of salmon fish, which in turn affects the population of other animals feeding on salmon fish.
METHANE PRODUCTION – New researches have found that when water is stagnant for long periods of time the plant present in them start decomposing. This decomposition process releases methane, which is a green house gas and has the property of increasing the temperature of Earth.
Use of renewable energy has started gaining more importance in context of green house gas emission, global warming and ozone layer depletion. Also it is seen that the future has to depend on non conventional energy resources because conventional resources are depleting fast and may be extinct soon, so development of alternative resources has become a must.
In future the geothermal energy can be used for the following:
Community heating systems- the heating system can be used to keep a large group of houses hot during winters and hot water can also be passed through pipes to many houses using single connection thus bringing down the cost of establishment.
Production of small and large scale power- hot dry rock system, where water is passed onto dry rock in the deep layers of earth and heating the water for production of electricity. Since cleaner electricity can be produced it can be used in large scale. Small scale and large scale power production for various domestic and industrial use, can be done in the future.
Heating greenhouses- In agriculture greenhouses can be kept warm during cool climate and cool during hot climate using geothermal energy, so that productivity of the plants can be increased and pest and disease attack can be minimised. It is seen that 80% of fuel cost is reduced when geothermal energy is used and also 5-8% of operating cost is reduced.
In aquaculture – the water can be maintained at a constant temperature thus bringing in more productivity and healthier fishes. It also provides cleaner air and water for the fishes.
Industrial uses- In industries such as dehydration of vegetables like garlic and onion and fruits can be done using geothermal energy. In laundry industry hot water can be used, in pasteurisation of milk, gold and other metal mining.
Geothermal energy can also be used in swimming pools and in spas.
It is already seen that commercial use of heating geothermal systems are being used to heat the roads during snow. Pipes, carrying hot water is passed under the roads, which removes the condensed snow on the surface of the road.
More research can be done in context of improving conducting fluids and can be improved so that heat is retained for more time and the quality of energy is improved.
Air coolers and refrigeration- Methods to condense air and cool the air has also been developed. This can be used to bring about cooling systems for larger areas and also to refrigerate food items. Agricultural produce which require large areas under refrigeration can also be brought about.
With so many perspective uses of geothermal energy, the future is quite bright.
Hydropower or the stored power of water is a renewable source of energy. It can be produced in large quantities from the water available on the surface of earth. Since water does not get over when used once, they because it is being cycled in the atmosphere, lithosphere and the hydrosphere in the form of steam, water and ice the energy can be produced for any long period of time. It is also of importance that the water does not become wasted when used for power production, and can be used after that for our other uses like irrigation, and house hold works.
Non- polluting
Being a clean source of energy production hydropower is a non polluting source of energy. There is very less to no emissions of carbon and other effluents which may be harmful to the environment. Also, the production of power with water enhances the water cycle there by using water in all its forms. Waste water from other industries can be treated and used for power production; this enhances the water use efficiency. This is also very helpful to reduce water pollution because if used like this the polluted effluent might have been disposed off in other larger water bodies or the ocean. Ocean water can also be desalinised and used for the production of power.
Abundant
75% of earth’s surface is surrounded by water. It is available in abundance on the earth. Hence, the usage can be maximum and can produce large amount of power.
The abundance also makes it possible to be used to collect it in higher altitudes and use its potential and kinetic energies. The usage of desalinised ocean water nowadays has increased the possibility of producing more power because, the amount of water present in seas and oceans is enormous.
Low cost of production
Compared to other sources of renewable sources, production of hydroelectricity is cheaper. The per capita cost of production of hydro electric power is very low and is quite affordable by developed and developing countries. In the power production processes of other renewable and non renewable sources of energy, a huge sum of money is spent on the research of the process of power production. Since hydroelectric power production is quite established, more research is not that required. Purchase of input like that of coal is not necessary too, because water is present indigenously and even much money is not required to transport it to far off places. Also, water stored in a high altitude can be used to generate power in more one power station on different altitudes so that cost of the construction of dams can be minimised.
Established power generating procedures
Since hydropower is the most exploited source of power generation, and is being used from time immemorial, the procedures and mechanism of power generation in hydro electricity is quite established. So, extra research is not required to establish new projects. Maintenance is also very easy because the instruments are well known and can be done easily.
