Green Energy - Which to Choose?
The idea and the need for alternative green energy is now recognized by everybody.
Everyone is aware that oil based power pollutes and nobody in their right mind wants this, so the next point is what alternatives do we have?
Our green power choices are based on wind, water and light (wind farms, hydroelectricity and solar energy).
Energy that is green and is generated through non-fossil means does not harm or damage the environment and at the same time is not depleted and is therefore either renewable or can be regenerated and reused.
- Energy from Wind: People tend to ignore the more general uses of wind power but at one time it was the main source of energy. Think of all the sailing ships that navigated the seas and oceans up until the first steam propelled ships. This was just about the only alternative (the exception would be by rowing) for centuries. Wind farms have now been set up in many countries as a clean and practical alternative to fossil fuel. These wind farms are limited by location as not only must they have a good source of wind which is consistent all year round, but they are also built in large tracts of land so as to be commercially viable.Home owners can also use wind power as there are small generators that have been developed for residential use.
- Hydroelectric Energy: Hydroelectric plants are located in many countries around the world as it is a very effective way of producing electricity. Basically it uses the natural forces of rivers and the seas and as such it is a very efficient option.Hydroelectric plants must have suitable locations and these are limited. Those that are available usually are located near farmland or in more isolated areas where the impact in the water basin can be very high. Unfortunately a negative impact in the local environment can take place.
- Solar Energy: Another renewable option is to generate energy from sunlight. There are two main types of solar power. On is to generate heat and a great example of this is solar panels used to heat swimming pools. An the other is solar panels made to generate electricity. Electricity generation is what most people think of when speaking of solar power. To generate electricity, photovoltaic solar panels are used to capture the sunlight. Special battery storage systems are used to harness the electricity that is generated while the solar panels receive direct sunlight. Solar energy seems to be at an interesting growth stage both from the point of view of use (individual and commercial) and because of the research and investment that is taking place.
All three alternatives represent advances in energy production but solar energy appears to be the best option because sunlight is available much of the time in all countries and at the same time it is even less polluting than the other natural renewable resources.
Cloudy days or days with less hours of sunlight are no longer a major limitation to the new range of solar panels that have been developed. Modern solar panels require little maintenance and each new development seems to bring new smaller panels.
We need energy and an energy supply for just about everything in our society today.
And we must receive energy that is green and therefore non-polluting. Solar energy is perhaps the greenest of our current options.
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