Alternative energy is energy that is generated in ways that do not harm the environment or deplete natural resources, often by avoiding using fossil fuels or nuclear energy. There are many benefits to using alternative energy other than just being better for the environment. It is renewable, which means that the Earth can naturally replenish it and it can be used again, as long as it does not get used faster than it can be replenished. It is also sustainable, which means it can be used without risking the availability of it for future generations. Alternative energy is also more cost effective for long term use. While most alternative energy sources are expensive to build, it is often a one-time investment and you will not have to keep putting …show more content…
It is created by building a dam on a river and using the potential energy of the water to create electricity. The water is pushed through turbines, and as the turbines spin they activate a generator, creating electricity. Hydroelectric power is clean and renewable. It produces virtually continuous energy, and can last for decades. Although dams can be expensive to build, they require little to no investment after they are built. However, building a dam can have a largely negative impact on the environment. One side of the dam will be flooded with water which disrupts the life in the river. On top of that roads and power lines need to be built with the dam, which disrupts land animals as well. Dams do not only displace animals, but people as well. Dams need a lot of space, which often causes people’s homes and sometimes entire towns to be displaced. Another alternative energy source is solar energy. This is predicted to be the most promising source of energy for the future, but there are still a few things that need improving to make it work in the most efficient way. Solar energy is produced when photovoltaic cells in solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it to energy. The energy from the cells is converted to electricity in an inverter and can be used or stored for later use. Solar energy is both renewable and sustainable. It is also a clean and quiet way to produce energy. Solar energy is good for remote or rural areas where it may be difficult to get power lines. Although solar panels are expensive to install they are low maintenance after installation. However, there is a need for a large, open area for the solar panels. Solar panels can only absorb energy during the day and even though the energy can be stored for use at night, it can be expensive to store energy. Solar panels are also less effective in bad weather when there is less sunlight to be
It uses flowing water to generate electricity. It does this by using dams and reservoirs for storage. This method gives us the most electricity rather than any other renewable energy source. Not only do the dams and reservoirs create electricity, they also control flooding (Sambu). Hydropower is the least expensive procedure to generate electricity. This is true because “once a dam has been built and the equipment installed, the energy source—flowing water—is free. It's a clean fuel source that is renewable yearly by snow and rainfall. Hydropower is also readily available; engineers can control the flow of water through the turbines to produce electricity on demand”
The use of turbines from dams to provide power was a brilliant idea until water levels started running lower than normal. The water waste from humanity is directly contributing to portions of it, aside from drought conditions affected by pollution, widespread fires battled, and more adds to the depletion thereof. When humanity is relying on power provided from dams to handle the demand, they are essentially relying on the assumption that water levels will always be there to provide it. The Hoover Dam provides power to the southwestern portion of the USA that has a large number of people.
The energy industry provides many different resource options for consumers to choose. Two main markets within this industry exist: conventional energy and alternative energy. Conventional forms of energy never suffer from low demand because of consumer’s familiarity with these resources. Alternative energy, on the other hand, is still a growing market. The United States government shows great interest in adapting to a lifestyle that uses these forms of energies by passing acts, creating energy policies, and subsidization to support the alternative energy market. But the conventional energy market still remains prevalent in the country. A government model of utilizing alternative resources needs to occur for the energy market to thrive amongst
Non renewable energy, such as fossil fuel, is used all over the world. Big part of the population assumes that fossil fuel is a reliable source of energy, easy to obtain, and is relatively cheap. On the other hand, fossil fuel is a non renewable energy, which means that we can use it only once. Also, this burning fossils are not good for the environment and are the main reason of the global warming. In this era a lot of new technologies have been invented. Although not every created invention has been for good, renewable sources such as, solar, wind, and human power are a good alternative of energy. Despite some people thinking that solar energy isn’t helpful and it’s only a bad investment; solar energy is the best way to reduce the greenhouse gases and decelerate the global warming, also, is a good investment and it will help you save money in a short term, and unlike the burning fossil fuel, is not harmful for human’s health.
Alternative energy does not focus on the burning of fuel, nor the nuclear process. Alternative energy is basically an alternative to fossil fuel. Fossil fuels include coal, oil, or even natural gas. One day coal and oil will eventually run out, and the cost of these are getting more and more expensive by the day. We can reuse alternative energy, but no matter what energy sources we use, there will always be pros and cons.
Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy.
Solar is a viable alternative energy source with solar panels becoming more affordable and more efficiently designed.