Hydropower is the power generated from the force of water. When water is stored in a dam or a pool, it has a large amount of potential energy, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy when the water is made to flow from a higher altitude to a lower altitude. This kinetic energy can be harnessed by letting them to rotate large turbines and producing electricity. It is the oldest known power that is produced. Man has been using water and its many forms in all the different ways possible. He has harnessed the power of water and its various forms as below
Waterwheels
The natural flow of water in rivers, streams etc, can be used to rotated the wheels of power houses. This was the first form in which the energy of water was used. The power produced from this was used to run power mills in older days.
Hydroelectricity
Electricity is produced by allowing water stored in higher altitude to flow from a height to a lower area. Turbines are kept in its path. The water turns the turbine owing to the high kinetic energy which is converted from the potential energy possessed by it during its stance in a higher altitude. The turning of turbine produces electricity. This is one of oldest renewable source of electricity and is still in use. The production of electricity is cheaper than that of other renewable and non renewable electricity production. It is also possible to take water from one dam to different power stations thereby using water at different levels of altitude to produce electricity.
Electricity produced from running water
Water running in rivers, streams and oceans, which are not stored, is used to turn turbine to produce electricity. This is similar to that of water wheels only difference is that the turbine is more equipped to take more water in pockets in the turbine that can hold water in it during rotation. This increases the weight of the turbine thereby requiring more force to turn it, thus generating higher amount of power in the process.
Tidal power
Due to the moon’s gravity the water in oceans tend to rise once in 15 days, a large amount of energy is produced during this movement of such a large mass of water both horizontally and vertically. This energy is tapped as in hydroelectricity and electricity is produced. This is called the tidal energy.
When energy is produced from the horizontal movement of tide it is called tidal power and when energy is produced during the vertical movement, it is called the tidal stream power.
Vortex power
V shaped vortices are produced at rocky surfaces of water, the energy at these points the very high because water passes through the narrow mouth of the vortex into the broader are. The electricity produced from these places are called vortex power.
Wave power
Waves, which move due to force of wind, have a lot of inherent energy in them. This is tapped and is used to produce electricity. The power is used to turn the turbine which in turn produces electricity.
The earth absorbs more than 30% of the sun’s heat radiation incident in it in the form of infra red rays. This heat is captured and stored by it in its various components like the surface and underground water, rocks and other minerals and elements present in its different layers. This energy can be tapped and used for various purposes in our homes. Some of the common usage of geothermal energy in our homes, are given below.
We can use the heat generated from the earth’s surface for keeping our homes warm and cosy. This is very useful during extreme heat or extreme cold weather which is a commonly endured by many countries. We can use the geothermal energy of the earth, by tapping the heat using various different techniques.
The basic technique includes passing a geothermal fluid through a pipe into the crust of the earth, and absorbing the heat tapped there, this heated fluid is then passed through the pipe into the house thus conducting the heat into the house. The pipe used can be of metal or non metal, depending on the heat conducting fluid that we are using inside the pipe.
The fluid in the pipe is circulated through the pipe in cycles, bringing in cooler fluid and taking out warm fluid to transfer it on to the required place. Such pipes can be used in two different methods – geothermal heat pumps and geoexchange energy wells.
When the earth is used as source of heat the pipe brings heat into the house and when the earth is used as sink heat is taken from the house making it cool. The cycle can continue until we require and the energy required for running this cycle is also very low. Thus pollution free heaters as well non carbon emitting coolers can be obtained.
It is also observed that the cost of operation for such system is meagre compared to the electric room heaters and air conditioners used at present.
Another use of geothermal energy is by using dry steam in the pipes that are circulated in the house. The heated steam can be used to heat and cool the house. This heated steam can also be used to turn turbines to produce electricity to run electrical appliances of the house and also light the house. It can also be used to keep any greenhouse of the house warm. Dry steam can be used for cooking also. We can use dry steam to dry washed clothes during winter and rainy seasons.
When we use water in the pipes the heated water can be used directly to take bath, as we use solar water heaters, cook and also run turbines to produce electricity. The hot water also can be used directly to wash clothes, and in dishwasher.
Cooling systems can be used in refrigeration of different food items also. They can also be used during summer to keep the house cool.
