Now they also include things such as ethanol for motor vehicles. It is wise to learn how alternative energy works, what it is, and what the various types are. As you stay up to date on environmental political campaigns and legislation you can make the best choices for your home and family.
BASIC DEFINITION OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Quite simply, alternative energy is the creation of energy from materials that do not harm the environment or drain the Earth's natural resources. Therefore, energy from a nuclear plant or coal can not be categorized in this group because they are harmful to the Earth and deplete the natural resources.
"Renewable energy" is also a form of alternative energy. This is because they use natural resources that renew themselves and never run out. It is a fact that 13 percent of the world's energy comes from renewable sources.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Hydropower is generated by water. Micro-Hydro turbines are placed into flowing water to create energy.
Solar power is generated by the sun.
Sunlight can be turned into energy by using cells made from silicon. When these cells are exposed to the sun, they create an electric charge. A different kind of solar panels will heat up water which can be used in the house.
Wind power is created by turbines on large poles or towers and when the blowing wind is transformed into electricity.
Ethanol is an alternative fuel that can replace gasoline. It is a common form of alcohol produced from corn or wheat or any plant that contains sugar. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel solution to petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel can be made from vegetable or animal fats and also from dry waste biomass.
There are many types of "alternative energy". For a cleaner world we need to start thinking of the things we use on a daily basis and try to replace our power needs with something that will not destroy the ozone layer or deplete the Earth's natural resources.
