Green Alternative Energy & Renewable Energy Resources

Green Alternative Energy & Renewable Energy Resources

What is green alternative energy?

Renewable energy is just that, an energy source that can be used over and over again, energy generated from natural resources from the world around us.

You are likely familiar with most of the renewable green energy resources, as these in recent years have enjoyed a sustained growth as we seek to find more power from natural energy resources in an effort to move on from the constant use of fossil fuels, which damage our global ecosystems.

The most common green alternative energy / natural energy resources are sunlight (solar), wind, rain, tides and geothermal heating. According to recent figures '06 approximately 18 percent of worldwide final energy was provided by natural energy renewables, around 13% of this natural energy came from biomass fuels (wood and natural matter). The next largest supply of natural alternative green energy came from Read more

Fuel From Cooking Oil, Are You Serious?!

Yes really, more than and beyond the definition of the word ‘serious’. Used cooking oil from your everyday frying of chicken, fries and pork can now be used as fuel for your cars through recycling. These are called Biodiesel and it has started a revolution as an alternative to expensive fossil or mineral oil.

The first known and recorded use of vegetable oil as fuel in an engine was a demonstration of a diesel engine built by the Otto Company and was designed to burn mineral oil, which was then run on pure peanut oil at the 1900 World's Fair. After several years of research, Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the diesel engine, investigated using vegetable oil to fuel the engines he designed.

He presented this idea in 1912 to the British Institute of Mechanical Engineers and successfully cited a number of efforts in this area and he envisioned that though regular cooking oil or vegetable oil sources may seem insignificant back then, the fact that such oils would perhaps have the same importance as natural mineral oils and the tar products in due course of time.

From then on, numerous groups had started an obsession on the research into cooking oil as a diesel substitute. The use of vegetable oil in the mainstream had enjoyed its success during the early 1980s at the height of the spiraling prices and shortages of petroleum and other mineral oil.

How is it made to work with automobiles? Inventors and developers would say it simply as recycling the oil and applying the same concept in refining petroleum oil. They commonly joke as if it’s just like making coffee. The mixture is just simple: a used cooking oil of typically vegetable or coconut sources, a methanol and a catalyst which is composed of potassium and sodium.

The said mixture of three (cooking oil, methanol and catalyst) doesn’t require heating from expensive pumping stations and can be made easily, even at home provided one has the proper knowledge, tools and storage. A generally accepted mixture of 100 liters of cooking oil (costs around $0.50 per liter) plus 20 liters of methanol (usually at $1) plus one kilo of catalyst (costs around $3.5) can create 100 liters of biodiesel as well as an excess of 20 liters of glycerin (which can be used as main ingredient for everyday bath and laundry soap).

What’s more surprising is that it was tested in an unmodified older Mercedes Benz and ran for hundreds of miles during a 2006 University of Idaho invention exhibit.

Today, countries like Russia, Azerbaizan, India, Bulgaria, Paraguay and the Philippines have implemented extensive development of used cooking oil or vegetable oil to power up vehicles as well as other machineries. Major automobile manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, Ford and General Motors have slowly introduced newly designed automobile engines that support the use of Biodiesel fuel especially with the rising prices of petroleum and the collapse of the US and other European economy.

4 Reasons Why You Should Use Biodiesel

Instead of filling up your car, truck or heavy machinery like tractors with regular diesel, consider a more “green” alternative that will also be nicer on your wallet. Biodiesel is an alternative to regular, fossil fuel based diesel and there are many advantages to using it. There are 4 main reasons that you should use biodiesel and if you know and understand them, then there is no chance that you will opt to use something else ever again unless it is absolutely necessary or no other choice is available.

The best reason to use biodiesel is that it is a renewable source of energy, unlike fossil fuels. Biodiesel is made with organic bases and therefore can be grown is the amounts necessary to supply the diesel vehicles on the road. The best crops for the production of biodiesel include rapeseed or coleseed, peanuts, soybeans, sunflowers and or oil palms. Other plants that have high natural vegetable oil content can also be used and the possibilities are practically endless since research is constantly developing better biodiesel from resources that are readily available in abundance.

Another good reason to use biodiesel is that also burns cleaner in a combustion engine than fossil fuel based diesel. This has immense advantages both for now and in the long term. Cleaner burning means less destructive emissions coming from diesel engines and that in turn leads to a reduction in greenhouse gases. There is also a reduction in pollution and if all diesel powered vehicles run on biodiesel there will be a noticeable improvement in the air you breathe. A little known fact is that biodiesel is the only alternative fuel source that has ever passed all the requirements of the American Clean Air Act.