It has been observed that the energy thus produced does not emit unwanted gases and is renewable.
The connection can be kept online 97% of the time without thinking of wastage as the wastage is minimal.
Geothermal Energy is the energy obtained from the heat stored in the deep layers of earth’s crust. It is a renewable energy and does not produce any harmful effluents as in the case of other fossil fuels. Its abundance and reliability make it more considerable for future power production. We can group the utility of geothermal energy into three- power production, ground source heat pump and use of derived heat.
The basic principle involved in tapping geothermal energy is that the heat from the deeper layers of the earth’s crust is brought to the surface layers by conduction of heat. The major resources of geothermal energy are the hot water springs found on the surface, the deeper rock surfaces and also the deeper molten magma.
We can classify the power production using geothermal energy into dry steam technology, flash steam technology and binary cycle system depending upon the medium used to transfer energy namely, dry steam hot water and geothermal fluid respectively.
Economically, geothermal energy has two phases, phase one involves the installation of the power plant, wherein as in the case of other renewable resources’ power plant the cost is quite high. This cost is due to the following factors:
1. Cost of land- large area of land is required for erecting various power production equipments, and also for drilling the land so as to reach the deeper layers to conduct the heat present there.
2. Cost of drilling- the land has to be drilled to a depth of at least 100 feet. It is done as that done in the petroleum pumps, because the basically the aim is to drill deep holes in earth.
3. Installation of machinery- various machinery, like driller, large pipes carrying the medium like steam or water , and other machines have to be installed for power production.
4. Cost of operation- these are the daily expenses. Operation involves the daily running of the machines, payment for workers, cost of inputs, etc,.The cost of electricity required to generate geothermal power is lesser compared to that of others like hydro electricity.
5. Cost of maintenance- every machine has a wear and tear and has got to be maintained for long periods. This does proves to take up a small percentage of the cost of production.
It is seen that the cost of production of power using coal is only US$ 0.02, but there is a large amount spent on the measures to minimise the pollution effects it causes, this expenditure brings the total cost of power to around US$ 2. This is very high as compared to geothermal energy.
The initial cost for the installation appears to be high in the case of geothermic power, but when compared to the charges of per capita power production using coal US$ 2, it is very less and rounds up to only $0.03 USD. It is seen that extra research to treat the effluents or to reduce pollution etc, are not required when we use geothermal energy. Also the long term uses are many such as- low to no effluent production, uses local energy so that import of raw material of any kind is not required, and also it is greenhouse friendly.
Geothermal energy is the energy produced by the heat within the surface of the earth. The innermost part of the earth produces an outrageous amount of heat. This heat is then transferred to the mantle, the layer of rocks that surrounds the innermost part of the earth. Due to excessive heat, this rock melts into magma, the molten rock. Molten rocks collect water and trap them to create columns or reserves which are called geothermal reservoir. By tapping into this geothermal reservoir, the resulting hot water and steam can now be used as energy for power generations purposes.
Geothermal energy produces little or no emissions at all. Steam plants use the hot water and extremely hot steam to power a turbine that supplies a generator directly called dry steam or they can lessen the very high-pressure and temperature of water to produce steam called flash steam. There may be a release with negligible amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur.
Geothermal power plants, once built, cost only very little to maintain and operate. They can be used as a direct heat source. Power can be generated by pumping water through hot rocks. Geothermal power plants have a very slight environmental impact. Geothermal energy system uses its capability to transfer heat. It only uses the abundant heat energy that is trapped below the earth’s surface.
There is no need to use crude oil to power up geothermal power plants which may contribute to air pollution. Geothermal energy systems are the most cost effective and most environmentally clean. After a short span of time, a geothermal power plant can raise funds more than enough to maintain and operate itself.
Underground heat pumps use pipes underneath the frost line to distribute a coolant through a cycle of compression and evaporation between two heat exchangers. One heat exchanger absorbs heat and evaporates at low pressure while a compressor presses the coolant vapor at high pressure to another coil where the coolant condenses and emits the heat. Heat pumps can perform in both directions- heating and cooling. Energy cost savings heat pumps are valuable.
However, geothermal sources are not always accessible. The hot rocks and water availability must be within drilling range. Geothermal sites may run out of steam because there is a tendency for temperatures to drop low. When there is a hot rock mismanagement, the water used may cool the rocks.
