Modern technology continues to grow in leaps and bounds enabling us to live better and more comfortable lives. Today, one of the greatest challenges is to find methods of producing energy efficiently, using environmentally friendly techniques. There are numerous sources used to produce energy; namely, petroleum fuels, geothermal power, nuclear energy, solar power, wind power, tidal power and bio fuels. Given below is a simple chart showing the categories of energy sources we use. Abiotic (non-living) natural recourses Perpetual Renewable Non-renewable solar, wind fresh water, air, soil Recyclable Non-recyclable metals fossil fuel Currently, the most commonly used energy source is fossil fuel which is non-renewable and non-recyclable.
Renewable energy sources are hydropower energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, wind energy and solar energy. Renewable sources of energy can be used over and over again and also they generate much less pollution, both in gathering and production. But they are not as popular as the nonrenewable sources as can be seen in Figure-1. Figure-1: Renewable Energy Sources vs Total Energy Sources Solar Energy As you can see in Figure-1, the sun is probably the most important source of renewable energy available recently years. We are able to harness the sun’s energy and use it to help heat our buildings, our water, and also to produce electricity.
How can alternative sources of energy be harnessed effectively Energy has become a necessity for most people on this planet long before the age of civilization; it is now so entrenched into our daily lives that it would be merely objectionable to disengage us from its use. Fire that was started by cracking pieces of flints together to create sparks and fueled by the burning of logs allowed enough energy for people to go about in the past. However, when alternative sources of energy, such as natural wind power, water turbines, and solar energy were introduced, in addition to the advancements in technology, many environmental scientists came up with variety of methods of harnessing energy in the most efficient way. Since energy is commonly described as an organized form of heat, many believed energy can be effectively harnessed by generating the flow of heat created by the sources into manmade channels that will transform heat into a convertible form of energy that will later facilitates electric flow. Alternative energy can be defined as any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel.
Switching to alternative sources such as electric cars can help pull this number down significantly. Electric cars are more affordable as Electricity is cheaper than gas, and can come from renewable resources such as solar and wind power. Electric cars pollute less than gas-powered cars, which makes them better for our environment. Electric cars are much more reliable and require less maintenance than gas-powered cars. By using domestically generated electricity rather than relying on foreign oil, we can achieve energy independence and will no longer need to engage in costly wars in the Middle East to secure an energy supply.
Buying a gas stove may cause problems with installation. Gas lines may have to be installed in order for the stove to work. These stoves are more sensible for those who live within area where the energy source is propane or natural gas. On the other hand, electric stoves are normally cheaper. Installation should be no problem because most homes come equipped with a 240 volt source for the stove.
Wind turbines do not release emissions that pollute the air and they do not require water for cooling. Not only does wind power provide a clean source of electricity, it helps keep electric rates low and protects consumers against fossil fuel price volatility. Through these facts, America can see a vast amount of benefits. To recap, these benefits include: reduced consumption of fossil fuels, exponential reduction of water and air pollutions, creation of jobs, and can be used as energy for virtually anything. This energy is free and inexhaustible; meaning it is renewable and infinite source of energy.
The History of the Solar Powered Water Heating System Barbarann INF103: Computer Literacy Egad! November 19, 2012 The History of the Solar Powered Water Heating System Earth is in danger and humans are the culprit by living in a highly industrialized world dependent on fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources. Not only the environment is being harmed, finances are influenced as the cost of fossil fuels continues to rise. Luckily, there are alternative sources of power like the sun. A solar powered water heating system is the easiest initial investment in renewable energy a person can make (Ramlow, 2007).
For example, solar energy or wind energy. We have not pay for wind or sun light. Everyday has sun light and wind people use it in everyday life for example to dry cloth or make salt and we don’t pay for it. But for fossil fuel prices become higher because it is unsustainable and has fewer but the demanded is increase. So this is the reason why price of fossil flues will become higher.
(NEGATIVE IMPACT) However, if we decide to shift large quantities of corn to fuel production from food production, humans will be left with no food and this will cause world hunger which even be a worse situation. Basing on the example above, technology by its self is not harmful to the society, but the way society uses technology to achieve specific goals is what results into negative impacts of technology on the society. Humans need to use energy to process products in factories, to run cars , to light homes and also run technological machines like computers, but the only way we can do this without affecting the environment and society , is by shifting from exhaustible energy
Therefore, sometimes in the future we will run out of them. For this reason, fossil fuels are considered as non-renewable meaning that they are not replaced as soon as we use them. Moreover burning fossil fuels leads to pollution and many environmental impacts. Because our world depends so much on energy, we need to use sources of energy that will last forever – renewable energy, generating power from natural resources that are replenished on the earth. As we are theoretically reaching “peak oil”, “peak gas” etc.