What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Green Energy Sources?

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Green Energy Sources?

Today, we are now aware of the effects of global warming. Fortunately, it’s not too late and we can still change which is why many are pushing for green energy sources.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Green Energy Sources?

The advantage of using green energy sources is that it is clean so it does not emit anything harmful into the air which has an impact on the environment. It is also renewable which means we will never run out of it unlike oil which is expected to dry up in a decade or so.

Although green energy facilities are expensive to build, it requires less maintenance so you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to operate it.

It can also bring economic benefits to certain areas even boost tourism.

While these sound good, there are some who say that there are advantages to using such technology.

While green energy sources can produce electricity, how much it can generate is not consistent. This is because we have no control of the weather so if a certain area relies on solar energy and there is a weather disturbance, it will not be able to convert sunlight into electricity.

Building these facilities also requires a lot of land so we may have to cut on farmland which is what many are concerned about if more wind turbines are to be put up.

Another disadvantage is the fact that some of the green energy sources cannot be installed in certain areas of the planet. For instance, wave energy can only be utilized if the waves coming from the ocean reach at least 16 feet. The use geothermal energy can only be done in geologically unstable parts of the planet.

But if you look at such arguments, places that cannot use one form of green energy source can be substituted for another. If wind turbines need more space, they can be installed near the coast instead of putting these on land. A study shows that you can generate more electricity while these are in the ocean.

While the weather is something we cannot control, it is not everyday that there is a weather disturbance so this too shall pass. If solar energy is being used and the sun is covered, the emergency generators will be activated and use up the energy that was stored.

The point is that there are ways around the arguments put by certain individuals which discourage the use of green energy sources. In fact, research is ongoing to try and harness other means to generate the power we need.

A very good example of this is called ocean thermal energy. Power is generated by harnessing the different temperatures in the water. It is currently being used on a small scale both in Japan and Hawaii.

In the US, only 7% of green energy sources are used nationally. This was much higher 11 years ago and if we don’t have to worry about the cost of oil or even reduce our dependency on it, we have to invest more in this clean energy.

We can get it from green energy sources such as biomass, biodiesel, geothermal, solar, water and the wind. These are things we have all around us and all it takes is for someone to harness it instead of relying on traditional non-renewable means to produce energy.

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How to Make your Home Energy Efficient

 Most individuals have innate drive on conserving energy. Turning the lights of when they are not in use is the most common example of conserving energy. And this practice is fervently done by many. It is like an unwritten rule that every one abides. Truly, energy conservation can spell so many advantages on consumers.
Energy conservation is a practice of reducing the amount of energy used while yielding a similar end use. This is an advantageous practice that results to personal security, financial gain, national security, human comfort and environmental care.

How to Make your Home Energy Efficient

If you are a consumer, you are likely to develop plans to save energy. The primary reason is for you to reduce energy expenses and promote environmental value. Industrial as well as commercial energy consumers want to maximize their profit. Hence, they resort to different tactics that will likewise push their end to utmost advantage without sacrificing the efficiency of the business.

On a bigger scale, energy conservation is a factor of energy policy. Based on supply and demand, there will arise a need to increase the supply of energy when there are many consumers who use the same. Moreover, when there is a big percentage of consumers, the energy will be distributed among them. Supply of energy will be lessened if the demand for it soars. This is where energy conservation becomes a big deal.

Moreover, it is necessary to practice energy conservation when the same can be done. Further, it is also advisable to encourage energy conservation among consumers so as not to exhaust energy supply. In the present time, the government is finding ways to find a cheaper and more environmentally responsive energy source that can be utilized as a viable alternative to the present energy sources.

The residential sector, which include private residences, apartments, dormitories, single-family homes and the like, also need to practice energy conservation/ n fact, one of the most efficient places to start energy conservation is right at your very home.

The amount of energy used by homes across the globe varies according to its location. On the average, approximately one-half of the energy used by the residential sector in the United States is expended on space conditioning.

According to statistics, home energy consumption averages 44 percent on space conditioning, 13 percent on water heating, 12 percent on lighting, 8 percent on refrigeration, 6 percent on home electronics, 5 percent on laundry appliances, 4 percent on kitchen appliances, and 8 percent on other uses.

Imagine the savings that you will get when you practice home energy conservation at all times. Perhaps, you may not realize it now. Nonetheless, in the long run and when you get to compute your usual energy bills to the energy bill you have when you strictly follow home energy conservation, you will regret the fact that you just have recently practiced it. Your frustration will just pile up if you compute the saving that you are entitled to get in the previous decades when you have done the same conservation thing. You could have bought your dream car by now. Or maybe, you could have owned a luxurious resort.

Moreover, don’t let your sad plight linger for the longest time. Put an end to your agony. In addition, put an end to your energy wasteful lifestyle. The best way to do o is to make a home energy checklist for action.

Here are some of the things that you can incorporate in your checklist:

1. Insulate your home

2. Change leaky windows

3. Seal leaks that you know of and search for some possible leaks.

4. Assess your heating and cooling system regularly.

5. Have your heating and cooling systems tuned up in the fall and spring.

6. Replace inefficient and old appliances.

7. Install a clock thermostat.

8. Plan an energy audit for your home.

9. Separate your utility bills and target greater energy conservation on the biggest bill.

10. Purchase a water-heater blanket, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and compact fluorescents, as needed.

11. Start using energy-saving settings on clothes dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators.

12. Clean or change air-conditioner, furnace, and heat-pump filters.

With this home energy saving checklist, your home will be energy efficient. Aside from that you will also get immense savings.

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Life Without Sustainable Power

What happens when the oil prices and production costs get too high? What if our fossil fuel supply runs out? What will happen then? Actually, to fully appreciate sustainable power, these aren’t the only questions we should ask. Perhaps we should inquire: Where does 20% of our electricity supply come from? How are far off towns furnished with power? You see sustainable energy is not just for the future, it is here, it is now.

Life Without Sustainable Power

The Real Deal

The thing about sustainable energy is that it arouses debates from politicians, NGO’s, advocates and opponents all have certain grounds for saying that sustainable works or is a bad thing after all. Perhaps we should begin by defining what sustainable power is. When we say sustain it means to support, uphold, to keep from falling. So when we say sustainable power it means energy with unending resources. In the case of today sustainable energy means endless resources fro power supply without the harmful effects on the environment.

