Renewable Energy Guide

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The Renewable Energy The Renewable Energy The Renewable Energy The Renewable Energy

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Introduction to Renewable energy -----------------------------------------------5

Different types of renewable energy ---------------------------------------------5

Solar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

Different components used to make solar power: ------------------------------------------ 7

Important factors that impacts the efficiency of solar light panels: --------------------- 7

Following are some of applications of Solar Light Panels: ------------------------------- 7

Solar Energy Facts: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Wind ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

A Wind turbine includes the following parts: -------------------------------------------- 10

Types of wind turbines: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) --------------------------------------------------- 11

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) ------------------------------------------------------ 11

Wind Energy Facts --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

Geothermal --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

Three geothermal technologies currently used in the United States are: ------------- 14

Direct-use systems: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

Geothermal power plants: ------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

Geothermal heat pumps: --------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

Geothermal energy Facts: ------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Hydroelectric power ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17

Benefits: Why to opt them ------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

Hydro Electric Facts: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

Biomass ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20

Biomass Facts: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21

Fuel cell ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22

Benefits and facts of Fuel cells: ------------------------------------------------------------ 23

Ocean Energy------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24

1. Wave Energy: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 24

2. Tidal Energy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24

3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) ------------------------------------------ 25

Ocean Energy Facts: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

Energy consumption and renewable energy consumption ---------------- 27

Renewable energy Consumption: ------------------------------------------------------------- 27

Energy Consumption by Sector ---------------------------------------------------------------- 27

Residential ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27

Commercial ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 28

Industrial --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

Transportation --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

Renewable energy consumption and Electricity:-------------------------------------------- 30

The Potential of Renewable Energy ------------------------------------------- 35

Latest technological trends in the area --------------------------------------- 37

The Technologies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 37

Wind Energy-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37

Solar Energy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38

Biomass Energy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38

Aquatic Biofuels: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38

Geothermal Energy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 39

Political, Economical and environmental factors moving towards renewable energy ------------------------------------------------------------------ 40

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Benefits of using renewable energy ----------------------------------------------------------- 41

Benefits of Solar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 41

Benefits: Why to opt Wind power: --------------------------------------------------------- 42

Benefits of Using Biomass Energy --------------------------------------------------------- 43

Benefits: Why to opt Fuel cells ------------------------------------------------------------- 44

Benefits of Geothermal energy: ------------------------------------------------------------ 46

Benefits of Hydroelectric power: ----------------------------------------------------------- 47

Challenges in using Renewable Energy --------------------------------------- 48

Different challenges in using solar energy: -------------------------------------------------- 48

Wind power challenges ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49

Geothermal Challenges ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50

Hydroelectric power Challenges --------------------------------------------------------------- 51

Biomass Power Challenges --------------------------------------------------------------------- 52

Fuel cells and Challenges ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 53

Ocean Energy and Challenges ----------------------------------------------------------------- 53

Powering homes with their own renewable types of energy -------------- 54

DIY Solar Energy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54

DIY Wind Energy:------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55

DIY Solar Wind energy: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 55

The Future for Renewable Energy -------------------------------------------- 56

Renewable energy products available in the market ----------------------- 57

Solar Charger: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 57

Solar Attic Fan ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 58

Solar lights ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 59

Solar bricks --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60

Solar-Powered Security Camera: -------------------------------------------------------------- 60

Wind Energy Kit for Boat ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 60

Wind & Solar Hybrid System: ----------------------------------------------------------------- 60

Water pumping Windmills: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 61

A Fuel cell vehicle: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 62

Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62

References: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64

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IntroIntroIntroIntroduction to duction to duction to duction to Renewable energyRenewable energyRenewable energyRenewable energy

We all are answerable for climate change and it is our responsibility to work for its solution. In

the past century, it has been noticed that the consumption of non-renewable sources of energy

has caused more environmental damage than any other human activity. Electricity generated

from fossil fuels has led to high concentrations of injurious gases in the atmosphere.

In spite of the harmful effects, the price of the fuels is pushing relentlessly upwards. The reason

is that the demand is exceeding supply by a few million barrels a day and the gap is getting

wider.

The need of the hour is sustainable, clean and green energy. We can no longer afford to spew

out tones of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, nor can we easily cope with the rising fuel

prices anymore. The myth of inexhaustible natural reserves has been dispelled. We’re

surrounded by many renewable sources of energy, merely waiting to be tapped into.

Renewable energy is the energy derived from natural processes that are replenished frequently.

Renewable sources can avoid above problems by using energy sources that either will last

longer than the human race or can be regenerated. Most renewable energy sources are

environmentally friendly, can fight global warming by reducing carbon emissions and also allow

the economies to lessen their dependencies on politically turbulent nations. Renewable energy

is the energy generated from solar, wind, rain, tides, hydropower, biomass, geothermal

resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources.

Different types of renewable energyDifferent types of renewable energyDifferent types of renewable energyDifferent types of renewable energy

Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are constantly renewed in a short

period of time. Renewable sources of energy differ widely in their cost-effectiveness and their

availability around the world. Though water, wind, and solar may appear free, but their cost

comes in assembling, harnessing, and transporting the energy that could be used. For instance,

to make use of energy from water, a dam with electric generators and transmission lines is

required.

• Renewable energy sources used most often are:

• Solar

• Wind

• Geothermal

• Hydropower

• Biomass

• Hydrogen

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SolarSolarSolarSolar

Solar energy is the cleanest and inexhaustible of all known energy sources. Solar energy is the

light, heat and other radiation that is released from the sun. Solar radiation holds huge amounts

of energy and is responsible for almost all the natural processes on earth.

Science behind the Working of Solar light Panels:

Solar light Panels have photovoltaic cells or Solar Cells which are arranged in a grid-like pattern

on its surface. Solar cells are made of special materials for example silicon. When the solar

energy falls on Solar light Panels, this energy knocks electrons loose and allows them to flow

freely. The solar cells have the electric field that makes the loose electrons to move in certain

direction, which is a current. To take out this current off for external use we place metal

contacts on the top and bottom of our solar cell. This is the basic process. But to understand it

better let’s consider one example of solar cell: the single-crystal silicon cell.

(Source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mafate_Marla_solar_panel_dsc00633.jpg)

Silicon in its crystalline form has some unique chemical properties. One single atom of silicon

has 14 electrons that are arranged in three diverse shells. The first two inner shells which are

closest to the nucleus are completely full. The outer shell has just four electrons. The outer shell

is short of four electrons to make it full or stable; therefore a silicon atom will always look for

ways to fill up its last shell. For completing its outer shell, it will share the four electrons with its

neighboring silicon atoms. This results in the formation of the crystalline structure. This was the

explanation of pure crystalline silicon, which is a poor conductor of electricity. It means all the

electrons are fully locked.

Solar cells have the silicon however with impurities and these impurities are put there for

making it more conducting. Let’s think about an atom of silicon along with that of phosphorous

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which has five electrons inside its outer shell. When it bonds with its adjacent silicon atoms,

there is one electron in phosphorous that is free. While energy or heat is added to it, the

majority of these electrons go free, and therefore we have a lot of free carriers. The process of

addition of impurities is called doping. When silicon atom is doped with phosphorous, then the

resultant silicon which we get is called N-type ("n" for negative) because of the dominance of

free electrons which are negatively charged.

Actually, by this we got an N-type part of our solar cell. To get the other part silicon atom is

doped with boron that has three electrons in place of four in its outer shell, to turn into P-type

silicon. In this P-type silicon ("p" for positive) we have free holes.

When we put N-type silicon collectively with P-type silicon, the free electrons from the N side,

which necessitates holes to fall into, found the free holes on the P side, and they rush to fill

them in. This completes the electric field that makes our solar cell work.

Different components used to make solar power:Different components used to make solar power:Different components used to make solar power:Different components used to make solar power:

• Solar cells, which are commonly called PV panels

• One or more batteries

• Charge regulator for a stand-alone system

• Inverter, when alternating current (ac) rather than direct current (dc) is required

• Wiring

• Mounting hardware or a framework.

Important factors that impacts the efficiency of solar light pImportant factors that impacts the efficiency of solar light pImportant factors that impacts the efficiency of solar light pImportant factors that impacts the efficiency of solar light panels:anels:anels:anels:

• Reflectivity of the cell surface

• Efficiency is also affected by the amount of light blocked by the surface electrodes lying

on the front of the cell.

• Operating temperature of the cell also affects the efficiency, hotter a cell gets the less

current it produces. Inherently, solar cells in use get hot, so it is important to mount

them in such a way that they are cooled to keep current production at its maximum.

• Take care that the batteries used for your system are suitable for the application. As the

batteries used in these systems are discharged and recharged slowly.

Following are some of applications of Solar Light Panels:Following are some of applications of Solar Light Panels:Following are some of applications of Solar Light Panels:Following are some of applications of Solar Light Panels:

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• "Stand-Alone" PV Systems: This is most simple PV systems that produce direct-current

(dc) electricity so it can be used right-away to run fans, water pumps, and many other

appliances that use dc electricity.

• Battery Storage PV Systems: These can be designed to power equipment that needs DC

or AC electricity. People running ac equipment can add an inverter which is a power

conditioning device between the batteries and the load.

