Alternative Energy Sources

Nuclear Power The process of controlled nuclear reactions is what is applied to harness the nuclear power, tops the renewable energy sources list. The process applied here is known as nuclear fission. The nuclear power plants, with the aid of nuclear reactors heat water to produce steam, which is then transformed into mechanical work to generate electricity. Survey conducted in the year 2007, show that about 14% of the world's supply of electricity was made possible by harnessing nuclear power. Biomass Energy Following nuclear power in the list of alternative energy sources is biomass energy. It is another one among the popular examples of alternative energy sources. Living and dead biological matter are referred to as biomass and used as a fuel source or for industrial production. Living plants, dead tress and branches, wood chips, yard clippings are also considered to be a part of biomass. About 0.5 of the electricity in the United Sates, comes from the biomass source of energy. Compressed Natural Gas Coming down to the third in the alternative energy sources list is what is known as a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Even its name suggests its safe use for the environment. Popularly known as CNG, this source is a harmless and natural substitute for gasoline, diesel, or propane fuel. Geothermal Power Cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly, are the attributes of geothermal energy or power. It is an appreciably efficient way to extract renewable energy provided by Mother Earth. The use of geothermal power can be dated back to the ancient Roman times. Then it was popular for space heating and bathing. Now, however, through scientific improvisations, it is widely utilized for the generation of electricity, without causing any harm to the environment. Around 24 countries are involved in the generating geothermal electricity. Hydroelectricity Everyone is aware of hydroelectricity; perhaps, the most popular in this alternative energy sources list. Gravitational force of falling water from a certain height is converted into mechanical energy for the generation of electricity. Not only the source itself is environmental friendly, but even the project of setting up a hydroelectricity plant lacks the production of direct waste. Wind Power Taking it down to the sixth in the alternative energy sources list, we have with us the wind power. Wind turbines transform wind energy into electricity or mechanical form of energy. These energy sources are set up in wind farms. Record says that about 1.5% of the world's electricity is produced by wind power. Although the figure is quite less, the prospect is bright, given to its progress which has doubled in the three years between 2005 and 2008. Solar Power It is for certain you must be knowing what is solar power. It is one of the fastest growing energy sources, given to the rapid improvisations in the technologies to harness it. Unlike earlier times, solar cells are now easily transportable, flexible and more efficient. Places which receive maximum sunlight are the ones which can harness the benefit of solar energy to the maximum. Wave Power How many of you have heard about wave power? As the name suggests, this energy source refers to the energy produced using ocean surface waves. To harness this kind of energy is not an easy play, because of the unpredictable nature of the ocean. For harnessing the wave power, wave farms have been set up. Tidal Power

Narrowing it down to the last name in this alternative energy sources list, it is the tidal power (tidal electricity). There are two ways via which tidal power can be generated. They include tidal stream generators or by barrage generation. The process involves the working of the generators under water. Here they are operated by the kinetic energy of the swift traversing dense water. This method, although, is not as popular or widely used as rest described in this alternative energy sources list, has potential prospect for generation of electricity in future. With this short description on tidal power, I am done with the alternative energy sources list. The time is not far when the last drop of oil on this Earth would see its end. The disaster that it would cause for mankind, is unimaginable? It is time that we realize and know about why conserving energy is important? It is practically not possible to stop the use of the nonrenewable sources of energy, but it is possible to use them wisely and only when required. And another way to expand the distance between mankind and the approaching disaster is to know the importance and the use of such alternative sources of energy.

Alternative Energy Sources Pros and Cons

Advantages of Alternative Energy Sources

Renewable Energy: The first advantage enjoyed by most alternative energy resources is that they will not get depleted in the foreseeable future. Hence, energy sources like solar energy and wind energy make great alternative sources of energy for cars and alternative energy sources for homes, respectively. Once set-up, they will provide energy for a very long time. Greener Energy Sources: The alternative sources of energy do not create a residual matter which will harm the environment in the long run. Alternative energy and global warming are said to be inversely proportion. The fuel that is used to run cars today spew out a lot of gases that are bad for the environment. As opposed to those, cars powered by solar energy will not leave any harmful waste matter. Free Source of Energy: Excluding the costs of production, renewable sources of energy need not be purchased. Energy sources like sunlight, wind and water require only an initial cost for installation, thereafter which, they are available for free. This can be contrasted with the increasing price energy companies are paying to purchase coal and gas. High Supply: The relevance of this point may vary based on where you are located. If you are located in a region with a lot of sunlight, then you will have a lot of solar energy. Likewise, if you set-up a windmill in a windy area, you will receive a constant supply of that energy. Hence, once you decide on a location and set-up a production facility, you need not worry about any supply limitation.

Disadvantages of Alternative Sources of Energy

High Set-up Costs: Set up costs are considerably high for facilities which will produce the energy. For example, just think of dams which need to be built in order to set up a hydropowered plant. The relocation of the residents and building the dam involves very high costs. Production of energy using tidal waves too is a very costly affair. Storage and Transportation: One of the main reasons why alternative energy sources haven't yet entered the mainstream is because storage and transportation costs for this source of energy is very high. While windmills and hydro-electric power plants are getting more and more sophisticated, other renewable energy sources have a long way to go. Unreliable: The renewable energy sources depend largely on naturally occurring factors. For example, if it doesn't rain enough, the hydro-electric plant's production levels will be

hampered. Similarly, without enough sunlight, it may not be possible to generate solar energy as efficiently as we need it.

Not as Efficient as Conventional Energy Sources: The last point is the one we hate to admit to ourselves. As of today, alternative sources of energy are not as efficient as we need them to be. The technology available today is not sophisticated enough to ensure that alternative energy sources can completely overthrow the reign of conventional energy sources. The proof of this is the hybrid car. As we give ourselves time to develop better, more efficient machinery for production of alternative energy, we have to currently make do with two technologies which should work efficiently.

So this was all about alternative energy sources pros and cons. There is no doubt that alternative energy is the way to the future, but we have to give ourselves time in order to develop ways to fight the cons before we can get alternative energy sources into the mainstream

FACT:
Renewable & Alternative Energy Association of Pakistan (REAP)) is the first ever registered entity of the country in alternative and renewable energy sector with a mission to minimize the national dependence on conventional resources of energy by promoting renewable resources of Energy in Pakistan.