A man made tornado as a source to alternative energy?

Recently I caught this crazy idea about using the natural flow of hot and cold air to create a "Atmospheric Vortex Engine".
He propose a way of producing a tornado-like twister that can concentrate mechanical energy and capture it to produce electricity. The mechanical energy is produced when heat is carried upward by convection in the atmosphere.

"The vortex engine consists of a cylindrical wall open at the top and with tangential air entries around the base. Heating the air within the wall using a temporary heat source such as fire or steam, will initialize the vortex. The heat required to sustain the vortex once established can be the natural heat content of warm humid air or can be provided in cooling towers located outside of the cylindrical wall and upstream of the deflectors. The continuous heat source for the peripheral heat exchanger can be waste industrial heat or warm seawater. Restricting the flow of air upstream of the deflectors regulates the intensity of the vortex. The vortex can be stopped by restricting the airflow to deflectors with direct orientation and by opening the airflow to deflectors with reverse orientation. The electrical energy is produced in turbo-expanders located upstream of the tangential air inlets. The pressure at the base of the vortex is less than ambient pressure because of the density of the rising air is less than the density of ambient air at the same level. The outlet pressure of the turbo-expanders is sub-atmospheric because they exhaust into the vortex."

The capturing of the energy will be using wind turbines. With wind turbines at the inlets to the arena, Michaud calculated that about 200 megawatts of electricity (enough to power a small city) could be extracted without draining the vortex of its power.

This concept can be developed further more, and be used to spin water to produce more energy, and other crazy ideas.

This amazing idea is still in planning stage, but have a very promising future.

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Passive and Proud: Green Energy Ideas for Your Home

Solar energy comes from the sun. A biology class will tell you that in addition to affecting climate and weather, sunlight provides the energy that sustains most life on earth. It also can be harnessed to provide heating, lighting and electricity. Solar power has become a hot topic lately, but this technology is nothing new – Native Americans, people in China and even the early Greeks have historically turned their buildings to the sun for heat.

These early architects were using what is known as passive solar energy. This technique makes the best use of regular building materials to trap heat with no additional mechanical equipment used. Floors, windows and roofs play a role in attracting (or deflecting) the sun's rays.

There are a number of ways to take advantage of solar radiation, starting with the house's placement. Having the house face the equator (we'll assume we're in the Northern Hemisphere, thus the house should face south) means that it gets the day's sunlight. Window orientation is also important – for optimal efficiency, most windows should point within 30 degrees of due south. Maintaining a small percentage of north facing windows will ensure that your home is comfortable year round (and not cooking in the summer).

Rock or stone tile floors and brick walls will absorb the solar radiation and continue to give off heat after the sun is gone. While common windows allow heat to escape, special windows with low-e coating, multiple panes, inert gas fill, and/or insulated frames can reduce heat loss 50 to 75 per cent. By sealing your building envelope and insulating well, you will ensure that the heat stays in the house. It can then be distributed through the house using a regular ceiling fan.

Direct sunlight is not the only important light to think of when considering energy use. By using overall daylight to light a space you can cut down the need for electrical lighting and the heat that's created by it. Artificial lighting has only been the main source of illumination since the 20th century. And using natural light may have added benefits for your physical and mental health. In addition to windows, daylighting makes use of skylights, light pipes (also known as light tubes), atriums, and light shelves to illuminate the interior. This is best considered when building, but with a few small renos your house can be much brighter, naturally!

Passive cooling is another way to cut your bills and become more energy efficient. This is especially useful in warmer climates, where air conditioning can be a major power consumer. Passive cooling refers to using things for shading, to absorb the heat, and goes hand in hand with passive solar energy. It can be accomplished using exterior landscaping choices – trees and other vegetation – or interior/exterior building options, such as shades, blinds or special glazing on windows.

Whether you are building a new home, looking at doing some renovations or just want to cut your energy bill, passive solar energy and cooling techniques are an easy way to incorporated green ideas into your home. With the rising interest in environmental issues, they make an excellent selling feature and they'll save you money.

This article was produced for Carolyn Gjerde-Tu and the team at Discover Davis Homes. For more information on real estate in Woodland CA, visit Carolyn – your online source for Davis CA real estate, discoverdavishomes.com

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Report from World Environment Day 2008 - "Kick the Habit Towards a Low Carbon Economy"

environmentWorld Environment Day, which is commemorated each year on June 5th, is one of the most significant mode through which the United Nations stimulates the global awareness of the environment. It is by this way that the United Nations attract political attention and enhances action to shape a better global environment. Each year the World Environment Day is celebrated in recognition of unique theme. Norway was honored to host International World Environment Day 2007 celebrations in recognition of the theme -- 'Melting Ice - The Hot Topic'. Over a hundred nations across the globe celebrates the World Environment Day with highly relevant theme each year.

The slogan for World Environment Day 2008 is 'Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy'. With an understanding of the fact that the change in climatic condition is gradually becoming one of the most defining issue of the age, UNEP is requesting the nations, companies and communities to put special focus on the greenhouse gas emissions and to put spare thought over how to reduce them. The World Environment Day 2008 is going to highlight resources and focuses on promoting low carbon economies with a view to shape a better and healthier future. Promoting a low carbon economy involves steps towards improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption. The chief international celebration of the World Environment Day 2008 is going to be held in New Zealand.

environment dayThe Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for this only green planet of the universe. Serious pledges establish sound and non-transitory governmental policies related to environmental management and economic planning. bicycle parades, tree planting , recycling campaigns, clean-up campaigns, street rallies, school level essay and poster competitions etc. are organized all over the world on June 5th to celebrate the World Environment Day.

Here are some information on World Environment Day for the last ten years regarding where the WED celebration was held at and what were the respective themes each year:

Places of celebration:

World Environment Day 2007 - Tromsø, Norway
World Environment Day 2006 - Algiers, Algeria
World Environment Day 2005 - San Francisco, U.S.
World Environment Day 2004 - Barcelona, Spain
World Environment Day 2003 - Beirut, Lebanon
World Environment Day 2002 - Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
World Environment Day 2001 - Torino, Italy and Havana, Cuba
World Environment Day 2000 - Adelaide, Australia
World Environment Day 1999 - Tokyo, Japan
World Environment Day 1998 - Moscow, Russian Federation

Themes of celebration:

World Environment Day 2007 - Melting Ice - a Hot Topic?
World Environment Day 2006 - Deserts and Desertification - Don't Desert Drylands!
World Environment Day 2005 - Green Cities - Plan for the Planet!
World Environment Day 2004 - Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive?
World Environment Day 2003 - Water - Two Billion People are Dying for It!
World Environment Day 2002 - Give Earth a Chance
World Environment Day 2001 - Connect with the World Wide Web of Life
World Environment Day 2000 - The Environment Millennium - Time to Act
World Environment Day 1999 - Our Earth - Our Future - Just Save It!
World Environment Day 1998 - For Life on Earth - Save Our Seas

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Why biotech should lead the way toward green energy?

When people think about alternative energy resources, and green-tech, they usually thinking about physical and chemical methods to produce new energy, like solar panels and wind turbines.
However, we must remember that we, as humans are far behind the amazing efficiency and power of the energy production in the biological world.

The energy production in living creatures:
We still cannot met the energy production of simple bacteria, not ot mention the superior efficiency of plants solar energy collectors...
Plants, animals, and bacteria are producing energy from the sun, and simple organic material, in an robust, efficient, low cost measures, and all that while doing many other things as well. Photosynthetic organisms can harvest almost 100 percents of the sun's energy they collect, made turn it into electrical voltage, that use to produce complex organic materials. Animals knows how to burn out the energy from fats and sugars in room temperature, using almost the entire chemical energy of these carbohydrate as useful energy.

