The Differences Between Clean Energy, Renewable Energy, and Alternative Energy

To many people, the differences between "alternative energy," "renewable energy," and "clean energy," might not be obvious. But each term is unique and has its own individual definition. These three terms are not all exactly the same.

Alternative Energy

When we speak of alternative energy, we refer to sources of usable energy that can replace conventional energy sources (usually, without undesirable side effects). The term "alternative energy" is typically used to refer to sources of energy other than nuclear energy or fossil fuels.

Throughout the course of history, "alternative energy" has referred to different things. There was a time when nuclear energy was considered an alternative to conventional energy, and was therefore called "alternative energy." But times have changed.

These days, a form of "alternative energy" might also be renewable energy, or clean energy, or both. The terms are often interchangeable, but definitely not the same.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is any type of energy which comes from renewable natural resources, such as wind, rain, sunlight, geothermal heat, and tides. It is referred to as "renewable" because it doesn't run out. You can always get more of it.

People have begun to turn to this type of energy due to the rising oil prices, and the prospect that we might one day deplete available sources of fossil fuels, as well as due to concerns about the adverse effects that our conventional energy sources have on the environment.

Of all the different types of renewable energy, wind power is one which is growing in its use. The number of users who have some form of wind power installed has increased, with the current worldwide capacity being about 100 GW.

Clean Energy

"Clean energy" is simply any form of energy which is created with clean, harmless, and non-polluting methods.

Most renewable energy sources are also clean energy sources. But not all.

One such example is geothermal power. It may be a renewable energy source, but some geothermal energy processes can be harmful to the environment. Therefore, this is not always a clean energy. However there are also other forms of geothermal energy which are harmless and clean.

Clean energy makes the less impact on the environment than our current conventional energy sources do. It creates an insignificant amount of carbon dioxide, and its use can reduce the speed of global warming - or global pollution.

As you can see, alternative energy, renewable energy, and clean energy are very similar. But it is important to know that there are differences.

There are many actions which can be taken, to help reduce the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Some of these steps can be taken in your own home. Many clean energy solutions can can be easily installed, and some kits are quite affordable.

Carbon emissions and other forms of pollution are not only created by heavy industrial factories. They are created in the common household as well. Energy efficiency has become an important aspect of our lives.

It's important to start making changes now; if we want to save our planet for our children, for the flora and fauna of the Earth, and for the future of mankind. Clean energy, to be exact, can make a big difference.

Read More...

Generate your own electricity with solar panels and home wind turbines : video

Watch this interesting video about options for home green - renewable energy:

Read More...

LPG: An Assessment Of Alternative Fuels

Availability of alternative fuels by number of stations:

LPG- 1228
Biodiesel-138
Natural gas- 31
Electricity-12
Bioethanol-10
Hydrogen-0

LPG is by far the most available alternative fuel. This enables more customers to be targeted and more customers are also more able to reach the fuel stations making it a more attractive option for customers. LPG is best suited to ‘thirsty’ fuel consuming cars or cars which have a high annual mileage. LPG cars bring many benefits i.e. less toxic emissions, cost savings per mile and congestion zone discounts.


Another option is biodiesel, which is biodegradable and better for the environment. It doesn’t really affect vehicles in a bad way and could make the engine run more smoothly. It is about the same price as diesel and generally believed to be better for the environment.

Natural gas is mainly used in trucks and buses etc, and includes benefits including being much quieter than diesel cars, less toxic emissions and a congestion zone discount. Drawbacks include low availability and large storage is needed.

Electricity is thought of as the ideal sustainable transport solution but in order to be ‘zero emission’ must be produced using a renewable energy source. Performance is similar or improved but barriers include high cost, lack of investment and large storage tanks are needed.

Bioethanol is again much better for the environment but running costs are similar to petrol and there is very limited availability.

Lastly, hydrogen is almost pollution-free but is still at an early stage in development and can cost up to 20 times more than petrol. There is currently no availability but there is potential for growth.

Undoubtedly, at the moment, LPG appears to be the best option due to its availability and benefits and will be looking to become even more widely known and used in the future.
About the Author
This Article was written by Daniel Muir for Fuelture Ltd. Fuelture Ltd is a UK based alternative fuel company with a national LPG conversion service. Fuelture Ltd aspires to build a unique network of state-of-the-art LPG Stations and to launch a unique LPG fuel card. Fuelture Ltd. works closely with performance engine specialists Nicholson McLaren Engines Ltd. Visit http://www.fuelture.com for more information about automotive LPG in the UK.

Read More...

Bio-Fuels Myth Or Reality

The United States is currently in an uproar over the price of automotive fuel. Industry insiders are projecting the average cost of fuel to go above $3.00 per/gal. in the coming months. Many people are starting to reconsider summer vacation plans. So what solution do we have on the horizon to fight the ever increasing cost of Gasoline.

Today's latest term of indearment is Bio-Fuel. What could this actually be, are we going to place corn-cobs in our fuel tanks. Do we simply pull up to the local Fast Food restaurant and order a #3 and 10 gals of grease. Well not exactly, let's discuss each of the alternatives currently in the mass media vernacular:

First up the french fry grease myth. Yes with the properly equipped fast food restaurant we could drive up and fill up our diesel car. However one big issue with this fast food fad, their isn't enough grease generated to supply the nations thirst for fuel. If we are going to convert over then we must have the supply to meet the demand or the price of the fuel will not be reduced to a usable level. While the technology is available the fuel supply opportunity is not readily available. This technology is commonly referred to Bio-Diesel.