Furthermore, geothermal sources can also bring about harmful gases and minerals. Drillings into the ground can also cause earthquakes when water is pumped into the holes.
And last but not the least, several places which one may think as a potential site for a geothermal power plant, there is not much guarantee that it will yield enough energy to recover the amount of capital used for the construction and operation of the said power plant.
Basically, geothermal energy means heat from the earth. From the Greek word geo which means earth and the word thermo which means heat. Geothermal energy is energy which comes from the heat of the Earth. A massive amount of heat originates due to the chemical reactions which take place in the innermost part of the Earth. This heat build ups has a temperature as high as 9000 degrees Fahrenheit, and this outrageous heat can be utilized to produce energy.
Geothermal energy is a natural resource in abundant supply; it can be extracted from the earth’s ground. With the use of a geothermal heat pump system, and with the earth’s ability to store heat in the ground water, a heating and air conditioning system can be operated. Based on the constant underground temperatures, this heating and air conditioning systems can be operated. Due to this constant underground temperature, geothermal power plants can be work on any weather condition.
Geothermal energy has been used since time immemorial. The procedures used to utilize geothermal energy have always been comparably simple with that of other energy procedures, and the integral parts used are ordinary to everyone. The idea of using extreme hot water from the Earth's magma layers may seem too technical, but once you have drawn water from this resource, it would be easy to maintain it already and use it as a continual power source.
It is one of the most renewable forms of energy being used nowadays. Geothermal power plants can be operated by using only the abundance of heat energy that has been trapped in the earth’s underground. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are the most effective systems available and they are the most environmental - friendly and cost-effective conditioning system you can find. They can last longer than many traditional heating and cooling systems. In a span of few years of installation, they can be able to provide for its maintenance.
Geothermal energy consists of water which can be found below the surface. This energy comes from the earth's heat found below its surface. The crust of the earth is primarily the outcome of the past existence of many volcanoes and voluminous magma that failed to erupt but rather cooled below the surface. In addition, the innermost part of the earth has high temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit that remain constant throughout the year.
This becomes an ideal source of heat which could be utilized for various purposes. These resources consist of the shallow ground, hot water and hot rock below the surface of the earth and the molten rock or magma deep down the surface of the earth. This magma becomes lava when it reaches the surface of the earth. There are two main categories of geothermal resources. The resources with high temperatures are found in the volcanic regions and the other which is of low and moderate temperatures are found in all the continents of the world. The resources with high temperatures are often used in power production.
Many people are interested and conscious of the need to convert to a cleaner more abundant form of energy sources such as wind power. And because of the many misconceptions regarding the current standards of wind power turbines and windmills facts are unclear.
This is not a system which someone living in an apartment or track housing neighborhood would benefit from. The facts about residential wind power are eye opening to the position of technological advancement and just how far we have come as well as how far we have to go.
Depending upon your location you may not be able to reap the benefits of using wind power sources. Since the required lot size is no less than 1 acre this eliminates a great number of homes that can not benefit from this renewable source of energy. Although over the past 20 years the wind farms have increased to produce a broader range of electrical production, it is still confined to rural areas.
On average typical electrical usage for a single family home ranges from 750 k/w/h to 800k/w/h per month. Depending upon the residential lot size as well as the typical wind speeds the standard size of wind power turbine required to facilitate the necessary electrical output the standard type of wind power turbine would be a 5-15 kilowatt system on an 80-100 foot tower. Since it is recommended to use standard gird utility in addition to the wind power turbines because of the variations in wind speed, it may be more effective to utilize both systems rather than solely relying on the wind power system alone.
The production of residential wind powered energy is much like the standard utility grid system, wind powered electricity is delivered to surrounding homes from a wind farm by means of power lines which feed directly into a power support box, typically located on the outside of most homes. With the advancements of technology all services are automatically switched between wind power electricity and standard utility gird electricity. Therefore a full automated system operates the production of electricity to every home on the wind farms gird.
Understanding that over the years the transition and advancements of wind power energy has greatly grown from the first models used in the early 80’s. However this system has not upgraded to the point that wind power energy can be delivered to inter cities and/or small propertied residents. The facts about residential wind power, is a massive number of residents have yet to benefit from the technology advances.