Thinking about the amazing capabilities of nature, we must turn our heads towards the ancient innovations of living creatures, and use it to solve our energy problems.

The problem is that most of the effort and funding of biotech research is spent on biomedical and agricultural problems, ignoring the potential of changing our energy markets for good.

In order to let nature teach us how to produce clean cheap and usefull energy, we must increase the research and grants of bio-science studies aimed to achieve a better energy resources.
Unlike physical sciences, biological sciences are much more complex and slow, but as mentioned above, the potential in much higher.

Lets look on some example of where biotech research can be much helpful:

1. biofuels of course - instead of investing in share agriculture techniques or new chmical methods to produce them, we need to get into the biochemical pathways of the plants and animals who produce potential fuels, and genetically engineer them to be better and more easy to harvest.

2. Photosynthesis - as the most efficient form of energy harvesting known, the research is this field must be many folds higher. The interest must be more than just scientific. We can and should use the light harvesting complexes and the electron transport chaines of photsynthestic germs, algae and plants to our purposes. The way to get there is still far away, but some academic breakthroughs made lately are promising.

3. Waste as energy source. Bio-technology can use the power of many bacteria to produce enzymes that can digest virtually everything, to make a huge bioreactors that can break and recycle a lot of organic waste, and use it to produce energy.
These are just few examples of the bio power. The technologies are already here, we just need the courage and the money to make them part of our everyday use.

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Home Solar Power Systems: How Many Kilowatts (kws) are Created?

This post, explains how kilowatts are calculated based upon the energy output of your solar array. We will also highlight the difference between solar cells connected in parallel versus in series.

The average American home uses about 25 kWh of electricity per day. The following example illustrates how to calculate the power produced by a residential solar energy system. Looking over a solar radiation grid, we can determine that a residence gets five daylight hours of solar radiation in one day which is then averaged out over the entire year.

Solar radiation maps are highlighted on may websites throughout the Internet. You can do a quick search for "solar radiation" to find one. In any area across the entire United States, they detail out the amount of sunshine hitting a given location based upon the time of year and its address.

Calculating the power from a solar energy system

Divide the average kWh per day by the average sun hours per day. For this example, we take 25 kWh divided by 5 hours of sun per day = 5 kW system This 5 kW system will generate 25 kWhs under optimal conditions in direct sunlight for 5 hours, or 25 kWh on an average day with some at peak production and most of the sunlight at less than optimal angles.

Future articles related to solar energy will continue to explain the effects of sun angle, reflection, and refraction on the design, output, and installation of solar panels.

Energy as it Pertains to Solar Modules

Individual solar modules that are measured in watts have a particular voltage (around 40 volts) and a particular amperage (around 5 amps). A solar module with 40 volts and 5 amps is called a 200-watt module, which means that it has the potential to produce 200 watts of electricity when in direct sunlight, away from trees or shading, and clear of snow or debris. Since most electrical components around your house are only rated for 600 volts DC, it is rare to see a solar array with a string larger the 15 solar modules. On the other hand, since inverters need a minimum voltage or pressure to turn them on, you will seldom have a solar array with a string solar modules with a size smaller then 6.

Electrical components, like solar cells, panel modules or batteries, can be connected in either series or parallel. This makes a big difference in the total quantities of energy produced from the solar energy system, as well as the stability of the technology over time. Each solar module or component has a positive and a negative pole. In essence, this is the same way batteries have their negative and positive poles arranged. Take a look at how you but batteries in a flashlight. Same idea here. The manner in which these poles are connected makes a big difference. Connect Solar Panels in Series

When you connect residential solar energy systems in series, you connect the positive (+) pole on one component to the negative (-) pole on the next. When modules are connected in series, the voltages are added. Adding voltage together in this fashion creates a long chain of solar modules all working together, depending upon each other, and creating a flow of current that increases along the length of the system.

These modules in series are called Strings. The average string is 8-12 modules so the voltage would be 320 - 480. Unfortunately, we encounter some negative aspects of of this type of construction.

Connecting Solar Panels in Parallel

When you connect solar panels or components in parallel, you connect the panels so current can travel to your inverter and to your house via multiple paths. Unlike adding solar modules in series which increases the volume of current as it goes, the solar panels connected in parallel has the effective of leaving the current or volume of electricity passing through the system the same.

Solar panels or strings of solar arrays tied together in parallel are called parallel systems. Their amps are combined together but the total voltage remains the same. Adding amps is like increasing the volume, the pressure stays the same but the volume goes up. Inverters can only handle so much volume so you will seldom see more than 1 to 3 strings in parallel; positive ends to positive ends with negative ends to negative ends.

One of the advantages of parallel connection is that electricity continues to flow, even though one of the components (or strings) is damaged. If a system is entirely in series, one damaged component stops the entire system. You may remember the ever-frustrating Christmas lights that were connected in series. Often difficult to trouble shoot, strings of lights connected in series are hard to fix when one bulb blew out. Now, the modern Christmas lights are connected in parallel. You are able to determine this easily. There are usually two different wires coming in and out of each bulb. You can feel this via their less frustrating maintenance and operation.

Options for Residential Solar Energy Systems

In this post, we explained in some detail how solar modules calculate the power they produce as well as how connecting solar arrays in series or parallel can have an large impact on energy output as well as complexity of design. Our next article will cover how sun angle affects solar energy systems and how to quantify the solar power produced from the sun.

New solar energy system rentals allow you to upgrade your home to solar generated electricity with no large system to purchase. You can rent the solar energy equipment needed to generate up to 100 percent of your electricity needs. Exciting aspects related to clean, green solar energy are emerging all around us.

About the Author:
At Solargies (Solar Energies), our objective is to spread the adoption of renewable solar energy as rapidly as possible. Daniel Stouffer is writer and promoter of green energy. Learn about Renting your own Solar Energy system at: => http://www.solargies.com/Residential_Solar_Energy.htm

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The Advantages of the Hydro Powered Engine

Image a world in which the highways are full of cars but the choking smell of sulfur and carbon monoxide don’t penetrate your lungs and kill you slowly. Imagine a trip of a thousand miles where the gas costs just a few cents. Imagine an engine that never has to be cleaned... and making a hot cup of coffee from the sterilized water coming out of the exhaust. Imagine that the gas station is in your own home, where you prepare as much fuel as you need for your trip, or buying a box of energy in the supermarket. This is the world of the hydrogen powered spark-ignited internal combustion engine... and the technology is already here.

The motor industry has been testing prototypes, and manufacturers like General Motors, BMW, Mercedes, Mazda, Honda and Toyota are all looking at putting these cars on the roads without sacrificing any of the values of dynamism and driving pleasure. BMW even make a sports car that runs on hydrogen that easily goes over 230 MpH. Mazda’s RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles are being leased to Japanese companies.

The advantages are clear. Hydrogen is the only known fuel that leaves no pollutants when combusted and is far more powerful than oil. The by-product is water instead of poison gas. But while the technology is here, the cars are not; manufacturers are sitting on the fence waiting to see in which commercial direction the wind will blow.

In the meantime, they’ve taken an intermediate step in the reduction of oil consumption by producing hybrid cars powered by a dual system of electricity and fossil fuels. These use a lot less gas than traditional engines and also reduce pollutant emissions, but they aren’t pretty and they’ve proven to have all the sex appeal of a Star Trek convention. The hydro-engine though is structurally close to the traditional gasoline engines, with just a few modifications. Drivers report that they’re a joy to handle and there’s no need to sacrifice design.