So let's take a step back tot he farmers who generate the oil that we are discussing. Can we generate enough Bio-Diesel to feed the nations thirst? This question is hotly debated in academic circles as well as farming circles. Current estimates are that if we convert over at the fuel consumption rate we are currently utilizing that we will have to have 75% of all of our US farm capacity to meet demand. While this will put many of the farmers currently out of work back to work, we would then be dependent on other nations for our food supplies. This may or may not be palatable to most involved.

What other options are currently on the blocks. E85 and M85 are both standard unleaded alternatives. The E in E85 stands for Ethanol, it is a product of corn and can easily be manufactured by todays farmers. The M in M85 stands for Methanol, which is a product of landfills and biodegradables (grass clippings, and other items). The 85 in the title is representative of the % of Methane or Ethanol present in the fuel. Are these options viable, again we have the debate of supply versus demand. To convert over enough farm land to make these a reality will probably cause food supply issues. The final issue against E85 and M85 is that they have a 25% reduction in fuel mileage adding to the cost of operation of your vehicle if you use them.

Current replacement fuels do not make the cut for long term viability. The auto industry is hard after alternatives to middle eastern automotive fuels. They are listening to their customers and will create a solution. So don't run out and buy that Bio fuel vehicle just yet the industry is still maturing.

Charles Cater

About the Author

Charles has a Problem Solving BlackBelt from Daimler Chrysler. He has spend 11 years in the automotive industry. This article may be reprinted freely as long as all links remain active. http://www.technologyblog.biz http://www.bridalblog.infohttp://www.TheWebLlama.com http://www.HealthyDietMagazine.comhttp://www.Travelblogger.info

Read More...

Will Clean Energy "Cross the Divide?"

Fossil fuels provide most of the world's energy and are the foundation of the past two centuries of economic growth. The issue of climate change poses the first serious challenge to fossil fuels' primacy.

But a great divide has existed between the mainstream technologies that make up the modern energy industry and the newer "clean" technologies that offer an alternative, low-carbon pathway to the future. This divide encompasses costs, technological maturity and scale of existing infrastructure.

In recent years, a range of forces has aligned to enhance clean energy's prospects - technological progress, shifting public opinion about climate change, growing interest by governments in supporting alternative energy technologies through subsidies and emission caps and pricing, and a massive increase in private investment.

Can these forces bring clean energy technologies from their current position, on the fringe, into the energy mainstream? This is the question addressed in a major new study by Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), Crossing the Divide: The Future of Clean Energy.

The study focuses on four kinds of clean energy technology. Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel and next generation cellulosic-based fuels. Renewable power generation technologies include wind, biomass, geothermal, solar photovolaics (PV), concentrating solar power (CSP), and ocean power.

Carbon capture and storage technologies are primarily designed to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions from coal-fired electric power plants. Finally, conventional clean technologies include nuclear energy and hydropower.

The Crossing the Divide study uses a scenarios approach for thinking about the future of clean energy. Unlike forecasting, scenarios do not attempt to foretell one "right" future.

Instead, the scenario development process focuses on key uncertainties that could lead to futures that are very different from the present. Scenarios are "plausible stories" about the future, which provide a framework for anticipating change and identifying it earlier.

Crossing the Divide develops three possible scenarios for the future of clean energy. In Launch Pad, strong policy support and rapid advances in technology drive the development and adoption of clean energy. In Asian Phoenix, the global balance of power shifts to Asia, and Asian nations play a primary role in defining the future of clean energy technologies, as both consumers and exporters.

In Global Fissures, economic slowdown and turbulence, followed by a long, slow recovery, discourage government support and private investment in clean energy technologies.

For each of these macro narratives, CERA developed an in-depth assessment and quantification of the prospects for clean energy technologies. This analysis provides a framework for assessing the winners and losers in clean energy, and helps to define key risks and opportunities as companies and investors place their technology bets.

One major finding of the study is that for clean energy to "cross the divide" and enter the mainstream, major technical advances will continue to be needed in coming years to make clean energy technologies cost competitive and scalable.

Achieving the requisite technical advances will, in turn, depend on four primary forces. The first three are energy prices, government policy, and the pace with which scientists and engineers working on clean energy can foster innovation. All three of these are affected by the fourth: economic growth.

Oil and natural gas prices directly affect the economics of clean energy technologies and shape political concerns and actions over energy security. Oil prices most strongly affect biofuels development but also have a strong effect on energy security, which drives other technologies as well. Natural gas prices most strongly affect renewable power technologies, as well as hydropower and nuclear.

Government policy is central to the development of clean energy. It typically ranges from funding for research and demonstration projects to mandates, financial incentives, and subsidies for technologies approaching commercial viability. Three kinds of policies are important in shaping the future of clean energy - energy security policy, climate change-related policy, and technology development policies.

Government policy is central to the development of clean energy. Energy security policy plays a role in driving all clean energy technologies. Unfortunately, energy security policies can be inconsistent in nature, waxing and waning with fuel price, economic cycles and sense of risk.

Climate change-related policies are affected by scientific understanding, politics, economic growth, and the level of cooperation and coordination present in the world geopolitical system.

The technologies most strongly affected by these policies are renewable power generation, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear. The long-term nature of the climate change threat provides an important impetus for establishing long-range approaches, at both the global and national levels, in this realm.

Technology development policies are the final area where governments can act to encourage adoption of clean energy technologies. These policies are typically driven by economic growth and fuel price cycles, as well as energy security policies. They can vary greatly in terms of their strength and sustainability, as well as which technologies they favor.

Government supports of all kinds are most effective when they are sustained and predictable. It is also important for policymakers to recognize the value of pursuing multi-faceted, flexible policy approaches.

The challenge for governments is to institute policies that get clean energy technologies off the drawing board and sustain them to the point that they become commercially viable and are able to wean themselves from the support - thereby allowing for a phaseout, rather than an increase over time, in subsidies.