• PV Systems having Backup Generator Power: It is best suited for the situations in which

remote or non-grid-connected power is needed and that power must always be

available.

• Hybrid Power Systems: These systems are ideal for remote applications like military

installations, communication stations, and rural villages

• PV Systems and Net Metering: This allows homeowners to get the full value of the

electricity which their solar energy system produces.

Solar EnergSolar EnergSolar EnergSolar Energy Facts:y Facts:y Facts:y Facts:

• NASA estimated that the Sun gives or irradiates the earth 174 Petawatts (Pw) of solar

energy every day. Out of this roughly 30% of energy is reflected back to space, and

another major share is absorbed by our atmosphere. Even if we get only 10% of this

energy which is about 17.4 Pw per day, it is still more than the whole daily energy

requirement worldwide. [#1]

• Do you know out of total solar radiation that falls on our solar panel how much energy

does our Solar cell absorb? Sorry to say that our simple solar panel can absorb only

about 14 % or less.

• Solar Energy is measured in kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts.

• 1-kilowatt home solar system consists of about 10-12 solar panels and requires about

100 square feet of installation area. [#2]

• Solar thermal technology can also create electricity by creating steam to power

generators.

• In 1990, a solar powered airplane flew across the U.S.[#2]

• The "solar panel" accounts for between 40-50% of the total cost of an installed solar

energy system. [#2]

• During the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci already had plans for solar concentrators in

his notebooks.

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• In just one hour, the earth receives more energy from the sun than the entire world

uses during a whole year.[#3]

• Solar energy can produce lighting for indoor or outdoor use. It can be used to heat

swimming pools, power cars, and small appliances. You can even cook food with solar

energy.

• It is calculated (from a William Marsh Rice University a.k.a. Rice University whitepaper)

that it would take 25000 square kilometers of solar panels to produce all of the U.S.

Electricity needs for one year, and there is definitely this amount of land available in the

United States. [#4]

• According to a global price survey, solar energy prices have declined an average of 4%

per year for the past 10 to 15 years.

• A 1-kilowatt home solar system will prevent approximately 170 lbs. of coal from being

burned, 300 lbs of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere and 105 gallons of

water from being consumed each month! [#2]

Considering the advantages and facts of solar energy, need to build solar power is clear. The

advantages range from benefiting our pocket to the environment. Installing solar panels or solar

lights, etc., may be costly in the beginning but you can definitely save money in the long run. As

solar energy is available for free in comparison to rising cost of oil, which means future

$aving$..... Wind is another form of solar energy, we can combine the power of wind with solar

to expand the use and reliability. Wind energy combined with solar or as a standalone energy

source is a good solution.

Wind Wind Wind Wind

Wind is a form of solar energy. The irregular heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the

irregularities of the earth's surface, plus rotation of the earth causes winds. This wind energy,

when "harvested" by wind turbines produces energy which can be trapped to generate

electricity and carry out many functions.

For hundreds of years human beings have used wind to pump water or grind grain. Modern

wind turbines are used to produce electricity, either for individual use or for contribution to a

utility power grid.

Now days, wind energy is the world’s fastest-growing energy technology. Wind turbines with

strong, steady winds can cost-effectively generate electricity with no pollutants. Wind turbines

generally have two or three blades. As winds above the ground tend to be faster and less

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turbulent than those near the surface, the turbines are mounted on tall towers to capture the

most energy.

Science behind the Working of Wind Turbines:

(Source:

http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons/5/52/EERE_illust_large_turbine.gif)

Wind energy is generated by the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical

power or electricity. When wind moves over the turbine blades, it generates a lift. The lift makes

the blades rotate and hence rotate the shaft. The rotating shaft moves a magnetic field in the

generator, which in turn creates electricity.

A A A A Wind turbine includeWind turbine includeWind turbine includeWind turbine includes thes thes thes the following parts: following parts: following parts: following parts:

• Gearbox – Gear box connects the low and high-speed shaft to each other

• Blades - wind blowing over the blades causes them to lift and rotate

• Hub - the sphere object used to mount the blades on

• Generator – Generator creates at least 60-cycle AC electricity

• Tower – Tower is the metal pole the turbine operates from. Tower is at least 100 feet

off the ground so that the turbine can capture the least turbulent wind

• Rotor hub – Rotor hub is the hub and the blades together

• Yaw drive – Yaw drive is required only for an upwind turbine; it keeps the rotor facing

the wind

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• Yaw motor – It provides power for the yaw drive

• Nacelle – Nacelle sits on top of the tower and clings to the gear box

• Low-speed shaft – It is turned by the rotor at a rate of 30 to 60 rotations every minute

• High-speed shaft – It connects to the generator and drives it

• Anemometer –Anemometer is used to measures the speed of the wind

TTTTypes of wind turbines:ypes of wind turbines:ypes of wind turbines:ypes of wind turbines:

HorizontalHorizontalHorizontalHorizontal----axis wind turbines (HAWT)axis wind turbines (HAWT)axis wind turbines (HAWT)axis wind turbines (HAWT)

Horizontal-axis wind turbines are the turbines in which the axis of the rotor's rotation is parallel

to the wind stream and the ground. Every one of grid-connected commercial wind turbines

today are built with a horizontal axis.

HAWTs have the main rotor shaft and electrical generator at the top of a tower, which must be

pointed into the wind. Small turbines uses simple wind vane, whereas large turbines usually use

a wind sensor coupled with a servo motor. Most of these turbines have a gearbox, which turns

the slow rotation of the blades into a faster rotation that is more appropriate to drive an

electrical generator.

VerticalVerticalVerticalVertical----axis wind turbines (VAWT)axis wind turbines (VAWT)axis wind turbines (VAWT)axis wind turbines (VAWT)

VAWTs have the main rotor shaft arranged vertically. Main advantages of this arrangement are

that the turbines need not to be pointed into the wind to be effective. This is a big advantage on

sites wherever the wind direction is highly variable.

They are omni-directional which implies that it can

instantly accept wind from any direction unlike Horizontal

Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) which have to constantly

rotate so that they are facing the wind.

VAWT is near the ground, having all of the main

components close to the ground, so the tower doesn't

need to support it, and it is more accessible for

maintenance.

Windmill blades play an important role in improving the

efficiency of a wind turbine. Although at the beginning

wind turbines were somehow inefficient, but people

learned to develop them and to make the windmills a desirable source of energy. Many more

shapes and materials have and will be used for windmill blades and people start using more and

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more this alternative source of energy that will not only save our money, but also our

environment.

Wind Energy FactsWind Energy FactsWind Energy FactsWind Energy Facts

• Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced renewable sources of energy.

• Wind energy is the fastest growing section of all renewable energy sources.

• Wind energy is incredibly exploited in Germany where Germany leads the way with

8750 MW of electrical energy produced from wind energy. [#5]

• Wind energy is more used in Europe than in America, because of favorable climate

conditions and because of USA traditional relying on fossil fuels. [#5]

• Wind energy is mainly transformed form of the Sun's energy. Wind energy is airflows

created by different air temperatures in different locations. The sun does all these

Earthly dynamics. That’s why wind energy is solar energy.

• If properly developed, wind power could successfully reduce carbon emissions in the US

by at least one third every year and help realize a global carbon dioxide reduction of 4%

yearly.

• In 2006, seven wind turbines off the coast of Dublin, Ireland, represent the largest wind

turbines in the world with a capacity of 3.6 MW each. By 2009, the largest wind farm is

positioned in the US. It is the Florida Power and Light's Horse Hollow Wind Energy

Center, in Taylor County, Texas. It has 421 wind turbines having a capacity of 735

megawatts.

• In 2005 wind energy generated less than 1% of global energy and generated 58,982 MW

worldwide. By end 2008 it measured 27,051 MW. 8% of Europe electricity is derived

from wind, well ahead of coal and natural gas. The US is the country with the largest

wind energy capacity and China exceeded its 2010 target of 10,000 to reach 12,200 MW.

[#7]

• At the 2004 Wind Energy expo in Hamburg, Germany Danish company LM Glasfiber

aired out the world's longest windmill blade. The blade was 61.5 meters long and

weighed in at just less than 18 tons, which as far as 61.5 meter windmill blades go, is

extremely light. When three blades are positioned on a windmill they have a rotary

diameter of 126 meters. [#8]

• Wind energy theory was discovered in 1919 by the German physicist Albert Betz and

published in his book “Wind-Energie”. [#5]

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• In 1995, the cost of electricity generated from gas and coal was between 3 and 4 US

cents per kilowatt-hour, nuclear power cost 10 to 14 cents, wind power was 5 to 7 cents

and solar photovoltaic power was 25 to 40 cents. But the price gap between non-

renewable and renewable energy is closing. By 2030, wind, solar and biomass power

may cost less than fossil or nuclear fuels. [#6]

Wind energy contributes to diversification of energy sources and decreases dependence from

fuel imports, increasing energy security of the country. Geothermal energy is another good

option of renewable energy, which helps us to tap the vast energy below Earth surface.