Its Not Sustainable It’s the Alternate

In all reality it is not sustainable energy that precipitates the conflict. It is the “alternate source” of energy that is the root of all things that create conflict. A lot of people argue that alternate energy resources are simply too new a resource fuelled by technology for it to be really said that it is indeed safe.

What is more, some authorized people on the matter of energy say that alternate energy resources are simply not powerful enough to cope with the demands of the world. No matter which way we argue alternate energy resources are part of sustainable power and sustainable power means we live the humans live on as a species; were not supposed to die or else it is useless for use to look for ways to improve ourselves. After all isn’t future the reason for our continued quest to be better and more environmentally aware?

Its Here, There, Everywhere

Alternate energy resources derived naturally have been employed as early as the time of the pharaohs.  Today alternate energy resources are scattered all around the world. From the richest countries to the third world nations. In northwester Europe wind farms are abundant. The Philippines, New Zealand, Kenya, Iceland, Germany, Canada, Turkey, Mexico, and even the states make use of geothermal plants to supply a portion of their electricity. Hydropower so popular in the US and in china are used to generate enough electricity to power small towns and help power the enormous electrical consumption of a city like Las Vegas.

Its Now and It Can’t Be Denied

If you think that earth is already polluted and in peril, then imagine what if thousands of years ago our ancestors all used fossil fuels and burned coals for every energy need they have? History says that with every development and discovery man makes, the earth gets polluted every day. So there must have been that one thing that slowed it down a bit.

 Remember the great smog of London where over 8,000 people died? Well that happened because they were experiencing unusually cold weather so they in turn consumed and lit up more coals, thereby fogging the air with smog. If alternate energy resources were never used we wouldn’t even be here today. So be thankful and be a supporter not only in words but in action as well.

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Benefits of Green Energy Sources

For a very long time, we have relied on fossil fuels. It provides heat to our homes, gas for our cars and electricity. Since we are now using it more than ever, there is a consequence. We are depleting our resources and slowly killing our planet. Fortunately, we can change our ways and then shift our attention to green energy sources.

But why green energy sources? Well because there are advantages to using them which we will never be able to get if we don’t change our ways. This is also even if some will argue that the problem with green energy is that it is sometimes difficult to generate the power we need. While that may be true, that is why there are other green energy sources  available and we just to know which ones are viable given the geographic location.

The various green energy sources such as solar, wind, wave, hydropower and geothermal do not produce anything harmful which may have a negative effect on the environment. This is the exact opposite of what you get when you continue to operate a coal or nuclear power plant.

Coal you have to remember releases carbon dioxide into the air. On its own, it may not cause that much damage but there are currently 50,000 coal plants around the world and that number is expected to grow.

Nuclear plants may not release anything harmful into the air. The issue is how we dispose of the spend rods and if another nuclear accident should occur. We remember Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. We have probably learned better ways to prevent another incident from happening. Through the years, a few minor accidents have occurred and although the leak was contained, just imagine if it wasn’t?

Green energy sources may not be maintenance free but at least it does not require that much to maintain them compared to conventional means. In the end, we save money because such facilities don’t cost that much to operate.

The next advantage of using green energy sources is that we will never run out of them. For centuries, the sun’s rays have reached so has the wind which is blown from the sea. By using it, we decrease our dependence on oil which is a nonrenewable resource.

If you think about it, many of us have taken these green energy sources for granted. If we do the  right thing now, future generations will not have to face the mess that we could have handled on our own years before.

In short, the power is in our hands. We have the technology and we know what to do with it. The only thing we need is to do is to put our money where our mouth is because despite the number of conferences on global warming and climate change, little has happened.

It is easy to talk about how concerned we are about the environment but you have to ask yourself when will more solar panels or wind turbines will be erected? When will the number of coal or nuclear power plants be reduced?

Green energy sources is the solution to the environmental, political and social problems of this lifetime. By spending more on these technologies, no country will have to depend on another or even a corporation for their power needs because they are self dependent and free.

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What Do Home Energy Magazines Contain?

Electricity is a very important part of our lives and our home. We consume energy all through the day and most especially at night. Our home utilizes energy in order to keep you warm on cold winter days and to keep you cool during summer. You make use of energy to give you light whenever you need to. You also use it when you’re in need of hot water. All your home electronics and appliances need electricity in order to run.

When electricity comes into play, almost all the things that you do, even the little ones, do matter. Since most of us are energy users, we all need to know how to utilize the energy in our home more efficiently for us to save not just money but also electricity.

There are some things that can help you learn how to make use of home energy excellently. Among them are home energy magazines.

Home energy magazines are usually used by the government and other concerned individuals in their campaigns on making every home energy-efficient. Most of these magazines contain easy and very useful tips on how to make your energy consumption lower and accordingly lessen your electric bill. They also incorporate energy saving information and they present lots of energy-wise schemes that can cut back unnecessary use of energy. Hence, energy magazines can help in keeping your hard-earned bucks from walking out your door.

Articles in most home energy magazines come as simple as turning off home appliances and lights when they aren’t needed or keeping the filters of your air conditioning and heating system always clean. Here are some of the home energy tips and energy saving information that you can find in some home energy magazines:

· Home Lighting

1. Whenever possible, utilize natural lights.
2. Turn the lights off when they are not in use
3. Employ compact fluorescent lamp as an alternative to incandescent bulbs.
4. Clean bulbs often.
5. Utilize lamps that give direct illumination over beds and work stations.

· Refrigerator

1. Allow your refrigerator to breathe by giving it more space.
2. Be sure that the condenser coils are clean
3. Clean it with a broom or vacuum cleaner at least twice a year.
4. Inspect the door gaskets and make sure that its doors are tightly sealed.
5. Defrost it regularly.
6. Purchase energy efficient refrigerators.
7. Choose the unit with the highest Energy Efficient Factor

· Cooking

1. Plan ahead of time and prepare all the ingredients before you cook.
2. Before cooking, it is advisable to thaw first all the frozen foods thoroughly.
3. Be sure to have your pans and pots covered.
4. When cooking in electric stoves, utilize flat-bottomed pans and pots.
5. Switch the electric stove off in the last minute of cooking.