Useful approaches include public-private partnerships to assemble clean energy development clusters, protection of new clean energy intellectual capital, and sustained subsidies to nurture emerging clean energy industries to maturity and scale.

Clean energy policy supports must also be multi-dimensional. Carbon markets cannot single-handedly ensure that new low-emitting technologies become widely available and competitive.

Although these markets can be influential in directing investment, it is still not known whether there will be enough public support to establish high enough carbon prices to encourage long-term development of alternative technologies. Since carbon pricing alone will sometimes not be enough, policymakers need other arrows in their quivers.

The third driver of advances in clean energy technology is the pace of technical innovation. Speeding the pace of innovation depends heavily on policy support and private investment, and these, in turn, are strongly affected by fossil fuel prices and carbon pricing.

A long-term perspective is required, involving policy and investment horizons that stretch over the course not of years - but of decades.

As noted above, the fourth driver, economic growth, has a strong impact on the other three drivers. A robust global economy can make it easier to provide financial support for development of clean energy technologies and to absorb the costs associated with carbon emission restrictions.

In thinking about clean energy, it is important to keep scale in mind. The existing installed base of carbon-based energy infrastructure has been built over the course of more than two centuries of ongoing investment and technology development. Implementing change in a system of this size will take time. A long-term perspective is required, involving policy and investment horizons that stretch over the course not of years - but of decades. Renewables and clean energy in general will increase in significance in an expanding energy system that is striving to meet the needs of global economic growth.

Read More...

Renewable Energy Options For Data Centres

There is increasing pressure on the IT industry to adopt green business practices by making use of renewable energy. This pressure not only comes from outside factions such as environment organisations, but from within the industry itself, as the global energy crisis threatens spin out of control and send the cost of power soaring. Data centres are notorious power drains, which makes them the most obvious starting place when it comes to addressing renewable energy.

According to John Timmer from Ars Technica, set up costs, running costs and stability are three of the most important factors in determining the credibility of a power source. Timmer believes that renewable energy has the edge over carbon or fossil fuels because, even though the initial set up costs might be higher, the running costs are significantly lower than traditional energy sources. In addition, the price of renewable energy isn't likely to rise with demand, which means that running costs will remain relatively stable. Renewable energy is also less likely to suffer from periodic interruption owing to political instability or controversial world events.

As renewable energy becomes achievable, location will become an important determining factor in building data centres. We have already seen Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! choose the Pacific Northwest in the US for some of their data centres, so that they can benefit from the region's use of cheap hydropower. Upstate New York has also become a popular site for data centres, as it makes use of hydropower from Hydro-Quebec.

While hydropower is relatively stable and constant, one of the major problems with other renewable energy sources is that they are only periodically available. The sun only shines for a limited number of hours per day and the wind doesn't always blow, which means that the storage of renewable energy is of paramount importance. This is where hydroelectric power has the advantage, as storage systems have been in use for a long time already. Energy (in the form of water) is simply pumped into reservoirs during off-peak hours, which is then used when demand begins to climb.

Hydroelectric power systems have one major disadvantage, however, and that is the fact that they make use of fresh water, which is not always in abundant supply. Advances in desalination could play an important role here, however, by neatly circumventing the problem.

Techniques for storing solar energy have also been used for years, which makes this a viable alternative for data centres. Another factor that plays into the hands of data centre owners is the fact that the sun shines during peak usage times, so power supply isn't such a major issue at night.

According to John Timmer and Ars Technica, other options include charge storage, which is still experimental, chemical storage, particularly with the use of hydrogen, compressed air, which requires convenient, airtight geological formations and thermal storage. Iceland currently makes use of a combination of hydro and geothermal power, while an American data centre company claims to use the wind to generate enough power to keep all its systems running smoothly.

However you look at it, the business of renewable energy is big news in the world of IT. And as companies continue to grow, and demand for data storage continues to rise, renewable energy is likely to play an increasingly important role in IT business considerations.

Recommended sites:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080528-renewable-energy-and-the-future-of-the-datacenter.html?rel

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080617-energy-storage-to-smooth-green-power-sources.html

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Star Business Internet internet service provider and website hosting one of the leading Internet service companies specialising in business website hosting in the UK

Read More...

Geothermal Heating Versus Air Source Heating Pumps - Investment and Operational Costs

Author: Stig Kristoffersen

Use the natural heat storage capacity of the earth or ground water to provide energy efficient heating and cooling

Geothermal heating and cooling equipment is readily available in the marketplace and can be installed by any qualified contractor. The process is two-fold in that it involves installing the indoor unit and method of delivery, whether forced hot air or hydronic, and the outside pipe loop. Loop installation can be planned concurrently with other construction activities, so the overall construction schedule should not be affected by choice of system. Some loops will require an additional permit. Geothermal equipment can be installed with equal ease in both new construction and remodeling projects.

The initial cost of a geothermal heat pump system varies greatly according to local labor rates, lot geology and size, type of system installed, and equipment selected. So, geothermal heat pump systems are more costly to install than air source heat pumps. For either system, the cost of installed ducts should be identical. Equipment costs can be 50-100% more expensive for a geothermal heat pump system when the circulating pump, indoor tubing, and water source heat pump are considered. This 50-100% premium translates to $1,000 - $2,000 for the equipment that supplies a 3-ton system.

The ground loop is generally the most expensive component of a geothermal heat pump system and is highly dependent on local labor rates and drilling conditions. An installed ground loop stubbed out in a home can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per installed ton. Overall, one could expect to pay between $4,000 and $11,000 more for a 3-ton GHP system than for an air source heat pump system.

Geothermal heat pumps offer high efficiency and low operating cost. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. This information, as well as, reports that have been made by builders who monitor their in-place systems indicate that heating and cooling savings can range between $358 and $1,475, annually.

