Emerging alternative energy sources are a testament to the importance of renewable energy, federal programs, and the power of grassroots organizing.
Billions of dollars have been spent on research and development to find viable alternatives to fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
The world is running out of fossil fuels.
It has been predicted that we will not be able to supply enough fuel for global energy needs in more than thirty years from now.
China burns three times as much coal as the United States, but its coal reserves are also dwindling rapidly.
Saudi Arabia has even less time before it runs out, with estimates ranging anywhere from ten to thirty years.
Europe has already begun searching for replacements for natural gas and Russia can no longer do without imported gas.
Because of these factors, many nations are turning to alternative energy sources to provide the answers that they so desperately need.
Many people have no idea that there are already many viable alternatives to fossil fuels.
While some people like to believe that the only alternative is nuclear energy, this is not the case.
Below are just twenty examples of alternative energy sources that work effectively and have been tried on a large scale.
Table of Contents
- 1) Landfill Gas Electricity Generation.
- 2) Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).
- 3) Tidal Power/Tidal Lagoons.
- 4) Biofuels.
- 5) Waste to Energy/Incineration with Energy Recovery
- 6) Solar Power / Photovoltaics (PV).
- 7) Wind power / Wind Turbines.
- 8) Hydroelectricity.
- 9) Geothermal Power Generation (GPG).
- 10) Ocean Thermal Electric Conversion (OTEC).
- 11) Cold Fusion (Low Energy Nuclear Reaction).
- 12) Clean Coal / Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
- 13) Shale Oil (Oil Sands and Shale Oil).
- 14) Tar Sand / Heavy Oil (Bitumen) – In Situ Oil Recovery (ISOR)
- 15) Ethanol Production
- 16) Solar Water Heating.
- Conclusion
1) Landfill Gas Electricity Generation.
One of the most popular forms of alternative energy is landfill gas electricity generation.
This technique is an exciting prospect because it deals with a problem that has been around for years.
Many people think that dumps are only there to clean up trash. But this is not the case, as these sites still emit gas that is hazardous to human health and harmful to our environment.
However, when this methane gas is collected and used in a nearby power plant, it can generate electricity that we all need while also taking care of two problems in one shot.
2) Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a plan to harvest the renewable and sustainable energy from the sea.
A machine is attached to the ocean floor, near where warm water rises.
As water heats up in the warm spot, it becomes less dense and will start floating on the cooler water below it.
The system then captures that warm, less-dense water with a pipe and uses its heat to make steam.
The steam is used to power a turbine generator that creates electricity.
OTEC works almost like solar cells because of how they are both constantly generating energy from sunlight.
In summary, as cold deep water flows over the heated shallow waters, it takes some of the heat with it.
This process creates an engine that can be used for energy production.
OTEC is still in its beginning stages but there are already many locations where this process has been put into practice successfully.
3) Tidal Power/Tidal Lagoons.
Tidal power or tidal lagoons are a form of alternative energy that has been around for centuries.
The power of the ocean tides has been used to generate electricity during the high and low tides in Swansea, Wales.
This system is still in place today and produces about 3 MWs of electricity.
A plan by Tidal Lagoon plc calls for the building of eleven lagoons along the Wales coastline to harness this energy more efficiently.
This new set up would be able to produce 120MWs of electricity which could power 100,000 homes in the area every year.
4) Biofuels.
Biofuels are considered to be a form of alternative fuel.
That means they are not created from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas.
They are created by the decomposition of organic matter in order to produce energy.
Biofuels can come from plants or animal oils. The most popular forms of biofuel are ethanol, biodiesel and biogasoline.
5) Waste to Energy/Incineration with Energy Recovery
Waste to Energy is a good way to make electricity.
It is when garbage that people throw away is burned, and the heat from it makes electricity.
This method is a great solution to the issue of what to do with garbage.
This process is still going on today, more than ever before because it provides so much energy for our use and benefits the environment as well.
6) Solar Power / Photovoltaics (PV).
Solar power is a popular form of alternative energy.
Sunlight can be used to generate electricity.
In order to do this, photovoltaic cells are used.
Photovoltaic cells are made from materials that only absorb sunlight.
They then use the light-generated energy to make electricity.
The efficiency of these cells has improved greatly over time and they are one of the more affordable options for generating alternative energy.
This makes them an attractive method for countries that want to produce their own power without relying on other sources of energy as much as they currently do.
7) Wind power / Wind Turbines.
Wind power is another type of alternative energy.
It is a newer form of energy, but it’s quickly gaining popularity because it’s so cost-effective and convenient.
Wind turbines work by taking in air through the wind.
This air enters the turbine and spins its blades. The blades are then connected to a generator which creates the electricity needed to power our homes and everyday life.
