Alternative Sources of Fuel and Energy
Energy is the foundation of industrialized world; without energy, life as we know it would cease to exist. The yearly energy and fuel consumption rates have risen dramatically within the last years. This phenomenon is a direct result of globalization pressures, the international information network we call the Internet, and a population that seems to be hitting the dangerous upswing of the Malthusian curve. Although there is not yet a current shortage of conventional fuels, such as reserves of coal, oil and other fossil fuels are limited and non-renewable. In addition, the common practice of burning oil, coal, and other assorted hydrocarbons has resulted in hazardous environmental conditions such as global warming, acid rain and dangerously high air pollution levels. This and other environmental disasters have brought about a demand for alternative fuel and energy sources that are convenient, environmentally friendly, and economically viable. The U.S. Department of Energy defines alternative fuel as fuel that is essentially non-petroleum and yields energy security and environmental benefits. Following are some of the fuels the Department of Energy currently recognizes as alternative fuels methanol, hydrogen, liquid and compressed natural gas, and electric fuel. Alternative sources of energy are classified as energy provided from sources other than fossil fuels. This includes but is not limited to nuclear power, solar power, hydropower and biomass. Currently, many of these alternate sources are in use, but unfortunately they are underused or underdeveloped because of perceived shortcomings or drawbacks. While some of these fuel and energy sources may indeed lack the efficiency or ...
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The U.S. may be in trouble when it comes to oil, but there are ways we can solve this problem. One way is to try to find alternative energy sources. We should research hydro-electric power, nuclear power, solar power, wind power or other possibilities. With an alternative energy source, we would not have to cut out oil completely, but we would n...
Hydrogen Fuel Cell cars makes water by combining two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule this makes electricity. It works like a regular battery; it stores chemicals inside its cell and converts them into an electric charge. With Fuel Cell, the flow in its cell is steady, so it never dies like a regular battery. Sir William Grove invented Fuel Cell in 1839. It did not become popular because of the success of internal combustion motor.
The current use of energy in the United States, especially California, is foreshadowing catastrophe in our environment. Due to high demand of fossil fuels, the air is filled with more pollution every day. In addition to, it can increase the chances of having global warming. Since fossil fuels are generated from raw materials which are easy and cheap users are becoming extremely dependent on them. The main problem with fossil energy is that the supply of fossil fuels is not continuous. However, alternative energy is continual and harmless to the environment. Biomass does not pollute the atmosphere as much as natural gas. One of the most convenient alternative energies that are currently used for minor purposes is biomass. From the significant results of recent and past use of biomass, it can be considered trustworthy as the main source of energy in the future.
Many people support the idea of alternative energy, yet there is no move to implement it as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. It is the burning process that makes fossil fuels so bad for the environment. An alternative source that does not require combustion is necessary to avert the process of global warming. Wind power and hydroelectric power both turn t...
Kruger, Paul. Alternative energy resources: the quest for sustainable energy. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley, 2006. Print.
As the world’s source of fossil fuels diminishes, another source of energy must replace fossil fuels. This paper evaluates biofuel, one alternative form of energy by showing what biofuel is, how it works, its historical use, and benefits and drawbacks it pertains. I hypothesized that biofuel would be an effective alternative energy. My conclusion does not support my claim, but in terms of worldwide usage.
The world depends heavily on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy, and while the world's population and energy consumption continue to increase, the non-renewable resources we need to produce energy will eventually be depleted. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the supply of oil left in the world will last us twenty five more years. One may say that twenty five years is a long time, and by then new sources of fuel will surely have replaced the nonrenewable sources we currently use to meet our energy demands. This, however, should not be the approach the world takes to solve this issue. Instead of hoping that the problem will solve itself in the years to come, it is our duty as a planet to take this matter into our own hands and to change the ways we acquire our energy before we run out of resources and suffer an energy crisis. Renewable energy sources, such as biomass, can be the solution to securing reliable energy in the future. Unlike coal, oil, or gas, biomass always replenishes itself, and can easily be converted into energy through numerous processes. In addition to being renewable, biomass is a "clean" source of energy that has a less negative impact on the environment than today's fossil fuels.
