The Different Alternative Energy Sources That Are Available

"Alternative energy," a term used to describe energy sources that provide alternatives to the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, is available from a number of renewable sources. Increased concern over the supply of nonrenewable sources and the environmental effects of fossil fuel use, ranging from global warming to particulate pollution related to respiratory diseases, has increased research, investment and interest in these sources of alternative energy.

Wind

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, wind power is one of the fastest growing energy generation sectors in the economy. Simply put, wind turbines use the energy stored in gusts of wind to turn a turbine blade, creating electrical current through an alternator. As a source of energy, wind is clean, renewable and abundant, providing energy at a variety of scales, from small domestic installations to the huge wind turbines found along highways and in agricultural lands.

Solar

• Solar panels turn the sun's rays into electricity.

  Modern solar energy is drawn mostly from photovoltaic (PV) panels, flat surfaces made up of semiconductors like silicon that turn the sun's rays directly into electricity. PV panels are frequently used to power small devices, such as traffic lights and thermometers, in remote locations, but large solar arrays can be used to contribute large-scale amounts of electrical power into the national grid.

Biomass

• Biomass generation uses the energy stored in organic matter, like wood, plant oils or algae, to generate power. Biomass energy is created through a simple combustion process in which renewable organic matter replaces a fossil fuel. Biodiesel refined from vegetable oils, for instance, would replace products derived from petroleum. As long as the resource is sustainably harvested, biomass is clean and renewable.

Geothermal

• Geothermal energy is derived from the thermal energy (heat) present in the earth itself. Geothermal power plants use geological temperature differences, such as hot air vents or geysers of hot water to turn air or steam turbines, generating electricity. Geothermal energy can also be used to heat or cool buildings or industrial parts.

Hydroelectric

• Hydroelectric plants draw energy from the movement of running water. Based on a mechanism similar to wind energy, hydroelectric generation takes advantage of that movement to turn machine parts and capture the energy as mechanical energy and electricity. Many environmentalists criticize large-scale hydroelectric facilities because of the flooding and disruption they can cause in river habitats, but small-scale plants are less controversial and can provide adequate amounts of power for a small community. Recent research has also investigated the possibility of using ocean currents and tidal movements to generate power.