...Wind Power as an Alternative Energy Source Although fossil fuels drive our economy, it is rather expensive and significantly contributes to pollution (Lad 2). A few alternatives include hydroelectricity, solar energy, and wind. Solar and hydroelectric energy are good choices, but can be relatively costly (“Top 5 Misconceptions of Solar Energy” 5), (“Hydro Electricity”). Wind, on the other hand, is free and available in most areas. However, wind power has not been fully utilized in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of wind power in order to bring to light its usefulness as an alternative energy solution. Uses Wind power can be used to generate electricity, charge batteries, grind grain, etc. (Deshmukh 3). Turbines can be used alone or on a wind farm and can also be connected to a utility power grid to sell electricity back to the power company. According to the literature, wind technologies are most useful in the Midwest and along the coast. Pros and Cons Although wind turbines can kill birds and be damaged in severe storms (Deshmukh 11), wind turbines can provide many advantages. For example, wind turbines can harness the power of the wind, producing electricity, charging batteries, etc. Unlike fossil fuels, wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution. In addition, wind can be accessible in nearly all areas. Types There are several types of wind turbines, each having its own set of advantages and disadvantages...
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...Problem 2 Purpose 2 Scope 2 Introduction 3 Advantages of wind power 4 Environmental effects 5 Emissions 5 Ecological footprint 5 Conclusion 7 Recommendation 7 Executive summary The report provides an analysis of the nonmarket issues of the wind power market and provides information relating to wind power projects in Canada. The report aims to help communities balance local concerns with wider environmental needs, thereby allowing the benefits of renewable energy to be realized through careful design and consultation. Additionally, it also provides a profile of a major wind power company in Canada. Problem Electricity generation produces more pollution than virtually any other single industry in Canada. Pollution, air quality, acid rain, nuclear waste and global warming are the unwanted side effects of traditional power production that endanger the environment. Every day, many fossil fuel consuming contraptions spew out gases that pollute the environment. However, when the fuel supplies for these devices run out, they will grind to a halt. To prevent this, Canada needs to find an alternative to unstable and polluting energy sources. Purpose The purpose of this report is to examine wind energy as alternative energy source and effectiveness at reducing emissions by replacing power generated from fossil fuels. Scope The report will examine wind power as an alternative energy source and nonmarket issues. Wind power usage in Canada has been growing at a significant rate in...
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...What is Alternative Energy? Alternative energy can be defined as any source of energy used to interchange fuel resources without harming the environment or energy derived from other sources without the use of natural resources: burning fossil fuels such as carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. There are several types of alternative energy such as: wind power (focus of this report), solar power, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, alcohol and many more available for use. What is Wind Power? Wind power, a reliable source of electricity, can be defined as producing energy from the wind. Wind power is simply converting wind energy into a usable form of energy. Wind power is actually a form of solar power as wind comes from the sun. When air moves, generating wind, it has a kinetic energy: the energy created when mass in motion. The wind’s kinetic energy can be caught and transformed to other customs of energy such as electricity or mechanical power which are examples of wind power. Some examples that utilize wind power to some extent are: wind turbines which are used to make electricity, wind mills, a form mostly used, are used for mechanical power or wind pumps for pumping water. Wind was one of the earliest forms of energy harnessed to do work, one of which is sails which propel ships. Wind is an entirely renewable resource hence the reason why it is considered a pure and clean form of energy. They are different types of wind mills available for...
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...study Wind is the most economical and safest means of energy generation. Wind can supply energy without emitting harmful substances and chemical compounds that contribute to the rampant acceleration of the destruction of our environment that lead to global warming. Furthermore, wind power is the best option other than any other means of electricity generations such as fossil fuels and other harmful energy resources which cause damage not only danger to the human health but as well as to the environment. The multiplication of the usage of wind energy as a power source for electricity is worldly outgrowing. An estimation of 45,000 megawatts were installed in 2012 and ten percent increase in installation was recorded, a large difference if we compare the data gathered in 2011 and in 2012. The unbalanced heating of the atmosphere due to the sun’s energy results to the formation of winds, the untypical surface and the rotation of the earth around the sun causes winds. Wind directions are interrupted by the mountainous structure of the earth, its hydrologic state and its land plains. When winds pass turbines, it can generate electricity. From kinetic energy, wind propellers changes it into mechanical energy, this mechanical...