Moreover, home energy magazines also contain home safety information or tips on how to avoid accidents involving electricity. We all know that vigilance and a bit of care really go a long way, so in order to stay away from electrical catastrophes, take time to read home energy magazines and look for few reminders.

There are also sections in some magazines that can help you come up with home energy conservation plan. They usually include various approaches and step by step methods in developing such plan. What’s more advantageous is that, with a magazine or printed guide or instructions, you can go through the list over and over again. This way, you can find out which pace is done already and which is not. You also have the chance to review the list and compare it to your home’s present condition.

Aside from the printed ones which can be bought on the bookstores or newsstands, there are also home energy magazines online. The good news is, some of these online magazines are available for free. But mostly, online home energy magazines offer only premium content for a price. These online magazines are usually customized to cater the reader’s tastes and preferences. This is very possible because it is way easy for the publishers and editors of online magazines to make three of four dissimilar versions of their item to fit the preferences of different readerships.

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What You Should Know About Home Energy Rating System

 Energy conservation is one of the considerations that homeowners are taking into account when they are buying furnishings for their homes. From heating systems to washers, owners would like everything to be energy efficient.

 What You Should Know About Home Energy Rating System

This is the reason why there are a lot of products out in the market these days that have with them seals that show how energy effective and efficient these things are. Buyers who are conscious of what they want for their homes always look for this seal. And why not? If it means that they could save on electricity bills, then they would gladly go for it.

But the issue here is not only about the furniture that runs on electricity. The main issue is really about the energy that houses are consuming. There was a time when people cannot control their consumption because they have no means of measuring or estimating energy. The result? Soaring electric bills consumption that could have been prevented if owners only know how to.

With the technology of today, this problem has been eliminated. There is now home energy rating systems that people can have. This is the answer that everyone is waiting for to counter his or her energy efficiency and high bill problems.

If you compare this system to something that you can relate with easily, it would be like that of the meter you have in your car that calculates how many mileage you have used the car for.

In place of the meter, there would be a person visiting your place. That person will conduct an inspection of your place and will survey how much energy you are using by looking at everything from appliances to window positioning and airflow.

It can be noted that the inspector is not just any person. This is someone that has extreme knowledge about houses and energy use. Once he had thoroughly inspected your home, that will be the time when he can point out suggestions or proposals to make your home more energy efficient.

Since electricity is one of the highest paying in all the bills that is acquired in every home, it is normal that owners would rather opt to have inspectors checking out their homes rather than pay the bills that seem to be escalating month after month.

Persons that are considered expert in this system can even point out the furniture that you can and you cannot do without. They would be glad to help you sort out what you have in your home and suggest new things that might help you lower your bills.

This is not all. The data that are gathered from homes are then put into a file that the energy department of the location have. Once all the information has been compiled, the house will be given a rating based on the specified standards of what they consider energy efficient and what is not. Now, why would that be important to the homeowner?

Simple. The rating on how energy efficient and how energy inefficient a house is will reflect on the mortgage that the owners are paying. Mortgages are important to be considered by homeowners because those are also expenses that they need to pay continuously. Owners do not want to be buried deep into mortgages just because their homes are not considered an efficient one.

Another problem that could arise is when homeowners decide to sell their property. It seems that every buyer is now aware or has been taught well about choosing homes that are energy efficient. This is one of the queries they ask real estate brokers and agents. They need to be assured that the property that they are about to buy will be worth it as far as electricity bills go.

Not so many people are aware of the fact that energy efficiency is a factor that affects the market value of their home. If only they have known, they would have probably went out of their way having that needed inspection and making the most of what inspectors have to say.

So the next time you have that home energy rating given, you might want to give it some thought and take note of the suggestions that the department will be giving you. It will only be for your own good and the good of the persons that you will be giving or selling your property to. And to think that you could have paid less or have gotten a higher selling price if you have known the aforementioned facts.

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Home Energy : Steps That Will Help You Save

Have it ever occurred to you just how efficient your home energy is? Have you ever wondered how much energy you are consuming in an entire month and yet it seems it keeps on escalating per computation period? In such case, you must get to know the reason behind. A home energy audit will help you analyze the consumption you are hooked into. Wisconsin home energy audits come in various forms. They are also offered by a lot of companies whose only aim is to help you realize the efficiency of your home energy. Home energy audits often provide assessments and then recommendations with regards to the ways on how you will be able to save money and energy. There are several options from which you can choose from that will certainly fit your lifestyle as well as your needs.

 Home Energy : Steps That Will Help You Save

You can either invite a home energy rater into your household; take the online home energy audit by sending through mail a copy of your recent electrical bill, or try out the mail-in survey. The online process takes approximately thirty minutes to be completed while the mail-in survey sends you the finished report after a week. Whichever way makes you more comfortable may be preferred.

Today is a very hard time. Money does not roll like a ball inside the homes. They are hard-earned. Therefore, if there are ways on how you will be able to save, go for it. If you truly want to cut down your expenses on the energy, you can prefer to practice the most common ways inside your homes. They will likely help you reduce the cost of your electric bills and therefore lessen your worries.

Some Tips to Follow to Save Energy

Conduct a home energy audit. The survey process will precisely analyze the structure of your home, the insulation present, the appliances in use, and the lifestyle that the family is engaged to. A home energy audit secures a comfortable checkup that includes a detailed report that contains ways and modes on how to save energy in the entire home.

Clean or change the furnace filter at least once in a month. In reality, the dirt and the dust will clog the parts of the furnace and it may even lead to its breakdown.

Regularly inspect your heating system. Tuning up the heating system will make you lessen the heating costs you utilize by at least five percent.

Never close the heat registers inside the unused rooms in your household. The furnace will be unable to sense any closed register so it will simply continue with its task. Furthermore, any cold air will reduce the effectiveness of the weatherizing and insulating inside your home.

Get a programmable thermostat. Installing a programmable thermostat will aid you in setting the desired temperature inside your home. Likewise, the heating bills will likely be reduced by ten percent at the most.

Do not program the thermostat in a higher level than you actually prefer it. It will not produce heat in a fast pace but will rather let your furnace run even longer than what is required.

Do not use space heaters especially the propane, electric, or kerosene models. They are not only expensive to maintain but also very risky.

