What are Alternative Energy Sources?

Although all alternative energy sources are important solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy sources have generated a lot of interest here in the US and abroad. Here is a list of alternative energy sources:

1) Solar Energy

2) Wind Energy

3) Geothermal Energy

4) Hydro Electric Energy

5) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

6) Tidal Power etc.

In fact, United States is a world leader in using geothermal energy (mostly in western states though!!).

According to American Solar Energy Society report, in all energy sectors (e.g., electricity, transportation, thermal), production of renewable energy, including hydropower, has increased by 15.07% compared to the first quarter of 2010, and by 25.07% when compared to the first quarter of 2009. Among the renewable energy sources, biomass/biofuels accounted for 48.06%, hydropower for 35.41%, wind for 12.87%, geothermal for 2.45%, and solar for 1.16%.

There are challenges associated with the various alternative energy sources. It is apparent that the quest to find renewable energy source is leading to better technologies and overcoming the challenges.

As we go into details about these energy sources, we will also discuss using the ideas of being/going off-grid for your residential or commercial property. Of course, as you probably know that these alternative energy technologies are up and coming and they are in the process of being commercialized but we have made a great deal of progress so far. To tap into solar energy as an alternative energy source, one can create solar panels that can be done as do-it-yourself (DIYS) solar energy project on a small scale.

Click here for more information on solar panels for harvesting solar alternative energy.

Alternatively, solar energy also can be harvested from solar farms (see picture on the left) that are created and run by large solar energy companies to make this energy source viable commercially.

The pictures shown include a solar farm displaying multiple solar panels as well as a DIY solar panel. We will also discuss the pros and cons of tapping into solar energy as a viable alternative energy option and what limitations you might face in using it in your home or commercial setting.

Go to Solar Alternative Energy for more information

Wind energy as an alternative energy source is being tapped by more and more people to generate electricity from the breeze. It is interesting to note that wind turbine use has increased more than 25 % a year over the last few decade. Although it still provides only a small fraction of the world's energy, the wind energy industry is booming. As an example, globally wind energy generation has increased four times between 2000 and 2006 and the global capacity was more than 70,000 megawatts at the end of last year. However, we have to be mindful of the pros and cons and the viability of using wind energy.

Just to get a sense of usage, a single megawatt is enough electricity to power about 250 homes in the United States. Wind energy has generated a lot of interest internationally as well. As an example, Germany leads among the nations in installing most installed wind energy capacity, followed by Spain, the United States, India, and Denmark. Development is also fast growing in France and China. Alternative energy experts predict that if this pace of growth continues, by 2050 the answer to one third of the world's electricity needs will be found blowing in the wind. Therefore, there is a great deal of potential in this renewable energy source. In this section, we will discuss the limitations that one might face in using it in your home or commercial setting.

Go to Wind Renewable Energy for more information.

It is a good idea to get an energy audit of your home you are thinking about installing any of these renewable energy sources in your home. Residential energy audit allows one to learn about energy usage in Kilowatt Hours (KWH) and how much you pay for it. These can also help you understand your energy usage and the money you spent on energy bills specially if you bought energy efficient appliances in the recent past.

Click here for energy audit information

Geothermal energy as an alternative energy source is found in the earth's core where the temperature can get hotter than the sun's surface due to slow decay of radioactive particles. Many people are not as familiar with this source of alternative energy. As mentioned earlier, United States is a world leader in tapping into geothermal energy. We can tap into geothermal energy by using the heat that is generated from the steam or hot water under the earth's surface and generate electricity.

Click here for more information on Geothermal Energy

These alternative energy sources buy themselves or in combination and help you in "greening" your house. This could mean anything from installing solar panels or a micro turbines to supplement your energy needs or to replace all your energy needs with alternative energy sources for off grid living.

Biomass alternative energy source is also not well known. Biomass is a combination of anything made of wood (dead tress, left over crops, tree branches, tree bark, and saw dust), used tired, animal manure, and/or paper products (that can't be recycled) etc. You get the picture !!! This material actually can be used to create green electricity and/or fuels. Ethanol is also considered a biomass energy source since its derived from corn plants.

Go to Biomass Energy for more information.

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