Wind turbines are cheaper than solar panels, but they’re not as plentiful in areas that need them most.
8) Hydroelectricity.
Hydroelectricity is the process of generating electricity from the power of water.
It can come from the kinetic energy produced by the flow of water or the gravitational potential energy during its fall from a reservoir, dam, or river.
The force created by the flowing water causes turbines in a hydroelectric power plant to spin.
As these turbines spin they are connected to generators that create electricity that can be used for our daily needs.
9) Geothermal Power Generation (GPG).
Geothermal power stations generate electricity by harnessing the Earth’s heat, which is where the term geothermal energy comes from.
This form of renewable energy is often considered to be more reliable than other forms because it doesn’t rely on weather conditions like wind or sunlight.
Geothermal power plants can be found in areas with natural resources like hot water or volcanic activity where the temperature underground is high enough for steam electric generators to operate efficiently.
So far, most geothermal power plants have been built along the coastline in order to use ocean water and temperature fluctuations as the “fuel” to generate electricity.
10) Ocean Thermal Electric Conversion (OTEC).
Ocean thermal electric conversion is the process of generating electricity from the temperature difference between the warmer surface water and the cooler deep water.
The warmer surface water is passed by a turbine that works under pressure to generate energy that can be used for everyday life needs.
OTEC plants are often found offshore, where they have easy access to these two temperatures of ocean water.
11) Cold Fusion (Low Energy Nuclear Reaction).
Cold fusion, also known as low energy nuclear reactions (LENR), is a controversial nuclear process.
Originally called “fusion at room temperature,” it is not currently recognized as a scientifically accepted technique of nuclear power production.
The term refers to the ability to sustain an energy-producing reaction inside a condensed matter system like metal or ceramics at below ambient temperatures without external input.
It is referenced in more general terms by phrases such as “low-energy transmutation” and “cold nuclear transmutation.”
The claims for cold fusion are primarily associated with experiments purported to produce net heat output from various devices, including cells called electrolytic cells and palladium.
12) Clean Coal / Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
The use of coal as a fuel for the production of energy is one of the leading causes of air pollution and acid rain.
Coal-fired power plants are one of the largest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions.
Increasingly, methods for removing or decreasing these emissions are being developed.
One such method is called CCS, which stands for “carbon capture and storage.”
This method involves capturing the CO2 from a coal-fired plant before it burns and stores it in an appropriate location.
One example of what this process might look like would be trapping the CO2 from burning coal with an amine scrubber and then injecting that into rock formations underground to create carbon dioxide deposits.
13) Shale Oil (Oil Sands and Shale Oil).
Shale oil or “oil sands” is a relatively new term used for the process of transforming kerogen into crude oil.
This is done by heating the material over an extended period which causes it to liquefy before trying to pump out the product, resulting in tar-like beads and small amounts of light crude oil.
This type of recoverable natural resource has more than doubled since 1952 and overtook water gas as an important source at that time.
The rich supplies are found in Canada, Caucasus region, Nigeria, Venezuela, and the U.S., taking up a quarter share among nations supplying 90%.
Production from this area increased rapidly between 2003 to 2008 but then fell back again during 2009-2010 following global recession.
14) Tar Sand / Heavy Oil (Bitumen) – In Situ Oil Recovery (ISOR)
Tar sand or heavy oil is a unique variety of natural resource that contains oil that is too viscous or thick to be pumped.
One method for extracting the crude oil is called “in situ oil recovery” – ISOR, which involves drilling large wells into the earth and then using steam-enhanced recovery methods to produce the oil, instead of pumping it out of the ground.
The process involves injecting steam underground through a wellbore to liquefy the heavy bitumen.
The methane gas, which is lighter than air, naturally rises in this process and can be collected as a byproduct.
The heavy bitumen remains underground and is then pumped out by producers.
15) Ethanol Production
Ethanol is a fuel that is made of organic compounds and was first known as ethyl alcohol.
It is often called “green energy” because it can be made from materials like corn, sugar cane, or wheat.
This type of fuel has a lower carbon footprint than gasoline since it is derived from renewable sources.
For these reasons it is an important research area in alternative energy sources.
16) Solar Water Heating.
Solar water heating systems are simple and relatively inexpensive.
The most common system consists of a water tank, solar heating panels, and a pump.
A collector pipe is located near the bottom of the tank and collects warm water from the panel.
The water is then pumped into the tank through a thermostat-controlled valve.
The sun heats up the water and provides an infinite source of hot water for your home.
Conclusion
The world is quickly moving to alternative energies as a way of reducing carbon emissions and we can’t wait until it’s complete.
We’ve got 16 different sources that will get you started on the path towards clean energy.
Which one are you interested in?
What do you think about our list so far?
Let us know what your favorite alternative source for power generation is!