Geothermal heat pumps offer high efficiency and low operating cost. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. Geothermal heat pumps provide a high level of occupant comfort. There is a potential for utility bill savings, and many local utility companies provide incentives for investing in geothermal heat pumps.

About the Author:
He has a background as civil engineer and geoscientist. He has worked mainly within the oil and gas industry from the mid 1980s. He has written some few fictional novels as well as author of some professional litterature within oil and gas sector, he is now an editor of some web sites, mainly within the travel business.

Read More...

Why Renewable Energy Is So Important And How Do We Find It?

It is, or should be, common knowledge that sources of electricity, gas and coal are all resources which will eventually run out. Unfortunately, these are all non-renewable sources which are heavily relied on today and actually considered vital for day to day living. We use them for many things such as heating our homes, power for every electrical product, cooking, cleaning, in fact there will not be a day which goes by that you don't use these resources. So, what happens when these resources run out? How can we manage without them? It's so handy to be able to simply flip a switch and there is light or turn a dial and you have heat. Every modern gadget is powered by one of these resources. If nothing is done soon, we will go back to what may seem like the dark ages and have to work for our power.

It is time that we started to rely on renewable resources. These can be found in abundance and will never run out. We can use them again and again and what's best is that they are all natural and free of charge! Renewable resources include: biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, ocean solar and wind. This article will describe the basics of each power resource so that you gain a better understanding of what they are and how they work.

Solar refers to the solar energy which comes from the sun - either directly or indirectly. This type of energy can be used for many things; for example: heating homes, schools, businesses, or buildings; heating water; cooling and ventilation.

Wind helps to channel the sun's rays to Earth. If wind combines with the sun's heat, it causes evaporation. When this evaporation turns into precipitation, it produces energy which is known as hydropower.

Hydropower uses the energy found in free-flowing water and turns it into electricity. It is a very complicated process which needs complicated modern technology in order for it to work effectively.

Biomass is an actually an organic substance which is often used to produce electricity as well as transporting chemicals.

Hydrogen can be found in abundance although it is usually found mixed in with other elements. If hydrogen can be found on its own, it can be turned or turned into energy.

Geothermal searches inner earth for sources of heat and this can in turn be used for power, heating and cooking.

The oceans produce thermal energy which uses heat from the sun. It can also take advantage of mechanical energy from the tide.

Just from these basic descriptions, you should begin to see that there are many sources of alternative energy around, all of which are renewable. There are so many benefits to using renewable energy sources but we need to start taking advantage of them before it is too late.

Yuan-Chih Chao offers interesting resources about Definition of Solar Power, or History of Solar Power on the site --> http://www.digitalexcellent.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yuan-Chih_Chao

Read More...

Read it now - Biofuels scandal - food or fuel?

Lately I have seen an interesting video about biofuels and the food crisis,the video deals with things like:
Why biofuel industry is dead converting food into oil is stupid and immoral?
Biodiesel, biomass, biowaste and sugar to fuel conversion.
Ethanol and gasoline or petrol mix, European Union EU poliy changes on biofuel. Policy reversal. and more...
I'm sure you already read my article about it:
at world food prices rise and alternative energy.
watch the video and think about it...

Read More...

Renewable Energy Priority for China

China plans to put even greater effort into developing its renewable energy industry and cut greenhouse gas emissions to maintain sustainable economic growth in the coming years. Investments worth more than two trillion Yuan, or 10 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2006, are needed to meet the renewable energy target by 2020, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The exploration of renewable energy is greatly needed in China.

Addressing a press conference in Beijing early this week, Chen Deming, vice minister of NDRC, reiterated that China's medium and long-term target is to boost its fledging renewable energy industry, which is expected to play an important role in sustaining the country's future economic development. Renewable energy is hoped to resolve the serious China’s problem of energy shortage. NDRC plans to raise the ratio of renewable energy in total energy consumption to 10 percent by 2010 and 15 percent by 2020, compared to eight percent at present, Chen said.

Currently, coal annually accounts for more than 70 percent of China's total energy consumption, leaving great potential for the development of renewable energy — hydropower, marsh gas, solar, wind and other clean and renewable energies, he added. According to its ambitious development plan, China's installed renewable energy — hydropower, wind power and solar power generation capacity will increase by 190 million kilowatts, 29 million kilowatts and 1.73 million kilowatts respectively between 2006 and 2020.

By 2020, the nation's installed renewable energy — hydropower, wind power and solar power generation capacity will reach more than 300 million kilowatts, 30 million kilowatts and 1.8 million kilowatts respectively. To achieve this goal, China will have to seek greater international financial support and cooperation to develop its renewable energy industries in the years ahead, Chen said. Renewable energy could contribute to 30 percent of China's total energy supply by 2050, an energy expert estimated on Tuesday.Chinese wind power stations may have the ability to generate 300 to 500 million kw of electricity in 2050 and another 200 million to 300 million kw will be generated by solar energy, Shi Dinghuan, president of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society, said at the Solar World Congress 2007 in Beijing.

The Chinese government also expects and encourages more domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially private firms, to join hands in the development of the country's renewable energy industry, the vice-minister added. He believes there is enough room for both foreign and domestic companies in the huge renewable energy sector.

About the Author:

news.tootoo.com, which is the shortcut to China's industrical resource belonging to China's leading B2B Portal and Vertical Search Engine, tootoo.com.

Read More...

Improvements in hydrogen generator technology

Author: Groshan Fabiola

The new generation of hydrogen generators comes with extremely high purity devices, that are safe and that present no danger to the environment. They are the best alternative to gas cylinders, and they are simple to use anywhere. The hydrogen generator just needs to be plugged in the electrical supply and it is ready to go.

