Alternative Power


Alternative Power


 

A Primer On Alternative Power


Thanks to the advent of alternative power, no longer must we rely on depleting the planet of its natural resources, burning fossil fuels that cause pollution of the atmosphere, depletion of the ozone layer, can potentially be unstable (as in nuclear energy), and continues to increase in cost year after year. The main sources of alternative power are the following:



energy producing crops: synthetic biofuels and direct combustion;

wind power and power from waves and tides;

hydroelectric (water) power;

solar power: heat and electricity;

heat power: from man-made and natural waste products and from the making of synthetic bio-fuels;



By definition, an energy resource is renewable if it is replaced at a rate equal to or faster than the rate at which it is consumed. Renewable energy is therefore also considered sustainable energy, since it will continue to be available in unending supply even as it's being utilized. Renewable energy has also been given the moniker alternative energy in reference to the alternative it offers to conventional, non-renewable sources.



Renewable energy can be utilized in one of two ways:



directly: as in water mills, windmills, solar ovens, geothermal heating;

indirectly: using the renewable resources to create other sources of power, either as fuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas) or by generating electricity (wind turbines, solar panels).



Before renewable energy replaces the conventional sources of power that we're used to (ie. public utility grid power), it will take years of research and development, continually studying, experimenting, improving, and innovating. The study of renewable energy, its applications and repercussions is concerned with environmental, economical, social, and political factors.



The reasons for switching from conventional, non-renewable energy to renewable energy are vast and varied, and the list grows larger every day. Among them are:



it has a small to nil environmental impact with little to no harmful emissions, as a result supporting and protecting our natural ecosystem for future generations to enjoy;



supplementing utility power with renewable power allows you a precious and invaluable backup system in the case of emergencies such as power outages and shortages;



once a renewable energy system is installed, the energy costs a consistent amount to use year-round - as opposed to utilities that fluctuate in price throughout the year based on seasonal as well as socio-political factors;



it is "distributed" energy, or energy that is used in the same location where it is produced - this cuts down considerably on transportation and distribution costs;



many local and state governments as well as the federal government offer incentives in the form of tax breaks for the production and use of renewable energies;



if you produce more power using renewable resources than you need for your own personal use, you can actually sell that power back to the utility companies in a program called "net metering".



To complete a truly well-rounded discussion on renewable energy, there must be equal time given to its drawbacks as to its benefits. The most prevalent concerns about the long-term viability of renewable energies are that it is extremely dependent on numerous climactic factors and that it is considered "diluted" energy in that much more is needed to generate much less power. These so-called drawbacks, however, are no reason not to continue a fervent pursuit of incorporating renewable energy usage into more and more parts of our everyday lives. They are only to keep us present to the issues we must address in order to make a widespread switch to renewable energies a viable reality.



For easy to understand, in depth information about alternative power visit our ezGuide 2 Biogreenlife.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com


If the Dem's are all about alternative power, why did the Kennedys fight so hard against?
The "Mary-Jo Kopechne Memorial Wind Farm" off Cape Cod? http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/6/12/102323.shtml?s=po