GeothermalGeothermalGeothermalGeothermal

Do you know that Earth’s center can reach 12000 degrees Fahrenheit? Just imagine if we could

tap that heat for our own use. Geothermal systems do just that. Geothermal energy is the

energy that is generated by heat stored beneath the Earth's surface. Geothermal energy taps

the Earth’s internal heat for lot of purposes including electric power production, heating and

cooling of buildings.

Working or Principle behind Geothermal Power Plant:

(Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geothermal_energy_methods.png)

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In Geothermal Power Plant energy is generated by drilling deep holes into the earths crust.

Geothermal power source is continuously available.

Three geothermal technologies currently used iThree geothermal technologies currently used iThree geothermal technologies currently used iThree geothermal technologies currently used in the United States are: n the United States are: n the United States are: n the United States are:

• Direct-use systems

• Geothermal power plants

• Geothermal heat pumps

DirectDirectDirectDirect----use systems:use systems:use systems:use systems:

In these systems, a well is drilled into a geothermal reservoir to supply a steady stream of hot

water. The water is brought up from the well, and with the help of piping, a heat exchanger, and

controls the heat is delivered directly for its intended use. A disposal system in some cases

injects the cooled water underground or disposes of it in a surface storage pond. This

Geothermal hot water is used for many purposes including heating buildings, raising plants in

greenhouses, heating water for fish farms, drying crops, or for industrial processes.

Geothermal power plants:Geothermal power plants:Geothermal power plants:Geothermal power plants:

In these systems geothermal hot water or steam is used to generate electricity. Older types of

geothermal power plants uses steam from the deep wells to directly drive a turbine to produce

electricity. Nowadays Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal power

plants. They use very hot water which is pumped under high pressure to the generation

equipment at the surface. Water is vaporized and the vapor drives turbines to generate

electricity.

Geothermal heat pumps:Geothermal heat pumps:Geothermal heat pumps:Geothermal heat pumps:

Geothermal heat pumps rely on the fact that below the surface, the Earth remains at a relatively

constant temperature all through the year, warmer than the air over it in the winter and cooler

in the summer. This heat pump transfers heat stored in the ground into a building in winter and

it transfers the heat out of the building and back into the ground in summer. The geothermal

heat pump has series of pipes, buried in the ground close to a building to be conditioned. Fluid is

circulated all the way through the pipes to either absorb heat from the ground or distribute heat

to the ground. These Geothermal heat pumps are used for space heating and cooling in

addition to water heating, for residential and commercial applications.

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Geothermal energy Facts:Geothermal energy Facts:Geothermal energy Facts:Geothermal energy Facts:

• Geothermal power stations are relatively small, and have a lesser impact on the

environment than for instance hydroelectric plants.

• Geothermal energy is clean and safe for the surrounding environment.

• The most active geothermal resources are usually found along major plate boundaries

where earthquakes and volcanoes are concentrated. Most of the geothermal activity in

the world occurs in an area called the Ring of Fire. This area rims the Pacific Ocean. [#9]

• For every 100 meters you go below ground, the temperature of the rock increases about

3 degrees Celsius. Or for every 328 feet below ground, the temperature increases 5.4

degrees Fahrenheit. [#9]

• Geothermal energy is sustainable because hot water can be re-injected into the ground.

• Geothermal energy is extremely price competitive in suitable areas.

• Geothermal energy is main energy source in Iceland.

• Iceland is situated in an area with a high concentration of volcanoes, making it an ideal

location for generating geothermal energy. Over 26% of Iceland's electrical energy is

generated from geothermal sources. In addition, geothermal heating is used to heat

87% of homes in Iceland. Icelanders plan to be 100% non-fossil fuel in the near future.

[#9]

• Geothermal energy is very important energy source in volcanically active places such as

New Zealand and Iceland.

• Geothermal energy can be found in the form of volcanoes, hot springs and geysers.

• Geothermal energy use has very low emissions of greenhouse gases to about three

percent of the carbon dioxide emissions of a fossil power station.

• Geothermal energy is widely used in California with more than 30 geothermal power

plants that are producing more than 90 % of the geothermal electricity in the USA. [#10]

• Geothermal energy's amount of electricity is less than 1 percent of total electricity

produced in the USA. [#10]

• Geothermal energy has minimum negative environmental impact.

• Geothermal energy is giving 18 % of Iceland's total electricity. [#10]

• Geothermal energy could produce 10 percent of US electricity by the year 2050. [#10]

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• Geothermal energy could supply US with more than 30,000 MW of power by 2025.

[#10]

• Geothermal energy doesn't depend on the sun like other renewable energy resources.

• Geothermal energy widely exploited in Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Philippines

and in USA mostly in California and Nevada.

• Geothermal energy is extremely efficient (almost 100 %) energy source where only real

source of losing energy is from turbine friction.

• Geothermal energy has only one real problem and that is lack of easily accessible sites.

• Geothermal energy's advantage is also the fact that geothermal power plants run

continuously day and night with an uptime typically exceeding 95%.

Geothermal energy is cheap renewable energy resource that is also ecologically acceptable. But

this energy is not easily available in all areas, so it should be exploited at least at the areas

where this energy is easily available (edges of tectonic plates). This would lessen the pressure on

fossil fuels and will help Earth to recover from dangerous greenhouse gases. Hydroelectric

power is another good source of renewable energy which is by-far the most popular and

supplies between 15-20% of the world's electricity.

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Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric power

The hydroelectric power plants or Dams are used to generate electricity from water on large

scale basis. The hydroelectric power plant is built across the large river which has sufficient

quantity of water. In case the river is large, more than one dam can also be built across the river

but at different locations. Flowing water generates energy which can be captured and turned

into electricity. This is called hydropower or hydroelectric power.

Working or Principle behind Hydroelectric Power Plant:

The water that flows in the river possesses two type of energy: the kinetic energy which is due

to flow of water and potential energy which is due to the height of water.

In hydroelectric power plants potential energy of water is utilized to generate electricity.

(Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydroelectric_dam.png)

Water is made to fall with a high force. The force of the water being released through the dam

falls on the blades of turbine, which is turned by the moving water. The shaft from the turbine

goes into the generator, which generates the power. Power lines are linked to the generator

which carries electricity to the homes or factories. When ever the water is done going through

the turbine, the water go back to the river.

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Benefits: Why to opt themBenefits: Why to opt themBenefits: Why to opt themBenefits: Why to opt them

• Inexhaustible fuel source: Hydroelectric power plants use water to generate electricity

which is renewable and is inexhaustible.

• Clean source of energy: Since the hydroelectric power plants don’t burn any fuel no

pollution is created. It does not emit any harmful gases or particulate matter, thus keeps

the atmosphere clean and healthy for living.

• Cost of electricity is constant: Since it does not require any fuel to produce electricity;

the cost of electricity produced by them is more or less constant.

• Saves lot of local currency: Hydroelectric power plants do not depend on the cost of

fuels like coal, oil and natural gas in the international market. The country doesn’t have

to import the fuel, thus saving lots of local currency.

• Check floods: The Hydroelectric power plants prevent floods in the areas adjoining the

large rivers.

• Irrigation: Water from the Hydroelectric power plants can also be used for the irrigation

of farm lands therefore producing the agriculture outputs throughout the year even in

the areas where there is insufficient or no rainfall.

• Long life: The life of hydroelectric power plants is long. There are hydroelectric power

plants that were built more than 50-100 years ago and are still running.

• Hydroelectric power plants require relatively low operations and maintenance costs.

• The technology is trustworthy and proven over time.

• Withstand high peak daily loads

• Water sports and gardens: In surrounding area of the dams the water from reservoir can

be used to develop public recreational facilities like water parks for water sports and

gardens.

Hydro Electric Hydro Electric Hydro Electric Hydro Electric Facts:Facts:Facts:Facts:

• Hydroelectricity is by far the most popular form of renewable energy, and supplies

between 15-20% of the world's electricity. [#11]

• Hydroelectric projects normally results in the damage to aquatic habitats and

ecosystems and also to the surrounding indigenous communities. [#11]

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• Hydropower today provides about 20 % of the world's electricity and is the main energy

source for more than 30 countries. [#12]

• Hydropower's advantage over other renewable energy sources is the fact that average

rainfall is highly predictable and therefore output is reliable and river flow doesn't

fluctuate from minute to minute like is the case with wind energy. [#12]

• Hydropower can also be used for water supply, flood control, irrigation and even

recreation purposes.

• Hydropower doesn't pollute the air but construction and work of the dams can affect

natural water systems.

• Hydropower accounts for 70 % of produced electricity in northwestern United States.

[#12]

• The first hydroelectric power station in history started producing electricity in 1882,

according to the Library of Congress web site. It was located in the state of Wisconsin,

and used the Fox River for electrical generation. [#13]

Hydroelectric Dams are used for generating the electricity from water's energy. Problems occurs

during the summer months when natural flow gets low for hydroelectric's functioning. In that

case, the dam must be sealed and it's essential to at least sustain water level which is biological

minimum. There are other renewable energies available like Biomass power which is another

good option.

