What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative Energy (AE) is synonymous with the term renewable energy. Recent interest in AE resources has been brought about by a desire for:

• Independence from traditional power sources  (e.g. coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear),
• Decreased environmentally dangerous emissions, and
• Less price volatility as compared to the cost of fossil fuels (particularly oil).

Alternative Energy Technologies

There are five main alternative energy technologies:

• Solar technology, using solar panels,  harnesses the electromagnetic radiation from the sun and converts it into energy.
• Geothermal technology uses heat generated from within the Earth’s core and to heat buildings or drive steam turbines.
• Biomass technology burns organic material (e.g. wood and solid waste), converting it into methane gas, ethanol and chemical energy (heat).
• Hydro power technology uses the mechanical energy generated by falling water to drive a turbine that produces electricity via an electric generator.
• Wind technology harvests moving air molecules into kinetic energy (using wind power generators).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Energy

Alternative Energy sources satisfy the aforementioned desires, namely they

• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels and especially foreign oil, and
• Provide a cleaner (green) alternative with respect to air pollution.

However, they are typically higher in cost and are not currently as scalable to produce large quantities of electricity.