The hydrogen generator need of course a source of distilled water, or just water at some models, to produce hydrogen, because it separates the hydrogen from the oxygen in the water, thus producing highly pure hydrogen for weeks.

These hydrogen generators can generate hydrogen that is 99.99..% pure, giving over 1000 cc/min, and they do not require changing their cylinders. The safety of the hydrogen generators has been certified.

How the hydrogen generator works may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, for example some models use a solid polymer electrolyte to separate oxygen from hydrogen, which makes them more safe than other models that use a caustic liquid electrolyte. After the hydrogen is generated it passes through a palladium membrane that lets only 99.99..% pure hydrogen pass through, thus insuring the gas' purity.

In conclusion, the latest generation of hydrogen generators brings some series of improvements that makes it extra reliable, with almost no need of maintenance or downtime. The best way of increasing the safety and lowering the costs in your laboratory is to acquire a hydrogen generator, and you can be sure that the investment is worth it, because you will no longer have to buy hydrogen cylinders, so the hydrogen generator will pay for itself in a year or two.

Many new-generation hydrogen generators can be found on the online market, so choose one that fits your needs, because a large variety of hydrogen generators is available, with many built-in functions.

About the Author:

This article is written by Grosan Fabiola. Link advertisment by Site-Trade.com and Business Content Dyrectory. If you would like to find more information about Chemical Generators and especially about Hydrogen Generators please follow these links

Read More...

Hydrogen car becomes reality in britain within few months?

This article was found on channel 4:

"...

The fuel cell and electrolyser development company, ITM Power Plc, and the engineering group Roush Technologies Ltd, have signed an agreement that 'could see CO2-free commercial cars being marketed in UK within months.'
The two companies have teamed up to put hydrogen powered vehicles on Britain's roads.

Roush is to work on solutions to adapt existing internal-combustion engines to run on hydrogen and on the development of all-new bespoke hydrogen-fuelled engines. The only by-product of burning hydrogen in an engine is water vapour.

ITM Power is developing hydrogen refuelling stations and a system whereby operators can generate their own hydrogen on-site by the electrolysis of water. An electrolyser system is to go into production in Sheffield later this year that can produce hydrogen from water using either off-peak or renewable-source electricity generated by wind, wave or solar power.

Although engines using hydrogen are already in production - BMW has made a small number of hydrogen-fuelled 7-Series saloons - and fuel cell cars (with on-board electrolysis to convert hydrogen fuel into electrical energy) are near to commercial reality, both solutions need a supply infrastructure for hydrogen.

ITM's CEO Jim Heathcote said: 'We are committed to bringing practical hydrogen power into the automotive market place within a dramatically reduced timeframe. Whilst [the project] initially involves the commercial vehicle sector, it will demonstrate the wider potential of hydrogen technology to help cut CO2 emissions and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.'


..."

Read More...

the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden

The United States Department of Energy has devoted itself to the cause of renewable energy promotion with its creation of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden Colorado.

This renewable energy program facility offers programs in a wide variety of renewable power topics which span the various green energy resources such as wind, water, sun, biomass and even nuclear. NREL also conducts ongoing research and development in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable power. Each area of research is further enhanced by functions that cut across the various programs and reach out to industries for partnerships. These collaborations on renewable energy could include the transfer of technology, energy analysis and the integration of the various programs of each collaborator.

The 12 program areas of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are wind and hydropower technology intergovernmental projects on weatherization the technology of solar energy industrial power efficient technology the technology of fuel cells, hydrogen and building infrastructures geothermal technology the technology of vehicles and the Freedom Car energy management by the U.S. federal government energy-efficient building systems biomass and analytic studies. Each of these NREL programs is conducted by technology management experts whose capabilities and expertise span the programs wide renewable power technology range.

The Analytic Studies Program at NREL studies a wide variety of renewable energy analysis to support the programs and initiatives in place at the Lab. It also works with the Department of Educations Office for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy EERE as well as the energy analysis community at large. The labs Office of Energy Analysis integrates this analysis and supports its functions and the functions of the various research programs and centres of technology throughout the NREL.

Those who study renewable power analysis do so in five major interest areas. They look at the technologies involved in renewable energy, the benefits of the initiatives, and the markets for renewable energy, the policies that affect its implementation and embracement, and the analysis of the various programs. Many research programs are covered that include assessments of life cycles, vehicular systems, Web-based applications to assess renewable power possibilities and programs. The aim of this analysis is to understand how technology, policy, markets and the various software applications can interactive to the success of expansive and continuing renewable energy programs.

The study of biomass is an important ingredient in the renewable power implementation. Biomass offers a terrific opportunity to make use of sustainable as well as domestic resources for the production of power and fuel and the meeting of chemical needs through plants and t he material derived from them. Biomass starts with grasses, trees, biological material and agriculture. These can be used as renewable energy, either solid or through conversion to liquid or gas. These can produce electricity, chemicals, fuel or heat.

An important part of this NREL program is the development of energy-efficient and cost effective biomass technology that will reduce the U.S. dependence on oil from foreign countries, while it grows rural economies in our own country and improves the quality of our air.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.newcareerskills.co.uk/domestic-energy-assessor-training.htm where you could become a Domestic Energy Assessor and learn more about renewable energy

Read More...

Geothermal energy – what is it, and can it be a good renewable energy

Geothermal energy is the energy harvested from the warmth of the Earth core, which can be trapped to produce electricity in geothermal power plants that use it to warm water for industry, agriculture, bathing and cleansing. Even though it is in use worldwide, its real potential as an alternative energy source is not fully utilised, thus geothermal may offers an actual alternative in future environment-friendly energy source.