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BiomassBiomassBiomassBiomass

The term Biomass often refers to organic material such as timber and crops grown particularly

to be burnt to generate heat and power. Biomass power is power acquired from the energy in

plants and plant-derived resources, such as food crops, grassy and woody plants, remains from

agriculture or forestry, and the organic constituent of municipal and industrial wastes. The high-

yielding energy crops like trees and grasses, coupled with high-efficiency conversion

technologies, can supplement our use of fossil fuels and help us take action to global climate

change concerns. Agricultural crops and residues, industrial wood and logging residues, farm

animal wastes, and the organic portion of municipal waste all are biomass feedstock.

We need to make sustainable use of plants or trees as fuel, and replant them as we harvest

them. As long as biomass is produced sustainably by only using as much as is grown—the

battery will last forever. Biofuel technologies can competently transform the energy in biomass

into transportation, heating, and electricity generating fuels.

Working or Principle behind Biopower:

Electricity generated from biomass or biopower uses many different technologies to generate

electricity. The most widespread is burning of wood or other feed stocks to produce steam

which is then used to drive turbines and generate electricity. Some generators make use of a

mix of biomass and fossil fuels to produce electricity, whereas others burn methane, a result of

the natural decay of organic materials. In the US, the pulp and paper industries are main

producers of biopower.

(Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cornfield_near_Sulhamstead_-

_geograph.org.uk_-_22984.jpg)

Biomass is a renewable energy source since the energy it encloses comes from the sun. During

the process of photosynthesis, chlorophyll in plants captures the sun's energy. Chlorophyll also

converts carbon dioxide from the air and water from the ground into carbohydrates which are

complex compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. On burning these

carbohydrates, they turn back into carbon dioxide and water and also release the sun's energy

they contain. Like this, biomass functions as a natural battery for storing solar energy. We

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should make sustainable use of plants or trees as fuel, and replant them as we harvest them -

with the intention that the carbon is reabsorbed in a continuous and virtuous cycle.

Biomass Biomass Biomass Biomass Facts:Facts:Facts:Facts:

• Biomass can be used to make electricity. Many towns burn their garbage in waste-to-

energy plants. Instead of putting the garbage in landfills, they burn it to make electricity.

• Biomass is not fossilized material (like oil, coal and gas) but fresh material that can grow

again after having been harvested.

• Modern biomass is used to produce power and heat in large-scale facilities: solid

biomass, biogas, biofuel or biodiesel.

• Biomass can be used to make an energy-rich gas called biogas. Biogas is like the natural

gas we use in our stoves and furnaces.

• Like crude oil refining, it is expected that plant biomass will be fractionated into its

different component parts, which will then be used for the production of a wide variety

of fuels, materials and fine chemicals. [#14]

• Biomass is becoming increasingly interesting as a source of heating for rural districts.

Biomass will be the most important fuel for rural households particularly in their

cooking and agriculture activities such as crop drying.

• The forest biomass is currently the most expensive fuel for the power plants and the

market structure will not support transport of much more than 50 miles from the forest

to the biomass power plant.

• Biomass includes varied organic matter like grass, leaves, wood, wood chips, rice husk,

peanut shells, sugarcane fiber, sewage etc. [#15]

• The source of biomass energy is mainly found in rural areas. Biomass energy production

is a labor intensive activity and hence, can be a good source of employment for rural

population. [#15]

• Almost 10% of the biomass energy consumed in the United States comes from garbage

which is called municipal solid waste (MSW). The biogenic material like paper,

cardboard, food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, leather goods etc. form the source of

biomass energy in MSW. This biomass is used to produce electricity. [#15]

Biopower as explained can no doubt help in reducing green house gases emission; let’s update

our self with the Hydrogen Fuel cells which is really a clean power that emits only pure water.

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There are no toxic emissions even if electricity is generated in schools, hospitals, homes and

factories.

Fuel cellFuel cellFuel cellFuel cell

Fuel cell operates just like a battery. But unlike a battery, a fuel cell does not require recharging.

It will generate energy in the form of electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied.

Working or Principle behind fuel cells:

A fuel cell comprises of two conductors (an anode and a cathode) which are separated by an

electrolyte solution – (e.g. a salt solution). Hydrogen is passed to the anode, and oxygen is

passed to the cathode. Hydrogen reacts with charged particles or ions in the electrolyte, results

in the production of water and electrons. The electrons then leave the fuel cell along wires; this

is nothing but the electric current generated by the cell. The electrons return to the fuel cell

cathode where these electrons combine with oxygen and water to create ions which replace

those consumed at the anode. And this way the cycle continues, with hydrogen and oxygen

being turned into water while generating electricity.

(Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fuelcell.en.JPG)

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Benefits and facts of Fuel cells:Benefits and facts of Fuel cells:Benefits and facts of Fuel cells:Benefits and facts of Fuel cells:

• Does not release global warming gases- As hydrogen is obtained from renewable energy

sources, no global warming gases are emitted. Hydrogen fuel cell systems store

alternating solar and wind power so there is no requirement of back -up generators

powered by fossil fuels. Hydrogen can also be acquired from wave, tidal, biomass or

waste energy sources.

• Quiet operation- Fuel cells can generate electricity efficiently and quietly on the site

where it is needed.

• Security of supply- There is a security of supply in fuel cells, as hydrogen can be obtained

from using the renewable and indigenous resources of sun, wind, wave, waste, biomass

or tidal power.

• Environmental impacts of fuel cells- Fuel cells make energy electrochemically and do not

burn fuel; fuel cells are basically more efficient than combustion systems.

• High Benefits- Benefits that fuel cells offer, no other energy generating technology holds

those benefits. If only 20% of cars used fuel cells, America could cut oil imports by

roughly 1.5 million barrels every day. [#16]

• Fuel cells are used in powering trains, buses, boats, planes, scooters, forklifts, even

bicycles.

• A fuel cell produces direct current (DC) voltage which can be used to power motors,

lights or any number of electrical appliances.

• Fuel cells are used in wastewater treatment plants and landfills to convert the methane

gas produced there into electricity.

• Fuel cells are also used in vending machines, vacuum cleaners and highway road signs.

• Fuel cells are providing power to hospitals, credit card centers, police stations, and

banks.

• Telecommunications – Now days as the use of computers, the Internet, and

communication networks are steadily increasing, there arises a need for more reliable

power than is available on the current electrical grid, and fuel cells have proven to be up

to 99.9% reliable.

• Fuel cell car's overall efficiency is about 60 percent. In comparison, the overall efficiency

of a typical gasoline-fueled vehicle is only about 20 percent [#17].

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OOOOceanceanceancean EnergyEnergyEnergyEnergy

Oceans which cover more than 70% of Earth's surface contain two types of energy:

• mechanical energy from tides and waves

• Thermal energy from the sun’s heat

Three ways to tap the energy from the ocean are:

1. Wave Energy:1. Wave Energy:1. Wave Energy:1. Wave Energy:

Ocean waves are driven primarily by the winds. Wave energy having the potential to provide an

unlimited source of renewable energy, can be extracted and transformed into electricity by

wave power machines. These machines can be installed either on the shoreline or in deeper

waters offshore.

Ocean wave energy is the form of kinetic energy which exists in the moving waves of the ocean.

As waves are originated by blowing winds over the surface of the ocean, this kinetic energy can

be used to power a turbine. As the wave rises into a chamber, the rising water forces the air

away of the chamber. The moving air spins a turbine which can spin a generator. As the wave

departs downward, air flows through the turbine and back into the chamber through doors

which are normally closed.

This is just one type to extract wave-energy. Others use the up and down motion of the wave to

power a piston which moves up and down inside a cylinder. And this piston can also turn a

generator.

2. Tidal Energy2. Tidal Energy2. Tidal Energy2. Tidal Energy

Tidal energy is another form of ocean energy, caused principally by the interaction of the

gravitational fields of the earth, moon and sun. The coastal water level varies twice every day.

Alternatively filling and emptying of natural basins along the shoreline can be exploited to turn

mechanical devices to produce electricity.

The technology required to generate electricity from tidal energy is similar to that used in

hydroelectric power plants. When tides move toward the shore, they can be trapped in

reservoirs behind dams. And when the tide drops, the water behind the dam can be let out

similar to that in a regular hydroelectric power plant.

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3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) 3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) 3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) 3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

Oceans cover almost two-third of Earth's surface makes them the world's largest solar

collectors. The sun's heat warms the surface water more than the deep ocean water. In Ocean

Thermal Energy Conversion, electricity is generated using this temperature difference to

generate power. OTEC gives best results when the temperature difference between the warmer

(top layer of the ocean) and the colder (deep ocean water) is about 20°C. The appropriate

conditions exist in tropical coastal areas, generally between the Tropic of Capricorn and the

Tropic of Cancer.

Ocean Energy Ocean Energy Ocean Energy Ocean Energy Facts:Facts:Facts:Facts:

1. Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, making them the world’s largest solar

energy collectors. The oceans constitute the largest powerhouse on Earth. [#18]

2. Ocean energy is mostly in an experimental stage but some of its component

technologies have the potential to become mainstream energy sources and are now

being trialed.

3. Ocean tides constitute a clean and inexhaustible energy source, free from the climatic

irregularities which are a constraint on wind and solar power.

4. One of the world’s most suitable sites is the estuary of the river Rance, in western

France, where the difference between high and low tides averages 8.17 meters, peaking

at 13.5 meters during the equinoxes. [#18]

5. The biggest problem in developing renewable ocean energy is obtaining the necessary

capital to prove the technology.

