In this world of high consumption, all nations depend upon heavy, toxic energy for electrical energy and other kinds of energy. Coal, oil, fossil fuels and gas are highly toxic forms of energy that we all are using. These are derived from underground finite resources that could with time diminish. On the other hand they are also not renewable, plus they are damaging our planet at an alarming rate.
It is because the Earth is facing severe global warming due to these substances that scientists are now looking for alternatives to these forms of energy. There are three main natural, infinite source of energy that has emerged. The sun’s powerful energy known as SOLAR ENERGY, the Earth’s internal heat known as GEOTHERMAL ENERGY and finally the power generated from the mighty seas and oceans of the earth known as TIDAL/OCEAN ENERGY. We will discuss and elaborate of these briefly.
Solar Energy
Solar Energy doesn’t need much of an introduction as everyone by now probably knows what is is and what are its excellent usage benefits. However what most people would not be knowing is that solar energy is used to derive another energy known as wind energy. This energy is captured with wind turbines and the water is evaporated through the heat of the sun. When the water is evaporated it turns into rain and this water is stored for use or for hydroelectric power ( power gained from water).
When this water flows downhill it causes organic matters to grow under sunlight and the energy stored in these plants are known as bio energy. Bio energy when extracted can be used to produce electricity, transportation fuel etc. So with one single power of the sun, many other renewable energies are derived, which could make our Earth a more beautiful place to live in.
Geothermal Energy
One latest advancement in renewable energy is that of geothermal energy; the energy derived from the internal heat of the Earth. This energy is clean, sustainable, infinite and ofcourse renewable. The Earth’s surface maintains a constant temperature between 50° and 60°F (10° and 16°C). Geothermal devices are tapped into the surface to extract this energy and used with other systems, the energy can be used to heat or cool buildings. In winter the heat that is pumped removes heat from the heat exchanger and pumps it into the indoor air delivery system, for summer the process is reversed and the heat pump moves heat from the indoor air into the heat exchanger. Wells are drilled into underground reservoirs for the generation of electricity. This being the case, geothermal energy is another area that needs to be probed into and use on a large scale basis.
Ocean Energy
The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and being directly exposed to the sun, they are also the most efficient solar collectors. The sun’s heat warms the surface of the water and in this way the waves could be used to trap in solar energy. There are three systems of ocean energy, which includes closed-cycle, open-cycle and hybrid. Closed cycle systems use the ocean’s warm surface water to vaporize a working fluid. The vapor from that working fluid which has a low boiling point is used to turn a turbine. The turbine in turn activates a generator to produce electricity. Open cycle systems boil seawater at low temperatures and this produces a steam that passes through a turbine, which is again used to produce electricity. Finally a hybrid system is a combination of both the closed and open cycle systems.
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Wind power is not a major type of renewable energy?
It is but it is not by itself. It branches out from solar energy.