Showing posts with label Renewable energy sources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Renewable energy sources. Show all posts

Monday, February 15, 2021

WHY IT’S TIME TO SWITCH TO SOLAR - Scientists have calculated that each hour the sun shines its light energy on earth, that capacity, once harnessed, can meet the earth’s energy needs for a whole year! While solar companies are doing their bit to help make an ever-popular renewable energy source easily available to consumers, solar technology only meets 1/10th of one percent of the earth’s energy demand. Both commercial and residential incentives for solar power installation remain, so the time couldn’t be better to switch to solar either at home or at the office. Most folks have gotten used to some of the most basic uses of solar technology, so much so it may have become passé on a small scale. Most individuals are aware conceptually of photovoltaic cells used in solar panels at home, commercially, on spacecraft, etc. — even many handheld devices such as calculators. Each small cell is comprised of semiconductor materials such as those found in computer chips. As the sun hits each cell, the light knocks electrons free from their atoms, setting their flow in motion, which subsequently generates electricity. In contrast, large-scale explanations display some diverse applications and techniques that generate energy and heat. Once generated, heat can boil water to drive steam turbines which, in turn, generates electricity similar to coal or nuclear power, yet without the disastrous carbon emissions so damaging and deleterious to life and the environment.

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Why It’s Time To Switch To Solar

by Contributing Writer



Scientists have calculated that each hour the sun shines its light energy on earth, that capacity, once harnessed, can meet the earth’s energy needs for a whole year!

While solar companies are doing their bit to help make an ever-popular renewable energy source easily available to consumers, solar technology only meets 1/10th of one percent of the earth’s energy demand.

Both commercial and residential incentives for solar power installation remain, so the time couldn’t be better to switch to solar in 2013 either at home or at the office.

How It Works: From The Simple To The Complex

Most folks have gotten used to some of the most basic uses of solar technology, so much so it may have become passé on a small scale.

For example, most individuals are aware conceptually of photovoltaic cells used in solar panels at home, commercially, on spacecraft, etc. — even many handheld devices such as calculators.

Each small cell is comprised of semiconductor materials such as those found in computer chips.

As the sun hits each cell, the light knocks electrons free from their atoms, setting their flow in motion, which subsequently generates electricity. That’s the most basic description.

In contrast, large-scale explanations display some diverse applications and techniques that generate energy and heat.

Once generated, heat can boil water to drive steam turbines which, in turn, generates electricity similar to coal or nuclear power, yet without the disastrous carbon emissions so damaging and deleterious to life and the environment.

One solar collection process employs long troughs of U-shaped mirrors, which focus sunlight on pipes of oil running through their middle.

Once heated, the hot oil boils water for electric generation.

Another process takes movable mirrors and focuses the sun’s rays on a collector tower that has molten salt in a receiver, which, as it passes through, generates power.

At its most passive, solar power can harness the heat that passes through large banks of windows.

The sunlight is absorbed into heat-trapping material on walls and floors, which then release that heat to keep the room or building warm.

Of course, most individuals are now familiar with solar panels and plates on rooftops that generates electricity for appliances in the home or office.

Increased Solar Presence

Even though the sun’s capacity is infinite, applications have not become extensive although they are increasing at a significant pace — about 20% year over year in the last decade alone.

Innovation continues to abound with solar energy powering automobiles, satellites, tortilla ovens in Mexico, as well as increasing applications by power companies, with alternate renewable energy use such as wind turbines complimenting solar production.

Because solar power is clean, infinite and essentially noise free, it continues to provide an inexhaustible power source for the future.

Finally, because financing incentives are still available through solar companies and because the systems typically pay for themselves within 10 years, often less depending on size and consumption needs, solar energy remains a smart buy.

Article courtesy of solar electricity company, Baker Electric Solar. Let them help you make the switch to a renewable solar energy source today.

Contributing Writer iSustainableEarth.com works with experts across the industry to provide our customers with the most up to date Sustainable Living tips and news. Our contributing writing staff cover a broad range of Going Green topics such as water conservation, green products, green jobs and much more. Should you have any questions regarding the topics covered by our contributing writing staff please use the Contact Us link at the bottom of our website.

http://www.isustainableearth.com/energyefficiency/why-its-time-to-switch-to-solar


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The Electric Grid

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Thursday, July 16, 2020

BIOENERGY - A Growing Form of Renewable Energy Sources - Bioenergy is renewable energy created from natural, biological sources. Many natural sources, such as plants, animals, and their byproducts, can be valuable resources. Modern technology even makes landfills or waste zones potential bioenergy resources. It can be used to be a sustainable power source, providing heat, gas, and fuel. Because the energy contained in sources like plants is obtained from the sun through photosynthesis, it can be considered an inexhaustible source. Using bioenergy has the potential to decrease our carbon footprint and improve the environment. While bioenergy uses the same amount of carbon dioxide as traditional fossil fuels, the impact can be minimized as long as the plants used are replaced. Fast-growing trees and grass help this process and are known as bioenergy feedstocks. Most bioenergy comes from forests, agricultural farms, and waste. The feedstocks are grown by farms specifically for their use as an energy source. Common crops include starch or sugar-based plants, like sugarcane or corn. Chemical processing uses chemical agents to break down the natural source and convert it into liquid fuel. The thermal conversion uses heat to change the source into energy through combustion or gasification. A biochemical conversion uses bacteria or other organisms to convert the source, such as through composting or fermentation.