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World Classical Tamil Conference:Other Modern Languages dominate ancient Tamil,Isn't the Generation Gap?
Grandfather is confined to the house,but grand children are naughty. Doesn't this rule apply to Grandpa Tamil with other naughty Grand Children Languages? Tamil Nadu, the cradle of Dravidian culture, has a very rich history dating back to thousands of years. Some anthropologists and historians believe that human activity in this region began as early as 300, 000 years ago. It is also suggested that the first Dravidians were part of the early Indus Valley Civilization and had to migrate southwards to escape aggressive Aryan advancements around 1500 BC. However, the recorded history of South India, including Tamil Nadu, is available only from the 4th century BC onwards. The early history of Tamil Nadu, between the periods of 1st - 9th century AD, had been dominated by the Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas and Pandyas rulers. All these dynasties engaged in continual skirmishes; but their steady patronage of arts served the expansion of Dravidian culture. It is also considered the golden period of Tamil literature famously known as " the Sangam Age", which lasted till the end of 3rd century AD. The Sangam literature provides a deep insight into the cultural, social and economic conditions of that period. The early Cholas ruled Tamil Nadu between 1st and 4th centuries AD. The Cholas ruled the present Tanjore and Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) region and were known for their excellent military expertise. At the peak of their glory, the Chola kings expanded their influence as far as Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the south and hundreds of kilometers across the northern region. The Cholas were great lovers and patrons of art and architectures in Tamil Nadu. The Brahadeeswara Temple of Tanjore (an UNESCO's World Heritage Site) is a classical example of the magnificent architecture of the Chola kingdom. During the second half of the 4th century AD, Pallavas emerged into prominence and dominated the region for next 400 years. They ruled the most of the present day northeastern Tamil Nadu, with Kanchipuram emerging as the most important center of their political and cultural activities. During Pallavas, the Dravidian architecture reached its epitome. Popularly referred as "the temple builders," the Pallavas constructed a large number of temples including amazing temples of Mahabalipuram, Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram and the Kapaleswarar Temple at Chennai. In the 6th century AD they defeated the Cholas and their authority reached as far as Sri Lanka. But, the internal feud led a gradual decline of the Pallava dynasty and they lost their supremacy by the end of the 9th century AD, when Aditya Chola defeated them. The Chola Empire extended its boundaries up to Orissa and parts of West Bengal in the north and to Ceylon in the south by defeating the Pandyas. By the end of 11th century AD, Chalukyas- another famous dynasty of south India- rose into prominence together with the Cholas, but couldn't stand the mighty Chola kingdom for long time. Eventually, Cholas became prominent and ruled Tamil Nadu till the end of the 13th century AD. As Cholas declined, the Pandyas once again emerged into prominence, but soon they were subdued by Muslim invasion from the north, in the beginning of the 14th century AD. The invasion completely destroyed the Chola and Pandya supremacy in the region and led to the establishment of the famous Bahmani Kingdom. The supremacy of the Bahmani Kingdom in the south was not without challenges as the Vijayanagar Empire emerged as an alternative power and posed a major challenge to Muslim advancement to the south. But, the 1564 battle of Talikota led to the victory of the Muslims and the formidable Vijayanagar Empire came to an end. The Muslims divided the empire into many small kingdoms and was given to the Nayaks to rule. The Nayaks of Madurai and Tanjore were most prominent of them all. The reconstructed some of the oldest temples in the region. The Nayaks were subdued once the Europeans entered into fray for supremacy in the region, with later emerging as victorious. The East India Company established its factory in Chennai in 1640, which emerged as the most important trading post for the company. Under the British colonial rule, most of the south India was integrated into the region called Madras Presidency. But the British supremacy in the south was not without challenges. The French and Dutch also entered into the fray for supremacy in the region. The British had to fight a number of battles with them, notably the French at Wandiwash in 1760, and the Dutch at Tharangambadi, which led to complete surrender of the Dutch, and reduced the French dominations in India to Pondicherry. Tamil Nadu played a significant role in India's freedom struggle. After India's independence in 1947, Madras Presidency became Madras State in 1953. In 1956, under the states Reorganization Act, the Kannada-speaking areas were transferred to Mysore (now Karnataka), and the Ma http://www.indiaatitsbest.com/tamil-nadu/history-of-tamil-nadu.html

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Is there a book that describes how to make electric generators, solar, wind power from house hold items?
I want a book that has some different designs for making electric generators from things like old exercise bikes, fan blades for wind power, low cost solar panels, or any other kind of alternative energy that is easily produced from the home, and with recycled or low cost materials. How to store the energy would also be a plus. All I can seem to find are book specifically for one type of alternative power(i.e. just solar, or just wind). I'm hoping there is something out there that is more like what I have described. Well I was more hoping just for a book that shows simple electrical hook ups to say turn an old exercise bike into a generator of sorts. Things like that. I assumed old fans, and such wouldn't produce very much energy, but If I use an exercise bike for an hour every day anyway I thought it would be cool to harness, store, and use some of that power to watch TV while im on the bike, or turn a radio on for a few hours or something along those lines. Just like those new crank radios.

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