Alternative Energy Sources

There are many, many, alternative energy sources solar, hydro-electric, wind, electricity, bio-fuels and such, geo-thermal, nuclear, and the list could go on for a long, long time, but which energy source do you think is the most practical? Like in the future, which energy sources will be used.

I think solar energy is a great idea, and that we have only scratched the surface of what it could do for us. However, as of now solar energy has some flaws, for example you could use solar energy in California easily because it is sunny for most of the year, but in states like Oregon/Washington where it rains a lot, you couldn’t use it as efficiently.

I don’t know why, but I have never been a big fan on hydro-electric power… I mean, I know dams can produce enough power to give energy to entire cities, but there is always the chance of the dam breaking, if you’ve happened to watch a special about dams, you might have heard that many dams that have been inspected are classified as not safe… I dunno… Lots of people like hydro-electric, it
just never seemed to turn me on..

Wind… lots of people like wind power…. I mean, it, out of all the energy sources is probably the cleanest… its just that, they don’t generate a tremendous amount of power as of now at least…

Electricity is my favorite, thus I’d give a biased explanation favoring it, so I won’t even bother.

Bio Fuels… The only problem that I really have is, what if there is a blizzard or drought how are you going to get your Bio Fuel?

Like solar, I think Geo-Thermal could be used to generate more energy than it does, but I have always thought it as.. I don’t know how to explain it… sort of an old idea… I know lots of people use it to heat there homes but I think it can be reinvented to be greater than it is.

Nuclear-Powerful, Dangerous.

So, which source do you think is the answer? Or do you think a combination of some of the energy sources will be the future. Or do you think we will find a new source of energy in the future that will surpass all the current forms, maybe from space or something. Or do you think we won’t survive to find out… So yeah… what do you think?

I think you have to look at the particular climate and environment you live in, e.g. hours of sunlight, amount of wind, closeness to a suitable river system, closeness to the ocean, availability of hot-rocks and geothermal activity. All of these natural assets can be used to provide power in a clean and economical way. I think the best sources of “Green Power” are Hot-rocks/Geothermal sites and wave power as they seem to use the least use of expensive technology to utilise them. I think they would also leave the smallest “footprint” on our precious environment.

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I am giving a presentation on alternative energy and need to find a good source of statistics, graphs, charts, diagrams etc to use. specifically, i will be referring to hydroelectric, wind and solar power.

thanks for your help in advance
answerer 1, you need to chill out…its for college. im not an oil barren you dodger

A graph of how much revenue oil barons and the refining process would lose in relation the % of renewable energy as a total of energy production would be the most pertinent in modern society.

Yes we think that you huge businesses should stop your hugely profitable exploits and instead spend billions investing in renewable energy. Afterall it's only money isn't the planets more important and I am sure you didn't become Oil barons because you are incredibly selfish and want far more than everyone else even if it means millions have to starve and die and suffer.

People wake up stop your governments from supporting these people renationalise your power industry invest in research and maximise renewable energy. Or sit back and let them charge you interest on the loans your govenment takes to buy weapons that you manufacture to send your own people to die for their profit and finacial security.

Death to MYism long live WEism.

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I'm looking for something besides the usual fuel cells, solar collectors, photovoltaic cells, waste-to-energy, hydro-electric, etc. I think I read somewhere about harnessing body heat for energy. Anyone know anything about that or can give me some links on that or on other developing technologies for alternative sources of energy away from gasoline and natural gas?
Wind mills is included in the "etc.".

The ground temperature several feet beneath your home is fairly constant at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take a few degrees. Circulating water or some other liquid through this region and returning it to your house, delivers to you a source to heat or cool your home to 60 degrees, even if the outside temperature is -10 degrees, or +120 degrees. Now you have solved most of your heating/cooling problems, and all you need is to let the outside air raise the inside temperature from 60 to 74 degrees in the summer, and install a simple secondary heating system (enough to only raise the temperature about 14 degrees) in the winter. Added insulation will even reduce further the need for the winter heat supplement.

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Like solar energy

Electrical Engineering or Environmental Engineering would both be good.