Massive corn field against a clear sky is an inviting bioenergy source.
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Renewable Bioenergy
The Definition of Bioenergy
A Growing Form of Renewable Energy Sources
By Jeffrey Orloff



Bioenergy is renewable energy created from natural, biological sources.
Many natural sources, such as plants, animals, and their byproducts, can be valuable resources.
Modern technology even makes landfills or waste zones potential bioenergy resources. It can be used to be a sustainable power source, providing heat, gas, and fuel. 
Because the energy contained in sources like plants is obtained from the sun through photosynthesis, it can be replenished and is considered an inexhaustible source. 
Using bioenergy has the potential to decrease our carbon footprint and improve the environment.
While bioenergy uses the same amount of carbon dioxide as traditional fossil fuels, the impact can be minimized as long as the plants used are replaced.
Fast-growing trees and grass help this process and are known as bioenergy feedstocks.
Where Bioenergy Comes From
Most bioenergy comes from forests, agricultural farms, and waste. The feedstocks are grown by farms specifically for their use as an energy source.
Common crops include starch or sugar-based plants, like sugarcane or corn.
How It Is Created
To turn raw sources into energy, there are three processes: chemical, thermal, and biochemical.
Chemical processing uses chemical agents to break down the natural source and convert it into liquid fuel. Corn ethanol, a fuel created from corn, is an example of chemical processing results.
The thermal conversion uses heat to change the source into energy through combustion or gasification.
A biochemical conversion uses bacteria or other organisms to convert the source, such as through composting or fermentation.
Who Uses It
Bioenergy exists at several different levels.
Individuals can create bioenergy, such as by creating a compost heap out of kitchen scraps and keeping worms to produce rich fertilizer.
At the other extreme are large energy corporations looking for more sustainable energy sources than oil or coal. 
These organizations use huge farms and facilities to provides hundreds or thousands of customers with energy.
Why It Is Important
Having the ability to produce energy through plants or other resources can lessen U.S. reliance on foreign nations for sources of energy.
Bioenergy also is viewed as essential for the environment.
Continued use of fossil fuels can cause significant environmental issues by producing greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming or by emitting harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide which can harm the population's health.
As technology progresses, bioenergy has the potential to dramatically reduce greenhouse emissions, the release of harmful gases associated with global warming and climate change.
The use of forests and farms in bioenergy can help combat the harmful release of carbon dioxide and help achieve a balance.
At this time, bioenergy is not ready to replace fossil fuels. The process is too costly and uses too many resources to be practical in most areas.
The large plots of land and significant amounts of water needed to be successful can be difficult for many states or countries.
Additionally, agricultural resources such as land and water dedicated to producing crops related to bioenergy can limit the resources used for producing food.
Still, as science continues to study this area, bioenergy could increasingly become a larger source of energy that can help improve the environment.

Jeffrey Orloff
Finance Expert
Introduction
Jeffrey Orloff is an expert in household savings and transportation.
ThoughtCo and Dotdash
ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.
For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.
Massive corn field against a clear sky is an inviting bioenergy source.

Friday, January 24, 2020

TOP RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES - Eventually, the world will run out of fossil fuels, or it will become too expensive to retrieve those that remain. Fossil fuels also cause air, water and soil pollution, and produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Renewable energy resources offer cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels. The sun is our most powerful source of energy. Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used for heating, lighting and cooling homes and other buildings, generating electricity, water heating, and a variety of industrial processes. Wind is the movement of air that occurs when warm air rises and cooler air rushes in to replace it. The energy of the wind has been used for centuries to sail ships and drive windmills that grind grain. Water flowing downstream is a powerful force. Water is a renewable resource, constantly recharged by the global cycle of evaporation and precipitation. Biomass has been an important source of energy ever since people first began burning wood to cook food and warm themselves against the winter chill. Hydrogen has tremendous potential as a fuel and energy source. The heat inside the Earth produces steam and hot water that can be used to power generators and produce electricity, or for other applications such as home heating and power generation for industry. The ocean provides several forms of renewable energy, and each one is driven by different forces.

