Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Alternative Green Energy Is The Way Forward


By Denzil De Vries

There is a selection of alternative green energy systems available. Each are deemed renewable and can produce electricity. However, they are not all equal in their impact on the environment. Some are considered more sustainable than others. Commentators have divided the various options into two types. Solar energy, wind energy and hydro energy form one group while so called 'earthly sources' like biofuels and geothermal energy, constitute the second group.

Wind power is a highly versatile form of alternative green energy. Wind is able to propel the vanes of a windmill which can then drive an electric turbine. Wind power does have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that wind is free and abundant. The disadvantages include the noise of the rotating vanes if windmills are placed close to residential areas. Conservationists have also argued that too many windmills together are an eyesore that mars the beauty of the countryside.

Solar energy is a popular alternative green energy system. The energy of the sun could potentially be harnessed to power every home on the planet. Solar power is used to heat water that is fed into pipes for heating and hot water supply. Solar heated water can be transformed into hydrogen gas which is used for driving turbines. Solar energy can also be converted into direct electricity with photovoltaic solar panels. It is often argued that the production of solar cells is expensive and creates its' own environmental problems.

Hydroelectric power is the alternative energy system that has seen the greatest degree of implementation worldwide. This is because it is relatively cheap to install and many countries have the resources needed to operate it. Energy is generated through the action of moving water through turbines. The main criticisms of hydro power are that the dams necessary to create them often disrupt natural waterways and fertile lands are often flooded to create the lakes required to implement this technology, thus displacing local people.

Geothermal power seeks to generate electricity by tapping heat locked deep down below the earth's surface. Rock that is heated by magma deep inside the earth is the source of energy for geothermal power. Water is pumped down through boreholes to acess these extremely high temperatures below ground and then forced back out again to run steam generators.

Power plants can be operated using the steam generated by geothermal power, Geothermal power is an alternative green energy solution that is yet to see widespread implementation. This is because of the extremely high costs associated with drilling water holes. Further, it remains unclear what implications exist for causing earthquakes by geothermal power drilling.

Oil rich plants like rapeseed can be processed into diesel for powering engines. Likewise, plants with a high sugar content such as sugar cane can be distilled into ethanol to run cars. The alternative green energy that makes use of such fuels is called biofuel. Although biofuels are completely renewable they have come under heavy criticism because of the amount of agricultural land that is needed to grow them. Critics further argue that biofuels still produce levels of carbon emissions associated with global warming. However, supporters of biofuels claim that biofuels are carbon neutral because growing crops generate carbon and at the same time, consume carbon dioxide.

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