Still utility companies are working on increasing the probability that this cleaner renewable form of wind power energy will be available to everyone. It just a matter of time before every home will be running on a duel form energy source.
Our forefathers have been using biomass for energy when they learned bout fire and use it for their cooking. Biological mass are materials that has been grown or has lived. Biomass can take the form of wood, straw, biological wastes, waste paper, organic wastes from food processing, to name a few. Biomass can be used to produce energy. When these materials are burned, they produce energy. Fire converts biological mass into heat.
What are the pros and cons of using biomass? Since biomass take the form of biological wastes, and the whole world produces so many biological wastes, these wastes can be used and burned to obtain biomass energy. If we use biomass to produce energy, that is, biological wastes to produce energy, we can lessen to a great amount all our garbage that has to go to our landfills. By recycling through use of biological wastes to produce biomass energy, we can help in the preservation of our nature. At the same time, we can also help our economy because we will not have to buy more fuels to operate our machineries and the like because we can make use of the many available biological wastes as a source for biomass and in turn to produce energy.
However, to comprehend the problems of biological mass as a form of energy, one needs to know the biomass cycle that exists on the planet. To simplify, the biomass cycle controls the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. The biomass, basically in the form of plants, takes in carbon to live and grow and the living creatures of earth efficiently act as a sponge for carbon. However, the efficiency of this sponge effects has limited capacity. It can only absorb carbon to some extent at a time. When there is so much carbon in the atmosphere, consequently, heat will be trapped thus creating global warming which has now being felt on all parts of the world. Even if burning of biological mass brings about a much smaller extent of carbon gases over a short period of time, we still are not cutting down or lessening our carbon emissions to the atmosphere. With the global warming being obviously felt now in almost all parts of the world, what we need is reduction of emissions of carbon gases.
But if we will compare biomass with fossil fuels as to which is a better energy source, biomass is still a better choice. Fossil fuels emit more carbon gases than the biomass fuels. Furthermore, with the growing amount of garbage the world has accumulated everyday, if we will use biomass to produce energy this will greatly decrease the amount of trash to be thrown into our landfills. In this way, we still help preserve our environment.
Biomass is one form of alternative energy that has grown in use in many different households across the globe. These are plant and animal materials that have been conveniently available since the dawn of time. There are a number of these materials that are good candidates for the combustion or digestion process used to make energy. Sources of Biomass include the following:
1. By-products from the Forest: sawdust and other by-products of arboriculture.
2. By-products of Agriculture: The usage of litters, animal slurries and other residues to produce energy.
3. Energy Crops: Kinds of crops that is grown specifically to be used as a source of energy.
Perhaps, the most popular manner in which a household use biomass is through the use of a wood stove. When compared with an open fire, stoves are much more efficient, and technology and innovation has brought about appliances that burn clean. This innovation allows for the combustion of wood even without any smoke present.
It is necessary that the fuel used by a wood stove is from a sustainable source in order for it to be considered a renewable energy source. The use that you will be putting the stove to will determine the type of stove you will have installed. For example: for purposes of heating a single room then many of the stoves out there will be more than adequate. If you live in an urban area be sure to use appliance and fuels that are appropriate for that environment.
If for example, you not only want to heat your room but also hot water through your pipes as well as central heating, you’ll need a stove that has an integrated boiler. Stoves that come with large back boilers are usually the ones used in providing and meeting the hot water requirements of any normal sized home.
Aside from the typical wood stove, researches and continuous application of other natural fuel sources such as corn and other crops have created a variety of ways of Biomass for home use. Biomass from corn energy is produced using only dry shelled corn for power. Different from the variety that is consumed, the corn does not necessarily have to be of high quality.
Practically any shelled corn can accomplish the job but they must be dry and wit no husk fibers. Corn is then turned into heat for a home exactly the same way as wood. The whole process involves a fired stove using corn as fuel instead of the typical and commonly used wood. Currently it is common for shelled corn to be delivered to the home and is stored there in a storage container or a tank.
When the heating system needs more fuel, a thermostat will automatically sense the temperature reduction and will then open a storage container door. A set quantity of corn would fall into the furnace and zap! – You have more fire as well as more heat. Heat will then be piped into the house.
