Outlining the Problems with the Various Sources of Alternative Power
The need for alternative power sources is steady rising, and there are many
options for future. Renewable energy sources are the best options because they
are able to produce power cleanly and efficiently. The ability of these sources
to produce power cleanly, helps the environment, as well as helps consumers save
money on energy bills. There are many types of renewable energy, and the main
types of energy include wind power,
solar power, water power, tidal power,
geothermal power, and hydrogen fuel. The various types of renewable energy may
all be great options for a future power source, but there are some disadvantages
to all of the sources.
Wind Power By using the power of the wind as an energy source that turns a turbine attached to a dynamo that
produces electrical energy. The energy source is intermittent and not
dependable. In addition, wind power is noisy, and is described as not producing
pleasing visual effects. Inland wind farm sites are generally located in places
where air funnels pass in the hills, which are usually flyways for birds. These
wind power units commonly kill birds, and the Audubon Society has filed suit to
prevent wind energy installations in some areas. Wind is able to produce
electricity, and may help in the total energy demand, but it can only be useful
as a replacement electricity source, not for oil. In solar power the light from
the sun excites chemicals in a panel that produces the electrical energy.
Solar Energy Solar Power is regarded as the favorite source of future energy, and many people
think it is an unlimited source of power. It is true that the sun is seems to
have an everlasting presence on Earth, but the amount of sunlight that is
received by any area is limited, so only so much light is received. Another
problem is, that at night, or with overcast skies, or in higher latitudes where
the winter days are short there may be no daylight at all, and sunlight may only
be received at limited times. The amount of electricity that can be generated by
the method of converting sunlight by solar cells is small compared with the
demand for energy, and the conversion energy at this time is only about 12
percent. Solar energy also requires large installations, and approximately10
percent of cells in a given area may have to be replaced each year. One of the
biggest problems of solar energy involves storage of large amounts of
electricity when the sun is not available to produce it. This energy may be a
great option for the future of electricity, but once again it is an energy
source that cannot replace oil.
Water power The power of moving water is used to turn turbines in dams or rivers, which powers a dynamo that produces electrical energy. Water
power is also known as hydroelectricity, and it was known as a clean,
environmentally friendly source of energy. However, hydroelectricity systems can
cause farmland to become flooded and wildlife to be displaced. Hydroelectricity
has had disastrous effects on fish populations, as is the case with the Colombia
River System. Hydroelectricity may be great for replacing electricity, but it is
also not an option for oil replacement.
Geothermal power Heat from deep inside the earth
is used the same way fossil fuels are used to heat water in power stations.
There are not many places in the world where there is steam or hot water close
enough to the surface so that it can be accessed with a drill. The scarcity of
resource sites causes geothermal energy to be a minor contributor to energy
supplies. Hydrogen fuel is one of the most popular options for alternative
energy. However, there are many problems with this source, and hydrogen must be
obtained by using another energy source. Hydrogen is often difficult to handle,
it probably not an efficient replacement for gasoline. Also, fuel cells have to
be fuel, and most use hydrogen or some derivative of oil. It may be fine for
powering some automobiles, but fuel cells are not a source of energy themselves.
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