The invention and innovation behind ALTERNATIVE energy
What is Renewable and Alternative Energy?
"Renewable resources are resources that are replenished by the environment over relatively short periods of time. This type of resource is much more desirable to use because often a resource renews so fast that it will have regenerated by the time you've used it up. " - Study.com Alternative energy is energy which does not deplete resources or harm the environment.
"In contrast to renewable resources, non-renewable resources are resources that are not easily replenished by the environment." - Study.com
Existing forms of renewable and alternative energy
Wave
Wave power uses waves to produce electricity in either floating buoys, ocean-side facilities, or a reservoir. This energy source is renewable and efficient compared to other sources, but conflicted designs and lack of investments have decreased the popularity of wave energy.
Tidal power uses the change in tides of the ocean to power generators and produce electricity. It is a newly developed renewable energy source, with few operating locations. Some major concerns with tidal energy, such as environmental impact, low efficiency, and zoning issues, prevent the growth of tidal as an energy source.
Wind power uses wind to spin turbines which produce electricity. It is free and renewable, but turbines have a large installation and maintenance cost. Turbines can also be visually unappealing or loud. New turbines without rotating blades are prominent technology in the field.
Solar power uses silicon panels to convert the sun's rays into electricity. While it is a free and renewable energy source, it is expensive to install solar panels and is usually inefficient. Researchers are working to concentrate cells so less area is required to harvest more sunlight.
Geothermal power uses the steam and heat beneath the Earth's surface to turn a generator which produces electricity. It is an efficient and renewable energy source, but can be costly to implement and requires some outside water and electricity to operate. It is also limited to certain areas.
Hydroelectric power uses running water to turn a generator and produce electricity. It is renewable, efficient, and can be used to provide water, but has extensive costs and requires a large area to operate. Energy companies are striving to reduce the costs of hydroelectric power.
Biomass energy uses biological materials, such as trees or corn, to be burned and give off heat energy. It is renewable but gives off Carbon Dioxide. Liquid biofuels can then be used to power transportation or other select technologies. Researchers are working to implement biofuels into much more of the technology today that currently uses fossil fuels.
Nuclear energy uses nuclear fission of elements such as uranium to produce heat, which is cooled by water to produce steam. The steam creates electricity by powering a generator. Nuclear energy is clean, and can produce large amounts of power, but reactors require extensive work to build and maintain, and are expensive.