Using biodiesel instead of fossil fuel based diesel will also probably leave you with more money in your wallet after a trip to the gas station. This is because as a general rule, biodiesel costs less than regular diesel. This is not only a real alternative for your car, truck or tractor, but it can also be used for home heating. People that heat their homes with oil burners will know that the “oil” in the tank is just diesel and that can be replaced with biodiesel without many problems. The savings can be great and who doesn’t want to save money.

Last but not least, biodiesel also has a better biodegradation rate than regular diesel and that means that it is less toxic and more quickly and completely be degraded. Since it is also more easily burned a car’s engine and all the parts will suffer less wear and tear than if regular fossil fuel based diesel was used. This means for the driver that the vehicle will need less maintenance, repairs and can be driven longer.

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Is Bioethanol All It’s Cracked Up to Be?

Bioethanol fuel is supposed to be the great alternative to fossil fuel bases gas and diesel. Many are praising its benefits and talk about all the good properties it has. This is true, but before making something out to be so wonderful it is also important to look at the other side of things and then compare them both. Only by weighing both the pros and cons will you be able to determine if bioethanol is all that it’s cracked up to be.

The biggest advantage to bioethanol is that it is made with resources that are renewable. This means that the supply is never-ending and once used more of the same resources can be harvested. This is so easy to do because biotethanol is made from recently dead biological materials or in other words, plants. There are tow kinds of crop types that are suitable for processing into ethyl alcohol which is nothing other than ethanol. It is referred to as bioethanol because it is based on biological materials and is a cleaner source of energy.

The crops that can be used as sources of bioethanol are all easy to grow inexpensive to buy and cultivate and are readily available in almost every country because of the diversity of plants that can be used for this purpose. The crops have to have high amounts of starch, sugar or vegetable oil. Commonly used plants are rapeseeds, peanuts, sugar cane, sugar beet, sweet sorghum, jatropha, oil palm, soybeans and corn. More recently plants with cellulose have shown promising results and bioethanol has already been made with switchgrass, but this is still in the testing phase.

Greenhouse gases and environmental pollution are other big problems linked to the use of fossil fuel gas and diesel used in vehicles or heating systems. Here bioethanol also has a big benefit. It reduces the amount of damaging greenhouse gases that the vehicle emissions contain. There is also less pollution and bioethanol fuels also degrade quickly and completely. This means that if it ends up on the land or water it will completely degrade and leave behind no traces that could ruin an ecosystem, something that has often happened if fossil fuel based gas or diesel spills or leaks out.

An engine that uses bioethanol actually needs around fifty percent more of the fuel than a standard fossil fuel combusting engine. This is first seen as a negative aspect, but once again bioethanol prevails. Even though more is burned, the bioethanol engines have increased power and get more distance for the amount which means they are more fuel efficient. Basically, a larger tank is required for bioethanol fuel but you will still get more mileage per gallon and will waste less energy overall.

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Is Wave Power Cost Effective?

The idea of an alternative method of a renewable energy source is the constant debate of world leaders to date. Facing damaging consequences to the earth’s normal atmospheric status, the drive to develop a cleaner more infinite form of energy is the most widely discussed issue.

While understanding the mechanisms of wave power technology, this discussion toys with the question of if wave power is cost effective. Some world economist believe no cost should be spared to preserve the earth’s vitality while others feel a more economical approached should be measured when determining the method of renewable power.

So at what cost should the world spare to make this energy concept a reality? Energy conservationists ponder this hindering question on a daily basis and the world’s economy is the deciding factor to technological advancements and keeps the development of certain renewable energy projects at bay.

There are 4 main components to which decide the economies ability to withstand a large cost for the betterment of a greater good. In other words will the cost to reproduce water power generators out weigh the overall good that will come from its production?

World economist work on financial structures to help calculate this formula and weigh in the four components to reach an overall cost efficiency for a specific project; such as the global cost for wave generator construction, the overhead for operation, the cost to perform routine maintenance and repair on faulty or damaged generators and the ability to provide wave generated power at a low enough rate to the consumer which is competitive but will not under seed the cost to operate.

The cost to construct wave generators can reach well in the hundreds of billions of dollars; from the cost of materials to the architectural designing as well as the man power to build these operational facilities thus generating an even greater strain on an already over drawn economy.

Furthermore the cost to effectively operate these wave generators with the appropriate man power and/or automated systems to monitor the daily functions, can also reach astronomical figures. These two factors combined with an agreeable rate of service, makes the determination of whether wave power will be cost effective.

Because the development of this new age renewable power source is still evolving at a slow rate, placing its potential for public consumption years behind solar and wind powered devices, it may take years before wave power energy resources will become fully developed and operational for use by the entire world.

