Hydropower as a Clean Energy Platform

With carbon fuels under supply stress, hydropower presents one functional clean energy alternative. Here is an overview of hydropower and its practical application in modern society.

There are many different types of alternative energy available today. From solar panels to wind turbines to geothermal energy sources, the renewable energy field is exploding. Nations throughout the world are also coming up with their own ways of reducing usage of polluting and traditional energy sources, with clean hydro energy being a popular solution. Using water as an energy source has been around for ages. With the addition of modern technology, it has become a more efficient and useful resource for generating power for a hungry world.

Hydropower generates about 20 percent of the electricity generated in the world, making it the most widely used alternative energy source on Earth. In the United States, hydropower accounts for about 10 percent of the total electricity produced, which means the US produces the second highest amount of hydropower in the world after Canada. Norway, however, has both countries beat. Although it does not produce as much hydropower as it is a much smaller country, 99 percent of the electricity in the country is produced via clean hydro energy production. Another contender in the world’s best usage of hydropower contest is New Zealand, which produces 75 percent of the electricity in the country via clean hydro energy. Countries such as Brazil and Egypt are also heavily reliant on hydropower.

In the United States, 28 million homes are powered by electricity generated by hydropower. Unfortunately, only 2,400 of the 80,000 water dams in the country are being used to produce electricity. This is a rather alarming fact. If more of the dams were put to use creating power, we would be far less reliant on expensive, polluting, non-renewable carbon fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. One can surmise that the process of converting the dams to hydropower production would be expensive, but the rising price of oil may soon make it a viable option.

Hydropower is a major player in the energy game. Frankly, it should be used even more where possible. Currently, the energy produced via hydropower production replaces the use of 22 billion gallons of oil each year. That is a significant number, but more may be about to come.

Although not a form of traditional hydropower, many are now looking to produce electricity from the oceans. Much like traditional dam turbines, companies and nations are now investigating if it is possible to put turbines in the ocean that are turned via moving currents and tides. The idea is fairly new, so a practical application is unlikely in the very near future. Nonetheless, if the process can be worked out, the energy worries will be greatly alleviated given the massive amount of energy in the ocean.

Compared to carbon fuels, hydropower is a very attractive way to meet our energy demands. Counties such as Norway and New Zealand prove it can be done with the proper planning.

Rick Chapo is with Solar Companies - a directory of solar energy companies. Visit us to read more articles on renewable energy.

Read More...

How to Make a Windmill & Use Green Energy to Save Cash

Exchange your conventional electrical energy source to something new today. Costly bills that blow out of proportion every month can now be reduced to a huge minimum. Get yourself a windmill today or make yourself one. Installing a windmill is very easy. If you have a pretty big backyard or a terrace that gets enough wind to drive a windmill then you can definitely think of having one.

Creating your own energy source right at home can be a very simple procedure. The right tools and kits for making a windmill may just be a shopping session away. You can find many of these kits online. Going over to the local hardware store could also arrange for a windmill kit suiting your requirement. This source of electrical energy is totally free and the initial investment of installation of the equipment is all it needs to get you started and on for years of unlimited electrical energy.

Windmills come in a huge variety of versions suiting to preferences. Sizes vary and so do mechanisms. The blades of the windmill play an important role in catching enough wind for proper generation of electricity. The whole house can run on a windmill or two. Running a few appliances during power cuts with the main supply can be very convenient.

Alternatively using both your regular electricity supply and the windmill can reduce your monthly costs and bills by more than half. Windmills come with the following parts: rotor blades, generator, base and of course the wind which is free. Locate the base of the windmill in a convenient place in your backyard or your terrace and then fix the rotor blades to the generator and you are ready for unlimited electricity right from your home.

Windmills are really great source of free electricity, and also they are perfect environmentally friendly machines.
http://makeyourownwindmill.net/

Read More...

Clean Energy in the US - Is it Really a Possible and Feasible Dream?

clean energyApparently, the media and the powers that be have decided that we need to have clean energy, as in 100% clean, but is that really feasible? And even if it is a remote possibility, is it a wise choice for our nation in the present period?

It's hard to argue that it would certainly be nice to have 100% clean electrical power, I am all for that. I'd like to see "clean coal" technologies and more nuclear power. We could add in more geo-thermal too. Ocean Wave energy seems to be reliable as we figure out how to make it last longer due to the battering of the ocean. The less pollution the better for everyone's health and yes the environment too.

Unfortunately, personally, I do not think that 100% clean electrical energy means getting rid of coal, we have 150-years of coal available; clean coal would be nice and the Germans and Chinese have some technology available it would be nice to see used.

Additionally, I do not think it is wise to overly subsidize alternative energy that does not work or cannot compete, that raises costs for everyone, at a time when we cannot do that to the American People. Let's be careful what we wish for, or we might be sorry.

