Environmentally Sound Energy Solutions
Thu, 12/27/2007 - 12:58am — efadmin
Energy Efficiency"The findings of the IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change], the consensus estimate of the world’s scientists, couldn’t be any clearer: human activities are altering our atmosphere, and the planet is warming. Unless we act now, with great urgency, costly and disruptive impacts all over the world are inevitable. We have no choice but to act. We need to change the way we produce, use, and conserve energy. It is just this simple: We must use less energy and release less carbon dioxide by being smarter about how we use energy, and that means energy efficiency. . . . Energy efficiency should be viewed as our 'first fuel.' Maximizing energy efficiency and conservation should be the 'fuel' of first choice."Learn more... |
Renewable Energy ResourcesRenewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and biomass, play a small but significant role in our current energy policy, and will play a much larger role as the increasing financial, environmental and health costs of a "business as usual" approach make the move to a "low carbon" policy more attractive.Learn more... |
|
Wind Energy"Wind is a clean, inexhaustible, indigenous energy resource that can generate enough electricity to power millions of homes and businesses. "The United States can currently generate more than 10,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the wind, which is enough to power 2.5 million average American homes. Industry experts predict that, with proper development, wind energy could provide 20% of this nation's energy needs." "The U.S. wind energy industry is on track to add well over 3,000 megawatts (MW) to the nation’s power generating capacity in 2007, thereby topping last year’s record of 2,454 MW . . . . One megawatt of wind power produces enough electricity on average to serve 250 to 300 homes."Learn more... |
Biomass"To many people, the most familiar forms of renewable energy are the wind and the sun. But biomass (plant material and animal waste) supplies almost 15 times as much energy in the United States as wind and solar power combined – and has the potential to supply much more." Biomass "is the oldest source of renewable energy known to humans, used since our ancestors learned the secret of fire."Learn more... |
|
Solar Energy"In the broadest sense, solar energy supports all life on Earth and is the basis for almost every form of energy we use. The sun makes plants grow, which can be burned as 'biomass' fuel or, if left to rot in swamps and compressed underground for millions of years, in the form of coal and oil. Heat from the sun causes temperature differences between areas, producing wind that can power turbines. Water evaporates because of the sun, falls on high elevations, and rushes down to the seas, spinning hydroelectric turbines as it passes. But solar energy usually refers to ways the sun's energy can be used to directly generate heat, lighting and electricity."Learn more... |
Geothermal Energy"Heat from the earth can be used as an energy source in many ways, from large and complex power stations to small and relatively simple pumping systems. This heat energy, know as geothermal energy, can be found almost anywhere – as far away as remote deep wells in Indonesia and as close as the dirt in our backyards. Tapping geothermal energy is an affordable and sustainable solution to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and the global warming and public health risks that result from their use."Learn more... |
|
Hydroelectric Energy"Water is currently the leading renewable energy source used by electric utilities to generate electric power. Hydroelectric plants operate where suitable waterways are available; many of the best of these sites have already been developed. Generating electricity using water has several advantages. The major advantage is that water is a source of cheap power. In addition, because there is no fuel combustion, there is little air pollution in comparison with fossil fuel plants and limited thermal pollution compared with nuclear plants. Like other energy sources, the use of water for generation has limitations, including environmental impacts caused by damming rivers and streams, which affects the habitats of the local plant, fish, and animal life."Learn more... |