6. The cost of electricity from ocean energy is of the order of about a factor two compared

to other electricity renewable energy sources.

7. The largest but most experimental form of ocean energy is ocean thermal energy

conversion, which taps heat stored in the ocean to generate electricity.

8. Ocean Energy is recognized in the new US Energy Bill. The US Department of Energy is

focusing its hydro capacity toward ocean energy.

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9. Using current technologies, most ocean energy is not cost-effective compared to other

renewable energy sources, but the ocean remains and important potential energy

source for the future.

10. Ocean energy has the potential to deliver ten million terra-watt hours of electricity per

year.

11. According to the survey of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural

Organization (Ho, 2003), the global reserve of ocean energy was 73.6 TW, in which

around 40 TW was OTEC. [#18]

12. The cost of ocean energy systems will reduce as the numbers of devices produced, per

offshore development, increase. However, unless the devices can be arranged

effectively in an array, large scale deployment will not be commercially viable.

13. The oldest tidal power plant was set up 1965 on the Rance River in northwestern France

with 24, 10MW generators. It has functioned without fail ever since. Other plants exist

in Russia, Canada and China. [#19]

14. Some areas of the world have better wave power potential than others. A few of the

best areas include the western coasts of Scotland, northern Canada, southern Africa,

Australia, and the northeastern and northwestern coasts of the United States. In the

Pacific Northwest alone, wave energy could potentially produce 40–70 kilowatts (kW)

per meter (3.3 feet) of western coastline, and the west coast of the U.S. is more than a

1,000 miles long. [#20]

15. Worldwide, venture capital investments in ocean power companies have risen from $8

million in 2005 to $82 million in 2008, according to the Cleantech Group. [#20]

Ocean energy sector certainly needs more research to ensure cost-effectiveness. As oceans

cover roughly two thirds of earth's surface, they present renewable energy source with

tremendous potential and definitely worth further exploration.

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EnEnEnEnergy consumption and renewable energy consumptionergy consumption and renewable energy consumptionergy consumption and renewable energy consumptionergy consumption and renewable energy consumption Renewable energy offers our planet an opening to diminish Carbon emissions, clean the air, and

put our civilization on a more sustainable footing. It in addition offers countries around the

world the opportunity to improve their energy security and encourage economic development.

In 2008, total worldwide energy consumption was 474 exajoules (474×1018 J) with 80 to 90

percent derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. This is equivalent to an average power

consumption rate of 15 terawatts (1.504×1013 W). [#21]

Renewable energy Consumption:Renewable energy Consumption:Renewable energy Consumption:Renewable energy Consumption:

In 2006, nearly 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13%

coming from traditional biomass, which is mostly used for heating, and 3% from

hydroelectricity. New renewables (like modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels)

accounted for another 2.4% and are growing very rapidly. The share of renewables in electricity

generation is about 18%, with 15% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3.4%

from new renewables. Renewable energy consumption grew by 7 percent between 2007 and

2008, in spite of a 2 percent decline in total U.S. energy consumption. Total renewable energy

consumption increased by 487 trillion Btu to 7,301 trillion Btu. Based on EIA estimates of

renewable energy back to 1949, this is the utmost level attained and is because of substantial

increases in the use of biofuels, wind and solar energy. Renewable energy’s share of total U.S.

energy consumption was 6% in 2004 and was over 7% in 2008, compared to 6 percent in 2004.

[#22]

Energy Consumption by SectorEnergy Consumption by SectorEnergy Consumption by SectorEnergy Consumption by Sector

Renewable energy is consumed across all energy use sectors (Table 2). However patterns keep

changing, the two largest consuming sectors are electric power and industrial. In 2008, the

electric power sector accounted for 51 percent of renewable energy consumption and the

industrial sector 28 percent, down from 56 and 30 percent, respectively, in 2004. This was due

in some measure to the substantial change in the transportation sector, whose share rose from

5 to 11 percent between 2004 and 2008. The gain was due to increased consumption of

biofuels, primarily ethanol derived from corn, but also to a lesser extent biodiesel. [#23]

Finally the two smallest sectors, residential and commercial, maintained their shares of total

renewable energy consumption at 8 and 2 percent, respectively.

Residential Residential Residential Residential

Residential delivered energy consumption was 11.3 quadrillion Btu in 2008. Contributing to the

lower level of residential energy use is the recent adoption of regional standards for heating and

cooling equipment. Recently enacted efficiency standards for residential lighting products and

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incandescent lighting significantly reduce electricity demand for lighting in the residential sector.

Shipments of ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps to the residential market increased 40

percent in 2008 and greater consumer awareness have fostered significant growth in this

emerging technology. [#23]

Commercial Commercial Commercial Commercial

Despite faster growth in commercial square footage, higher energy prices lead to slower growth

in commercial energy consumption, along with increased adoption of energy conservation and

efficiency measures. Delivered commercial energy consumption grows to 8.5 quadrillion Btu in

2007 [#23]

New lighting and refrigeration standards and Federal and State efficiency programs help offset

increasing demand for electricity to power electronic equipment.

Industrial Industrial Industrial Industrial

Slightly more than one-third of delivered energy consumption in the United States occurs in the

industrial sector. The largest users of energy in this sector are the bulk chemical, refining,

mining, and paper industries. These four industries together account for more than 60 percent

of total industrial delivered energy consumption. [#23]

Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation

Delivered energy consumption in the transportation sector grows to 31.2 quadrillion Btu in

2008. [#23]

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Renewable Energy Consumption and Electricity Preliminary Statistics 2008

Table 1 U.S. Energy Consumption by Energy Source, 2004 - 2008

(Quadrillion Btu)

Energy Source 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Total 100.349 100.485 99.876 101.552 99.305

Fossil Fuels 85.830 85.817 84.690 86.174 83.436

Coal 22.466 22.797 22.447 22.748 22.421

Coal Coke Net

Imports 0.137 0.045 0.061 0.025 0.040

Natural Gas1 22.931 22.583 22.224 23.628 23.838

Petroleum2 40.294 40.393 39.958 39.773 37.137

Electricity Net

Imports 0.039 0.084 0.063 0.106 0.113

Nuclear Electric

Power 8.222 8.160 8.214 8.458 8.455

Renewable Energy 6.260 6.423 6.909 6.814 7.301

Biomass3 3.023 3.133 3.361 3.597 3.884

Biofuels 0.513 0.594 0.795 1.025 1.413

Waste 0.389 0.403 0.414 0.430 0.431

Wood Derived Fuels 2.121 2.136 2.152 2.142 2.041

Geothermal Energy 0.341 0.343 0.343 0.349 0.358

Hydroelectric

Conventional 2.690 2.703 2.869 2.446 2.453

Solar/PV Energy 0.065 0.066 0.072 0.081 0.091

Wind Energy 0.142 0.178 0.264 0.341 0.514

1 Includes supplemental gaseous fuels. 2 Petroleum products supplied, including natural gas plant liquids and crude oil burned as fuel. 3 Biomass includes: biofuels, waste (landfill gas, MSW biogenic, and other biomass), wood and

wood derived fuels.

PV = Photovoltaic.

Notes: Data revisions are discussed in the Highlights section. Totals may not equal sum of

components due to independent rounding. Data for 2008 is preliminary.

Sources: Non-renewable energy: Energy Information Administration (EIA), Monthly Energy

Review (MER) April 2009, DOE/EIA-0035 (2009/04) (Washington, DC, April 2009), Tables 1.3,

1.4a and 1.4b; Renewable Energy: Table 2 of this report.

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Renewable energy consumption and Electricity:Renewable energy consumption and Electricity:Renewable energy consumption and Electricity:Renewable energy consumption and Electricity:

Data For: 2008

Report Released: July 2009

Next Release Date: July 2010


Table 2 Renewable Energy Consumption by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source, 2004

- 2008

(Quadrillion Btu)

Sector and Source 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Total 6.260 6.423 6.909 6.814 7.301

Biomass 3.023 3.133 3.361 3.597 3.884

Biofuels 0.513 0.594 0.795 1.025 1.413

Biodiesel1 0.003 0.012 0.033 0.046 0.041

Ethanol2 0.299 0.342 0.462 0.580 0.809

Losses and Coproducts 0.210 0.240 0.300 0.399 0.563

Biodiesel Feedstock3 * * * 0.001 0.001

Ethanol Feedstock4 0.210 0.240 0.299 0.398 0.562

Waste 0.389 0.403 0.414 0.430 0.431

Landfill Gas 0.144 0.148 0.157 0.173 0.187

MSW Biogenic5 0.164 0.168 0.171 0.165 0.168

Other Biomass6 0.081 0.088 0.086 0.092 0.076

Wood and Derived Fuels7 2.121 2.136 2.152 2.142 2.041

Geothermal 0.341 0.343 0.343 0.349 0.358

Hydroelectric

Conventional 2.690 2.703 2.869 2.446 2.453

Solar/PV 0.065 0.066 0.072 0.081 0.091

Wind 0.142 0.178 0.264 0.341 0.514

Residential 0.483 0.507 0.475 0.527 0.599

Biomass 0.410 0.430 0.390 0.430 0.490


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Geothermal 0.014 0.016 0.018 0.022 0.026

