Green energy has come a long way in the last several years. While oil and coal were saviors in their day, and still widely used today, natural and clean fuel is renewable and better for the environment. It is important to find and utilize the best methods of renewable substances to create electricity, fuel and other necessities while preserving the environment and our health.
Taking advantage of what is readily available is the easiest way to harness powerful sources. Solar power is the process of gathering the sun’s radiation and creating electricity from it. Some solar power is absorbed on silicon or photovoltaic cells, while other systems use mirrors to heat water which turns to steam and runs generators. Recent advances have made discount solar panels available.
Wind power is another simple process which harnesses a natural element for power. A wind turbine uses the motion from the wind to create power which is then converted into electricity. That power is fed through a system of generators and grids until it arrives at a power station where it is used by customers.
Hydro-power involves the collection of flowing water by channeling it into piping. The water then turns generators which produce electricity. Hydro-power is an abundant resource and also consists of wave and tidal energy. The Hoover Dam is the largest example of a hydro-power plant in the United States. Both wave and tidal research are at the beginning stages of research, but are making progress with today’s advancements. The world’s first tidal stream generator was completed in 2007 at Strangford Lough in Ireland.
Geothermal power takes trapped underground heat and builds it into energy as it rises to the surface. This heat then creates a natural hot water or steam and it is the steam which makes electricity by turning a steam turbine. Geothermal power has been around for commercial purposes since the 1900’s when it was put to use by Italian’s.
Biomass has become a very resourceful and useful form of creating power. Biomass burns fuel in boilers to warm up water which then turns a steam turbine. The steam turbine generates electricity. The great thing about biomass is that the biomass fuel can come from things we do no really want anyways like; trash, wood pieces and manure.
Although many of these different types of power can not be harnessed by individuals, some can. You will probably not be setting up a geothermal power plant in your back yard, but you can line you roof with solar power cells to help gather radiation. A small yard may not have room for a wind turbine, but farmers and ranchers will have space to “plant” some windmill’s for electricity.
Green energy is a constantly evolving science. We have managed to perfect old systems such as geothermal power, while still researching new methods like biomass and tidal power. It may take time for the perfect combination of methods to be known and put to use, but in the mean time, we can educate ourselves on the benefits of renewable power. Knowing what is is and what it does, will help us prepare for when it becomes standard use.
But the first time I went to the store, I forgot and left the bags in the car. This isn’t going to be easy. Old habits die hard. But tonight I stopped at the store for ‘just a few things’ and I remembered the bags. They’re bigger than plastic grocery bags and they hold their shape better. There’s a flat panel at the bottom that helps. The cashier and the box person didn’t look twice, so I must not be the only person skipping the plastic. So I’m on my way to going green – very slowly.