Wave energy
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hydroelectricityTop Renewable Energy Sources
By Larry West




Many nations count on coal, oil and natural gas to supply most of their energy needs, but reliance on fossil fuels presents a big problem.
Fossil fuels are a finite resource.
Eventually, the world will run out of fossil fuels, or it will become too expensive to retrieve those that remain.
Fossil fuels also cause air, water and soil pollution, and produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Renewable energy resources offer cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.
They are not completely problem-free, but they produce much less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases, and by definition, will not run out. Here are our main sources of renewable energy:
Solar Energy
NellisSolar_StocktreckImages_81847239.jpgThe sun is our most powerful source of energy.
Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used for heating, lighting and cooling homes and other buildings, generating electricity, water heating, and a variety of industrial processes.
The technology used to harvest the sun's energy is constantly evolving, including water-heating rooftop pipes, photo-voltaic cells, and mirror arrays.
Rooftop panels are not intrusive, but large arrays on the ground can compete with wildlife habitat.
Wind Energy
OffShoreWindDenmark_MonbetsuHokkaido_Moment_475428315.jpgWind is the movement of air that occurs when warm air rises and cooler air rushes in to replace it.
The energy of the wind has been used for centuries to sail ships and drive windmills that grind grain.
Today, wind energy is captured by wind turbines and used to generate electricity.
Issues periodically arise about where turbines are installed, as they can be problematic for migrating birds and bats.
Hydroelectricity
hydroelectricityWater flowing downstream is a powerful force.
Water is a renewable resource, constantly recharged by the global cycle of evaporation and precipitation.
The heat of the sun causes water in lakes and oceans to evaporate and form clouds.
The water then falls back to Earth as rain or snow and drains into rivers and streams that flow back to the ocean.
Flowing water can be used to power water wheels that drive mechanical processes.
And captured by turbines and generators, like those housed at many dams around the world, the energy of flowing water can be used to generate electricity.
Tiny turbines can even be used to power single homes.
While it is renewable, large-scale hydroelectricity can have a large ecological footprint.
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Biomass Energy
Wood chips used for biomass electricity generationBiomass has been an important source of energy ever since people first began burning wood to cook food and warm themselves against the winter chill.
Wood is still the most common source of biomass energy, but other sources of biomass energy include food crops, grasses and other plants, agricultural and forestry waste and residue, organic components from municipal and industrial wastes, even methane gas harvested from community landfills.
Biomass can be used to produce electricity and as fuel for transportation, or to manufacture products that would otherwise require the use of non-renewable fossil fuels.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen-powered vehicleHydrogen has tremendous potential as a fuel and energy source.
Hydrogen is the most common element on Earth — for example, water is two-thirds hydrogen — but in nature, it is always found in combination with other elements.
Once separated from other elements, hydrogen can be used to power vehicles, replace natural gas for heating and cooking, and generate electricity.
In 2015, the first production passenger car powered by hydrogen became available in Japan and the United States.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal power station
The heat inside the Earth produces steam and hot water that can be used to power generators and produce electricity, or for other applications such as home heating and power generation for industry.
Geothermal energy can be drawn from deep underground reservoirs by drilling, or from other geothermal reservoirs closer to the surface.
This application is increasingly used to offset heating and cooling costs in residential and commercial buildings.
Ocean Energy
Wave energyThe ocean provides several forms of renewable energy, and each one is driven by different forces.
Energy from ocean waves and tides can be harnessed to generate electricity, and ocean thermal energy — from the heat stored in seawater — can also be converted to electricity.
Using current technologies, most ocean energy is not cost-effective compared to other renewable energy sources, but the ocean remains an important potential energy source for the future.

Larry West
Environmental Journalist
Education
B.A., Journalism and Creative Writing, University of Washington
Introduction
Environmental journalist with 20+ years of experience
Winner, Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting
Writer and editor for Go West Strategic Communications since 2002
Experience
Larry West is a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed articles for five years. He is a principal and professional writer and editor for Go West Strategic Communications. He has written about environmental issues for leading newspapers, magazines, and online publications. 
During his 20-year career in newspapers, Larry was part of an investigative team whose work was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He also received the Meeman Award for national environmental reporting from the Scripps Howard Foundation. Later, Larry served as press secretary and deputy chief of staff for a U.S. Representative and served as communications director for a U.S. Senator. He also managed public affairs for organizations including the Federal Aviation Administration, a global technology company, and one of the largest ports in the United States. In each of those positions, Larry was involved in environmental strategy, policy, and communications. 
Education
Larry studied journalism and creative writing at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He also taught research and writing courses in continuing education programs at the University of Washington and the University of Alaska. 
Awards and Publications
While working as a journalist for "The Seattle Times," Larry's work was awarded the Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting by Scripps Howard, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
ThoughtCo and Dotdash
ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.
For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.
https://www.thoughtco.com/top-renewable-energy-sources-1204190
Hydrogen-powered vehicle