Solar/PV9 0.059 0.061 0.067 0.075 0.083

Commercial 0.118 0.119 0.117 0.118 0.123

Biomass 0.105 0.105 0.102 0.102 0.107

Biofuels 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.003

Ethanol2 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.003

Waste 0.034 0.034 0.036 0.031 0.032

Landfill Gas 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.003 0.003

MSW Biogenic5 0.025 0.025 0.026 0.021 0.022

Other Biomass6 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007


Geothermal 0.012 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.015

Hydroelectric

Conventional 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001

Industrial 1.860 1.883 2.005 2.048 2.056

Biomass 1.824 1.847 1.972 2.028 2.032

Biofuels 0.216 0.247 0.309 0.409 0.577

Ethanol2 0.006 0.007 0.010 0.010 0.014

Losses and Coproducts 0.210 0.240 0.300 0.399 0.563

Biodiesel Feedstock3 * * * 0.001 0.001

Ethanol Feedstock4 0.210 0.240 0.299 0.398 0.562

Waste 0.132 0.148 0.147 0.162 0.157

Landfill Gas 0.076 0.081 0.081 0.093 0.105

MSW Biogenic5 0.006 0.007 0.006 0.006 0.004

Other Biomass6 0.050 0.061 0.061 0.063 0.047


Geothermal 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.005 0.005

Hydroelectric

Conventional 0.033 0.032 0.029 0.016 0.019

Solar/PV - - - - -

Wind - - - - -

Transportation 0.295 0.346 0.484 0.614 0.833

Biomass 0.295 0.346 0.484 0.614 0.833

Biofuels 0.295 0.346 0.484 0.614 0.833

Biodiesel1 0.003 0.012 0.033 0.046 0.041

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Ethanol2 0.292 0.334 0.451 0.568 0.792

Electric Power10

3.503 3.568 3.827 3.508 3.690

Biomass 0.388 0.406 0.412 0.423 0.423

Waste 0.223 0.221 0.231 0.237 0.242

Landfill Gas 0.066 0.065 0.073 0.077 0.079

MSW Biogenic5 0.133 0.136 0.139 0.138 0.141

Other Biomass6 0.023 0.020 0.019 0.022 0.022


Geothermal 0.311 0.309 0.306 0.308 0.312

Hydroelectric

Conventional 2.656 2.670 2.839 2.430 2.433

Solar/PV 0.006 0.006 0.005 0.006 0.008

Wind 0.142 0.178 0.264 0.341 0.514

1 Biodiesel primarily derived from soy bean oil. 2 Ethanol primarily derived from corn. 3 Difference between the energy in biodiesel feedstocks (principally soy bean oil) and the

energy in biodiesel consumed in the transportation sector. 4 Difference between energy in ethanol feedstocks (primarily corn) and its coproducts

(wet and dry distiller grains), and the energy in ethanol consumed in the transportation

sector. 5 Includes paper and paper board, wood, food, leather, textiles and yard trimmings. 6 Agriculture byproducts/crops, sludge waste, and other biomass solids, liquids and gases. 7 Black liquor, and wood/woodwaste solids and liquids. 8 Wood and wood pellet fuels. 9 Includes small amounts of distributed solar thermal and photovoltaic energy used in the

commercial, industrial and electric power sectors. 10 The electric power sector comprises electricity-only and combined-heat-power (CHP)

plants within North American Classification System (NAICS) 22 category whose primary

business is to sell electricity, or electricity and heat, to the public.

MSW = Municipal Solid Waste.

PV = Photovoltaic.

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Energy Consumption by Primary Fuel:


Table 3 Electricity Net Generation From Renewable Energy by Energy Use Sector and Energy

Source, 2004 - 2008

(Thousand Kilowatthours)

Sector/Source 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Total 351,484,632 357,650,653 385,771,908 352,747,486 371,688,391

Biomass 53,537,453 54,276,810 54,860,621 55,538,578 55,875,118

Waste 15,420,570 15,420,393 16,098,525 16,524,554 17,086,267

Landfill Gas 5,128,425 5,142,111 5,677,040 6,157,750 6,590,366

MSW Biogenic1 8,150,974 8,330,471 8,477,571 8,303,838 8,459,538

Other Biomass2 2,141,171 1,947,810 1,943,913 2,062,966 2,036,363

Wood and

Derived Fuels3 38,116,883 38,856,417 38,762,096 39,014,024 38,788,851

Geothermal 14,810,975 14,691,745 14,568,029 14,637,213 14,859,238

Hydroelectric

Conventional 268,417,308 270,321,255 289,246,416 247,509,974 248,085,084

Solar/PV 575,155 550,294 507,706 611,793 843,054

Wind 14,143,741 17,810,549 26,589,137 34,449,927 52,025,898

Commercial 1,680,155 1,758,789 1,712,691 1,691,439 1,715,913

Biomass 1,575,188 1,672,752 1,619,245 1,614,160 1,640,533

Waste 1,561,794 1,656,755 1,598,646 1,598,799 1,616,040

Landfill Gas 172,029 217,632 172,590 202,547 231,583

MSW Biogenic1 945,344 953,093 955,910 962,496 964,155

Other Biomass2 444,421 486,031 470,146 433,756 420,303

Wood and

Derived Fuels3 13,394 15,997 20,599 15,361 24,493

Hydroelectric

Conventional 104,967 86,037 93,446 77,279 75,380

Industrial 32,412,566 32,198,528 31,871,511 30,508,807 30,370,006

Biomass 29,164,073 29,003,087 28,972,463 28,918,826 28,460,443

Waste 796,988 732,553 572,447 631,452 597,960

Landfill Gas 120,018 113,155 28,786 27,087 21,265

MSW Biogenic1 30,213 34,441 34,541 39,782 13,357

Other Biomass2 646,757 584,957 509,120 564,583 563,338

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Wood and

Derived Fuels3 28,367,085 28,270,534 28,400,016 28,287,374 27,862,484

Hydroelectric

Conventional 3,248,493 3,195,441 2,899,048 1,589,981 1,909,563

Electric Power4 317,391,910 323,693,336 352,187,707 320,547,239 339,602,472

Biomass 22,798,191 23,600,971 24,268,913 25,005,592 25,774,142

Waste 13,061,787 13,031,084 13,927,432 14,294,304 14,872,266

Landfill Gas 4,836,377 4,811,325 5,475,664 5,928,117 6,337,518

MSW Biogenic1 7,175,417 7,342,938 7,487,120 7,301,560 7,482,026

Other Biomass2 1,049,993 876,822 964,648 1,064,627 1,052,722

Wood and

Derived Fuels3 9,736,404 10,569,886 10,341,481 10,711,288 10,901,875

Geothermal 14,810,975 14,691,745 14,568,029 14,637,213 14,859,238

Hydroelectric

Conventional 265,063,848 267,039,777 286,253,922 245,842,714 246,100,141

Solar/PV 575,155 550,294 507,706 611,793 843,054

Wind 14,143,741 17,810,549 26,589,137 34,449,927 52,025,898

1 Includes paper and paper board, wood, food, leather, textiles and yard trimmings. 2 Agriculture byproducts/crops, sludge waste, and other biomass solids, liquids and gases. 3 Black liquor, and wood/woodwaste solids and liquids. 4 The electric power sector comprises electricity-only and combined-heat-power (CHP) plants

within North American Classification System (NAICS) 22 category whose primary business is

to sell electricity, or electricity and heat, to the public.

MSW = Municipal Solid Waste.

PV = Photovoltaic.

Notes: Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding. Data

revisions are discussed in the Highlights section. Revisions to biomass removed MSW non-

biogenic and tires from renewable waste energy. Data for 2008 is preliminary.

Source: Electric Power: Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-923, "Power Plant

Operations Report," and predecessor forms: Form EIA-906, "Power Plant Report," and Form

EIA-920, "Combined Heat and Power Plant Report."

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The Potential of Renewable EnergyThe Potential of Renewable EnergyThe Potential of Renewable EnergyThe Potential of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy has become a main concern for all the countries and emerging economies.

Countries are more and more recognizing the potential role of renewable energy within a

portfolio of environment friendly and cost-competitive energy technologies capable of

responding to the emerging challenges of climate change, energy security, and access to energy.

The work is quickly expanding as an answer to the present challenges of an unsustainable global

energy structure and the growth of renewable energy markets. Renewable technologies and

industries have been growing, year after year, capturing the interest of the largest global

companies. In 2007, more than $100 billion was invested in renewable energy production

assets, manufacturing, development and research. Growth trends shows this figure will only

continue to increase.

Renewable energy accounted for about 10.5 percent of the domestically-produced electricity

used in the United States in the first ten months of 2009 [#24]. Apart from hydro and wind

energies, most of these renewable resources are at a fairly early stage of development, when

judged against fossil fuels. This makes it hard to make exact judgments about the scale of their

potential. This is revealed in the large variations frequently found in published estimates of the

amount of energy obtainable from renewables. Positive predictions state that they could meet

as much as 60% of the world's energy needs. Norway has been capable to develop hydro

resources on a scale enough to generate over 40% of their energy.