In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, scientists and policy makers have focused on three options: nuclear power, energy from biomass; and a combination of wind, water, and solar power. Nuclear power, however, is much more costly and runs the risk of having it fall into the wrong hands where it could be turned into a weapon of mass destruction. The third option entails wind turbines, photovoltaic power plants and rooftop systems, concentrated solar thermal power plants,...
Fossil fuels are an important part of life. When you turn on the lights, watch TV, or take a shower, the electricity that you are using is being generated by fossil fuels. The three types of fossil fuels are coal, crude oil, and natural gas. They all take millions of years to form, so they are considered to be “non-renewable”- eventually, the fossil fuels will all be used up. One dangerous biological effect of using fossil fuels is ocean acidification. Extracting and transporting fossil fuels can also be very dangerous. Environmentally damaging accidents such as groundwater contamination, land subsidence, and oil spills occur frequently. Global warming is another possible environmental effect. Fossil fuels have a crucial role in modern society, but since they are non-renewable and dangerous, we should reduce our dependence on them and explore alternative energy sources. Wind energy, hydroelectricity, and solar energy are some examples of renewable fuel sources. There are also many things that people can do everyday to save energy (and, in turn, conserve fossil fuels).
The United States currently relies on coal, oil, and natural gas to run our everyday lives. These different types of fossil fuels are nonrenewable and will eventually dwindle over time, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve (Renewable Energy World.com, 2015). Different types of renewable energies are being discovered to better our world today. These renewable energies are also called green energy, and come from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, tides, and plants (Stephanie Rogers, 2012). Green energy will never dwindle away allowing us a continuous supply of energy to power our everyday lives in the future. This paper will cover facts of our nation using energy, and also cover the different alternatives of energy.It will also cover the use of elctric vehicles and educating our youth about their future.
“We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment”- Margaret Mead. As the world’s population rapidly grows, alternative energy sources are essential to the vigor of our environment. Coal, oil, and natural gas are the most used sources of energy today. But according to Energy News “Our current rate of fossil fuel usage will lead to an energy crisis this century. In order to survive the energy crisis, many companies in the energy industry are inventing new ways to extract energy from renewable sources.” The future vitality of the environment will be derived from wind power, geothermal energy, biomass, nuclear energy, solar energy and the most important source: hydropower. These renewable sources are crucial to the nourishment of the environment since they are less harmful and they are constantly replenished without running out.
In chapter thirteen of our book, Environment by Raven and Berg, it shows us just how important renewable energy sources are. Currently the United States of America thrives on the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power. The main problems with these types of fuel are that they are both limited and can be extremely harmful to our environment. They cause global warming, air pollution, acid rain, and oil spills (Environment), and not only that, but in the grand scheme of things, these sources really aren’t even that cheap of a fuel source. There are many alternatives to these all but outdated fuel sources.
Industrial and technological mechanics are used to power the world. In order to do this, fossil fuels have been the sole source for most of these mechanics-such as buildings, vehicles, electricity, etc. However, as mankind progresses in these advances, the demand of power sources increases with each given year, thus the world’s fossil fuel reserves are depleted at an alarming rate. In addition, the continuous use of these non-renewable resources results in deadly implications. Although fossil fuels are a suitable source of energy, renewable resources are essentially a better form of energy because it is renewable, it is eco-friendly, and it brings economic benefits.
For years man has relied on energy in order to be successful in life. The industrial revolution relied on coal for the new inventions brought into the world. Life as has never been the same since then. However since that time, there has been little done to improve on energy efficiency and humans still primarily rely on fossil fuels for energy. For over a hundred years the Earth has become more polluted and dirtier than ever before. Now, with new, innovative technology there is an opportunity to change that and to rely on renewable, cleaner sources of energy. The main source of energy for the world should be alternative energy instead of energy from fossil fuels.
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.