I hate to burst your bubble if you are bent on jumping on the solar bandwagon. However, in the process of studying alternative energy you will learn that it takes more energy to mine the materials and manufacture a solar panel than it is likely to produce in it's lifetime.

Just the same, don't let the above stop you from researching and working with alternative energy. I am sure you will discover there is plenty of rewarding and useful work you can do in this area.

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why should and should not government fund for alternative energy researches? such as replacing solar energy for gas etc

i need ideas for a debate HELP PLZ!!!

EX:
should: may lower gas price
should not: less money for welfare etc

Should: because businesses are trying to avoid too high risks and research - anyone can invent something better and enter industry making loss to one of the companies.

Should not - because they often are wasting budgets for useless things, corruption and political self-interests also matters, subsidies are also weaken industries.

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please help!

Geothermal and solar are the only "thermal energy sources".

Geothermal works by generating electricity from heat deep underground, usually near active volcanoes. Water is pumped down, then turned to steam which comes back up and drives a turbine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power

There are solar thermal power plants out there, but they are not very common and this is usually not the technology people mean when they say "solar" energy. Most of these applications involve using large mirrors to concentrate solar energy, and heat up water to drive a turbine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Spain#Solar_thermal_power_plants

Solar energy (photovoltaic) turns solar radiation into electricity; photons of light knock loose electrons of silicon, which form an electric current (all a current really is is a flow of electrons.) This is the standard meaning of "solar energy" and "solar panel".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics

Wind and hydro have nothing to do with thermal energy; composting is not an energy source, it's a fertilizer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost

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I have a Bachelors in Material Science and Engineering. No particular solar experience. I’ve been looking to get a masters at Univ. of Texas or another Texas University, but I’m not sure which degree would best help me get a job, if at all. What should be my next steps, I’ve been researching for a few days.
How would I go about getting a entry job in the solar industry, what type should i look for?

Check out this company I represent. I think it may suit you well.
www.powur.com/therisingsun
If you have any questions feel free to call me anytime.
Joshua
602 418 2823

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I am looking for information to compare conventional and alternative
sources of energy with respect to efficiency and environmental impacts
(e.g. burning fossil fuels, solar energy, and nuclear fission.)

Please involve as much chemistry as possible, with calculations,
diagrams, and equations.

hmm … been studying this for years. Alternative enrgy, in its pure theory is better, if only it could be researched as readily as the bad stuff … I have a ton of info for you, too tired to dig it out now. keep in touch, and I'll tell you ALL you could ever wanna know …

I hope this helps you. Please choose my answer as best, and rate my answer, please …

Keep in touch, I'll tell ya more …

Y! Messenger ID: digitalmythology
e-mail : digitalmythology at yahoo.com (I do that to keep spam bots off my tail …)

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It is for an energy assignment in science about alternative energy. You know the usual stuff solar power wind power all that stuff. what do you have to think about when you're thinking about choosing an alternative energy source

mainly local environmental impact.
eg. daming a river for a hydro turbine is no loger considered environmental as it damages the local environment.
As microhydro turbines don't as they only divert part of the river a bit.

The embodied energy is also important factor when considering what alternative energy is going to used.
For example solar hot water heaters have an energy payback of about 1 year.
Solar Panels have an energy payback of about 6-8 years.
As the silicon is a rare metal when requiring to build them.
Then it would be the logical step to first use a solar hot water system before putting solar cells up on your roof.

Same with wind power you also need to consider viability of the energy source at that location….
If there is not enough wind or too much turbulence.
This can effect what energy source is considered most viable at that location.

Eg. Hawaii is about to turn it's whole electricity economy to geothermal as it is most viable as they are on a volcanoe.

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A solar panel is a device that collects and converts solar energy into electricity or heat which can be used by (for example) nearby buildings. But is there any device that acts like a solar panel?

Besides the silicon type, there are a couple of types:

1. the reflector type of solar power, which uses a mirrored dish to focus sunlight to boil water to drive a generator.
2. using sunlight to heat a thermocouple which drives a current.

Both of these are larger than your typical solar cell and are not really that efficient - yet.

A solar cell is the only thing that converts photonic energy into electricity, although they can be made of silicon and other materials.

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