Have the chimneys of your fireplaces inspected and cleaned in a regular manner. Also add fireproof caulk in between the chimney and the wall both inside and outside. When the fireplace is unused, seal tight the dampers.

The insulation of your home must also be checked. The attic requires more insulation.

The air compressor of your air conditioning units must be cleaned regularly. Also employ ceiling fans that will circulate the air inside the house.

When lights are unneeded, turn them off. Turn them off only when visibility is low.

It will be good to plant some trees so that you need not maintain a good deal of cooling costs.

These are indeed some very simple tips that when practiced most of the times in every household, will create a difference. When taken altogether, the saved energy will total to a much friendly amount. By devoting some extra minutes per day, you will likely see the difference it will create!

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You Can Build Your Car Powered by Solar [Green Energy Source]

All cars are powered by gas. But with the volatility of crude oil prices and because it is not a renewable, something must be done before it is too late. Given that solar energy, a green energy source is used to power a community, you can also do this on a small scale by using the same principles to build your own car.

[Green Energy Source]

But what do you need to make this work? A lot of things but the two most important are the solar array and the batteries.


The solar array is vital because this is what’s used to collect the sun’s rays and then converts this into electrical energy. There are two types to choose from in the market namely the prefabricated type and the individual kind which you set up yourself.

If you are looking for branded parts, check out either Siemens or ASE Americas that sell terrestrial grade cells and the space grade cells. The lower end model which can produce a significant amount of power is the terrestrial grade version.

Proper wiring must be done to make sure that if one of the panels is not working, your vehicle will still move. If you are worried that the voltage of the solar array should match the system voltage of your motor, you should not to worry because it will still run.

We mentioned earlier that the battery is also important because this is where the solar energy will be stored. Your options for this are lead acid, lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium. Just how many you need to buy will depend on your motor’s voltage. 

When you finally have these two components, these will now have to be connected to the motor. So you know how much juice is left in your batteries, you will also need to install instrumentation similar to the heads up display console on regular cars which tells you your speed, mileage and gas.

Don’t forget to put a steering wheel, suspension, brakes, tires and hubs. You may not be able to make a car that have the same features as like what you see done by one of the three US automakers but just enough to be able to drive it from one place to the next.

The only cars that use solar energy so far are the ones only used in races especially the one held in Australia from travels from the northern part of the country all the way to the south. If this has helped people realize that renewable energy is really the key to the future, the big automakers should try tapping this technology instead of relying of still relying on gasoline.

But apart from solar energy as a green energy source, biodiesel is another alternative. This is a combination of alcohol like methanol and a chemical process that separates glycerine and methyl esters (biodiesel) from fats or vegetable oils. This can also be done using corn and sugarcane.

Although these are not renewable, these are still considered as a green energy sources because it is cleaner than conventional gasoline. This means you do not release harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide into the air which causes damage to the environment. So if you can’t build a solar powered car, consider a different fuel alternative.

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Geothermal as a Green Energy Source

We have the technology to do a lot of things and one of these is to tap the earth’s energy. This is exactly what we do when we decide to use geothermal which happens to be a green energy source.

Geothermal energy is energy obtained by tapping heat from the earth itself. This comes from magma and the radioactive decay of uranium, thorium, and potassium.

The downside to geothermal energy is the fact that it is expensive to build. On the other hand, because the earth's crust continuously decays replenishing the heat, it is still a renewable source of energy.

There are three types of geothermal plants around. These are namely dry steam, flash, and binary.

Dry steam plants take steam out of fractures in the ground and use it to directly drive a turbine that spins a generator.

Flash plants take on water at temperatures over 200 °C, out of the ground, and allows it to boil as it rises to the surface then separates the steam phase in steam/water separators which runs the steam through a turbine to generate electricity.

Last, you have binary plants. Here, hot water flows through heat exchangers and that boiling organic fluid is what spins the turbine.

Once power is generated, the condensed steam and remaining geothermal fluid from all three types of plants are injected back into the hot rock to pick up more heat.

Geothermal plants are used operational in different parts of the globe. These are usually located in geologically unstable parts of the planet. You can see some in Chile, Iceland, New Zealand, United States, the Philippines and Italy. At home, two most prominent areas for this are in the Yellowstone basin and in northern California.

Aside from digging deep into the earth, there are some who believe we can generate power from hot dry rocks. You have to dig 3 kilometers deep are drilled into the earth first to find these hot underground radiogenic granite rocks. Right now, some Australia companies are exploring this technology.

If you were to compare the amount of energy collected from geothermal to solar, you still get more from the sun. Despite that, people should still use it since solar energy cannot be harnessed when the clouds block the sun’s rays from reaching the solar panels.

Geothermal energy is a green energy source just like wind, hydropower and biofuel because it is a renewable. By maximizing its potential, we don’t have to worry about the price of oil in the world market when it hit more than $110 a barrel and is now under $40 in the world market.

But that is not the only thing we should be concerned about. We should also do our best to protect the environment given that coal fired and nuclear power plants produce harmful gases and radioactive waste that may cause to people and the surrounding areas.

Everyone knows that our planet has changed due to global warming. We learned our lessons from Chernobyl and Three Mile Island but this does not mean it may not happen again.

For us to do our share to protect the environment now and for generations to come, we have to promote alternative energy and geothermal as a green energy source is just one of many that is currently available.

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Its Not All About The Oil - America Has Sustainable Power

The world is in a frenzy, the oil crisis is making economies to cause a downturn that may even be greater than the great depression. The war as they say is the cause. The budget deficit for 2008 is now over $400,000,000. This money certainly would have been put to better use within America itself.

Its Not All About The Oil - America Has Sustainable Power

Conspiracy Theory

Most people will say that the president of the United States waged war with a middle eastern country due to oil America after all is one of the world’s largest oil consumer. Everything in the US is automated, or electrical. To run machineries you need oil products, to produce high demands of electricity you barrel and barrels of oil to run the generators.

It is quite easy to assume that President bush whose family business is oil has a vested interest in acquiring a country so rich in mineral deposits. First of all it will make oil sources available anytime they want without having to bother with diplomacy and pass through another government. Second more profit for the Bush family, because they have an oil business if they can get fossil fuel at cost then they will have more earnings. The theory makes sense and could very much be possible.


