General interest in alternative energy is growing as more people become concerned about global warming. Alternative energy solutions are an attempt to help reduce fossil fuel consumption and preserve the earth’s natural resources.
As all nations continue to burn oil, gas and coal we are contributing to the acceleration of global warming. The continued depletion of fossil fuels is a problem that has reached critical stages and something has to be done fast before finite resources are completely exhausted.
Proponents of alternative electric energy tell us that we can preserve the world’s resources by adopting renewable energy systems. They say that instead of continuing to rely on non renewable fuels we should employ new sustainable technology. Such technology works by generating electricity from abundant sources that can be harnessed quite easily. Most alternative electric energy systems are simple to understand and utilize.
There is nothing new about using renewable sources for energy. Many alternative electric energy systems are simply an updated version of old fashioned technology. Sources of energy can be generated using the power of the wind, sun or water.
Wind power through wind energy turbines are one alternative electric energy technology. On many European landscapes you can still find relics of old windmills that were used by farmers to grind grain. The wind was caught in the great blades of these mills which would cause them to turn. The rotating action turned a shaft and the shaft would turn the millstones. Modern windmills are not connected to millstones but rather turbines. When the turbines spin they create electricity. Wind turbines are a renewable source of electric energy because wind is free and abundant.
Like wind power, hydro power is an alternative electric energy system that has been around for a long time. Rushing water from rivers was harnessed to turn a wheel that was also connected to a mill. Modern hydro power typically uses the force of water released from a dam to turn the blades of a turbine. Turbines are connected to a generator that produces electricity. Hydro electric power is considered a clean and cost effective alternative energy system for mass usage.
Solar power is a very convenient alternative electricity system that is becoming very popular for small user and domestic application. This system is highly adaptable and can be fitted on rooftops. Solar power has been praised for its ingenious simplicity which rests on the invention of the photo voltaic cell. The cells are very small components that trap the sun’s rays and convert it into electricity. The consumer is able to utilize this electricity which is stored in batteries.
Is making a wind turbine the solution for everyone to be electricity self sufficient? Many parts of the country have sufficient consistent wind to generate sufficient electricity to serve everyone’s needs.