Until technology can catch up the concept of wave powered energy, the question of “Is wave power cost effective still remains the on going topic for renewable energy sources and currently unanswered.

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Wave Power Technology

In order to understand wave power technology, you must first understand the power it requires to produce a single wave. To put it simply, waves are the combination of airstream’s and solar influences that produce an effect on the oceans surface. This effect propels the oceans current to make the water surface actively buckle causing a wave. Waves travel at a rate per kilometer and increases during seasonal transitions. Typically wave rates are at their highest during the winter, particularly during storms.

Scientists have revealed methods of harnessing the power of waves to generate a renewable source of electrical energy. The methods of capturing this power is through wave powered generators. There are three forms of wave power generators Air columns, Hinge or Axis rafts and Hydraulic Devices. These main types of generators can either be shoreline based or free floating and each have their own uniquely designed source of producing and infinite amount of electrical power. All three forms are more commonly employed in the South western regions where the wave potentials are greater.

Air columns also referred to as oscillating water systems are shoreline based generators which are partially submerge under the oceans surface. This generator uses empty shafts to compress or decompress air flow. This air flow is produced by the surge of water under the tubes, which cause air to become trapped within the air columns and thereby causing the trapped air to propel turbines which in turn generates electricity.

Hinge or Axis rafts also known as buoyant mooring devices are more commonly designed as free floating anchored generators. This electrical generating system relies on the resistance and surrender concept, in which a portion of the generator is allowed to move with the flow of waves while the anchored portion of the generator must remain still. The effects of the two operating systems cause friction and thereby creating electrical currents.

A hydraulic or gyroscopic system is found primarily under the waters surface and performs at a deeper depth than the other generators. Although this system functions much like the resistance and surrender concept; it principal role is based upon more resistance that uses the movement of the waves to set in motion fluid within the hydraulic pumps to make electricity.

Although these systems my sound simple, the mechanisms of production for these generators are currently up for debate. While the concept of wave power technology can produce an unlimited supply of renewable energy, the problem for mass production is the cost forecast for future development in a variety of ocean and wave conditions. While the devices currently in use have proven the probability of the systems endurance to harsh ocean conditions, the prediction to produce wave generators has become increasingly difficult since their economical goal is to maintain a low overhead, maintenance and operational cost as well as not to effect the consuming population financially, which will one day rely on its electricity producing capabilities.

Advantages of Wave Power

According to the House of Legislation reports comprise from studies conducted by the Department of Business and Economic Development. These reports reveal a short list of advantages to wave power as a form of a renewable energy source.

The consensus is the general however widely agreed upon globally that wave power energy is the latest technique in energy conservation, and Wave Energy conversion systems or WECS have become the newest introduction to renewable power sources. While studies are still confined to specific regions of the globe; predominately areas where the wave potentials are much higher, the development of this power is still underway and has not reach its marketable prospective.

World leaders agree the need for a more economical structured renewable system is greatly desired yet fact still remains the cons currently out weigh the pro’s for wave power technology.

The abundance of wave power is without question one of the highest levels of infinite renewable sources. For over 200 years scientist have worked on innovative mechanisms to exploit the power of the ocean for the development of continual sources of energy. For that reason the implications for the potential of WECS as a source of renewable natural energy are immense. Not to mention the cost per wattage can be greatly reduced through the commercial use of the WECS and converters.

Scientist are optimistic that once the full scope and development plans are under way, electricity could cost penny’s on the dollar, approximating an average cost of lower than .05 cent per watt usage.

With the introduction to wave power energy the development of an assortment of wave power systems is considered an advantage to the commercial usage of the WECS. These electrical converters have the potential to generate electricity in a variety of ways, from compression and decompression methods to include friction emission as well as hydraulically powered forms will soon open the gate way for a more cost effective mechanisms for future public use.

Since WECS or wave power generators have the diversity of sustaining either a on or off shore location, this enhances the probability of the success of wave power energy. Furthermore the free floating and submersible version that are anchored to the oceans floor can provide greater electrical emission and the potential to capture this energy is improved.

Although the WECS is under great scrutiny for the multiple disadvantages as well as the uncompleted stages of development, legislator’s and economist alike will soon to come to an agreement, which will enable commercial development and usage of this energy source. Couple with the understanding that having a variety of renewable energy sources much like Solar and conventional wind powered mechanisms, the advantages of wave power potential will eventually out-weigh the disadvantages.