Sustainable Power Resources

We are not here to discuss political and personal issues. We are here to point out that there are other faces to this scenario. Yes, America is one of the world’s largest energy consumer, but America also has the largest alternative energy resources in the World

Geothermal, Hydro, Wind and etc

The United States of America is considered as the world’s greatest geothermal energy producer. The Geysers located just north of San Francisco was the planet’s first and largest dry steam field. The amazing thing about these power plants (since there are several) is that sewage waste from surrounding cities are pumped into the geothermal plant in order to replenish the supply of steam needed for energy production. States such as Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Utah among others have their own geothermal plants.


Considered the fourth country with the largest hydropower capacity, the Americas revolutionized hydropower by building numerous dams in highly calculated areas all over the US. Perhaps the most popular is the Hoover Dam. At the time it was fully operational Hoover Dam was said to be the world’s largest electricity generating hydropower plant. Located on the cusp of Nevada and Arizona, the Hoover dam supplies electricity to the states of Nevada, Arizona and most of Southern California.

Rock Port Missouri is a city in North America who is fully powered by wind farms. Of the 56 states in America over half have wind farms which help supply their security needs. Some states may have aesthetical issues, but wind farms will definitely become indispensable in the future especially when the impact of dwindling oil supplies from the east is felt.

A Closing

The States have its own oil resources right within its backyard. Texas and just off shore from New Orleans a new sight is emerging. That of drilling areas, but one thing remains clear. Fossil fuel as an energy source is not viable for human health and the future of our environment. If you’re still asking why the American government is waging war for oil? Perhaps it’s not oil after all. Maybe it’s just a peace crusade with a sword in hand.

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Can You Use a Green Energy Source like Water to Power a Car?

For more than a century, we rely on oil to fuel our cars. But did you know that the world’s oil is close to drying up because it is a nonrenewable resource? Well that may not happen tomorrow or next year but we are getting closer because of the demand in the world market. Why wait for that day when we can rely on a green energy source like water to power our cars.

 Green Energy Source

Water can power a car? If you think that’s impossible, well it is already here but this is not yet being made on a commercial scale.

The German automobile BMW has produced the world’s first ever hydrogen powered car. While only 100 of these units were produced, you can already imagine if more of these vehicles are on the road.

The initial model namely the BMW Hydrogen 7 uses the body of the 760i model. Once you pop the hood, you will notice that the engine is different since it uses gas and hydrogen.

This just means we have not yet totally abandoned are dependence on gas. Given more time and money, the current 4.7 miles per gallon it can travel using water alone could hit double digits in the future.

The biggest challenge to using water as a green energy source as opposed to oil in vehicles is the engine. While there are cars around like the Prius which runs on electricity and gas thanks to fuel cell technology, the hydrogen combustion is less than 10 years old so you could say we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

To prevent the water from evaporating, this has to be stored in a large, 30-gallon, bi-layered and highly insulated tank so this does not evaporate into compressed gas. Another safety mechanism is the valves which are designed to open should the pressure within the tank exceed 5 bars.

With the success of the BMW H7, the company came out with a new car that is also partly powered by water known as the H2R. While we cannot yet put our garden hose into the fuselage to fill it up, this vehicle uses liquid nitrogen as a fuel.

Tests on this vehicle have shown it can achieve 285hp and reach a top cruising speed of 185.5 miles per hour. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour under 6 seconds.

But why use water? It is because hydrogen combustion is clean so it does not emit harmful gases into the atmosphere unlike cars that run on petrol or diesel that emit carbon monoxide. Studies have shown that it also weighs less than hydrocarbon-based fuels and burns faster than conventional gasoline.

So when can you expect to buy a car that uses water as a green energy source? Hopefully in the next 10 to 20 years. It is really up to the automakers because all we can do is wait until a better and clear car hits the dealership.

Right now, the best option we have are electric cars. Since its introduction in 1999, more people are using it because they don’t want to spend anymore for gasoline that could hit an all time high of more than $110 per barrel.

If water as a green energy source can be used to power a car, why don’t we do the same for solar power which has been around much longer?

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Is Biomass Green Energy Source

Is biomass a green energy source? According to experts, yes it is. In fact, it is one of the three main areas of bioenergy.

But what is bioenergy? Well, it is a process by which organic material such as animal waste, plants and wood are used to generate electricity, produce heat and also aid in the production of biofuels.

In the case of biomass, hot air or water is generated to produce electricity. This is done through direct combustion and is considered the simplest and most common method of generating energy from biomass.

Aside from generating electricity, biomass can be used for hot air production so you can keep a place warm. For this to work, biomass has to be combusted in a furnace where it heats either water or air. Speaking of water, this enables you to have warm water so you can take a shower. In short, biomass in itself can also be used in a small scale as a heating system.

Since you can generate electricity and heat, some people have been able to combine the two which is known as combined heat and power or CHP. Something that many consider to be good as you use one energy source for two purposes.

If you are able to compare the amount of electricity generated between biomass and let’s say solar energy, you will notice that biomass produces more because the energy in plants is already captured and stored.

You don’t have to collect it first which is what happens with solar or even wind energy since this is manufactured technology. It is readily available unlike the other two which is totally dependent on the weather.

Another is the fact that you can even use organic waste to product electricity. No other green energy source can do that and by using this extensively, any government can save money because you don’t have to spend money to dispose of the waste and you will no longer depend on foreign oil that much to power your plants.

The downside to biomass is that because you have to burn waste and other organic materials to product power, you add to the pollution which is already in the atmosphere. But this can be offset of course by planting more crops which we know helps reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

You will also have to shell out a lot of money initially for the costs of labor, the transport of these fuels and how these should be stored.

Biomass uses renewable natural resources which is why it is considered a green energy source. This means that we have an endless supply of it around just like the power of the sun or the wind which flows from the ocean. The challenge is to find suitable land that has a sufficient water supply so these will be able to grow.

This means that in areas where water is not that abundant, you cannot rely on biomass technology to generate power. When that happens, you use other means and one good example given the right geographical location is wave energy which is the process of generating power from the water.

There is a way to generate power without causing harm to the environment. We have the technology and the green energy sources. We just need to muster the willingness to make it happen.