The United States has adequate wind resources to generate electricity for every home and

business in the nation. But not all areas are appropriate for wind energy development. The Wind

Energy Program measures the potential wind energy resources of areas across the United States

so as to identify ideal areas for project development.

Wind power is U.S. wind power installed capacity now exceeds 35,159 MW which is enough to

serve 9.7 million average households.[#25] Texas is firmly established as the leader in wind

power development, followed by Iowa and California.[#26] DOE and NREL has said wind power

could generate 20% of US electricity by 2030. [#27]

Hydroelectricity is at present largest producer of renewable power in the U.S. There are

hydroelectric plants in at least 34 US states. It generates about 66.8% of the total renewable

power in the U.S. in 2008. In 2008 hydroelectric sector produced 6.0% of the nation's total

electricity. Hydropower generates electricity through turbines and is a clean and renewable

energy source, but not without problems. The potential of hydroelectric power plant depends

upon the topography and precipitation in the country. Although hydropower is reasonably well

developed today, there are still some possibilities to enhance the effectiveness, and introduce

new hydropower plants, therefore reducing the dependency on mineral fuels, such as oil, coal

and gas.

Geothermal Energy produces low emissions and have smaller overall footprint of the entire

system. As energy capture and extraction is contained completely underground, and the surface

equipment required for conversion to electricity is comparatively compact, these are the facts

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which make it very cost effective energy source. Geothermal energy could play a significant role

in national energy picture as a non-carbon-based energy source. It's a very large resource and

has the potential to be an important contributor to the energy needs of a country. Geothermal

now supplies less than 1 percent of the world's power, although could supply as much as 20

percent in the coming decades.

The use of solar energy is gradually growing in a global capacity. The sun provides sufficient daily

energy to provide our needs for power; however solar energy is not so far viewed as a primary

energy resource. As you could not collect every raindrop in a storm to gather in a pond, similarly

we can't possibly collect all of the solar energy emitted by the sun on a daily basis. Though, by

developing highly efficient and advanced solar plants, we could definitely meet our daily needs

for power. The conversion to solar energy involves up-front costs but the benefits of protecting

our environment as well as our quality of life will be the importance of promoting this awesome

natural resource.

A number of solar thermal power stations have been built. A parabolic trough is the most

common set up type of solar thermal power plant. The largest of these thermal solar power

stations is the SEGS group (name given to the nine solar thermal power plants in the Mojave

Desert). This plant has a total generating capacity of 354 MW, making it the largest solar plant of

any kind in the world [#28]. The largest solar power plant in North America is the 25 MW DeSoto

Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Florida [#29]. Nevada Solar One started producing

electricity in June 2007. This solar thermal power plant uses parabolic troughs as thermal solar

concentrators and heating tubes of liquid which act as solar receivers. This power plant

generates 64MW of power.

Biomass power is not only the second most important source of renewable energy in the United

States but also an important part of the waste management infrastructure. In the future, farms

cultivating high-yielding energy crops will greatly expand the supply of biomass. These energy

crops, together with high-efficiency conversion technologies, can help us check the consumption

of fossil fuels and help us respond to global climate change concerns.

Since biomass power is produced from plant sources, it can potentially be formed almost

anywhere in the United States. Wood is the chief biomass energy resource. Waste energy is

another major source of biomass energy. The main suppliers of waste energy are municipal solid

waste, manufacturing waste, and landfill gas.

Biomass can be used for direct heating (such as burning wood in a fireplace), for generating

electricity, or can be converted directly into liquid fuels to gather transportation energy needs.

In the United States, the pulp and paper industries are main producers of biopower, using

remains from paper production to generate electricity for industrial plant use.

Estimates of the potential of renewable energy are important in informing decisions regarding

energy investments and energy policy. While some estimates for renewable energy resource,

technical, economic, and market potential have been made, they are not detailed or

comprehensive. Private investors and public policymakers have shown interest in using

renewable energy to meet a larger share of U.S. energy needs, but this effort would necessitate

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more robust analysis of renewable energy potential. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory

(NREL) is seeking partners for developing a Renewable Energy Potential Initiative. This initiative

will analyze and explore, in a comprehensive and systematic manner, the potential of renewable

energy to meet a substantial share of U.S. energy needs.

Renewable Potential Maps present an integrated picture of renewable energy resources in each

U.S. Census Division. Solar, geothermal, and wind energy potentials and indicators of

hydroelectric and biomass energy potentials (fuel wood harvested, rivers, and precipitation) are

presented. For more information on these please see:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/reps/rpmap/rp_contents.html

Latest technological trends in the areaLatest technological trends in the areaLatest technological trends in the areaLatest technological trends in the area

Impressive technical advances in renewable-energy technologies have been made during the

past decade. Renewable energy systems have benefited from the overall developments in

electronics, biotechnology, materials sciences and other energy areas. Fuel cells were originally

developed for the space program but the same technology has opened the door to the use of

hydrogen as a non-polluting fuel for transportation. In fact many of the technological gains

made in the areas that are not directly related to renewable energy are being considered as

promising options in renewable energy. Besides that because of the small size of the most

renewable energy equipments, the renewable energy technologies can be developed for use at

a pace faster than conventional technologies. Whereas large energy facilities require massive

construction which is expensive and productivity gains are difficult to achieve. Most renewable-

energy equipment can be constructed in factories applying modern manufacturing techniques

leading to cost reduction.

The Technologies:

Wind EnergyWind EnergyWind EnergyWind Energy

Wind power is one of the most efficient, affordable and inexhaustible source of electricity. It is

pollution-free and cost effective in comparison to coal and gas fired power plants.

Advancements in wind energy have been growing rapidly. Apart from multi-megawatt wind

turbines, there is a growing sector within industry: “Residential wind”. Improved airfoil designs

for maximum efficiency at low wind speed; high efficiency direct drive permanent magnet

alternators and highly sophisticated controls & inverters are now allowing home owners design

off-grid systems. These systems are not only increasing energy independence but also

competing with current energy prices and reducing environmental impacts.

The small wind industry has been growing in the last couple of years. The efficiency and

longevity of these machines are improving greatly with new and improved technology. Never in

the past was such great attention was paid to the economic feasibility of these machines apart

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from increasing overall quality and performance. Consistent energy production needs the

consistent quality of wind; this has lead to increasing effort to improve turbine efficiency in low

winds.

Solar EnergySolar EnergySolar EnergySolar Energy

Advances in solar photovoltaic panels are happening at a very fast rate. Thanks to technological

leaps in solar panels, solar power has become significantly less expensive in the last few

decades. The use of solar energy as a power source is not a new one but the older panels were

so bulky and large that not many people could afford them. Using the technology developed for

the computer industry, cells used in Photovoltaic solar collection systems are now smarter,

thinner and more diversified.

The greatest advancement in Photovoltaic research has been nanotechnology (Thin cell solar

research). Very tiny cells are created through silicon and other minerals to collect solar energy.

The creation of nano-particles has also helped developers to create solar shingles coated in

these cells as well as to develop a spray-on coating that could be sprayed onto another material,

such as the roof. This spray-on coating contains the nano-particles that enable other items also

to collect solar energy and convert it into electricity.

Thin cells make the solar panels smaller ensuring availability to the common consumer because

many houses in cities have to conform to specific city codes that may not allow the use of solar

panels because they are large, visually unappealing, and also obstruct the view. But by using thin

cells, these problems could be sorted out.

Biomass EnergyBiomass EnergyBiomass EnergyBiomass Energy

The dominant and prevailing use of biomass is wood waste, burned for heat, power and use in

pulp & paper industries. Biomass energy also comes from raw crops, such as corn which is used

to make ethanol, soybeans and organic leftovers from agriculture and forestry. Researchers

have been investigating fast-growing "energy crops" such as willow and switch-grass that can be

put to use in a faster way. But the challenge really is to ensure that all biofuels are produced in

such a way that natural resources are conserved, water pollution is minimum and it doesn’t

contribute to global warming. Biomass energy provides tremendous opportunities to grow

marketable crops, power their own operations with renewable energy, and finally manufacture

fuel for commercial use.

Aquatic Biofuels:Aquatic Biofuels:Aquatic Biofuels:Aquatic Biofuels:

Around the world, an urgent need for alternative and sustainable fuel is growing due to rising oil

prices and growing pollution concerns. Aquatic biofuels offer significant improvements

compared to conventional biofuels, overcoming all the concerns related to land shortage, water

resources and concerns about the low energy output per unit of land. Aquatic Biofuels means

biofuels produced from aquatic photosynthetic organisms (mainly algae). Algae hold an

enormous potential as a high-yield source of biodiesel, ethanol and aviation fuels. Algae are the

fastest-growing plants in world and like any other plant; they use photosynthesis to harness

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sunlight and carbon dioxide. Algae can be converted into biodiesel, biocrude, ethanol and

aviation fuels. The cultivation of algae for biofuels is not yet a commercial reality but given the

significance of aquatic biofuels in enhancing energy security, research is going on in producing

biofuel from algae at commercially viable level.

