Alternitive_Energy

Alternative Energy There is a need for alternative energy source due to the fact that the economy is so poor and many cannot afford to pay their electric, heating, and oil bills. The price of oil is outrageous which is needed by everyone to live and commute to work. New ways are being created for an alternative source of energy that will help people maintain enough money in order to live a happier life. Alternative energy sources are being developed through four natural renewable energy sources; earth, wind, sun, and water. “Renewable energy resources are those, which will replenish themselves naturally in a relatively short time and will therefore, always be available. They include geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, peat, ocean thermal energy, solar energy, tidal energy, wind power, and fuel wood”(McMullan). There are several positive and negative attributes that result in the development of alternative energy sources. A type of alternative energy source is solar energy. “Solar energy is a term used to identify the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and intercepted by Earth” (Kreider). Solar energy comes from the sun and is the most abundant resource in the world. It is one that will never run out like other fuels sources such as oil. The sun’s radiation is collected through solar-thermal panels and heat collectors. These solar panels are used to generate electricity by converting solar heat into energy. One type of solar power works through photovoltaic panels, which consist of cells and are set on a flat grid. The cells are easily damaged and covered by glass sheets to protect them from dangers in the air. When the sunlight is confined to the panel, the cells convert the solar heat into solar energy through stringing of the cells and allow electricity to be used in homes. Another type of solar power works through thermal collectors. These collectors are used on homes and small businesses. The thermal collector stores the heat from the sun, and transfers it to place where heat is needed, such as in homes to heat water or rooms around the house. Even though these do not produce electricity, thermal collectors significantly decrease the cost of electric bills and oil bills; no electricity or oil will be need to heat the water or rooms. There are many things to consider when contemplating solar panel installation. The location is measured by latitude, longitude, and altitude; in addition the time of year and the local weather conditions. Before people switch to solar energy they must take into consideration where the sun is most directly hitting the surface of a roof. The majority of solar panels are located in the southwest region on the United States. The prices of solar panels are determined by the amount of watts the panel gives off. Depending on the company for every watt it runs for about five to fifteen dollars. Solar panels are great alternative to cutting bills, but there are some factors people disagree on. One of the factors that make individual homeowners shy away from purchasing solar panels is the initial cost of installing the product. In order to have the solar panels work functionally several need to be installed on the roofs tops. This cost usually runs people close to $40,000 or more. Shelling out this kind of money seems to be irrational to many people because the product does not pay for itself for usually around fifteen years. Therefore, people tend to accept paying higher oil prices because they cannot pay for the large installation fee, but rather pay less money over a longer period of time to heat the home. Today’s economy has affected the purchasing power that individuals obtain, and they focus more on immediate needs for survival rather then looking to future for long term solutions to solve the energy crisis. Another type of alternative energy sources is wind energy. “Windmills, or wind machines, are devices that generate mechanical or electrical HYPERLINK "http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article'assetid=0234610-0" power from HYPERLINK "http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article'assetid=0313430-0" wind. They consist of two or more blades mounted on a shaft. Blowing wind causes the blades to turn, which causes the shaft to rotate. The power produced during this process is used to perform work—for example, to pump water, grind grain, or operate a HYPERLINK "http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article'assetid=0117750-0" generator that produces HYPERLINK "http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article'assetid=0095120-0" electricity. Most modern wind machines are used to generate electricity and are referred to as wind generators” (Chiras). There are two main groups of wind generators, horizontal-axis and vertical-axis. In a horizontal-axis machine, the blades with spin on a horizontal shaft. For the most production of this particular wind turbine it is best when the blades are aligned with the wind. On vertical-axis windmills, they are designed with the blades attached to a vertical shaft. Vertical-axis windmills are much easier to install than horizontal-axis windmills due to the fact that vertical-axis machines can be mounted much closer to ground level. Wind turbines come in variety of different sizes. “Microturbines, which are used to power up small sailboats, electric fences and other lower power applications. They produce about 300kW. Miniturbines, which are capable for supplying power for vacation homes, small homes, and small business and they produce 1000-2000kW. Even bigger wind turbines are the household-size, and produce 1000-20000kW and are capable to use for homes, farms, ranches and more. The largest wind turbines are commercial units and they produce 30 to 50 times more then household units and