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Challenges Faced With Wave Power

The wave power industry is truly a remarkable source of infinite renewable power. And while its concept is driven by the tremendous advantages of its technology, the WECS industry must confront a number of relevant challenges. The challenges that confront wave power must first be addressed and solutions provided in order to make available a more competent mechanism. These tasks must be accomplished before wave power technology will be recognized as an effective source of renewable energy.

Many of the challenges surrounding wave powered energy focuses on the cost to develop and facilitate global resources. The primary goal is to construct a system which will reduce the cost of development and increase the availability at the lowest amount feasible. Additional factors such as the efficiently of the electrical converter system to include the levels of improvement coupled with mapping ideal location to facilitate wave powered generators has become additional issues that need to be addressed in efforts to combat the challenges the wave power systems will face.

The primary focus which surrounds the economical factors as it relate to the cost in the development of wave power generators is the biggest challenge this system faces. Understanding the materials needed to supply power, requires a system which is cost effective and will be the first challenge WECS will have to surmount. Once an effective cost can be agreed-upon the global construction of wave powered electrical converters can be strategically placed throughout ocean locations.

But before construction can begin, legislators and other Ecological specialist must categorize prime locations for the electro-converters. Since prime marine locations are determined by the highest velocity of wave production, facility determination will have to include provisions for marine locations that do not meet the wave production requirements. This issue will hinder production in areas of low wave production and may cost more to administer electrical services in these specific regions. Plus developers will have to manage systematic problems as they relate to connecting to pre-established utilities grids.

To effectively procure viable wave powered locations, scientist must conduct studies to determine the long term effect cause on oceanic life forms and the development of the oceans ecosystem. There are few studies that direct attention to these specific effects and/or if any effects will be present through the usage of a wave power system. Not to mention studies must also show how these water generators will withstand the variances in ocean conditions throughout seasonal transitions.

Because the development of WECS is so new, very little research has been conducted along with minimal viable case studied information gather over a period of time, therefore it is hard to determine just how effective WECS will be for future commercial use. Wave power energy will go through a variety of transitions and face hurdles before it is deemed a global renewable source of energy.

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The Main Disadvantages of Tidal Power

In the modern world, we have seen a shift from traditional method of generating power to a more contemporary one.  And the one that is the center of attention these days is the tidal power.  Favorite amongst the scientist, this energy source is really making its presence felt in the world of energy source and power generation.  No doubt, it comes with a lot of advantages but distance drums always sound well and this is also the case with the tidal power, as with advantages it also has a lot of disadvantages.

The following are some of the disadvantages of tidal power that should be looked upon with utmost care.

• Tidal power is not all cost effective as it seems to be in the first place compared to natural gas and coal plants generating power. More so, the power stations in turn also add up to the carbon content of the atmosphere as fossil fuel is needed to run these power stations. Besides, wild life is displaced from their regular habitat.

• Tidal power cannot be generated inland and can be used where there is appropriate wave motion or tidal flow. It can only produce electricity when there is a tidal surge, not every time.

• Barrage system of tidal power generation requires a lot of maintenance and salt resistant parts. These barrages disrupt fish migration and at the same time kill some of them while they try to pass through the turbine frames. Besides, they disrupt the movement of ships through channels on which barrage is built.

• Tidal power is limited, as the tide never slows down or speeds up and at the same time occurs in cycles of 6 hours. Besides, tidal power is also dependent on fetch distance and hardly any suitable fetch distance is available and wherever available, the cost rises to almost 1.2 billion in setting up the facility.

• Technology is yet not developed fully and hence construction of efficient, cheap and strong conversion device is a bit problematic.

• Location is also one of the major problems as appropriate tides are not found everywhere. More so, tides are dispersing energy sources, lopsided and irregular in size, durability and distance.

Fossil fuels can be produced anywhere, but as mentioned above tidal power is locale specific and needs to be transformed to something different to be transported.

The above points are quite a testimonial to the fact that, there are a number of disadvantages to tidal power. No doubt, until and unless some techniques are developed to get rid of all the problems and cost factors associated with it, it may not be as cost effective to make it viable as a usable source of energy. However, the time is not far when the technologies would be developed and we would be able to come up with a better answer and solutions to all the problems.

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Producing Electricity Using Tidal Power

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.

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Benefits of Tidal Power Generation

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.

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Is Hydropower Viable?

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.

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What Are the Problems With Hydropower?

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.

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Does Geothermal Energy Have a Future?

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.

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5 Reasons Why We Should Use Hydropower

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.

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What Is Hydropower?

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.

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Using Geothermal Energy for Your Home

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.

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Geothermal Energy-Is It Costly?

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.

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What Is Good and Bad About Geothermal Energy?

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.

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What Is GeoThermal Energy?

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.

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