There are three parts to a typical hydropower plant. The first part is an electric plant where electricity is produced. The second is a dam that open and closes to control the flow of water. Water behind the dam goes into an intake and is pushed against blades in a turbine which causes them to turn. Then the turbine rotates a generator to create electricity.
Compare and Contrast Nuclear Energy and Alternative Energy. Standard Number Science 3.4. Today, our society is using more energy than ever. With the increase in demand for energy, problems are presented that have to be addressed.
A water dam is a barrier that stores water; it can be on the surface or in underground caves. A dam is used to store water due to the construction of one, leading nowhere for water to escape. Dams are also used to make hydroelectricity. The amount power it releases when water is pushed back is enough to produce hydroelectricity. Three main groups water dams are classified under material, structure and size. Water dams are great for storing rainwater, water from rivers that flow into oceans, seas, lakes and more. Dams provide an efficient source of energy/electricity. Dams are used from hydropower, which creates no smog or green house gases. Water dams are made out of concrete so they do not rust, leading dams to be very low in maintenance costs. If someone ever decides to close a dam, it only takes a mater of minutes unlike coal and nuclear plants take days. In terms of irrigation, dams supply 20% of world food production. Twenty-four countries depend on water dams for 90% of their power supply. Water dams have made an important role to our development, and the benefits from them have been great.
The paragraphs below will prove that the construction and presence of dams always has and will continue to leave devastating effects on the environment around them. Firstly, to understand the thesis people must know what dams are. A dam is a barrier built across a water course to hold back or control water flow. Dams are classified as either storage, diversion or detention. As you could probably notice from it's name, storage dams are created to collect or hold water for periods of time when there is a surplus supply.
Hydroelectric Power Plant is when electricity is generated when water in an uphill reservoir flows downhill. The gravitational potential energy of the water changes to kinetic energy of the flowing water which drives the turbines to generate electricity. The efficiency is more than 90%. The environmental impact is Floods large area and affects the ecology of the area, May cause drought downstream if not managed properly, does not cause ai...
Hydroelectricity is a renewable source that can be used for years and cam be expanded in many different ways. It also can produce energy from running water without reducing its quantity and can be utilized with other renewable sources that promote energy. Hydroelectricity contributes to the storing of drinking water by collecting rain water, which can then be used for irrigation; however it can also improve the air you breathe because it doesn’t release any toxins or pollutants. For a century, hydroelectricity has made long term improvements environmentally and can continue to do so for many years to come because of how affordable this technology is. (Lamb)
Although renewable energy can be expensive to build, it has less environmental damages in comparison to non-renewable energy. Besides the natural resources such as sun, wind, water and hydrogen, we also have geothermal power, and biofuels as renewable sources. First of all, solar energy is the energy produced when the sun heats the solar panel. Thus, when the sun heat the panels, it produces electricity. Solar power produces energy during the day and can storage energy for the night. Solar power does not pollute so much the environment. However, it has high maintenance cost, and it takes a large land space. Secondly, 15% of World electricity comes from wind. In order to have wind energy, it is important to have turbines to get the wind in order to produce electricity. Tall turbines produce more energy. The drawbacks of wind power are that it requires steady wind and its installations may interfere with TVs, cellphones, and other electrical devices. However, it is quickly built and there is no pollution nor noise produced. Third of all, the water falls in the dam can also generate electricity. For instance, 19% of world electricity comes from water. Regardless of the fact that hydroelectric power has low maintenance costs and does not pollute the environment, it can cause earthquakes, and destroy wild rivers. Only 0.3% of world energy
Global warming is an extremely important and troubling aspect of the world’s current situation. This is due to the fact that the majority of the world’s energy production is from non-renewable energy sources, which are energy sources that either can not be naturally replenished or require thousands of years to be restored. Based on our current energy usage growth rates, there are an estimated 100 years left before our natural resource reserves are exhausted. (Non Renewable Natural Resources: How Much Is Left, Environmental Thinker) China alone consumes nearly as much coal as the combined usage of coal from the rest of the world. (US Energy Information Administration, China Consumes Nearly as Much Coal as the Rest of the World Combined) There is visible evidence of this happening with the increasing pollution levels. Carbon Dioxide and Methane pollution levels in the world reached a record high in 2012 and are 260% higher than the pre-industrial levels. (UN: CO2 Pollution Levels at a Record High, John Heilprin) Converting our world into a more renewable energy dependent society is the most advantageous and likely method for preserving our dwindling fossil fuel supply while also protecting the world that we call home.