With a bit of luck then, it won’t be too long before we can drive to work, still look cool and enjoy a nice cup of Espresso straight from the exhaust pipe!

This commentary was composed by Urban Neon car lights. heck out our website, http://www.urban-neon-car-lights.com/LED-Automotive-Lights-p-1-c-35.html to see a bit more in regard to custom automotive accessories and to peruse a variety of aftermarket vehicle lighting kits.

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The Revolution of Wind Power

Although the study and implementation of wind power is not a novice idea, it does seem to be a widespread deal lately. One look at a renewable energy news resource shows numerous pages of stories specifically on the topic of wind power. The purpose of today's post is to take a look at the news stories of one day, today, and give briefings on each.

In the Telegraph & Argus, a story regarding a charity and a wind turbine unfolds. The plan, the construction of a 15 meter wind turbine that was to provide power to a center for disadvantaged youth, has been rebuffed, however, by the planning panel of Bradford Council. The concern of the residents who opposed the new technology was the increased air flow that would be created in the area in which the turbine was to be placed. A new proposal will likely be created that involves moving the turbine to the opposite end of the center.

How do wind turbines affect wildlife? That is the question that Keith DeWitt Lott, a wildlife biologist, hopes to answer through his latest research. Although Cleveland, Ohio is interested in the positive effects that wind-based energy can bring to the city, they desire to go about it in an environmentally responsible way. This news story was reported at Cleveland.com.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review provided a short clip on the considerations the city's council currently has regarding using the high wind level in Green Tree Park to provide power to the park. A wind turbine may be put in the park to help offset some of the costs the city incurs through leaving the lights on throughout the night.

The Bourne Carrier in Massachusetts reports the possibility of a wind turbine being constructed off Taylor's Point. Three agencies, the Bourne Recreation Authority, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) and Army Corps of Engineers, are seeking more ways to reduce their energy expenses and it is their hope to locate this alternative energy facility near the academy dock. This turbine would also aid in the Corps lowering its canal operation expenses. In addition to the wind turbines, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is also considering thermal panels on dorms and a hydro-electric facility.

With every new idea come those who advocate it and those who oppose it. The latter of these two extremes, opposition, is what is being seen in Maryland over a wind farm proposal. Seven hundred residents arrived at hearings regarding this proposal with the intent of protesting the plans. These individuals share the frustration of having an otherwise faultless landscape (including forest, lakes and mountain views) being interrupted by the wind farm's transmission lines webbing through the backdrop. The threat to tourism is also a concern for some of the residents. In response to the amazing opposition being voiced at the hearings, the commissioners of Garret Country voted unanimously against the wind farm proposal.

Above is a small selection of five new stories being reported on today. This illustrates to some extent, however, the magnitude of wind power in the news, as well as a selection of stories accounting the advocating and opposition of this green energy source.

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International Air Freight to Protect the Environment

Global warming is no longer something that you debate for awhile and forget. It has become a gigantic reality and all global leading companies are slowly waking up to the fact that unless they do something about it, this is not going to get better.

The international air freight companies all over the world contributed about 7% to the total carbon emissions measured in 2006, which has put pressure on them to do something about the problem. It is high time that every air cargo freight shipping company and cargo airline commits to working for and not against the environment.

The international air freight companies are in the middle of the environmental protection controversies; they have agreed and have announced that they will enter into an agreement to contribute compulsorily for projects that protect the environment all over the world.

The amount that is earmarked for this purpose has not been fixed, though the agreement stipulates that it should be proportionate to the number of freight services that each cargo airline offers. Europe organized and spearheaded its efforts through the Kyoto Protocol Agreement, which states that the participating countries are committed to bringing down the carbon emission by 2012. USA was conspicuous by its absence at this momentous event.

It is encouraging to learn that the international air freight companies, which form a good part of the global mega companies, are at last taking environmental things seriously. However, is this enough?

Many feel that it would be much better if each of these major and minor cargo airlines committed themselves to control the level of pollution they emit and set strict rules against pollution. This would have a rippling effect in checking the carbon emissions since the demand for air cargo services is on the rise.

Today, what is required from the international air freight companies is not a handout for green projects, but a direct, full hearted and committed approach to see that there is no further damage to the already ailing environment. While the agreement to keep aside a percentage of the overall profits for environmental protection projects is definitely a step in the right direction, much more is expected from the air cargo companies all over the world.

As the use and need for cargo airlines is on the rise, unless there is a concerted effort to bring about changes inside and outside the operational areas, there is very little hope for our planet. Pacts, such as the Kyoto Protocol Agreement, are a wonderful way to show how much these mammoth companies care and are doing towards the "greener earth" objective.

Visit Mike Selvon portal for more information on international air freight, and leave a comment at our air freight services blog. Don't forget to claim your FREE gift.

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The History of Electric Cars

We've all seen the commercials talking about how technology was all going to be about flying cars and cold fusion. In reality, though, we have our very own science-fiction-turned-fact in looking at hybrid vehicles which are taking over. They truly are efficient and are money-saving at some levels, but most consumers assume that the concept of electric motors is brand new, but the first experiments with electric motors began in the mid-1800s. Going as far back as 1832, locomotives and carriages were already using electric motors, considering that lead-acid batteries were already being used.

In the 1890s, though, the first electric cars were actually built at home in the U.S. and actually shown to the general public. To thank for that first electric car we have William Morrison, whose electric car was one of the first to be successfully tested. By the time 1893 had rolled around, there are already several models of electric-powered cars that were showcased in Chicago.

If you have the impression that electric cars are solely known to the public as the new economic fad, think again. Made by Pope manufacturing company in New York City, 1897 saw electric taxis around the city. In fact, by 1899, Thomas Edison was also involved with these ideas, even though he never saw his developments come to fruition.

In 1900, 28% öf vehicles in the U.S. were powered by electric motors, and over one-third of the driving populations in New York City, Boston and Chicago were actually driving electric cars. Had Henry Ford's new automobile, the gas-powered Model T Ford, not come along eight years later, the electric car could have possibly been the more common vehicle. Unfortunately, Henry Ford's Model T had taken over electric cars by far by the 1920s.

Around 1966, environmental awareness actually became a concern, prompting the US Congress to actually pass legislation regarding pollution, air cleanliness concerns, not to mention rising gas prices. As a result, the popularity and demand for electric cars has increased.

While most consumers think of old hybrids as being the 1998 Toyota Prius, the first actual hybrid vehicle was constructed from a Buick Skylark by a man named Victor Wouk in 1972. The Federal Clear Car Incentive Program in 1970 brought forward this need for hybrid cars, and Wouk's hybrid was no different, having been built specifically in response to this Act. Later, in 1974, Vanguard-Sebring built an electric vehicle known as the CitiCar, and was another attempt to respond to the Incentive Program. Unfortunately, the company and program were both out of the picture by 1980.

Although there was an actual act passed by Congress to research and develop hybrid vehicles in 1976, General Motors didn't actually start its research on their first hybrid vehicle, the EVI, until 1988. Thankfully, the entire country got a kick in the pants when California passed a Zero Emission Mandate in 1990 that required at least 2% of vehicles be ZEV compliant by 1993, and then 10% of those vehicles by 2003. Unfortunately, both of those goals had not been met by 2003, which still left the country in a position to research hybrids.

Finally, in 1997, Toyota was able to make a breakthrough, and the Toyota Prius was released to the commercial mass-market, selling over 18,000 vehicles in one year alone. It didn't take long after that, and in the next three years, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, and GM began to release hybrid vehicles, but they were full of kinks and problems. By 2004, most of them were scrapped and recycled.