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...Prof Layton 3/24/13 Essay#1-Explanatory Alternative Energy What is Alternative Energy? It’s an energy generated, in ways that do not deplete natural resources or harm the environment. There are about four types of natural alternative energy. Each energy has a different element used to create energy. The types of energy are wind power, solar power, geothermal power, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy. In the next paragraphs, I’m going to explain the reasons why the world needs alternative energy and how the energy is harnessed. First type of alternative energy is wind power. Using large blades can capture the winds power. The wind causes the blade to rotate turning into electrical current. Electric generators harness all the energy and distribute it to small towns or larger scale towns. There are some advantages for using wind power. First, it causes no pollution. Meaning there are no harmful by-products. Keeping the world safe. Second, wind power is a renewable source; we will never run out of wind. Third, wind turbines can be placed practically anywhere. All you need is a good source of wind. As with any energy source, there are always some concerns. One concern is that wind is never constant. Some days there is significant amount of wind. Then the next day no wind at all. Another concern is that residents that live next to turbine blades think they are ugly. Second type of alternative energy is solar power. This is created by capturing the sun’s rays into solar...
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...Alternative Energy Sources Geology Many people believe that we must depend on fossil fuels for energy, where as the reality of it is the earth provides an abundance of renewable energy sources. These energy sources can produce enough energy that we would never have to use fossil fuels again. Alternative energy is the use of other energy sources instead of the use of fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Solar power can be used to operate cars and provide electricity to homes and businesses. Hydropower can be used to provide electric power to small towns and cities. Geothermal power can heat up buildings or water to power turbines to make energy. Wind power can be used to pump water and generate electricity. So let’s start with solar power since it is the most known of the group. Energy from the sun is one of the most abundant resources available today out of the alternative group. It is one of the most important of the non-conventional energy sources as well, because it does not pollute the earth. “One of the reasons for this is that the total energy we receive each year from the sun is around 35,000 times the total energy used by man”. (Alternative Energy Sources) One way to capture the sun’s energy is through the use of solar panels made out of Photovoltaic cells, which are commonly called (PV) cells. These panels can be used on homes, businesses, greenhouses, water heaters, traffic lights, or grouped together as a solar power plant. PV cells can transform the sun’s energy directly...
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...Should the global super powers lead an effective way in developing renewable energy? Global super powers rely heavily on energy, so therefore they should develop and fund renewable energy sources. Small countries have a smaller need. They do not have as much capital, so they rely on the global superpowers. Renewable energy is the cleanest way to keep earth clean and free of pollution. Global powers have the resource to advance renewable energy quickly. They have professional people, machinery, technology, money know-how, etc. to make things happen. Different countries in different parts of the world use different kinds of renewable energy. Countries can share with other countries what they’ve learned. This is an effective way to increase renewable energy. The population of the world will greatly benefit from renewable energy. People will be healthier and pollution will be greatly decreased. There will be an ongoing supply of power for every facet of life. Renewable energy must be developed because nonrenewable energy is becoming expensive and environmentally damaging to retrieve. Renewable resources are constantly replenished and will never run out. A clean energy revolution is taking place among global super powers. This generates hundreds of billions in economic activity, and is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years. This...