There are several ways to use this geothermal power:
Wells of geothermal power.
A geothermal reservoir is a mass of fractured rock in the Earth’s crust, saturated with hot water or steam. In order to bring the water or steam to the surface, wells are drilled into them. If the fluid coming out is hot enough, bubbles will occur and cause the water to flow to the surface, if not, the wells may need a pump. Power plants make use of the hot water or steam from the wells by redirecting it to a steam turbine and a generator that produce electricity. These plants are working much like any power plant. The hot water can also be used directly to heat buildings.

Ground Source Heat pumps
When the sun light shines on the soil its heat energy is absorbed by the ground. Then, ground source heat pumps can extract this energy, and use it for space heating. The energy source that is actually used for ground source heat pumps is the sun and not the heat from the earth.

In the UK, the constant ground source heat temperature is around 12ºC and can be utilised to heat and cool buildings. Pipes that are buried underground in a ditch or in a vertical well and water is pumped right through it, heated by the underground energy.

Heat Pumps do need some power to operate. However for 1 unit of energy they consume, they can generate up to four units of electricity! The energy that is generated by a ground source heat pump can be considered 100% renewable if the power to operate the pump comes from solar electric panels or a wind turbine for example.

Read More...

Energy Saving Devices

The world today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy.

Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc. Various products that are now placed in the shelves of the store and that help in energy revolution and conservation are:

• Integrated Intelligent Home System:
This provides you with home security, control, automation and communication related features. One can control and monitor their home and office security along with controlling the home appliances and lighting from any telephone, keypad, handheld remote control system, computer or the internet. The products have outstanding remote communication features which can allow you to communicate with visitors when they are still at office doors, you can send them your messages and can also hear their messages. In case there is alarm notification, you can listen to different sounds and the activity present in the surroundings.

• Light and Air -conditioner Energy Saver:
These devices are normally very easy to install and help to save energy directly. They can adjust the temperature by automatically realizing the self-motion adjustment. They do not connect to any circuitry in the AC. They have stable capacities and do not get affected by fluctuations in external temperature. Trouble from these energy saver devices do not harm or affect the functioning of your equipment in any way. The devices are shock proof and help you reduce your power requirement by minimum 20%.

• Green Energy Products
Today, you would find an array of Green products in the market. Green products and appliances include energy saving appliances and devices for your office and home, windows/doors utilizing solar energy and household products built out of eco-friendly materials. Fluorescent light bulbs are another light saving devices utilizing minimum amount of electricity per watt. All these energy saver products positively influence the environment and reduce the energy and electricity costs. They also reduce the emission of pollutants in the long-term.

Other products like energy saving remote control made out of plastic are also available for saving energy in your day to day use.

Benefits of using Energy saving & Intelligent Products:

• Uses 75% to 80% less electricity.
• Cost less and work too well
• Reduce dependence on coal and petroleum
• Help to address concerns of global warming
• Reduce the gasoline and electricity bills
• Reduce the green house gas emission levels

Overall, reduced energy usage means that the need to go for building new transmission lines, infrastructure and other related devices can be delayed and prolonged. Hence, one can defer the environmental concerns and issues, if not have complete removal. All the energy saving programs and devices will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions made by coal utilizing power plants. Emissions up to an average of around 2.1 billion pounds per year can be saved for around 20 years

So, when we are aware of these things, why not head on the way to conserving energy!

About Author

Carol Oon writes articles on ai home automation. Other information written by Carol Oon related to ai automation control, ai integrated intelligent control and ai intelligent control can be found at http://www.ai-m.net

Read More...

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Energy

It is essential that we find affordable and workable sources of alternative energy before the world completely consumes the already limited stock of fossil fuels. Many countries have started to introduce renewable energy schemes and more still have invested money into researching and even producing different sources of alternative energy. While it is essential that we become less reliant or not reliant at all on fossil fuels, many forms of alternative energy have their disadvantages as well as their obvious advantages. It has to be said though, that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages in many cases.
Wind Energy.
Harnessing the power of the wind and using it to our ends is hardly a new idea. Windmills have been and still are used for many different purposes and have been for a great many years, but the improvement of turbines combined with the improved technology to turn the motion of turbine blades into an energy source has seen the use of turbines explode.
Wind power is very popular, but in order to provide a reasonable amount of power it may prove necessary to have large amounts of turbines. On windy days, and even not so windy days some turbines make a noise that many residents consider to be unbearable. Areas of open countryside are protected by conservation orders, which means they can’t be built there either and if there is no conservation order there are still protestors willing to do almost anything to stop the turbines being built. The only viable option left is to use offshore wind farms and these are being investigated, developed and planned all around the world but it takes too many turbines to create a reasonable amount of power and eventually they will have to be built inland; a matter that will be contested wherever the wind farms are proposed to be built.
Solar Energy.
Solar energy is probably the most common form of alternative powers for everyday people and you can see solar lights ad other solar accessories in many gardens. Governments are beginning to offer grants to assist in paying for photovoltaic roof tiles; these tiles are easily fitted onto your roof and collect the heat from the sun. This heat can either be used to heat water or can even be converted into electricity. The advantage for the consumer is that by including a grid tie system you can actually sell unused electricity back to the grid. Photovoltaic tiles take the place of ordinary roof tiles and can be perfectly blended to fit the look of the outside of your house. With solar energy you too can help the environment.
Biomass.
Ask most people which renewable energy source is the most widely used and they would say either wind or solar, but they’d be wrong or at least they certainly would in America. Since 2000 Biomass has been the most highly produced alternative energy in the United States. Using plant and animal material to create energy isn’t without its downfalls. It would almost certainly meet with competition from residents if biomass power stations were to be created in built up areas. The decomposing plants and animal waste creates an awful smell that is incredibly difficult to mask but it is very renewable (there’s always plants and animal waste).
Other renewable energy sources.
These are the main three renewable energy sources that the countries of the world are creating at the moment but there are others. Whether nuclear power is a viable alternative or not is a debate that will undoubtedly rage on forever, but it is a renewable energy and some countries already have extensive capabilities to produce it. Modern technology means that nuclear power stations are safer than they’ve ever been and damage to people, animals or plantation is highly unlikely. However, it takes a long time to develop nuclear power station and even plants that are already being built may take ten years to come to fruition.
Hydropower is used in some countries and uses the motion of waves to create energy. While it is a possibility, the amount of energy produced is minimal and the outlay to set these schemes up is quite large. Without further investigation and improvement in the techniques used it is unlikely that Hydropower will become a major player in the renewable energy world.