It would be best if we did not deceive ourselves with such a mandate considering the importance of reliable and cheap energy. This is not just an economic issue, it is also one of practicality and well, it's just not practical to try to attempt the 100% clean energy goal in the present period. Think on this.

Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts a

Read More...

Green Tariffs - Eco-Friendly Energy Consumption

With growing concern over the environmental impact of our lifestyles, most gas and electricity suppliers now offer a selection of green tariffs in an attempt to mitigate pollution and the release of greenhouse gases. In other words, they are working to clean-up their energy supply.

These tariffs come in a few shades of green, as there is a variation in both how the energy is generated, and what the supplier does with the money that you spend with them. Typically however these fall into three main categories: energy match, green fund and carbon offset.

Energy Match - This is where the supplier matches the amount of energy that you buy from them with an equivalent amount of energy from renewable resources.

Green Fund -where a portion of your bill is paid into funds that support (via investment) renewable energy projects, such as solar power, hydro-electric generation or wind farms.

Carbon Offset - this involves balancing carbon emissions with carbon-reducing projects elsewhere, such as reforestation. So emissions are not reduced at source, but they are evened out.

Ofgem Guidelines

To minimise confusion among consumers, Ofgem proposed two separate sets of guidelines in 2007. One covers tariffs for energy produced from renewable sources. The other covers tariffs for energy sources that have low carbon dioxide emissions. Ofgem's aim is to improve the information available so customers can make informed choices.

The guidelines rate low carbon offerings from A to F, depending on how low their associated carbon emissions are - with A being zero, and F being very high (over 1,000 g/kWh). As such, suppliers' tariffs are rated according to 'carbon intensity' - so customers can choose a low carbon energy supply.

Pros:

* The CO2 scale allows customers to make an informed decision, based on the amount of CO2 produced.

* Customers can also see the respective mix of fuels used to produce energy.

* The actions being taken by suppliers to offset or reduce the environmental impact of production may be disclosed.

* From the customer's point of view, it's a painless commitment to doing something positive to help the environment; no action is required - apart from payment of bills on receipt!

Cons:

* The CO2 scale ranks nuclear energy as a very 'green' source of supply, due to its low CO2 emissions. However most would argue that nuclear is far from a green energy supply!

* Green products / tariffs are traditionally more expensive, and this is not very clear to customers unless they do a full price comparison.

* Users may be better off choosing a cheaper tariff and making their own green arrangements e.g. planting a tree themselves, or offsetting CO2.

* Renewable energy is highly controversial and can have its own environmental impacts e.g. a wind turbine can be considered both beautiful and an eyesore!

To compare Energy Prices check out http://www.confused.com/gas-electricity

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_O_Sullivan

Read More...

How Obama Will Change Home Energy in America

President Obama's initiative on alternative energy offers great opportunity for economic development. Renewable forms of energy or clean tech and green tech are going to be the new dot-com. Yet his agenda of bigger government control, in general may stifle his planned initiatives.

The simple facts:

· There are two speeds to State and Federal Government: slow and slower.
· Regulation slows development of alternative, renewable energy.

Although some fear that President Obama's administration will strengthen regulatory control of home energy incumbents, deregulation of energy has picked up lightning speed & is now too far embedded in our economy for the new administration to easily reverse this flood!

All across America people are thinking green. However, when you choose renewable energy people want to get that which they paid for. Regulated energy incumbents normally do not offer 100% renewable. While a small minority of monopolies offer renewable energy, I have yet to find a regulated company offer proof that their renewable energy is certified by our Federal Government.

Deregulation of home energy is in it's infancy, with notable impacts of growth have only been made in the last 2 or 3 years. Yet to date, less than 10% of American State Government has elected to deregulate their electricity or natural gas. The competition that comes when energy is deregulated, will cause consumers to find a company that towers above the rest in this dot-com deregulation biz. A company that consistently seeks top governmental certification is "go green's" best choice.

Down in Texas, competition is fierce in the deregulation of electricity market. There is a not for profit org called "Texas Electric Choice." They daily update and monitor prices per (KWH) on every plan and with every company in this highly competitive market. I propose that you google this not for profit site and conduct a test. You need a Texas zip code like: 75002. With this zip code as your tool, simply do a criteria search that gives you an opportunity to search companies only offering 100% renewable energy.

Let me save you some time. Without giving every name of every retail electric provider, I conclude that under this criteria search, thirteen companies, offer a total of twenty one renewable plans. No regulated incumbent offers 100% renewable energy and only one company offers a governmental certification: Ambit Certified Green energy. I asked you, how do you know that you're getting what you paid for unless that governmental certification is not sought by each company? Also, how can Obama fulfill his campaign promise without encouraging competition that comes with deregulation of home energy?

I conclude that this new administrations initiative on alternative energy is a start, but only free trade and competition can inspire and refine the energy market so that the finest renewable energy that money can buy and the most reputable company can be research & chosen by all.