In 2006, hybrid vehicles began to see a resurgence in production. This time, the kinks were worked out and now, hybrids will soon become the new standard. The fact of the matter, though, is that while the packaging may be new, the actual technology behind the hybrid has spent a century being developed.

About the Author:
To learn more about hybrid cars visit hybridcarchat.com and join the hybrid car forums.

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Alternative Energy Investing

Analysts and financial planners can play a crucial role in helping you get it right with alternative energy investing. “We don't play around in the tiny cap stocks that have technology and not much revenue—the 'hope' stocks. We invest in companies with clear cash-generation plans in place,” are the words of Ben walker, who is a senior portfolio manager at the Gartmore Global Utilities fund out of London.

Still, the outlook is very positive overall—and healthy. “It is good to see that the number of renewable energy funds and the amount of money flowing into these funds is increasing,” according to chief executive of UK alternative electricity supplier Good Energy Juliet Davenport. “The renewable generation market is at an important stage in its development; it needs the continued support of the consumer, investor and government to ensure that it reaches its potential and really starts to make a difference to climate change.”

Many alternative energy investment portfolio advisors are confident that alternative energies derived from currents, tidal movement, and temperature differentials are poised to become a new and predominant form of clean energy. The French are actually fairly advanced at hydro power generation, and numerous studies are being made in Scotland and the US along these same lines. Some concerns are around the problems with the deterioration of metals in salt water, marine growth such as barnacles, and violent storms which have all been disruptions to energy production in the past. However, these problems for the most part seem to be cured through the use of different, better materials. Ocean-produced energy has a huge advantage because the timing of ocean currents and waves are well understood and reliable.

The reality is, the energy future is green, and investors would do well to put their money out wisely, with that advice in their minds.

About the Author:

Reginald Ross is an affiliate marketer who writes affiliate marketing articles.
For more information visit http://www.waterhousegold.com/alternative-energy.

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What is a Hydro Powered Car?

What do you think of when you see the term "hydro powered car?" Do you picture the high-tech hydrogen powered cars being developed by companies like BMW? Or do you think of a car that somehow uses water instead of gasoline as fuel? Or perhaps one of those old steam-powered monsters that inventors tinkered with 100 years ago? When I think of a hydro powered car, I think of something slightly different, a cross between an all-hydrogen car and one that somehow uses water as fuel. You can call it a hydrogen-gasoline hybrid. Many people just call it a car that runs on water.
The idea of using water directly as fuel is still science fiction. On the face of it, the idea seems absurd. Yet today you can buy hydro powered car kits that use the hydrogen in water as fuel (to supplement the gasoline) in standard automobiles, resulting in much higher mileage.

Why Should You Care?

This kind of hydro powered car certainly isn't the futuristic all-hydrogen vehicle you may have heard about, or the seemingly magical vehicle that runs on just tap water that we would all love to have. So why should you care about this kind of hydrogen-gasoline hydro powered car? There are lots of good reasons:

If you've bought gasoline recently, you know that the price is high and looks to be heading still higher. A hydro powered car can get much higher mileage than an all-gasoline car, which means big savings on gas.

Gasoline comes with lots of baggage. The West's dependence on foreign oil makes it dependent on countries like Iraq, Iran, Venezuela, and Russia for energy. External hostility to the West, along with internal instability and unrest, make it scary to rely on many oil-producing countries. Anything that reduces Western dependence on their oil reduces the risks.

The sad fact is that Americans have a tremendous reliance on gas and the steady supply of it. Most simply don't live in areas where alternative fuels are readily available. Many Americans must endure lengthy commutes to work, traffic jams and rush hour, not to mention routine errands that can't be accomplished on foot. Public transportation is an option, however many areas of America don't offer such services.

Don't forget pollution. Burning gasoline for fuel pollutes the air. A hydro powered car gets better mileage and so reduces that pollution.

Last but certainly not least, you can convert your own car into a hydro powered car today using readily available parts. You don't need to wait for the ideal hydro powered car to come out of the auto company labs. You can turn your own car into one and start getting the benefits right away.

How Does This Kind of Hydro Powered Car Work?

How can water, the same substance that comes from your kitchen faucet, be used to fuel your car engine? The key is hydrogen. What is water when you go down to the molecular structure? Two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Get the hydrogen out of the water and mix it with your car's gasoline and voila! a hydrogen-gasoline hybrid car.

Hydrogen is a highly desirable source of fuel because it delivers lots of energy and burns with virtually no pollutants. But cars that run solely on hydrogen aren't ready yet and won't be practical for a while. Using hydrogen as a supplemental fuel is a safe and effective alternative that's available right now.

Hydro powered car kits available today use electricity to convert common water into hydrogen and oxygen in your car as needed. The hydrogen is immediately mixed with the car's gasoline and burned, delivering better fuel efficiency and cleaner exhaust. It is an ideal solution for today's world, and thousands of people around the world have purchased these kits to convert their own vehicle into a hydro powered car.

About the Author:

Bill Mann is a freelance technology writer who helps people benefit from the technology all around us. He is a big fan of alternative fuel systems. He recommends you visit: Hydro Powered Car to learn more about a kit that makes this possible.

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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.

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Did you know?! - The history of global warming debate

Global warming has become a debatable issue these days. Now, most people still wonder whether it is for real. The subject refers to the process of increase in the temperature of earth which in turn, produce changes in climate. When the earth gets warmer, the process brings out some changes in the usual rainfall patterns and then a rise in sea level. All this create a huge impact on plants, wildlife and human beings. The global warming debate provides us good information on this subject.

The issue of change in climate provides us information on the global warming caused by human activities. It also tells us about the cleansing process, the earth goes through. One of the groups feels that all human beings are responsible for the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere via the burning of fossil fuels while driving, automobiles or utilizing other means of mass transit. The utilization of these fossil fuels is directly responsible for global warming and in turn the destruction of biodiversity and ecosystems of the earth.

Some of the scientists also believe that global warming is caused due to the use of fossil fuels. One must be aware of the various cycles and temperatures of the earth in conjunction with the natural cycle associated with the evolving planet. The debate on this topic may continue for several years to come. The important actor to realize is that we are contributing to the pollution of the environment we should work towards reducing the use of fossil fuels. Prevention of rainforests from being harvested will also solve the problem. The focus on planting tropical trees, specially new ones would play the trick.

The original theory of global warming came into existence in the year 1824. In this year, Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier, the French mathematician discovered the fact that the temperature of the earth is increasing gradually. According to Fourier, the atmosphere of earth traps solar radiation and reflects it back to earth. This theory of Fourier was known as the greenhouse effect in the late nineteenth century. During this era, Nobel laureate Svante Arrhenius used this term in order to elaborate the way carbon dioxide traps heat into the atmosphere of the Earth According to Arrhenius, the greenhouse effect was fully responsible for the starting of the ice ages.

In the 1950s, G.S. Callendar, a great scientist warned that the greenhouse effect has some truth in its’ theory and it puts a great impact on the atmosphere of the earth. All the claims made by calendar were termed as the ‘Callendar effect’. This in turn, led to the enhanced research on the global warming. Most of the scientific studies predicted that increase in carbon dioxide emissions that takes place due to the excess use of fossil fuel would initiate a global warming outbreak.

However, in the late twentieth century, another ice age was predicted. Some also predicted the melting of ice caps that would result in flooding all over the world.