For more more information about alternative energy please visit http://www.alternative-energy-solutions.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Lenkefi

Read More...

Hydro Energy

Water is a renewable energy resource, and one that offers the greatest variation in power production. We can harness the water energy through what is known as motive energy or through the differences it experiences in temperature.
Water is nearly one thousand times as dense as our air. What this tells us, then, is that a slow moving stream of water is more powerful, in terms of renewable energy than wind. A wave or swell of the sea can deliver many times that energy.
We have many forms of renewable water energy from which to choose.
There are many forms of water energy.
The first type of water energy, and the one we most commonly think of when we think of renewable water power, is hydroelectric. This is the power that commonly is created by large hydroelectric dams.
You can also have what are called micro hydroelectric systems. These are small power installations that produce as much as 100 kilowatts of power. The most common places to find these renewable water energy sources are in areas where water is abundant and the hydro system can be used as a remote area power supply RAPS. While there are many RAPS around the globe several are functioning in the Solomon Islands.
Wave power is another way of using water as a renewable energy source. The waves are used to create an up and down affect for pontoons that float in the water. This has just started to be used commercially as renewable energy.
Tides can produce renewable energy as well. As the ocean tides come in the water level is raised in the water basin. Then, at low tide the basin water gets discharged through the water turbine. Tidal stream power is different in that it captures the energy produced by the tidal flow. This usually is accomplished through the use of an underwater plant that looks like a small-scale wind turbine. While governments have set up demonstrations for this type of tidal power, any large scale commercialization of this renewable tidal energy would require extensive upfront capital. This has yet to be attempted.
Ocean thermal energy conversion OTEC is yet another form of water energy. OTEC uses the different in temperature between the oceans surface water and the water at deeper points. To do this it uses a cyclic heat engine. This form of renewable energy has had no large scale field test as yet.
Though not technically a form of generating renewable energy the cooling of the water in deep lakes is an efficient way to save energy during the hot summer months. Pipes are submerged and used as heat sinks. The bottom of these lakes typically stays at less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Blue energy, which is really desalination in reverse, is a renewable energy resource still being researched. There is no data at this point to show whether it will work.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.plumbingcareer.co.uk where you can find a plumbing course
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Copper

Read More...

Read this! - Hydrogen On Demand - What Are The Risks?

As the news media likes to discuss daily, there are many risks to hydrogen fuel vehicles. Not the least of which is the cost effective replacement of tanks at refueling stations the world over. Not the least of which is the cost effective replacement of tanks at refueling stations the world over.
With those costs, it'll be many, many years, perhaps decades, before the rest of the world followed suit and made the shift to hydrogen. Who we'd be able to expect to follow quickly, are countries with the desire to be "green", who are also stable and strong, perhaps even growing economies, such as Japan, China, India, and some countries in the former USSR.
However, with the declining dollar, and the actual dangers of producing (separating the hydrogen from water), storing, compressing and cooling hydrogen (all of which is necessary for that sort of fuel to be used in our vehicles) being huge as they are, it will be quite some time before we actually see purely hydrogen run vehicles in regular use. Due to the high pressures that it's contained, it's very difficult to store such fuel safely. The power drain for cooling the fuel in special storage tanks, not to mention the costs of the retrofit itself, seems to put hydrogen out of the running for an alternative fuel.
Hydrogen is very explosive, which means that it's not suitable for the general transportation masses, as accidents happen. Should a tank breach, it would be disastrous.
Furthermore, the processing of the hydrogen, pumps out more pollution, and more contributing particles to the green house effect, that it makes it very unlikely that we'll see "safe hydrogen" used in our vehicles anytime in the next 40 + years. Can we really wait that long? What with the spiking prices of fossil fuels, and the deteriorating state of affairs in the middle east? Not to mention the cost to our national security and peace of mind?
Well, there is an alternative. Dubbed "Hydrogen on Demand", this alternative makes use of hydrogen from water to assist in the fuel combustion process, but in a decidedly different and by far safer manner.
So what is this alternative to the highly cost ineffective and risky, if not downright dangerous high explosive known as raw hydrogen? It's technical designation is actually HHO, which would be Hydrogen/Hydrogen (2parts) to one part Oxygen, or HHO. This mixture is explosive, but not to the level that pure hydrogen is explosive. When mixed with traditional fuels, this mixture facilitates a cleaner burning cyclic rate.
So what does that mean? Well, in short, it means that it makes an engine run more efficiently and effectively, increasing the explosive nature of the already volatile fuel it's mixed with, and it burns it more completely, which reduces emissions.
The greater force produced from this explosion, also produces more power, or more push to the pistons or rotors (Mazda 12-A through Renesis versions of the rotory motor) of your engine, thus increasing torque and power by upwards of 15%. In fact, thousands of miles of road tests, have deemed the process, and the additive perfectly safe, environmentally friendly, and by adding a couple tweaks to the system have seen gains of over 100% increase in the MPG of a given vehicle.
Further, it's not being tested on just new cars. It's being tested on commonly owned vehicles, owned by people that are every day drivers, and are not necessarily mechanically adept.
The process is simple. By applying electricity to a container of distilled water, with a small amount of common baking soda as an additive, the water begins to vaporize... When this happens hydrogen becomes the more functional molecule in the chain, freeing it from the molecular structure of water.
Because it also includes water vapor, this will assist in smoothing and cooling the engine. Something that is necessary for the long life of large trucks the world over. So the fact that you're adding some water vapor to the firing cycle is non-harmful, and actually assists in your engine running cleaner and smoother.
As the vapor and the hydrogen becomes produced, it is sucked into the engine via a small modification to the air induction system. Some vehicles require a vaccum hose modification that takes no more than a couple minutes to make and ensure is working properly.
Because this doesn't have to be cooled, (the water vapor does that already) and it doesn't have to be pressurized, common household items can be used to assemble the system.
This system is over 90 years old. However, it was never perfected to such a degree as this, and is now inexpensive enough that anyone can build it and use it, and see immediate results in both engine power, fuel consumption, and reduced emissions. Results which continue to improve over time, until your engine is running at it's peak performance, in both MPG results and power/torque.
The high point is that it's perfectly safe, and does not take exorbitant costs in retrofitting storage tanks, requires less space than a 2 litre bottle overall to mount in your vehicle... Due to these factors and more, it makes it the prime alternative to pure hydrogen fuel cells. If this sounds too good to be true, think again.
We have the technology, and have had it for 90 years, but big oil has kept it suppressed. Well, no longer.
Jamie Davidson - Copywriter, Internet Marketer, and long time proponent for moving towards alternative, renewable energy and fuel sources. Intrigued? If you'd like more information on alternative fuel sources, how to DIY (Do It Yourself) a Hydrogen on Demand system for your car, truck, suv or diesel, for under $200 (and the parts are cheaper than the information), please visit here!

