Why use alternative power

Alternative power is the power generated by alternative sources of energy like the sun, wind, water, tides, biomass and heat generated inside the earth. The energy obtained from alternative energy sources can be converted to several useful forms of energy like mechanical energy, chemical energy, electrical energy etc. This useful form of energy is called alternative power. The various forms of alternative power are solar power, wind power, bio diesel power, geothermal power and hydro electric power.

Energy requirements of the whole world are on the rise. Energy is required for electricity generation, space heating, transportation, preparing food and for several other purposes. Today, we depend on coal and petroleum to meet the energy demands and for the generation of electricity. However, the use of coal and petroleum is an expensive method of generating electricity. In addition, the reserves of coal and petroleum are decreasing with each passing day. There will come a time when there would not be any coal or petroleum available in the world. We, therefore, need to use alternative power.

The use of alternative power will help to preserve coal and petroleum to meet energy requirements in the future. Also, alternative power is a less expensive way of generating electricity.

Alternative power is a clean and pollution free source of energy which can be put to several uses. The best thing about alternative power is that it is generated from renewable sources of energy which will always be available and never end. Hence, alternative power will always be available for use.

Increased use of bio diesel power

Biodiesel power is the useful form of energy produced by bio diesel. Bio diesel power finds use in many applications all around the world. The production of biodiesel power has increased by exploiting energy resources and the utilisation of cheap labour. The increased use and production of biodiesel power has solved several military, political and economic problems that have been caused by the petroleum industry. Rather than compromising on the quality of the biodiesel power supplied to meet the increasing demand, the demand can be met by wisely utilising biodiesel power as a source of energy.

Another way of meeting the increased demand of biodiesel power is by developing hybrid diesel engines that utilise another source of energy in addition to biodiesel power. The increased demand for biodiesel power can also be met by sustainable production of biodiesel power that minimises the amount of energy wasted.

Bio diesel is usually produced from vegetable oil. To fulfil the increasing needs of bio diesel power, bio diesel production from waste products and crops must be increased and given incentives. For sufficiency in biodiesel power, the production of bio diesel from algae is a good option.

For meeting the increased needs of biodiesel power, strategies must be developed and implemented to produce bio diesel power in a less expensive manner. The strategies developed must ensure that the use of biodiesel power proves beneficial to all. All nations of the world must be urged to use biodiesel power efficiently as a renewable energy source.

Alternative power generators

Alternative power is the power generated from alternative sources of energy. Alternative energy source are renewable, readily available and abundantly found in nature. Alternative power is generated by using alternative power generators.
Alternative power generators generate electricity from renewable sources of energy like wind, water, solar energy and biomass. The alternative power so generated can be used for providing power for domestic uses, for portable power, lighting and in communication systems.
Alternative power generators use energy from renewable sources. They do not have any adverse effects on the environment and do not cause pollution. Alternative power generators are easy to use and maintain. They are also reliable and efficient sources for generating electricity.
Alternative power generators are used with solar power panels, solar water pumps, and solar power systems. They are also used with wind turbines and wind power systems. Alternative power generators may even use biomass which is the energy obtained from decomposed wastes of plants and animals.
Wind based alternative power generators convert the kinetic energy from wind into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy rotates the blades of turbines and this movement produces electricity. Solar energy based alternative power generators use solar panels or solar cells to convert the trapped solar energy into electricity.
A problem encountered in the use of alternative power generators is the high cost of installing them. The machinery for such generators is very expensive. However, alternative power generators produce electricity that is sufficient enough to solve power problems of rural as well as urban areas across the world.

Geothermal power technology

Geothermal energy is the renewable energy found in the interior of the earth. It is usually in the form of heat. The heat is brought to the surface through the process of thermal conduction by digging deep into the earth’s core where molten magma is found. This geothermal energy can be converted into a useful form called geothermal power. Geothermal power is being used everywhere in the world today. It can be easily generated where good geothermal reservoirs are available.

A dry steam power plant uses hot steam and a little water from geothermal reservoirs. It is the oldest technology that is available for use with geothermal power. In this, steam directly goes through a pipe into a turbine which is connected to a generator which produces electricity.

Flash steam power plants use very hot water from geothermal reservoirs. When water is pumped into the generator, it is released from pressure. A drop in the pressure causes some water to convert into steam. This steam drives a turbine to generate electricity.

A binary cycle power plant uses moderate temperature water from the geothermal reservoirs. This hot water is passed through a heat exchanger to heat a working fluid made of organic compounds in another pipe. The working fluid is converted into steam and this steam rotates a turbine to generate electricity.

Geothermal power technologies generate massive amounts of electricity. These technologies can be operated with minimum operational and maintenance costs.

Alternative power sources- whether to invest in them or not

Alternative power sources existed long before the conventional sources of power like coal, fossil fuels, oil and natural gas were discovered. These sources of energy are being currently used to meet almost ninety percent of the world’s energy demands. Their use, however, causes pollution and degrades the environment. The supply of these sources is also limited and their prices are reaching an all time high. The use of alternative power sources in such a situation is a promising option and the best to invest in. Alternative power sources are renewable which means their supply will never run out and they will always be available for reuse. These sources of power also do not cause pollution. They do not release any toxic substances into the atmosphere. The alternative sources of power do not contribute to global warming. These sources of power can be used cost effectively. Alternative power sources will always be readily available to produce power.

With so many benefits of alternative power sources, they will soon become the only energy sources that will be able to meet the rapidly rising energy requirements. But there are several risks involved in the use of alternative power sources. The first is that alternative power sources are relatively new and they might fail in the end which would mean no return on investments made. Although clean, it may end up harming the environment because alternative power requires the sources available in nature for its generation. Also the alternative power sources have still not proved themselves as the best alternative to fuel.

Therefore, investing in alternative sources of power must be done after proper research.