Frank j Vanderlugt owns and operates http://www.all-about-global-warming.com All About Global Warming Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

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Wind Turbine Generators Makers and Environmentalists Are in Denial Over the Bird Kill Statistics

Not long ago a gentleman emailed me about an article I had written a year or so ago over the issues of bird kills and wind generators. He felt it was wrong for me to write the article, because there are billions of birds in the world and a few lost to wind turbines is no big deal. Apparently, he felt that the alternative or renewable energy was more important to mankind that a few dead birds. He sent in this condemnation:

"I'm sure you're a nice guy, really. Perhaps we could get the stats on your "car wash bird kills". Maybe you could provide the nets for my wind generators, possibly defraying from the needless killing of unwanted birds and costs of new blades. Do you actually know how many birds are in the world? Your article was vague at best and no real numbers revealed. Only "kill more birds than the Santa Barbara, CA mini-oil spill". Wow! An epiphany! Intelligence at its best.

Perhaps you could put aside the entire ego boosting, character builder, comments from friends and family members and actually write something that makes sense. Maybe even something tangible that would give us faith in higher education or the benefits of renewable energy. I'm dumber for having read your article, not being that smart to begin with. Must have been a timeline issue."

Hmm, interesting the amount of verbal attacks from folks in denial of reality, so if you are wondering how come the world is becoming so politically correct, it's because folks are afraid to speak out, because someone might give them a hard time. And, the complainer was right on one account; Yes, I suppose I am a nice guy although that is not necessarily relevant to the "bird kill" issues of wind-turbines.

And mind you I am not an environmentalist at all, I just like to point out the hypocrisy in all of this. The environmentalists sue developers on behalf of animals, insects, endangered species, but when it comes to something they support they look the other way? Ah the perfection of hypocrisy, I love it. The truth of the matter is that we can design better wind turbine blades with less drag, and much more efficient. Thus, perhaps needing much less of relative wind-speed to be worthy and we can do it in a way that does not kill birds, everyone wins. Instead, the politically correct environmentalists attack and then turn the other way when the law of unintended consequences strikes one of their wind turbine blades.

With his joking around about car washes, it appears he has learned that I was once in the car wash business and birds, yep, any waste-water runoff would indeed hurt the eco-system (birds too). Actually, when the Federal Clean Water Act was instituted in 1972 the environmentalists stated that 1,000s of birds died in Santa Barbara from an offshore oil spill. But then the number was dropped to 163, then down to about a third of that. Amazingly enough, Nixon, decided to move on the Federal Clean Water act for media generating purposes and PR back then. It worked for him.

In the defense of the critic of my article, he is correct in that perhaps the article did not state how many birds were killed, because it varies, Crows seem to be able to learn quickly and stay away from them, but the migrating birds often do not. I know because our company had cleaning contracts to clean the wind generators and we always saw dead birds underneath them. Like, I said, I am not an environmentalist. The number of birds always varied sometimes 3-4, sometimes 1-2, and occasionally, a whole bunch. Oh well, there are lots of birds out there in the California Desert was always my thinking on it.

Of course, in 2005 the USA Today did a story claiming that 10s of 1000s of brids each year were killed by wind turbines, so, it has become apparent that the Wind Turbine environmentalists want to have their cake and kill the birds too. And, is it really fair to attack the messenger of information, especially considering that I written probably 500 or more articles on environmental causes, everything from Ocean Dead Zones, Exhaust schemes, Solar, wind, recycling, you name it. Well, in any case this is just another example of environmental hypocrisy and how all this hot air is really for the birds.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

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Believe it - We Will See Hydrogen Soon!

There is a lot of hype right now about hydrogen fuel and its possible uses. The technology is no longer theory; we are seeing in action. Unfortunately it could still be 10 - 20 years before we see this technology in abundance.

Many people look past the obstacles too easily, simply hoping for the prize at the end: clean, renewable, cost efficient energy. The main obstacles to overcome are storage, production, and use in vehicles.

Technology is coming along, but the storage of hydrogen is still very difficult. Since it is a gas at normal temperatures, hydrogen would have to be stored in pressurized tanks, if it were in gaseous form. Retaining enough fuel to provide a car with sufficient range would require that the tanks be under immense pressure (greater than can be obtained currently).

At present, practical hydrogen storage tanks are providing 100 - 150 miles to a tank of gas. To increase that number, researchers have investigated liquid hydrogen storage. In liquid form, the hydrogen would be more dense and able to hold more energy per unit volume. The ability to to maintain liquid hydrogen on a vehicle is still questionable however.

On top of storage, the future of mass produced hydrogen is unsure. Since hydrogen cannot be harvested from the air, it has to be extracted from compounds on earth. The two main processes for harvesting are methane extraction and electrolysis. Methane extraction is currently the most common way to obtain hydrogen, but experts believe that electrolysis will prevail in the future.

Electrolysis works by splitting water molecules in to H2 and O2 gasses by using electricity. Right now the process requires so much electricity, that it is not even practical to use on a large scale.

Even still, there are two types of hydrogen vehicles that people still clump into one. There is a hydrogen internal combustion engine and a hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle. The two types of technology are quite different. Vehicles powered by fuel cells are still very far off. The technology is still extremely expensive, but as technology improve and prices come down, these vehicles will be the cleanest and most efficient.

Right now the first option is much more likely, however. An internal combustion engine can run on hydrogen with only a few simple modifications. As soon as hydrogen can be produced and stored on a large scale, we will certainly see these types of vehicles on the road.

Despite all the negative aspects of hydrogen fuel technology, much research is going on, and progress is being made daily. By weight, hydrogen fuel caries more energy than gasoline, so it is a logical move to raise awareness in hopes of using it some day. Maybe most importantly, hydrogen could reduce prices at the pump by as much as 50%. It might be a ways off, but anything that can save us $$$ is ok by us!

For more information, visit Gas Savers

Russell is a Mechanical Engineer dedicated to helping people save money at the pump. His articles are well researched and informative on the subjects of saving gas, alternate energy, and hybrid technology.

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The Hydrogen Road Of Norway

In the past, the focus was on California's Hydrogen Highway Network initiative. This one will look at a similar initiative, but on a global scale. HyNor, the Hydrogen Road of Norway, joins various industries together in order to accomplish a goal that has been in the making for several years. Although 2008 is the final year of this project it began in 2005. The beginning conceptualization started 2 years prior that in 2003.

HyNor, an infrastructure produced from hydrogen energy, runs along a 580 kilometer (roughly 360 miles) route between Oslo and Stavanger. The types of transportation that HyNor has incorporated in their plans include buses, taxis, and private vehicles. The official website of HyNor asserts that this venture includes "a partnership connecting major industrial and energy companies, transport companies, regional and national public authorities, and R&D institutes." This partnership offers a comprehensive approach to the implementation of the hydrogen energy infrastructure.

Because of Norway's vast resources in hydro power, natural gas and biomass, the country is an ideal location to attempt such an endeavor. They have secured backing from a number of interest groups who believe the ideas formulated through HyNor are achievable. In addition, the changeable climatic conditions that Norway experiences allows the project to test the reliability of hydrogen energy "under conditions of large seasonal fluctuations and cold ambient temperatures." This then extends to various segments of the world and will demonstrate the practicality of a hydrogen energy based transportation system.