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...Sci. The Contemporary Scenario of Indian Renewable Energy Sector Md Aquil Ahmad, Shadab Khalid, Shadman Hussain Qaisar and Tiwari Gourav Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University), New Delhi 110025, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 12nd October 2014, revised 14th November 2014, accepted 22nd November 2014 Abstract The paper focuses on the contemporary scenario of renewable energy sources in India. Wind, biomass, small hydro and solar constitutes India’s renewable energy sources. India is a large country with an area of 3,287,263 sq. kilometers. Thus, it has access to ample of renewable resources. With prevailing threats of global warming and exhaustion of conventional energy sources, it becomes mandatory to exploit renewable sources and to develop technologies for efficient extraction of power from them. India has shown remarkable growth in its renewable sector over the last decade. In India, the total installed capacity of power generation from all sources is 2,45,401 MW as on March,2014. About 31,702 MW of power is generated from renewable sources which constitutes nearly 13% of the total installed capacity. India has high capacity of power generation from wind. Nearly 67% of power is generated by wind alone from total renewable installed capacity. Comprehensively, it is increasingly essential to develop renewable energy conversion systems since they provide environmental...
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...1 INTRODUCTION TO WIND ENERGY........................................................................................................1 1.1 What is wind energy..................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Why use wind energy ................................................................................................................................1 Why choose wind over conventional fuel sources .........................................................................1 1.2.2 Why choose wind over other renewable energy technologies............................................................1 1.3 The history and rise of wind energy ..........................................................................................................2 1.3.1 The first windmills were for mechanical power generation ...............................................................2 1.3.2 Electrical power generation ................................................................................................................3 1.4 Wind energy in Australia ..........................................................................................................................6 1.5 Wind energy in the future..........................................................................................................................7 1.5.1 Onshore wind energy ...............................................
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...Abstract Years to come, coal will not always be the main source of energy. It will soon run out and other ways to produce energy will be needed. There are different ways to produce this type of energy, such as solar power, wind power, and hydroelectric power. If corrected and created now, then ways to get energy other than coal in the far future will be one less thing to worry about. Alternative Source of Energy Source of Energy A big discussion today is what humans can turn to now and in the future for energy. Everyone knows that coal will not last forever and in the meantime it is crucial to find an alternative to produce the amount of energy the world needs to survive. The faster our nation starts on alternative sources of energy and understands that fossil fuel hurts the nation and makes the country weaker, the better chance our nation will have in the time to come. There are different ideas of how to produce this energy such as solar power, wind power, and hydroelectric power. Solar power is the energy used from the sun and is turned into thermal and electrical power (Winteringham, 1992). It is a very reliable source that can be used to produce energy. The sun has been around for a very long time and it is a source of energy that people can rely on in many places around the world. There are many advantages to solar energy. The main motive for most people is that solar power is free. Unlike coal, supplies for it are unlimited to use. Solar is efficient...
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...Renewable Energy Solutions for the State of Arkansas Energy, currently we have renewable and non-renewable energy sources available to us. Examples of renewable energies are solar and wind. Non-renewable energy sources are nuclear, coal, oil and natural gas. As most homes and businesses are currently using non-renewable energy sources, we need an energy solution. How can we protect our earth for future generations? We need to use energy more efficiently and only use what we need. We need a sound energy solution that is efficient and conservational, we need a renewable energy source. For the State of Arkansas, what is the most effective renewable energy source, solar or wind? The way of the future is through renewable energy sources. Two such sources are solar energy and wind energy. These sources are un-limitless in mastering its power. Solar cell panels that transfer the sun energy into power with no pollutants can use solar energy. Harnessing the wind via windmills or turbines for energy production uses wind power. Now that we know about the two different renewable energy sources, let us look at each source and what the positive and negative impacts would be and determine what would be an effective energy source for Arkansas. Some of the positives are the fact that solar power is renewable and has an un-limited supply; there is enough solar energy that falls in a 100-square-mile area of the southwest United States to power the entire nation. One of the issues...