The use of Biomass for heating at home has become very much popular and is starting to take center stage thanks to the continuous efforts of numerous environmentalists, energy saving-oriented groups as well as former US President Bush’ push on its usage.
While many people are well informed on the conversational and environmental features of wind power energy, there are a great number of misinformed utility consumers who are apprehensive and totally against global transitioning into wind powered energy. The majority of these misconceptions stem from rumored or mythological stories relating to harmful effects of wind power electricity and/or turbine towers.
There are at least 10 well-know myths about wind power energy, however this article dispelled 5 of the more common myths; in hopes of providing a profound understanding of the global implications and benefits of using wind power energy.
Wind Towers are harmful to the environment. You may have heard that the tall towers used on wind farms are dangerous to birds or that birds are drawn to the towers because of the high velocity of wind produced. The truth is statically there no more reported bird incidents which resulted in death by wind towers, than any other reports of bird’s deaths from other free standing building and/or apparatus. In fact most birds steer clear of this high powered wind radiating tower as much as possible.
Wind power turbines violate noise ordinances. Many people who buy into this myth typically received information from someone who is not abreast of current advancements with the wind turbines. This information is out dated, where this was a fact over 10-15 years ago, since then advancements to wind towers/turbines now produce very little low noise and are barely heard. Furthermore wind farms must conform to noise ordinances that are strictly adhered to and enforced.
Wind energy only works in high wind speeds. In the past 10 years wind power technology has refined the older model turbines and replaced them with more efficient working turbines. With the new automated features, wind towers adjust to the wind and most often work during a light breeze. Because these features are more modern the towers can also adjust to wind variances in different directions, so no longer do they rely on a minimal amount of wind speed to operate efficiently.
Wind Power is less cost effective for single homes. This is completely unfounded, with the advancements made in the wind power industry. They have become readily available for residential use and can be quite cost effective. Though homes will require a sufficient amount of lot space to accommodate wind power equipment, there are a number of cost incentives such as tax exemptions associated with this conversion. Plus utility companies offer additional incentives to wind power customers in the form of rebates. These companies will purchase unused electricity from wind power users including single home units.
Wind Towers depreciate property values. With the many national studies which have assess property values of wind power customers and property of non wind power customers, they have found no variation in the property value, therefore the claim of property depreciation is completed unsupported and holds no merit in the real estate industry.
Since its introduction as a possible source of energy solar power has been taking very small steps in terms of its efficient use of the suns and the production of power. Solar energy has caught on in recent years as people and nations try to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. The question therefore remains “Does solar power have a future?”
Future wise solar power is all set to be there and more advancement is likely to be made in this field. Huge solar panels may someday power spaceships in their long journeys across the solar system. Space stations will derive energy from solar panels attach to their bodies and scientists even claim that they would be able to power satellites through their orbit with the help of solar power.
Solar power is the right choice for us and there is no doubt about that and that doubt has to be cleared first. Well why we go for solar power when there are so many means of energy alternatives. The answer is simple, solar power is available for free and this free energy will help us to fuel our economies and our lifestyle needs in the coming centuries.
The sun shines and radiates heat and light throughout the solar system. It is the sustainer of all forms of life and without sunlight the basic constituents of life would have never formed. Sunlight along with water feeds our plants which in turn maintain the oxygen balance in our planet. Without the rays of the sun all plants would vanish and we would also perish in the process. So it is wise to go for an energy source which is available throughout the year and moreover it comes free of cost.
A solar powered device is slow but it is cheap and there is no complexity involved in its structure till date. But man is innovative and researchers have devised many ways of bringing solar power into use in gigantic proportions. Mega structures of the world include solar powered wind mills which would be used to produce hydroelectricity. The designs are under process and very soon they would be implemented into proper use and this is the beginning of a new energy revolution.
An energy revolution would be brought about by a solar device and the solar devices will be the future of the human race. The human race is inching towards a new dawn of scientific innovations which would be beneficial for the human race in totality. The backbone of this revolution will be solar power. Solar power will be the future of mankind and every possible solution regarding energy can be found in solar power. In short solar power has a very bright future and the day is not far behind when everything would be done through solar power.
Energy conservationists as well as natural scientist constantly inform the public about the numerous rewards of converting to wind power. These specialists revert to the commonality of the renewable aspects of wind powered energy and the abundance of resources.
