Alternative Green Energy – Environmentally Friendly Energy
by Denzil De Vries
Alternative green energy refers to any form of electricity generation that is sustainable and has a limited negative impact on the environment. There are a range of methods. Some of these have been well received like wind, solar and hydro power. Others are more controversial and include using geothermal power and biofuels. Wind power is a highly versatile form of alternative green energy. Wind is able to propel the vanes of a windmill which can then drive an electric turbine. Wind power does have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that wind is free and abundant. The disadvantages include the noise of the rotating vanes if windmills are placed close to residential areas. Conservationists have also argued that too many windmills together are an eyesore that mars the beauty of the countryside. Some people consider solar energy the most promising of all alternative green energy solutions. The earth receives more energy from the sun than all the power produced by conventional methods for homes the world over. The potential of solar power is augmented by the versatility of its applications. It can be used as a source to convert water to hydrogen gas for power stations. It can be adapted for domestic use by heating homes and water. It can also be converted into electrical current with solar panels. Producing photovoltaic cells, which are components of solar panels, is expensive and has some environmental implications that are still being addressed by researchers. Hydroelectric power is the alternative energy system that has seen the greatest degree of implementation worldwide. This is because it is relatively cheap to install and many countries have the resources needed to operate it. Energy is generated through the action of moving water through turbines. The main criticisms of hydro power are that the dams necessary to create them often disrupt natural waterways and fertile lands are often flooded to create the lakes required to implement this technology, thus displacing local people. Geothermal power seeks to generate electricity by tapping heat locked deep down below the earth’s surface. Rock that is heated by magma deep inside the earth is the source of energy for geothermal power. Water is pumped down through boreholes to acess these extremely high temperatures below ground and then forced back out again to run steam generators. Power plants can be operated using the steam generated by geothermal power, Geothermal power is an alternative green energy solution that is yet to see widespread implementation. This is because of the extremely high costs associated with drilling water holes. Further, it remains unclear what implications exist for causing earthquakes by geothermal power drilling. Biofuels are a controversial type of alternative green energy. Plants that are rich in oils or sugars are specially grown to be processed into fuel for powering engines. Biofuels are regarded as renewable energy because there is no limit to the amount of times a specific plant can be grown, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. The main argument against biofuels is the land that is needed to grow them which could alternatively be used for growing food for human consumption. Also, burning biofuels still produces carbon emissions although the amount is thought to be cancelled out by effect of growing the fuel crops in the first place.