are used for entire towns” (Chiras). The benefits to this are, it is easily maintain and serviced. Even though the initial cost to purchase a wind turbine maybe expensive within a few year or so people will make be paying less on their electric and heating bills. Although wind power saves more money, and is a relatively low maintenance keeping up with the wind turbines, there are a few drawbacks in the energy source. One of the main issues is that the large propellers cause death to many birds and bats. In many areas where the wind turbines have been implemented, certain bat species are rare and endangered. People fear that the collisions with the wind turbines will eventually wipe out the bat populations in these areas. Also, it will affect the travel and migratory patterns of several birds. Another main concern people have about the wind turbines is that it creates a flicker effect. This is caused by sun reflecting off the propellers and into people’s homes. This can be an annoyance watching television and family time. To limit this effect turbines need to be strategically place to accommodate all the concerns. Water is another great alternative energy source. Geothermic energy is a natural heat generator inside the Earth. Through the volcanoes and hot springs that emit hot water steams are drilled into to obtain it. “The naturally heated water can be used to heat buildings, while the steam can be used to generate electricity. Steam can also be produced by pumping cold water into rock that is heated by geothermal energy; such steam is then used to produce electric power” (“Alternative Energy Sources”). Tidal and ocean thermal energy is used through the rise and fall of the tides in the ocean that hold plenty of energy that is used in electricity. “In order for tidal power to be effective, however, the difference in height between low and high tides needs to be at least 20 feet (6 meters), and there are only a few places in the world where this situation exists. A tidal station works like a hydropower dam, with its turbines spinning as the tide flows through them in the mouths of bays or estuaries (an arm of the sea at the lower end of a river), generating electricity” (“Alternative Energy Sources”). Wind turbines may be a great alternative energy source, but they do some unwanted damage. Some flaws in using water energy are that usually damns are constructed to store water during periods of low flow. This drastically disrupts fish spawning patterns such as the salmon in particular areas. By not allowing the fish to travel up stream, reproduction will drop tremendously. Also, the fishing industry will suffer as a result of low fish population. To aid the fish in the travel, fish ladders need to be built near the dams to allow fish to jump from one level to the next until they reach their final destination. Another problem with dams is that it creates still water, which in turn makes the water heat up much faster. Poor thermal stratification does not allow fish and other wildlife a refuge from the heat during the summer. Also, oxygen levels will decrease which will kill plants and animal life, leading to eutrophication in the surrounding waterways. In devising any plan for alternative energy sources, careful planning is necessary to avoid detrimental and irreversible environmental impacts. Alternative energy resources have huge benefits for just about everyone and everything. There are many benefits of solar power. The first is saving money. Installing solar power does cost a lot, however once the systems are up and running there will be a lot of savings on energy bills each month. It does not matter if the system is a smaller or larger panel, the savings are still there. The possibilities of not paying an energy bill at all are great when purchasing a large panel. Alternative energy resources will allow people to enjoy life more. People will not be depending on buying oil as fuel to heat their homes. When people do not buy oil the air pollution will be less dangerous. Some benefits of alternative energy are for moral benefits. Alternative energy has significant environmental benefits. When dealing with solar, wind, and water sources they do not emit and bad fumes or harmful gases into the air or water sources. This will also allow human’s health to be much better and hopefully cut in health care cost. “The more oil we use, the more we have to rely on other countries to supply it. And that can cause global conflict. It’s also important to remember that oil is not renewable. Once it's gone, it's gone!” (“Solar Energy Advantages”). The environment will be a much happier place due to the reduction or energy consumption. “Every single watt of power that's produced (by solar means) is one more watt without pollution” (Breckenridge). The development of alternative energy sources has and will become a more important necessity to everyone and anyone who wants to maintain a quality life. Due to the fact that the oil is a limited supply there is no other way to go about buying efficient and productive mechanisms to pay less on bills. Alternative energy sources have benefits to people and the environment. It is people’s responsibility, as a society, to seek and develop alternative energy sources. These alternative energy sources will preserve the planets natural resources and creates a healthier environment for generations to come. Works Cited Alternative energy sources." UXL Encyclopedia of Science. Ed. Rob Nagel. 2nd ed. Detroit: U*X*L, 2007. Student Resource Center - Bronze. Gale. Pine Bush High School. 13 Nov. 2008 Breckenridge, Mary Beth. "Power to the panel Solar-energy devotees say price is well worth Benefits of sun's heat.(ROP Home/Real Estate)."  The Seattle Times (Seattle, WA). (April 1, 2001): G2. Student Resource Center - Bronze. Gale. Pine Bush High School. 13 Nov. 2008