What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative energy sources are those which are renewable, and not reliant on polluting fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

Why Develop Alternative Power Sources?

***To Reduce Our Dangerous Dependence on Foreign Oil.

Our society is so dependent on oil, that only a few places have begun to adopt these alternative power sources. But with fossil fuels supplies rapidly dwindling and the need to find energy sources other than the problematic Middle East oil, alternative energy is becoming a more popular and viable option.

***To Protect Our Environment

All of the harmful emissions that result from oil, gas and coal are damaging our atmosphere, and have the potential to permanently alter the planet's delicate environmental balance.  These greenhouse gases created when burning carbon compounds deplete the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere resulting in excessive amounts of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface and contributing to global warming.

It is all about generating clean, environmentally-friendly and sustainable energy.

What Alternative Power Sources are Available?

There are a number of options for producing energy; primarily hydroelectric, solar, wind and geothermal and biomass. All of these alternative energies are renewable and do not create the harmful byproducts produced by fossil fuels.

Hydroelectric Power

The most widely used alternative energy around the world, hydroelectric is the oldest and cheapest form of renewable energy. Power is generated from the movement of water in rivers, streams and tides. Hydroelectric currently provides about 20 percent of the world's electricity making it crucial component of the Earth's energy resources. But it is only available in areas with suitable topography and sufficient rainfall.

Wind Power

One of the earliest forms of energy used by people, wind power is one of the fastest growing sources of alternative energy in the United States and around the world. Also reliant on local climate conditions, wind energy is simple, clean and renewable.

Solar Power

Solar power is now the world's second fastest growing alternative energy source. Solar power is produced by using photovoltaic cells to capture the energy of the sun and convert it into electricity. Solar energy is probably the most common type of alternative energy for ordinary people becoming widely used as garden lighting. It is a clean, abundant, and entirely renewable energy source.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal energy is obtained by tapping the heat of the earth itself found in underground reservoirs of steam, hot water, and hot dry rocks near areas of volcanic activity. This form of alternative energy is harnessed for use in over 20 countries around the world including Iceland which produces over half of its electricity from geothermal sources. In locations where it is available geothermal power is cheap to produce

Alternative Energy for the Future

Although there may still be enough oil and gas to last us for quite a while longer, and there may be more yet to be discovered, we need to be looking at alternative energy sources for the near future. Clean, renewable energy is unquestionably a necessary goal not only to protect our environment but to protect us from our dependence on foreign oil.