Read More...

Facts You sould know about Solar Energy

You have likely been told many times different facts about solar energy. Of course, it is hard to know which facts about solar energy are actually “facts” and which are more like opinions.
This article is going to relay to you some of the top facts about solar energy. It will delve into not just positive facts about solar energy, but negative ones, as well. Are you ready? Here we go:
Facts about solar energy (in no particular order):
· Solar energy is a renewable resource (it may go away at night, but we will always have it.)
· Solar energy will not pollute our air with carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases and bad emissions.
· Solar energy can be used to heat water, dry clothes, heat swimming pools, power attic fans, power small appliances, produce light for both indoors and outdoors, and even to power cars, among other things.
· In 1990, a aircraft powered solely by the sun crossed the United States.
· Solar energy products can be very expensive. The initial cost is, perhaps, the main disadvantage of solar energy.
· You need a relatively large area to install solar panels if you want a good level of efficiency.
· Depending where you live (Arizona vs. Alaska, around many shady trees or in the desert, etc.), you will get different results with solar energy systems.
· Of course, once you install the products, they can be very inexpensive to run. In fact, energy from the sun is free.
· If you have a really good solar energy system, one that produces even more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you.
· When you use solar energy, you are making you and your home independent. You do not need to depend on foreign or other sources of energy which can raise their costs quickly.
· To run a solar energy system, you do not even need to connect to a gas or power grid.
· Solar energy cannot be produced at night or if there is a lot of pollution in the air or clouds over the sun.
· Of course, realize that you can have a battery backup system with your solar energy system that will take care of the problems that could arise when the sun does not rise, so to speak.
· You can install solar energy in remote locations.
· If there is a power outage, you can still have electricity!
· As your energy needs grow, you can add more solar panels
· Solar panels operate silently.
· Solar powered cars are not yet up to par with other cars. They have a much slower speed.
· Solar energy systems require very little maintenance and will last for a long time.
· Technology for solar energy is constantly improving.
Those are just a few facts about solar energy. I hope that they were helpful!
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, the enviornment, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on solar power, please visit Solar Home.

Read More...

The Pros And Cons Of Solar Energy

So you like the idea of solar energy, but you're not sure that you know enough about the negative aspects? It's true that many sellers of the technology would like to gloss over the less palatable aspects, but our comprehensive list below will keep you well informed. We think that the positive aspects of solar power and energy use greatly outweigh the negatives, and to help you decide for yourself here are the pros and cons of solar energy.
The negatives include:
The worst thing about solar energy is that it is typically expensive to install. This means that the effective cost of the power is high compared with just buying it from your local utility company.
Solar panels can take up a lot of space.
You may find that your roof is not at a good orientation or angle to the sun, which would make the installation on your roof less effective or not possible.
You can't make solar power at night, so you have to have a way to store it.
Your power output will also be affected by bad weather.
On the other hand, here are the positives:
The greatest thing about solar energy is that it is virtually free to use.
Solar energy causes no pollution when you generate it.
You can get financial incentives from the government to help you pay for your system.
Companies are starting to produce rental plans that allow you to avoid the large capital costs.
There was a law passed a couple of years ago that allows you to "sell" your excess power back to the utility, reducing or eliminating your bills, and covering your need for power at night.
You don't need to order any fuel to be delivered to your house, and you can't run out.
Solar power does not suffer from inflation and increasing prices.
Typically there are no or few moving parts to a solar installation, cutting down on maintenance.
Solar power can be generated anywhere, even if there is no local electrical supplier, so you can have power in remote areas.
Using solar power reduces the amount of fossil fuel burnt, and decreases greenhouse gas creation. Some of the "cons" above about solar energy can be solved. For example, you can get government grants (depending on your location), or even rent your system to avoid the capital cost.
Undoubtedly, solar energy technology is here to stay and it's future looks even more promising!
Learn more about using Solar Panels to power your home.

Read More...