According to the PDF document prepared by HyNor, the following are the industry participants who are involved in the succession of the project:

* Energy companies

o Hydro, Statoil, Lyse, Vardar, Akershus Energi

* Public transportation companies

o Stor Oslo Lokaltrafikk, Miljøbil Grenland, Rogaland Taxi, Telenor, Norgestaxi

* Universities/colleges and R&D inst.

o Vestlandsforskning, Østfoldforskning, IRIS, UiS, Høgskolen i Agder, Høgskolen i Telemark, Sintef, IFE, NTNU, HiB

* Environmental organizations

o ZERO, Bellona

* Vehicle and vehicle component manufacturers

o Raufoss Fuel Systems, Think

* Public institutions

o Rogaland County, Telemark FK, Akershus County, Drammen, Aust-Agder FK, Lyngdal, Stavanger, Buskerud FK, Oslo, Hordaland County, Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm, Skedsmo, Akershus County

* Others

o Lindum Ressurs, ASG, TeamConsult, Innova, Irmat, GassTEK, RÃ¥det for Drammensregionen, Energiparken, CMR Group

In 2007, HyNor began incorporating hydrogen vehicles to the infrastructure. Beginning with the 15 Quantum H2 Prius vehicles, they added 4 plug-in hybrid H2 TH!NK cars. The latter, a vehicle that not only can be recharged by plugging it into a wall, but that is also powered through a hydrogen fuel cell, was discussed in detail in a previous post. In 2006, HyNor Stavanger, a hydrogen station, was opened. This facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In June 2007, HyNor Grenland, a second hydrogen facility, launched its operation. HyNor Oslo, the third station, plans its inauguration sometime in the Fall of 2008.

HyNor is demonstrating for the rest of the world the benefits of a hydrogen based transportation system. Through their endeavors, we will ideally embark on a more environmentally practical way of getting from one place to another.

David Tanguay is dedicated to providing research, reviews & helpful information to consumers and businesses. For more information related to Green Energy and Solar Energyhttp://greenenergyonline.org please visit

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Does the Bmw Hydrogen 7 Make Sense to You?

Does The BMW Hydrogen 7 Make Sense To You?

All we have been hearing for years is how we need to free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil. With the price of gas going out of site and the terrible emissions from car engines, it’s no wonder that BMW has taken the lead to create a better vehicle. The time is right for change in the automotive world.

What do you think about this?

First of all let me tell you that as of April 2008 there is no such thing as a production car from BMW or anyone else that runs on hydrogen. But the research being done by BMW is absolutely fascinating. The experimental model is the 2007 BMW Hydrogen 7. It’s really a 7 Series Sedan converted to run on liquid hydrogen. And like all experiments, this car is only for the purpose of learning how to make a hydrogen car work safely and economically.

According to a BMW company spokesman, “A BMW that is not a BMW anymore is not acceptable to us”. The fact is, BMW is putting their reputation and money on the line to adapt their existing 6.0 liter V12 to burn liquid hydrogen. When BMW works out a few sticky technical problems, hydrogen promises to revolutionize transportation as we humans know it.

The first problem with hydrogen is that it currently has to be produced from a source such as natural gas. To do this requires huge amounts of electricity usually being generated by burning coal. Not only is this expensive, but it is also bad for the environment. It’s like setting fire to your house in mid-January just so that you can keep warm for awhile. That doesn’t make much sense either, does it?

So don’t expect to see a production model BMW Hydrogen 7 anytime soon.

The second problem with a hydrogen car at this point is something most drivers will not tolerate. And that is, 30 gallons of liquid hydrogen will only get you about 125 miles. That’s why the BMW Hydrogen 7 is a dual-fuel vehicle. It can go another 310 miles on the 19.5 gallons of gasoline. Even though hydrogen may be the fuel of the future, finding a “hydrogen filling station” today is difficult to say the least. It’s just not going to happen soon.

The upside of driving a BMW Hydrogen 7 car is the positive effect on the environment. As you probably know, as you are motoring down the highway the exhaust is mostly good old fashion water.

But there is more to the exhaust than just water.

What you don’t know is that there will be small amounts of crankcase oil still emitted as it gets burned in the combustion chambers. This is the same with all internal combustion engines. There is also a small amount of nitric acid that is formed during combustion. Without getting too technical my friend, the nitric acid can be removed by a simple three-way catalyst.

Now, for all of you out there who either didn’t take chemistry in high school or college or who were sleeping in class when you should have been paying attention, I’ll make this easy for you. What comes out of the back end of the BMW Hydrogen 7 is “pretty darn clean”. It’s mostly just water.

Whew. That was easy. I told you it was going to be simple.

So, fellow traveler, our great adventure to create the car of the future has begun in the form of the BMW Hydrogen 7. There are many challenges to be overcome before you will see one of these cuties in your garage. But when it does make its grand entrance, I’ll be one of the first in line. The BMW Hydrogen 7 makes sense to me.

Does it make sense to you?

Chet Waters is the BMW Specialist. Learn How To Find Your BMW And At The Price You Can Afford. Go To:

http://www.bmwsauctions.com

About the Author:

Chet Waters is the BMW Specialist. His passion for everything BMW is what he likes to share with others

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Hybrid Car Comparison: Which Hybrid Car Should You Choose



Hybrid cars are getting more and more popular today. In fact, more and more people are now purchasing hybrid cars because of a number of reasons. One is that they will enjoy tax incentives as a buyer of a hybrid car, two is that they will be able to save a lot of money from the rising cost of precious, expensive and limited supply of fuel and three, it will enable them to generate less pollution to the environment because of the extremely low toxic emissions generated by hybrid cars.

Because of the growing popularity of hybrid cars, more and more car manufacturers are now competing to produce the best kind of hybrid cars. They are now producing hybrid cars integrated with stHybrid car, green energyate-of-the-art technology that will enable consumers to save more on fuel, and also a car that will be able to produce low toxic emissions.

However, because of the growing market for hybrid cars, and also because of more and more car manufacturers that are now integrating hybrid technology in their cars, many people tend to get confused on which hybrid car to purchase. Besides, all car manufacturers promises to offer the best kind of hybrid cars in the market today.

In order to know which hybrid car to purchase, you have to compare them closely for you to know which hybrid car is for you and which hybrid car you can benefit from more. You have to compare some factors of hybrid cars in order to determine which hybrid car is better than the other.

However, before you go on and compare hybrid cars, you first have to know a little something about how hybrid cars work and how you can benefit from it. First of all, hybrid cars use the cleanest and the most efficient source of energy, which is electricity and also gasoline. Hybrid cars are what you can describe as a cross between a conventional gasoline-powered car and an electric-powered car.

It allows you to save fuel and emit lower volumes of toxic fumes because hybrid cars run on electricity when it is idle. What this means is that when you are stuck in traffic, and the hybrid car is running idle, or not in motion, it will automatically switch of the gasoline engine. Therefore, the hybrid car will run purely on electricity. Once you step on the accelerator pedal, it will automatically switch on the gasoline engine again to run the car.

So, now that you know how hybrid cars work and how you can benefit from it, you now have to know how to compare hybrid cars in order to get the right kind of hybrid car for your everyday use.

First of all, you need to determine how you will use the car. If you have a family, it is recommended that you get an SUV hybrid vehicle. This will enable you to carry more passengers. However, you also have to consider that SUV hybrid vehicles can cost a little more than hybrid cars.

The main advantage of a hybrid car is that it is fuel efficient. You have to choose a hybrid car that is the most fuel efficient in order for you to maximize its benefits. You can ask your dealer about the fuel efficiency of the car. They will be able to tell you how much miles a gallon it can save compared to conventional cars and other hybrid cars.

These are the ways on how you can compare hybrid cars in order for you to choose which one to get. Remember all these things and you can be sure that you will be able to get the right kind of hybrid car available in the market today. To start your search, Honda and Toyota are two of the leading companies today that produce affordable and efficient hybrid cars.


