Advantages and disadvantages of alternative energy sources

Alternative sources are also called non – conventional sources of energy. These are not based on burning of fuels or splitting of atoms. Alternative sources of energy can be used constructively to meet the energy requirements.

Alternative sources of energy have several advantages. Most alternative energy sources are renewable. They do not emit greenhouse gases. These sources of energy are non toxic. This means that they do not emit harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. They are inexhaustible.

Alternative energy sources are available everywhere and can be put to use at any location. They are sustainable sources of energy. These sources of energy do not cause pollution and are freely available. Most alternative sources of energy are a cost effective means for generating electricity. These sources reduce the dependence on oil or coal for meeting the energy needs.

Disadvantages of alternative sources of energy is that production of alternative sources of energy is expensive. These sources cannot be harnessed easily. It is difficult to make a lot of energy in a short period of time.

Wind turbines used to harness wind energy cause noise pollution and may even kill or injure birds. For harnessing tidal energy, hydroelectric plants require a lot of land and thereby reduce the amount of land available for other purposes. The cost of producing electricity by using these sources is a lot.

With a number of advantages, alternative sources of energy can be optimally utilised to meet the growing needs of energy across the world.

Applications of biodiesel power

Biodiesel power can be generated from bio diesel. Biodiesel is an alternative source of energy that can be obtained from vegetable oils and animal fats. Biodiesel power can be used for many purposes. The main use of biodiesel power is in running vehicles.

Biodiesel power can be used to power all diesel engine vehicles without requiring many modifications in the engine design. It can also be used to power off road vehicles and equipments used in farming, construction and mining. Biodiesel power is used to run marine vessels. The use of biodiesel is advantageous because it does not contaminate the water in any way. Many stationary power generation systems also use bio diesel power because the use of biodiesel does not emit any harmful particles into the environment. It can also be used as boiler fuel. The rising prices of natural gas make bio diesel a viable option to power trains.

Hybrid electric vehicles are being made more popular all around the world and biodiesel power is the best source available to power them. Biodiesel can be used as a lubrication agent and the use of bio diesel power thus increases the efficiency and life of engines. It can also be used as a fuel additive to keep the injectors, pumps and other combustion components of biodiesel power vehicles clean.

Biodiesel power can be applied to many uses cost effectively and reliably. It is a renewable energy source and always readily available for use.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is the energy provided from the sun. Solar energy can be also classified as thermal energy and electric energy. As energy from the sun, solar energy is present in fossil fuels. It is present in the remains of dead plants and animals. Solar energy is also absorbed by plants to prepare their food through the process of photosynthesis. It is also available freely to grow food and keep our bodies warm.

In the form of thermal energy, solar energy provides heat. Solar energy in the form of heat energy can be used to generate electricity and heat water. There are several technologies through which solar energy can be used to generate electricity. Solar pool heaters are used to keep water in pools warm. A solar tower is used to generate electricity by using heat energy from the sun. It is a tall tower through which hot air rises and drives a turbine to generate electricity.

As thermal energy, solar energy is also used to passively and actively heat water. In passive heating by solar energy, water is preheated by the sun’s rays and then used in a conventional water heater. In active heating by solar energy, a heating element is used in solar hot water systems.

As electric energy, solar energy is used in solar cells. Solar cells capture the sun’s rays and convert it to direct current electricity. This DC current is then converted to alternating current to provide electricity.

Solar energy is a cost effective and renewable source of energy that will continue providing energy for long.

Wind energy systems

Wind energy is the energy obtained from the blowing winds. Wind energy systems are becoming very popular because of several reasons. Wind energy systems are used to harness wind energy. Wind energy systems are a good alternative for fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels cause pollution and increases global warming. Wind energy systems on the other hand do not cause any pollution. These systems will be the only ones that will be able to meet the energy requirements once fossil fuels are stopped using because of rising prices and fuel shortages.

Wind energy systems can be used along with grid connected systems or as stand alone units. When used along with grid connected systems, wind energy systems continue supplying power for most of the time and in case the amount of energy generated is less, the energy needs are met by the utility grid. The switching between the wind energy systems and utility grid takes place automatically.

Stand alone wind energy systems are used for homes, farms or for small communities. These are used where the wind speed is slow or where there is no provision of utility grid.

Both types of wind energy systems generate electricity that can be used for domestic and industrial purposes. These systems help to reduce the electricity bills by a significant amount.

Wind energy systems involve an initial investment for their installation. However, once they are used, their benefits overshadow their operating and utility costs. These systems provide with cost effective, clean and reliable energy for many years.

Alternative Power

Have you ever considered this fact that environment is getting polluted day by day. People across the globe now take this thing seriously and that is why they go in for Alternative Power. As far as environment is concerned, Alternative Power makes great sense. You might have heard the term Alternative Power Generators, these generators do not produce any pollution. A battery bank can be used for storing the power generated through Alternative Power Sources. This power is used for back up purposes so that one can not face shortage of power in remote sites. Alternative Power is clean as it does not pollute environment and on the other hand, conventional forms of power like petroleum, wood create pollution in the environment.

Alternative Power Companies are taking steps to use this power in our vehicles. In this way, the level of pollution can be reduced to a great extent. Traditional forms of energy may vanish from the earth but Alternative Power Sources can be replenished. In the future time, renewable energy is only option available as stock of traditional forms of power is diminishing at large scale. The production of green house gases is another issue that can properly be addressed through Alternative Power Sources. The rate of Population is increasing day by day, so different plans are being taken pertaining to Alternative Power so that consumption of fossil fuels can be reduced to minimum. So, Alternative Power is highly environment friendly and today’s polluted world needs this power badly. If you are going in for Alternative Power then you will be doing a great favor to environment.