Alternative Power

Despite the above title, this is not an article about a new robot movie or the latest video game. The eventual depletion of natural sources and increasing fuel prices has encouraged government research bodies and industrial research departments to look into alternative sources of energy. The idea of alternative energy has been around for quite a while, but now there is an ever increasing need for it. As fuel prices go up, along with it the prices of other every day expenses, the demand for cheaper, renewable source of energy is more insistent.

Solar energy is defined as energy obtained by converting sunlight to electricity using photovoltaics.  Solar energy can be channeled in many ways; solar water heaters can provide hot water for domestic uses and keep swimming pools heated. Aside from domestic savings, it also has industrial and agricultural applications. In certain countries, greenhouses are able maintain warm temperatures encouraging plant growth and solar powered pumps are used to water grazing animals.

Solar energy is responsible for water distillation and disinfection all over the world, provide clean water to millions. Solar energy can also be utilized by industrial evaporation pond, where water can be purified from contaminants.

Another good way of converting natural sources to energy is by using wind energy. With the use of wind turbines, electricity can be conducted saving costs and reducing environmental implications. Windmills use wind energy to crush grain or pump water, this proves to be economically sensible as it saves costs. It is recorded that wind energy currently produces about 1% of the world's electricity. European countries are more advanced in the application of wind energy, namely countries like Denmark.

The most common form of alternative has to be hydro-electricity. Derived from potential energy of water, electricity is generated. All over the world, huge hydro-electricity plants in the form of dams can be found. Critics argue that these large dams will eventually have an adverse effect on its surrounding environment and its inhabitants; these seem to be overlooked due to the economical benefits. In China, many smaller hydro plants can be found.

There are many other types of alternative energy, ranging from biofuel, biomass, geothermal and wave energy. Although these new types of energies are renewable sources, more research still needs to be done in order for society to be more accepting of them.

 At an environmental point of view, alternative power such as solar, wind and hydro energy make a lot of sense. They are widely available, clean and decrease the emission of greenhouse gases. We need to learn how to cooperate with mother earth, take on a healthier attitude towards environmental issues and adopt a give-and-take when it comes to our natural resources.