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Biofuel As A Sustainable Power Source

Biofuel As A Sustainable Power Source


The energy crisis has already prompted a war; that is if you believe conspiracy theorists and the media. There might be some truth to this matter, at least if we take a closer look at the dynamics of supply and demand of fuel all over the world.

What Is BioFuel?

Biofuel is an energy source derived from recently deceased biological matter while fossil fuel (i.e. raw material for gasoline, kerosene, diesel and etc.). In theory biofuel can be derived from any carbonated source, but in practice it usually comes from plants like corn, palm, sugar cane, wheat, jatropha and algae. These feedstock sources are popular for the two most popular end products which are used for cars and machineries: bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol comes from either sugar crops or fermented starch.  Biofuel does not just come from plant crops, although a margin of them does.

Biomass

Since bio fuel maybe gaseous, liquid or solid fuel other categories also apply. Way up in Tibetan mountains biofuel have been in use for hundreds of years. Tibetans use manure from their goats, donkeys, horses and cows as a substitute for wood. Animal waste are common pollutants, converting it into useful energy helps eliminate its negative effects.

Biowaste

Other alternative fuel resources are used oils. People eat, and thousands and millions of gallons of used oils are thrown down the drain which leads to rivers and oceans. Oil does not decompose ergo recycling and converting it into biofuel is in order. In addition, landfills maybe of some use after all. Landfills emanates polluting gas which contain methane, a combustible gas which is the primary content of the gas we use for cooking, and heat.

Liquid biofuels are getting generous media attention because of the worsening air conditions in severely populated areas. Cars produce almost 60% of our air pollution. Vehicles need highly combustible energy so that it will function. Liquids and gases are easier to handle because it can be contained and pumped, so handling is less expensive.

Biofuel And Cars

There are two types of biofuels that maybe used in cars: biodiesel and bioethanol. Biofuel is very popular in Europe. In that part of the world most car manufacturers make vehicles with diesel engines, so using biodiesel instead of pure diesel is a relatively easy transition. If a car is unmodified owners may blend up to 20% biodiesel with regular diesel. Biodiesel comes from fats and used oils, these by products are the processed through what’s transesterification. Transestirification is a chemical reaction produced by adding an acid base to the fats. The result is biodiesel.

Bioalcohol is produced when starch, sugar and cellulose are fermented. The results are three popular types of alcohols: ethanol, butanol and propanol. Among the three it is argued that either ethanol or biobutanol maybe used in gasoline running cars, but it seems that biobutanol won the bid because it now called biogasoline. Biogasoline is formed by acetone, butanol, and ethanol fermentation and through scientific modifications.

With social enlightenment and a new found concern for the welfare of the environment more and more sustainable power resources are being discovered and invented. When all hope seems to have been lost a new glimmer looms in the horizon. It is heartening to see that men who cause the slow but sure death of the earth are trying to find ways to help it recover and be its vital self again.

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most Types of Biofuel | all Sources of Biofuel | solar power

Nothing brand-new within the sun? Potrzebie! These types of biofuels feedstocks arranged data intended for effectiveness, large insanity and also a liberal dosage regarding “what, me fret? “

Almost all of the reports all of us generate on the subject of biofuels feedstocks get into the well-established area regarding normal. Yet every single from time to time, the feedstock out that may be and so compellingly unusual that any of us document the report away within our “yecch, ptooey! ” document, set for your round-up which often forms our own Leading Report today.

It's unlikely that any on the feedstocks might modify the earth, although many of them, though highly outside-the-box, have serious worth. Others…well, barstools2u . com offers these individuals since cautionary myths. Another thing each will reveal in accordance – all of us aren’t generating some of these items up.


1. Martian CO2 along with space-based residues
However money intended for commercializing biofuels are generally since rare since normal water about Mars, a couple tasks are finding R&D funding to check out chances intended for developing biofuels inside space. Final July, all of us included a gaggle in NASA’s Ames Investigation Middle who're attempting to transform space-based plant residues, from plant life produced by means of astronauts to produce food along with breathing in air flow intended for long-period space travel, in causes of energy resource, substances along with food.

Throughout Walk 2010, jatropha vegetables gone in orbit for the space taxi, certainly where an scientific study looked at growth premiums. Perhaps some time inside space, NASA can buy the bank willing to give income to get a commercial-stage development.

a couple of. The modern Orleans Times-Picayune
It absolutely was the unfortunate morning to its readership, along with intended for countrywide discourse, when the New Orleans Times-Picayune introduced of which it could be mooing for an all-digital format; although as it happens, it will be bad for biofuels, also. Throughout Louisiana past summer season, Tulane College scientists discovered a whole new microbe pressure of which turns newspaper publishers in butanol. This scientists are making use of aged models from “The Times-Picayune” like a feedstock because of their microbe pressure branded “TU-103″ to make the ethanol. Harshad Velenkar, the post-doctoral investigator claims, “In the united states alone, no less than 323 thousand a great deal of cellulosic resources that might be used to generate butanol are generally dumped on a yearly basis. ” Some sort of patent can be approaching for your scientists practice.

3. Psychedelic hammer toe
Throughout Pennsylvania a couple summers before, scientists have determined brand-new hammer toe gene history of which improve the upload regarding carbohydrates from hammer toe foliage along with could cause larger produces intended for biofuels. Both the gene history that had been isolated are generally handling the movements regarding carbon from foliage in order to other places on the plant, along with and thus handle carbohydrate generation. This scientists, doing the job beneath the USDA Farming along with Foodstuff Investigation Initiative, think that treatment on the metabolic path can give methods of improved food or even energy resource in the plant.

several. World Conflict Two’s aging canvas fungus
In this report from Present cards 2010, all of us looked at WWII canvas aging fungus like a biomass conversion technologies, the fungus of which produces diesel powered, the fungus of which synthesizes ethanol, one who produces cellulase, and also a symbiotic garden regarding fungus been able by means of leafcutter ants to help you in their leaf-converting things to do. However the topper had been the news of which up to 90 pct regarding Missouri’s Conservation Hold Software area, wherever fescue can be managing rampant, might be contaminated having ergot (a fungus from which LSD can be synthesized). “A heft quantity of carbon can be sequestered by means of endophyte-infected fescue, then it provides a few carbon help. Yet that may be for it's capability to powerfully minimize microbial lifestyle inside it's developing journey along with, by means of building a nanoscopic, subterranean Chernobyl, stocking carbon of which otherwise will be munched along with introduced by means of those bothersome plant structur generally known as lifestyle forms. ”

5. Kudzu, moose manure or even demolition debris…your decide on
Lower inside Florida, kudzu can be a very unpopular theme, because the “weed of which Consumed the South” can be essentially anywhere in the Southeastern quadrant, however, many Pine Form scientists imagine many people might be able to transform all of that unhappiness in energizes. Back 2010, the Global Business Problem in Pine Form Nation's Clinical gave the venture in order to transform waste material in green aircraft energy resource, from COSI Catalysts, reputable refer to yesterday from the “Advanced Products intended for Eco friendly Energy” classification.