An incredible economic boom shook the telecommunications industry following its deregulation in 1984. Hundreds of new companies entered the telecom market and created hundreds of billions of dollars in new revenue for visionary entrepreneurs who saw the changing landscape and were willing to venture into new waters. Today an even larger industry is on the cusp of sweeping change. Energy. This industry creates revenues of near to a half a trillion dollars annually! We have a strategic partnership with Royal Dutch Shell, the third largest corporation in the world, that allows us to grow as fast as we wish, including plans to open in several new markets over the next year.

The energy mentor team is prospering and is looking for people just like you to join us. Many have started a home based business, marketing electricity & natural gas from their home. Mortgages & debts are being paid off and some are making 6 figure monthly income! All marketers in our team are all paid on all of the customers in our team. Only ambit energy aggressively increases their consultant's customer base by even showing every customer how to get free energy! How much of an annual half a trillion dollar pie do you want a piece of?

Deregulate only happens once. It will happen with you, or without you! Now is the perfect time to take advantage of it. Join us by going to: http://theenergymentor.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Thies

Read More...

Top 5 Green Energy Companies From 2008

Thousands of organizations and businesses are going the extra mile and spending the extra dollar to buy utility-scale energy from renewable resources. So much so that the United States E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) compiles a quarterly list of the top green power companies from their Green Power Partnership program which came out in July 2008.

Some businesses take diminutive steps towards a green campaign, but these companies are proving their allegiance to a greener environment by voluntarily spending millions of dollars on clean energy.

Intel purchased 1.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in January 2008. This compensates for 47 percent of the companies overall energy use.
PepsiCo purchased 1.1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2007, the equivalent of powering 90,000 homes for an entire year. This accounts for 100 percent of their annual energy use. PepsiCo was named Green Power Partner of the Year in 2007 by the E.P.A.
U.S. Air Force has already purchased 9 million kilowatt hours of electricity this year as of July 2008. They have invested in a number of biogas, biomass, geothermal, solar and wind energy providers.
Wells Fargo has purchased 5.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity from wind energy providers thus far in 2008. They are also a Green Power Partner of the Year in 2007. More than green energy, Wells Fargo has made a number of other commitments to their green campaign including LEED certifying their buildings and offering online account statements.
Whole Foods Market, the past two years has purchased enough green energy to compensate for 100 percent of their energy use, totalling to over 5 million kilowatt hours annually. The company is also investing in multiple other efforts to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.
Other organizations ranking high on the E.P.A.'s list are Starbucks, Johnson & Johnson and the University of Pennsylvania.

Nick Tart is the editor of four main sites for Worldwide Marketing Solutions. One of which is Great Earth News. GreatEarthNews.com provides information and tips to help you better the world. If you enjoyed reading this article, please check out The Good News Site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Tart

Read More...

Green Energy is Much More Than a Pipe Dream!

When talking about green energy, what are we really talking about? In a nutshell, green energy is energy that comes from any one of the following renewable energy sources: wind, Sun/Solar, water/ hydroelectric, geothermal, biofuels and biomass energy. There is no way that you are not going to find some form of green energy in play anywhere in the world at any given moment. This article will discuss how each renewable energy source is considered to be green energy, starting with wind power.

Geothermal Energy

Although geothermal energy is not as widely used as the others are it is a green energy source; as it comes from the movement of the magma beneath the Earth's crust and from the volcanic activity all over the planet. The hot springs that have been created and kept warm all over the planet are clear cut evidence of the geothermal energy that is there for the taking.

Water/ Hydroelectric Power

There is a great deal to be said for the worldwide appeal of hydroelectric power. As a matter of fact, there are not many countries on this planet where water is not being put to use to create the hydroelectric power that is so abundant and is also a source of green energy. The only way we will ever lose this renewable energy source is if our atmosphere gets stripped away and we have to deal with the full brunt of cosmic radiation that will evaporate our water. Hydroelectric power generation is precisely why the Hoover Dam was built in the first place folks!

Sun/Solar Power

You've got to admit that the power that our Sun provides is another readily available source of green energy for anyone who cares to take the time to get some solar panels that will harness this nearly endless supply of the renewable energy that we, as a planet, are beginning to look to. While some solar panels are not that cheap, you can find some that are within your price range. Look at all the solar powered items on the market already!

Wind Power

There are two main reasons why wind power and wind mill/wind turbine generated electricity are considered to be green energy: they will not be gone any time too soon and they do not cause any more pollution to or of the environment around us. There is always going to be a wind blowing somewhere and it really does not matter whether that wind is only a slight breeze or a brisk wind or hurricane/ tornado strength winds. Wind turbines are getting more and more popular as we begin really embracing green energy as a way of life.

For more information check out my Renewable energy blog at Green Energy

For more articles like this visit Green Energy

Mick Purcell

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mick_Purcell

Read More...

green energy News

 
Cool Web Site Listings