Renewable Energy

What Type Of Renewable Energy Is Best For You?

Energy is considered renewable when it is generated from resources that are replenished constantly and naturally. The most commonly used sources are sunlight, moving water, wind, and geothermal heat.

Whether you want to help preserve the earth's non-renewable fossil fuels by using renewable, clean energy, or you live in a remote area, how do you know what type is best for you? Following is a brief overview of the five main types of Renewable Energy.

Solar energy is the most widely used form of alternative energy. Sunlight is converted to electricity in three main ways: through the use of photovoltaic or solar cells; by heating air that turns turbines in a solar updraft tower; and in a plant that is concentrating solar power to run a generator. The most well-known of these is the solar cell.

Solar energy is also converted to thermal energy for heating water, as in swimming pools or hot water heaters, and to heat air inside buildings.

Obviously, being able to use solar energy is dependent on the sun and how much of it you are able to harness. You also need a large area for the solar panels, whether they are mounted on a roof, a pole, or on the ground.

Windmovementis used to generate electricity when it turns the blades of a wind turbine. As the wind speed increases, the power output also increases. When the blades of a turbine move, they turn the drive shaft they are connected to, which then turns an electric generator, producing electricity.

Being in an area where the wind blows most of the time is crucial for this method to be of any use. Having backup power is also necessary for when the wind dies down.

Water power is produced by flowing water that is converted into electricity. Rivers are the most common source, and ocean currents are also used. The water is funneled through a pipeline or restricted area to build up pressure. It is then forced through a turbine and the rotational force drives a generator, producing electricity.

Where there is flowing water, as in a river or ocean current, the force of the current is the pressure needed to turn the turbine. When water is accumulated, as in a dam, the force is provided when the water is released.

Biomass is organic material, primarily from plants, that can be burned to provide heat, or produce steam for making electricity. Wood is most commonly used, but garbage, crops, and manure are used as well.

Biomass is converted into other fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, which are burned in engines to release their energy. Ethanol is in most of the gasoline we use today and biodiesel can be used in diesel engines.

Geothermal energy comes from hot liquid under the ground, like hot springs and geysers. There are two main ways this liquid is used. The hot water can be piped into buildings as heat, and geothermal plants generate electricity from the hot water or steam they take from underground.

For additional resources and information, please visit Gosolar4Home.

By Carol Mack -

Renewable energy questions - wind turbine?
i wish to build a 3 phase alternator that will output a 14vdc. Question is, how many poles should i build on the stator, and on the rotating field. And for the coils how many turns should i wound, and what type of wire should i use. And about the connection, can someone explain about star and delta connection. Sorry for the questions, im really a noob and have little clue on how to properly build this alternator. Thanks

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out of all these topics which would be the easiest to find info on?
I have to write a research paper and I am having a hard time trying to write a persuasive essay on the topic I chose, so which one of these should I have the easiest time with; Gun laws, graduation requirements, fraternities and sororities, dress codes in primary and secondary schools (you may want to include the work force as well), car exhaust emissions testing, military spending (increase or decrease), providing aid to the arts, expanding or reducing government loans to college students, adoption, immigration, internet censorship, AIDS, drug trafficking, violence against women, animal rights, homelessness, American history, psychological and mental health care issues, the United Nations, international politics, banking, intellectual property and piracy, cyber crime and privacy, educational testing or standardized testing, health care problems, insurance problems, organ and body donation, smoking, file sharing, aging, automobile safety, campaign finance, democratization, elections, disability, globalization issues, housing and urban development, juvenile crime, nutrition, poverty and welfare, prescription drug policy, recycling, renewable energy, social security reform, fast food, consumer protection, advertising, mutual funds, genetically modified foods, U.S. Patriot Act, art, water quality, crime control, ocean policy and related topics such as habitat destruction, ocean energy, international treaties, problems with commercial fishing, pollution. thanks.

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[[ct]]: Renewable Energy

20% renewable energy by 2020

16 Jan 2008 at 1:37pm