About the Author:
Hilal Abdelwali, Ph.D. in Automotive Engineering. SAE Member Since September 2001. Expert in Automotive Engineering and Hybrid Cars.
Internet Marketer. Owner of http://TheHybridCarsSite.com, and http://MyHotProducts.com Site.

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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

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Municipal Composting Programs - A Way to Go Green


Composting has occurred since plants first existed on the earth. When leaves and fruit fall from trees, and when plants die, they drop to the ground, enriching the soil through the process of natural decomposition. This is nature's way of composting.

Humans have been composting for decades, maybe even centuries. In our recent history, agricultural communities have used composting as a way to enrich their gardens and farmland. In the last two decades, a much larger movement of composting in urban areas has begun, and in recent years, composting has taken on its own popularity as a new way to "go green." City dwellers are becoming more aware of the benefits of compost in their gardens and flowerbeds, and they are realizing that it is best to recycle natural products back to the earth.

Municipalities have had a major influence in this movement with programs to dispose of recyclable waste. These programs allow, and sometimes require, citizens to collect their organic waste such as leaves, branches, grass, and other yard trimmings for composting. These programs vary in season and structure but they all have the same goal of recycling natural material to the earth's benefit. In many cases, after the material has been composted, the city sells the compost back to citizens who wish to purchase it for their yards or gardens. In this way, city composting programs provide two services: they allow city dwellers to compost their organic waste, and they also make compost material available for sale at reasonable prices.

A municipal composting program may seem simple, but it can be a large project to manage. First, the citizens of the municipality must be educated about what types of products can be collected and how they are to be contained. Some city composting programs only collect yard waste, while others also allow food scraps. Second, the city must decide how they wish to collect the waste. Some municipalities use bulk collection, where leaves and waste are piled in the street or yard and trucks come collect the debris. Another way to collect the waste is through drop off sites where citizens can take their waste to a central collection area. Other communities use container collection, where the waste is put in specific types of containers such as biodegradable brown paper bags or in reusable containers and is collected by trucks.

After trucks have picked up the organic waste, the material must be transported to a central composting site to be processed and composted. Several months later, the waste you threw out will be available again for resale to citizens as premium compost. Compost can be used in many ways. Premium compost is a great way to enrich your soil, control erosion, or simply help your plants grow bigger and stronger!

The US Environmental Protection Agency indicates that 24% of the United States' solid waste is made up of yard trimmings and food scraps. Just think how much waste we could keep out of landfills if more cities began composting programs! With the ability to convert all this waste into premium compost and return it to the earth, these programs are hugely beneficial. If your city doesn't have an organized composting program, contact local officials in your area and prompt them to begin one. This is a way to get involved and give something back to this planet that we inhabit.

Ellen Bell works for Home Products n' More, a company dedicated to providing high quality products for your home, garden, and auto. Home Products n' More offers a great selection of leaf bag holders and eco friendly patio furniture. Check us out at homeproductsnmore.com.

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Global Warming - Fact Or Fiction?


Some people who have studied global issues would say there was no such thing as global warming and it is all a big hoax. However, others disagree and believe that since the industrial revolution, we are having a negative affect on our environment.

The best place to start is to look at what we have already been led to believe.

The Greenhouse effect is the relationship between the earth and the sun. The sun provides the earth with the heat and energy it needs and the earth releases back that energy into space.

The greenhouse effect comes into play as the gases in the earth trap that energy so that it cannot be released back into space therefore, warming the earths environment.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process and vital to our survival, without it, the earth would be too cold to live in.

Gases such as Methane, Carbon dioxide and water vapour all trap energy from the sun and enable the warming of the earth.

It is commonly known that plants provide Carbon dioxide, but not so commonly known that plants also remove carbon dioxide.

This is because, when a plant dies and is buried into the earth, these plants become fossil fuel which is coal and oil.

When coal and oil is burned, this then removes the carbon dioxide from the air around it.

200 years ago, before machinery was invented and cars filled our streets, global warming wasn't an issue.

The natural gases which came from the earth would trap energy to warm the earth, however, since the industrial revolution, more gases are being produced, which means more energy is trapped and result is global warming.

Activists and researches cannot agree as to whether or not humans are causing global warming, but I think we can all agree that when something unnatural occurs, it affects the natural.

If we are producing more gases than what is known as natural, then you would expect that this would have an affect on our environment, but whether or not this affect is causing global warming, well, we will have to leave that down to the scientists.

It is said that in the last century the earth has warmed by 1%, although this is not a massive amount, it still could be an unnatural 1% which would have an effect on the earth's climate.

The truth of the matter is, the earth works in a certain way that even the best scientists in the world cannot fathom it. We can never assume we know it all just as we cannot 100% rely on what we already believe we know as there could be many unknown factors that have not been taken into account.

It is natural to believe that we are having some kind of affect on our environment in comparison to 200 years ago, but is the cause of global warming? I guess we couldn't say either way, but what we do know is that we need to keep it in mind and do what we can to help our environment.

Nicola Bullimore has been working in Search engine marketing and writing articles on various topics for a number of years. For more information about Environmental News and global warming issues, please visit the Enlighten website.

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Green cars - The new chick magnet?

In today's oil prices, more efficient ,hybrid and green cars becoming more than just an necessity. Green cars are lucrative and appealing. In a survey made by GM, They found the following:
"
  • Fuel- efficient cars - The new chick magnet? 88 percent of all woman say they’d rather chat up someone with the latest fuel-efficient car versus the latest sports car!.
  • How to win friends and influence . 80 percent of American car buyers would find someone with the latest model fuel-efficient car more interesting to talk to at a party than someone with the latest model sports car.hybrid car
  • Not green?That’s a fashion don’t. More than four out of 10 (45 percent) 18-43 year-olds say it’s a fashion faux-pas nowadays to have a car that is not green or environmentally friendly.
  • Project roadway. More than seven in 10 (73 percent) car buyers say if there were a reality TV show like “Project Runway” that was not about fashion design, but instead about designing the best-looking fuel-efficient and emissions-free car, they’d definitely watch
"

Wow!
green energy is becoming sexy!
What do you think?

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Avoid Highway Robbery by Using The New Crude--WATER

HERE'S THE BAD NEWS.

Engines waste gasoline! Up to 80% of the high-priced gas that you pump doesn't get you anywhere because it goes UNBURNED to the catalytic converter. That means you are getting 0 MPG (zero, zilch, nada) from most of the over-priced gasoline you pump into your tank.

WHY DO COMBUSTION ENGINES WASTE SO MUCH GAS?

That's what they are designed to do--WASTE GAS--because every second of every day, everywhere in the world, every single gas and diesel engine on the planet puts money into the deep, deep, DEEP pockets of Big Oil.

Automotive and fuel technology has been deliberately held back, and people have been kept in the dark about AMAZING inventions and discoveries, in order to sell us lots of gasoline. Sorry, but that's how it is.

For example, the gas could be preheated and better formulated for better combustion--but it's not. The fuel vapor droplets could be smaller for efficient combustion--but they're not. The pre-set computer-controlled air-to-fuel ratio could be more economical--but it's not. The exhaust could be reprocessed to contribute to mileage (there are patents on that)--but it's not. Cars could be using a better carburetor design--but they're not because the patent for a 100 MPG carburetor was bought and buried years ago. Cars could be running completely on water fuel--but they're not because those patents were also bought and then buried along with the inventor (however, the patents ran out recently!). Even the hybrids that Big Auto is selling at luxury car prices don't optimize gasoline combustion and consumption.

HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.