6. Stinkweed
Yes, it’s the stinking flower, all right. Famweed, that may be, or even industry pennycress — you might have heard of the idea since stinkweed, or even this particular language marijuana, or even mithridite mustard. You might have heard of the idea referred to as the bagful regarding income ready for being prepared. It’s the mustard seed products, on the list of Brassicaceae. It’s not really rooted as an alternative, although like a cross over crop, the cover crop.

“There’s 130, 000 massive areas sitting right there inside The state of illinois, along with the targeted regarding 250 gallons per acre, that’s 26 thousand gallons. 130, 000 massive areas can be precisely what our own collaborator farmer team cultivates every year, ” said Arvens Engineering CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Sudhir Seth. “Potential massive areas that will turn into for sale in the Cornbelt, corridor among I-70 along with I-80 among NE along with WOW, is about 40 thousand massive areas. That is competent at generating 8 thousand regarding alternative biofuels every year without having influencing the food present. This can generate more farmville farm cash flow of approximately in comparison with $4 thousand every year in $100 per acre. ”

7. Bunnies
Sweden’s obtained a typical dilemma: a great number of bunnies, reproduction including, very well, rabbits. Sweden’s obtained a silly answer, pitfall ‘em, wipe out ‘em, along with shed ‘em to come up with electric power. An ideal ecologically natural electric power supplier intended for plug-in electrics…oh, not really. Eew. Many of us profiled the most popular dilemma and the icky answer with this report from past October.

Apparently, Stockholm, which has an overstock regarding stray, outdoors rabbits which can be doing damage to local theme parks, sanctioned the culling functioning, and the mortally wounded bunnies ended up mailed intended for control. This Stockholm capability can also be incinerating dead cats and kittens, cows, deer along with race horses, according to the statement. Yikes.

This continues to be proper up right now there having 2008-09′s plastic cosmetic surgeon that switched liposuction fat in biodiesel since on the list of strangest biofuels reports actually registered.

8. Soda
Within a report of which usually appear proper outside the marketing and advertising intended for Shot Cola (“all the sweets, along with 2 times the caffeine…and the handy carry energy resource in order to boot…”), scientists in Ok Condition College documented of which throw away from soda pop output can be utilized since feedstock intended for ethanol output by just incorporating nitrogen along with fungus. This reputation regarding sodium benzoate, a typical food additive, had been the major sign inside no matter if a particular model of soda pop would likely ferment very well or even not really. Soft drink throw away is commonly disposed of by means of modifying the pH amount along with transmitting the idea with a local wastewater cure plant, a method which might be expensive mainly because it can be completed only inside constrained quantities.

9. Expand Your – Pot (the hemp kind) intended for biofuels
It’s the feedstock report proper beyond Cheech along with Chong. Throughout Sc before this coming year, experts in the USDA documented of which maqui berry farmers from the Southeast might generate the exotic legume sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) along with incorporate the idea in crop rotations by means of farming the fast-growing annual intended for biofuel. Case study had been conducted by means of Gardening Investigation Program (ARS) experts inside Florence, SOUTH CAROLINA, along with facilitates the USDA priority regarding acquiring brand-new causes of bioenergy.

This experts assessed possible energy output regarding feedstocks by means of primary combustion in order to estimate the feedstocks’ larger heat value (HHV), which often shows the amount energy can be introduced by means of combustion. This HHV intended for sunn hemp biomass surpass the HHV intended for switchgrass, bermudagrass, reed canary grass along with alfalfa. Though decreased rainfall ended in cheaper hemp biomass produces inside 2006, sunn hemp’s HHV intended for equally research decades had been several in order to 5 pct higher than the HHV regarding cowpeas.
Within a report from 09, all of us monitored the 43-acre biomass tryout inside California which includes hemp like a feedstock. This notoriety regarding hemp’s uncle, pot, has produced equally passionate practitioners along with oppositions on the feedstock, which often since then provided helpful by-products including string, although acquired an immense brand personality dilemma soon after reefer acquired broad acceptance from the sixties like a fun substance.

10. Body fat Rustlers! Extra fat along with oils, in the developing wedding ring regarding Sauces Crooks
Fryer gas can be a cool feedstock, for sure – although any time the idea spawns the offense wave, that’s any time the idea tips around into the entire world on the unusual. Not too long ago, the Nation's Renderers Association believed of which oil thieves provides increased up to six thousand lbs per annum throughout The united states, along with just as much as $1 thousand inside dropped profits intended for members regarding (the other) NRA. This numbers come up within an amusing loom in oil thieves released inside Area. los angeles, which often looked at the rise regarding “grease rustling” from the circumstance of an rise inside yellow oil costs, from beneath $300 per tonne, in order to greater than $900 per tonne today.

Final summer season, Nc Sales rep. Ruben Torbett answering the increasing thieves regarding yellow cooking area oil, recommended the costs that may make it the criminal offence in order to grab $1, 000 or even more regarding yellow oil, and also a misdemeanor in the event much less ended up taken. Additionally, Torbett can be advising of which virtually any yellow oil lovers must be qualified along with checked out when the lovers plan to market often pet extra fat or even vegetable oils intended for make use of since energy resource. Lastly, the lovers must have the ability to confirm they may have $1 thousand inside liability insurance policy. Maqui berry farmers that make use of these kinds of oil for your unique reasons will be exempted in the event Torbett’s suggestion can be implemented completely.