Granted wind energy is one of the most widely used methods of emission control and reduction to hazardous emissions normally associated with carbon-containing resources. Yet what many people fail to disclose are the many disadvantages of wind fuel, however vast or minute these disadvantages may be the fact is they still exist.
Every ground-breaking discovery must face the question of how to effectively utilize natural forms of renewable energy. There will always be a number of pros and con’s to consider. While everyone will agree there are more pros than con’s when it comes to wind power, many people are realist and see the fine print of the many inconveniences associated with this energy source. There are at least 6 customary reasons for not converting to wind power energy sources.
Technology has not caught up to the practice of wind power energy. Basically the wind mills and wind power generator have not reached the technical state in which it can be used in inter cites and/or small suburban locations. Many people and business that elect conversion to wind power must live in zoned area specifically for this form of energy.
Cost for equipment and property to facilitate wind power practices are far too expensive for the common consumer to afford. Regardless of the amount of money saved per wattage usage through wind powered sources, most people can not afford the apparatus to harness this energy in the first place.
Unexpected changes in the weather and the various conditions associated with seasonal transactions. This is a major weakness of wind power because the wind and its strength can not be forecasted on a daily basis and for days which no wind is present the electrical surges are as equally low, thus forcing wind power dependant facilities to revert back to the standard form of electricity. This can become quite costly if there is a no wind season that last for long periods of time.
Sound pollution is yet another nuisance to using wind power. The sounds that radiate from the spinning mills and the turbines can be loud and cumbersome, which presents long term problems.
Ecological hazards can be a big problem for many naturalists who see the spinning mills as a huge danger to local wildlife such as birds which run a high risk of flying into the windmills and being killed. Plus high producing wind power farms can also cause interference with television and cable signal for neighboring residents.
Manufacturing energy emissions are low. Wind power farms depending on the total number of operating mills will only produce a finite amount of electricity and for residents outside the wind farms radius they will have to rely on traditional means of electrical support.
While the disadvantages of wind power resources may seem overwhelming, the most important factor to remember is that eventually with advances in modern technology, many of these disadvantages will be eliminated and more people will have an option of converting to wind power despite the disadvantages.
Every one has experienced the drastic hike in fuel cost as well as the increases in energy over the past two years. A global hardship was felt as many people tried to keep up the highest fuel cost since the depression.
This situation has enlightened millions of consumers to practice energy conversing methods, from using energy efficient light bulbs to ride sharing. More importantly the news and various nature channels have warned the public of unsafe and damaging effects to the earth’s atmosphere through the continual usage of carbon containing resource such as fossil fuel.
The world is quickly going green. Just being consciences of the finite resources of naturally hazardous fossil burning fuel to include coal and other forms of eco-damaging elements, is not enough. The populous is now getting more involved with natural forms of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power energy, however most people are uninformed of the various advantages and disadvantages of renewable power sources. Most commonly used forms of renewable natural power is wind power.
Many people already know the most common advantage to wind power energy, such as the abundance of this source and how easily obtain, because air is free the cost for wind powered energy only contributes to the equipment needed to convert wind to electricity. Another well know fact about wind power is the renewable factors. Plus this form of energy is eco-friendly and doesn’t pose an eminent threat to the earth atmosphere, which is a popular advantage to those who are dedicated to going green. More importantly everyone knows wind power energy cost is significantly less than the conventional methods of energy.
Nowadays thousands of homes and businesses including the agricultural industry world wide have converted to wind power sources. The purpose for this ecological reason is to assistant in the reduction of cost for manufacturing products cost , which can make the cost of living a little easier during the times inflation and high fuel cost. And because it is a non polluting producing element, many people have access to this abundant source of energy globally.
Although there are many disadvantages to wind power such some are natural disadvantages such as the weather and the unpredictability of the changes in wind force and/or lack of wind. The conversion from the conventional fossil fuel burning method can greatly reduce the emissions of hazardous fumes as well as reduce the cost of utilities annually.
Moreover if more people begin converting to this natural renewable source of wind energy the advantages will soon out weigh the disadvantages by a wide margin, not to mention reduction of damaging the earth atmosphere and eliminating pollution that cause health conditions associated with the release of Co2 into the ozone.
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