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...Alternative Energy With the world economy growing at a fast pace, energy demand too has been witnessing a sharp rise in the past few decades, with demand mainly originating from the big developing economies of Asia, namely, India and China. Factors such as high population growth, growing urbanisation and changing lifestyles in these developing nations are behind the increase in demand for energy. According to International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, during 1990-2008, while world population increased by around 27%, energy use increased by around 39%. Consequently, average per person consumption of energy has seen a rise of 10% for the same period. The year 2010 has seen a further increase of around 5% in the world energy consumption levels. Most of the countries in the world use coal, oil and natural gas as their primary sources of energy. Around 90% of the total global energy requirement is met through these non-renewable energy sources. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels poses certain major concerns. Most importantly, these sources are limited. So, it is only a matter of time before these resources are exhausted completely. Another important factor that works against the heavy use of fossil fuels is that they are detrimental to the environment. The use of fossil fuels leads to emission of greenhouse gases which causes global warming. Also, these fuels are a major source of air, water and soil pollution. All these factors have created a need for alternative energy sources...
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...Wind Turbines: As the demand for energy is constantly increasing, due to an ever increasing congested population, mankind finds itself in a predicament, where do we continue to source the needed power to run our world. The old 20th century industrial age response is no longer applicable to modern day society, whereby; coal, gas and other non renewable limited resources are depleting. The 21st century has been presented with this detrimental world altering issue. Thankfully we now live in what is known as the technological era. This new century brought about with it new ideas and new developments- accordingly it is these developments in thinking and resources that will pave the way for alternate sources of power. New responses to this ever-present issue include hyrdo-electricity, a legitimate and controllable sources of power, solar power; another renewable resource whose presence is ever increasing in today’s developing world. Arguably the most efficient form of renewable and environmentally friendly energy is wind power. The ability to harness the power generated by the winds. The concept of harnessing the power of wind is no new invention, not even relatively new, in fact the idea has been around since 5000B.C whereby it was first utilized by the early Egyptians to propel their boats down the Nile river. Over the centuries, advancements to the concept continued and by 200B.C simple windmills in china were being developed to pump water for irrigation whilst the middle...
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...Alternative Energy Solar and wind power 10/14/2012 [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.] Abstract This paper will review solar and wind energy as the alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Solar and wind energy has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years due to both technological improvements resulting in cost reductions and government policies supportive of renewable energy development and utilization. Fossils fuels and nuclear energy have been the world’s main source of energy for years but, with global warming and with a recent melt down at a Japanese nuclear plant many are questioning is it time to use other alternatives energy sources. Although both alternative energy sources are safer than fossil fuels and nuclear energy the world has been reluctant to switch power sources. The recent severe energy crisis has forced the world to develop new and alternative methods of power generation, which could not be adopted so far due to various reasons. Solar energy represents our largest source of renewable energy supply. The Sun is naturally Earth’s most abundant energy source and will be around for billions of years. This is a resource that essentially human beings won’t be worried about running out of anytime soon. Wind Energy, like solar...
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...Renewable Energy Sources The Sustainability Revolution John C. Ayers "In a sense, the fossil fuels are a one-time gift that lifted us up from subsistence agriculture and should eventually lead us to a future based on renewable resources." Kenneth Deffeyes (2001) "I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that." — Thomas Edison, 1931 We cannot create or destroy energy. We can only capture it. The sun provides either directly or indirectly nearly all of the energy available to us. Plants capture solar energy directly through photosynthesis. Fossil fuels contain the energy of sunlight captured hundreds of millions of years ago. Photovoltaic (PV) cells also capture sunlight energy directly. Other energy sources capture the energy of sunlight indirectly. Heat from the sun powers the flowing air and water. We usually capture the kinetic energy of wind and water by using turbines that transfer the energy to an alternator, an electrical generator that produces alternating current. Geothermal energy is different in that it captures flowing heat energy produced by radioactive decay in the earth’s interior. In this chapter we will see that Wind, Water, and Sun (WWS) energy sources are sustainable because they are renewable, clean, safe, and nearly carbon-free. Although they have low energy densities, meaning that they require large areas of land or water to produce energy, they are...
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