Colorado front range attorney at law Jon Jaworski is known as “the Sauces Lawyer, ” focusing on counseling about conditions concerning oil thieves. “I had some guy who had been compensated that has a bottle of wine regarding vodka and also a few cartons regarding smokes in order to grab oil. When i likewise get plenty of telephone calls from biodiesel organizations curious about how you can guard them selves from folks thieving their grease…If it’s rancid gas, the pollutant, sitting in a trash package, is it actually thieves? Beneath gigantic court regulation, in the event it’s in a rubbish can certainly, it’s rubbish. ” In 30 cents the gallon, of which yellow crud is becoming the brand new “Texas Tea”.

This technologies, unique out of your College regarding South Florida, is founded on the patent-pending catalytic practice of which transforms moose manure, demolition dust or even kudzu vines in energy resource, and the firm proprietors said that they're searching for up to $2 thousand to get a 10, 000 gallon per annum start plant.

10. Individual liposuction fat
It could only happen inside L . A ., all of us suppose. Throughout California a couple of years before, the Beverly Mountains cosmetic surgeon that employed liposuctioned individual fat in order to electric power a couple SUVs having biodiesel, challenged a study in the California state open well being specialists, intended for possible abuse of an state regulation of which forbids the usage of individual health-related throw away intended for vehicle energizes. This “lipodiesel” hot debate erupted any time Medical professional Craig Bittner had been sued by means of 3 individuals intended for removing unwanted fat along with leading to disfiguration. In accordance with stories, Bittner, that shut down his process inside Nov 2008, still left america intended for South usa.

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Biofuels are a Green Energy Source

Biofuels are a Green Energy Source

Biofuels are also a green energy source. It has been around for a very long time and lately, people are beginning to take notice.

Liquid biofuel which is the one used in cars is a natural and renewable domestic fuel that can only be used for diesel engines. This can be made from vegetable oils mostly soy and corn. The nice thing about it is that it contains no petroleum, is nontoxic and biodegradable.

By fueling up with biofuel, you decrease the pollutants in the air because it does not emit anything. Right now, it is the only fuel approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), passed every Heath-Effects Test of the Clean Air Act and meets the requirements of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

One example of this is biodiesel which is made from alcohol like methanol and a chemical process that separates glycerine and methyl esters (biodiesel) from fats or vegetable oils. Aside from methanol, some countries have also experimented with corn and sugarcane to create their own version of biofuel.

Glycerine is a common products and this is used in making toothpaste and soap. Since it is quite new, the process of converting it is quite expensive and right now, this is still much more expensive per gallon compared to petroleum.

But if you look at what you pay for it, the returns are huge because you get to do your share to preserve a cleaner environment, an improvement in air quality and a reduction of cancer-causing agents.

A cheaper and primitive way to make bio-diesel is by collecting cooking oil and then processing it. This may not good your car’s engine so be careful if you decide to use it.

If you are skeptic about biodiesels, studies have shown that its performance on the road is just as good as petroleum in terms of power to efficiency, hauling and climbing. You can use this in its pure form or blend with petroleum fuel. The most common mix in the market is 20/80 and is referred to as "B20." This means that 20% is biodiesel and the remainder is 80%. Another version is the E85 which is fuel composed of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

The best part about using biodiesel is that you only have to make a few changes in your engine to be able to use it. Aside from making the car run, it also helps clean the engine. If you are concerned that this will void the warranty of your vehicle should there be a problem, don’t worry because it doesn’t. In the US, B20 is the most common one available but there are only a few gas stations that carry it.

When car’s first rolled out in the beginning of the 20th century, Henry Ford planned to make these vehicles especially the Model T’s run using ethanol. Tests have even shown that these may also run using peanut oil.

This never materialized because huge oil deposits were discovered and diesel was cheap. It was only when our demand for oil increased in the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s and in the early part of this year that people began to realize that to reduce our demand for foreign oil that we should try using biodiesels and other forms of alternative energy.

Is it too late? Not yet because there is still time to use biofuels and others as green energy sources.

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What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Green Energy Sources?

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Green Energy Sources?

Today, we are now aware of the effects of global warming. Fortunately, it’s not too late and we can still change which is why many are pushing for green energy sources.

The advantage of using green energy sources is that it is clean so it does not emit anything harmful into the air which has an impact on the environment. It is also renewable which means we will never run out of it unlike oil which is expected to dry up in a decade or so.

Although green energy facilities are expensive to build, it requires less maintenance so you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to operate it.

It can also bring economic benefits to certain areas even boost tourism.

While these sound good, there are some who say that there are advantages to using such technology.

While green energy sources can produce electricity, how much it can generate is not consistent. This is because we have no control of the weather so if a certain area relies on solar energy and there is a weather disturbance, it will not be able to convert sunlight into electricity.

Building these facilities also requires a lot of land so we may have to cut on farmland which is what many are concerned about if more wind turbines are to be put up.

Another disadvantage is the fact that some of the green energy sources cannot be installed in certain areas of the planet. For instance, wave energy can only be utilized if the waves coming from the ocean reach at least 16 feet. The use geothermal energy can only be done in geologically unstable parts of the planet.

But if you look at such arguments, places that cannot use one form of green energy source can be substituted for another. If wind turbines need more space, they can be installed near the coast instead of putting these on land. A study shows that you can generate more electricity while these are in the ocean.

While the weather is something we cannot control, it is not everyday that there is a weather disturbance so this too shall pass. If solar energy is being used and the sun is covered, the emergency generators will be activated and use up the energy that was stored.

The point is that there are ways around the arguments put by certain individuals which discourage the use of green energy sources. In fact, research is ongoing to try and harness other means to generate the power we need.

A very good example of this is called ocean thermal energy. Power is generated by harnessing the different temperatures in the water. It is currently being used on a small scale both in Japan and Hawaii.

In the US, only 7% of green energy sources are used nationally. This was much higher 11 years ago and if we don’t have to worry about the cost of oil or even reduce our dependency on it, we have to invest more in this clean energy.

We can get it from green energy sources such as biomass, biodiesel, geothermal, solar, water and the wind. These are things we have all around us and all it takes is for someone to harness it instead of relying on traditional non-renewable means to produce energy.

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