You can do something about it, ONE CAR AT A TIME, starting with YOUR car.

How? By using ENERGY from WATER.

If that sounds impossible, or crazy, or delusional, I understand. This is something that none of our trusted sources of information--TV, radio, teachers, movies, professors, magazines, dad, scientists, books, Sesame Street--have told us about. Why? See the bad news, above.

I mentioned amazing inventions and discoveries. Many of them have very sophisticated technical patents on them. But the kind of water energy system I am talking about, the one that is affordable and do-able by ME and YOU in OUR cars (not by buying a Big Auto hybrid with a luxury car pricetag), is a do-it-yourself technology, specifically designed for beginners with basic tools and very limited budgets. A working system can be built at home for $20 to $200 worth of parts and installed in your car, truck, or SUV on a weekend. It's a 90-year-old technology that has been revived and developed into a simple, affordable, SAFE system based on low-cost hardware.

It works like this: The main component of the low-cost water energy system is an electrolyzer-a container of water with electrodes in it. The electrolyzer takes a tiny bit of electricity from your car. The electricity "splits" water into hydroxyl gas and feeds it immediately to the engine cylinders. The improved air/fuel mix gets very efficient combustion.

SPINNING WHEELS, NOT HEADS

Remember the bad news at the top? Remember I said that wasted fuel can be as much as 80%? In other words, even though you have paid $3.50 or more per gallon, you are only getting performance from as little as 20%--two gallons out of every ten--of the gas you pay good money for! It puts a whole new complexion on the phrase "highway robbery."

Our heads are spinning from rising gas prices. Now imagine instead that ALL your gasoline is working for you--it's actually turning your wheels and not just being turned into carbon deposits on your engine or exhaust from the catalytic converter. What would it be like for ALL that gasoline to be giving you mileage? It would be a WHOLE LOT MORE ECONOMICAL, that's what! That's what happens when you add the energy from water.

SEEING THE SEA OF ENERGY

Wondering how much energy is in water?

One gallon of water converts to approximately 1,833 gallons of combustible gas. One observer noted that a gallon of water in his water energy system lasted for about 2,700 miles.

"Energy from water" is hard to believe because we are misled by the appearance of water when it's liquied. It looks so, well, WET and noncombustible. But if we could SEE the sea of energy in the water--zillions of hydrogen and oxygen atoms ready to break out and be combustible gas under the right conditions--it would be easy to conceive that, indeed, water can be "burned" in an engine, thus taking advantage of a new "crude"--plain water.

Why aren't scientists telling us about this? Why doesn't it make big headlines? More bad news. Some of them just don't know about it, and some are paid to tell us about anything BUT this. Also, scientists are sometimes far behind empirical evidence from experimenters and inventors. Sometimes a true scientist makes an amazing discovery and is suddenly way ahead of everyone. What happens then? He or she has to fight all the other scientists that are way behind or too vested in the old paradigm. So who are the true scientists around here? A TRUE scientist could be anyone, including a scientist.

THE LAW OF CONSERVATION

Here is something to ponder from Patrick J. Kelly of http://www.PanaceaUniversity.org. He has a delightful way of tilting one's mind out of its box:

"The Law of Conservation of Energy is undoubtedly correct when it shows that more energy cannot be taken out of any system than is put into that system. However, that does not mean that WE cannot get more energy out of a system than WE put into it. A crude example is a solar panel in sunlight. We get electrical power out of the panel but we do not put the sunlight into the panel-the sunlight arrives on its own. This example is simple as we can see the sunlight reaching the solar panel.

"If, instead of the solar panel, we had a device which absorbs some of the energy that Quantum Mechanics observes and then gives out, say, electrical power, would that be so different? Most people say "yes!--it is impossible!" but this reaction is based on the fact that we cannot see this sea of energy. Should we say that a TV set cannot possibly work because we cannot see a television transmission signal?"

BUT ISN'T IT DANGEROUS?

We have been living and driving with danger for decades--it's called GASOLINE! Cars and trucks are planet-polluting bombs on wheels! But we are accustomed to it, right? And for the most part, we don't blow ourselves up.

But in the water energy system, I know, you think we're talking about tanks of compressed hydrogen in the car, but that's not how it is done! Here's the beauty of it:

Hydrogen is already compressed in plain water!

All we do in a water for fuel system is UNCOMPRESS and USE it--immediately, on-demand, in the engine! No hydrogen bombs on board. Just a container of distilled water! And the exhaust is--WATER! You split water, you burn it, you get fantastic mileage, you get a little water left over.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

You can't get much greener than this unless you go for an engine designed to run completely on water, like the one that was designed and proven by Stanley Meyers when he drove across the United States on approximately 28 gallons of water. (You can see interviews with him on YouTube.) You can't get much more affordable, either. And because this is GREEN technology, and you will not be causing any damage to the car or the engine (far from it), your warranty will most likely be intact AND the government will owe you money for going green!

INSTALL WATER ENERGY SYSTEM, DROP JAW

You could pay someone to install your water for gas system. There are hundreds of people around the world who are constructing and installing water energy systems, as well as driving "watercars" themselves. These people save gas, save money, get much better mileage, and enjoy smoother-running engines and greatly reduced emissions. And that's why they are happy to do the same for you so you can save gas, save money, get much better mileage, and enjoy a smoother-running engine and reduced emissions.

Or you could do it yourself, in which case you would first get instructions, which are available on line. Then you would make a parts list and buy the parts from hardware and electronics stores. Third, you would construct the components of the water energy system, put them all together, and install the system, making all the necessary adjustments to it. You would now be the proud owner of a Water Hybrid Vehicle. And last, after picking up your jaw from the floor, where it has dropped in astonishment at your engine's mileage and performance, you would become an advocate of water energy, as I have.

BETTER COMBUSTION FOR THE MIND

To really grasp the implications and possibilities here, we must first clean the carbon deposits out of our minds. Using waterfuel is an approach to our cars and fuel that requires more participation from us. The whole water energy system consists of physical components PLUS your mind and attitudes about fuel consumption. To really optimize your waterfuel system, you will also be using fuel warmer, some Kiker wires to improve the spark, Xylene to add to your gasoline, a low-friction synthetic motor oil, a couple bottles of fuel treatment to clean carbon deposits from old unburned fuel out of your engine, a MAP sensor enhancer to keep the car computer from over-correcting the fuel mix back to over-rich, tires that are always fully inflated, and a real-time mileage tracker so that you won't have to use an entire tank of gas to know what mileage you are getting.

Perhaps the most important thing is this:

Trust yourself.

When you use an "alternative" fuel-efficiency system, you are an experimenter who is going against the herd and chances are, you are going to get some flack. Don't be fooled by self-appointed "experts" who don't have hands-on experience and say it can't be done. When they laugh or frown or condescend and say, "It's scientifically impossible," well, first of all, you know they are not "true scientists" (so why are they acting like they know what "scientifically" means?). Ask them if they have ever tried it themselves. You will find they have not. Further discussion might be fruitless, but you can try. Tell them to just wait and see. See for yourself. Don't wait ten years for big industry to do it because they don't want to GIVE you anything--they are only thinking about what they can GET from you while they continue making empty promises.

WHAT CAN A WATER ENERGY SYSTEM REALLY DO FOR ME?

Well…

How much will gas cost the next time you fill your tank?

A water energy system won't lower the price of ALL gasoline.

It will lower the price of YOURS. But don't just take my word for it.

Leslie Lackman is an advocate of the application of free, unlimited energies--mind, water, life force--to cars, health, wellness, and performance.
http://water4gas-4heroes.eoltt.com

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