Geothermal EnergyGeothermal EnergyGeothermal EnergyGeothermal Energy

Geothermal energy, which taps into reservoirs of steam and hot water beneath the surface of

earth, is amongst the least explored sources of renewable energy in the world. In 2005,

geothermal energy produced just 0.36 percent of the electricity used in the United States, about

3,000 megawatts of energy.

The rise in temperature beneath the Earth is roughly 125°F per mile. Drill down a couple of miles

and you would have rocks hot enough to produce steam, which is result of heat from the Earth's

molten core radiating up toward the surface.

But getting steam isn't that simple, once you inject water into the well, the rock next to the

borehole cools down. You won’t get any steam once it cools enough. This seemed like an

insoluble problem until recently. Today, geothermal scientists are experimenting with a

modified version of the natural gas technique for geothermal energy known as an Enhanced

Geothermal System (EGS). Natural-gas industry successfully commercialized the technique of

horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technique where you drill two wells and fracture the

rock between them. This process releases the gas, which flows to the surface.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the United States has sufficient enhanced geothermal

reserves to support at least 500,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generating capacity—

enough to satisfy almost half of current U.S. demand.

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Political, Economical and environmental factors moving towards Political, Economical and environmental factors moving towards Political, Economical and environmental factors moving towards Political, Economical and environmental factors moving towards

renewable energyrenewable energyrenewable energyrenewable energy

The future of fossil fuel is uncertain and based on the present global economic growth rates,

fossil fuel energy resources may not last longer than a generation or two, before they are

exhausted. Growing ecological concerns are also an additional reason for the limited future of

fossil fuel. Eventually all these concerns will force us to give-up our present energy system

before our fossil fuel energy resources are fully exhausted. Alternative energy policies to

promote the use of renewable energy resources are inevitable. The use of renewable energy

resources should be encouraged through new diplomacy.

The Climate Conference in Copenhagen was an important step towards preventing global

warming and climate changes. The United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in

Copenhagen has moved away from the division of the world into developed and developing

countries, which was blocking any progress on climate control till now. 107 countries signed up

the Copenhagen accord for limiting the rise in global temperatures to no more than 2 degrees

Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, beyond pre-industrial levels.

China and India were the last two major economies to sign up the international climate change

agreement reached in Copenhagen. The two countries are among the largest and fastest-

growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. The agreement also calls for

spending as much as $100 billion per year to help emerging economies adapt to climate change

and develop renewable energy systems, to bring energy technology more quickly to the

developing world and to take steps to protect tropical forests from destruction. This will

definitely make a substantial dent in the greenhouse gas emissions that are heating the planet.

China has voluntarily agreed to reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide per unit of economic

growth — a measure known as “carbon intensity” — by 40 to 45 percent by 2020, compared

with 2005 levels. India also sets a domestic emissions intensity reduction target of 20 to 25

percent by 2020, compared with 2005 levels. The United States pledged to reduce greenhouse

gas emissions by about 17 percent by 2020 compared with 2005, banking on Congress’s

enacting climate change and energy legislation.

No doubt, world has taken a step further towards promoting the use of renewable energy

resources. Negotiators are trying to write an enforceable global climate change treaty, but there

is little expectation that such an agreement will be reached this year’s climate summit in

Cancun, Mexico. If not in Cancun, nations should now aim to reach an agreement in 2011 at a

United Nations conference in South Africa.

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Benefits of using renewable enerBenefits of using renewable enerBenefits of using renewable enerBenefits of using renewable energygygygy

Climate change and diminishing fossil fuel reserves are two of the biggest challenges facing the

planet. In order to secure our future and coming generations, we must take steps now to lessen

energy consumption and substantially cut greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide.

Renewable energy sources today are extremely limited in supply.

Estimates are that they can merely meet our energy demands for another fifty to seventy years.

So in an attempt to find alternative forms of energy, the world has turned to renewable energy

sources as the way out. There are many advantages and disadvantages to this.

The most common advantage of all renewable sources of energy is that they are renewable and

cannot be depleted. They are a clean energy, as they help in reducing the air pollution. A

common disadvantage to all of these renewable energy sources is that it is difficult to produce

the large quantities of electricity their counterpart the fossil fuels are able to. Moreover they are

new technologies; the cost of initiating them is high.

Benefits of Solar Benefits of Solar Benefits of Solar Benefits of Solar

Solar energy makes use of the sun’s energy. There are many advantages of solar energy and as

we move further in these hard economic and energy supply times, these benefits will become

all the more obvious. Following are some benefits of solar energy:

• Using the power of the sun to heat and light our houses is a very clean and

environmentally friendly way of generating power.

• The sun is the source of solar energy. This energy source is unlimited, inexhaustible and

above all is free. By using this freely available energy source, we are helping the eco-

system by keeping the earth’s non-renewable sources of energy preserved.

• As by installing solar panels, you are using a renewable form of energy you have not to

worry about any power shortages in the future. The world's reserves of oil, coal and gas

are limited and if we do not take steps quickly to find alternatives, we are surely storing

problems up for the future. However these changes might look small to you, when you

add together your friends and your friends' friends' efforts, it all adds up to a big

change.

• $aving$..... Installing solar power in your home will guarantee that you have much lower

fuel bills almost instantly. Once you recover the higher initial costs of a solar system

through reduced utility bills, your solar system will require expenditures only for

maintenance.

• However, it is possible now to build and install solar panels yourself, both very cheaply

and easily; it helps in reducing the initial installation costs as well.

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• If helps you in reducing your carbon footprint, as then the less power you are using from

fossil fuels and the more from renewable sources of energy.

• Solar energy is a green fuel, as it does not cause pollution or harm the environment in

any way. Solar energy does not get affected the vital ozone layer and is environment

friendly. Therefore, opting for solar energy to cut down the consumption of the

conventional electricity is at the same time helping to make the earth a better place.

• These systems can fit into existing buildings and it does not affect land use.

• Solar energy can be used in various different ways. Most common uses are:

1. solar batteries

2. larger solar power plants that collect the heat from the sun, which is

subsequently used to produce steam for powering a generator

3. solar energy is harnessed to pump water in remote areas

4. Solar energy can be used to heat residential homes

5. many people use solar energy to heat their water supply and their swimming

pools as well

6. solar cookers

7. Solar cars, solar trams, solar buses and even satellites are also seen to operate

with the help of solar energy.

8. Small gadgets that involve little energy, such as calculators and watches, often

use solar energy.

9. Recreational vehicles and some boats may also run on solar energy.

• Solar power is incredibly compatible with other sources of energy. For example its

compatibility with wind energy has proved to be very valuable and can help you live off

the grid when you use these two renewable energy sources of power to your advantage.

Wind energy is another source which is ample, renewable, widely distributed, cheap, and has no

toxic gas emissions. Given below are some benefits of wind power:

Benefits: Why to opt Wind power:Benefits: Why to opt Wind power:Benefits: Why to opt Wind power:Benefits: Why to opt Wind power:

• Inexhaustible and infinitely renewable: Unlike conventional fossil fuels, wind energy is

ample and is renewable energy that will be accessible for future generations.

• Economically competitive: With rising coal and gas prices, new wind plants compete

well against any new electricity generation source. It is getting cheaper and cheaper to

produce wind energy.

The cost of generating wind energy has come down by at least eighty percent since the

eighties. Wind Energy may shortly be the cheapest way to generate energy on a large

scale.

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• Valuable crop of the future for farmers and ranchers: Wind turbines are well-suited for

rural land uses as crops can be grown and livestock can be grazed up to the base of the

turbine. Therefore wind farms located in rural areas can generate energy which can be

transmitted to load centers in urban areas via the regional utility grid. The rural areas

keep hold of the jobs, as well as land lease revenue for farmers and ranchers.

• Many environmental benefits: Wind energy is a clean energy as it doesn't pollute the air

like power plants that rely on combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas.

Using wind power reduces the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases,

which contributes to climate change.

• Wind turbines don’t consume water: Unlike Irrigation and thermal electric generation

plants which accounts for approximately 77% of U.S. fresh water use and Conventional

plants producing power from fossil and nuclear fuels use large amounts of water for

cooling; wind turbines do not use any water. This makes wind energy a great alternative

for drought-stricken areas.

• Homegrown energy source that contributes to national security: Wind energy

contributes to diversification of energy sources and decreases dependence from fuel

imports which increases energy security of the country.

• Applications. Small wind turbines, alone or as component of a hybrid system, can power

homes, businesses, and farms/ranches. Wind energy is just right for remote

applications, for example water pumping, powering telecommunications sites, and

displacing diesel fuel in villages. Community wind projects consist of projects for

schools, tribes, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives.

• Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced renewable energy technologies existing today.

• Wind plants create job opportunities and new workplaces in the community.

• Wind power saves money by offsetting oil, gas fired generation or expensive power

imports.

• Wind Power plant development encourages eco-tourism. It has vast impact on regional

development and activation.

Benefits of Using Biomass EnergyBenefits of Using Biomass EnergyBenefits of Using Biomass EnergyBenefits of Using Biomass Energy

• Sustainably produced biomass is a never-ending renewable source of energy. And

biomass has a history of stable prices unaffected by global economics and political

events as it happens in fuel oil, propane, and natural gas.

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• Like other renewable energies, such as wind or solar, biomass resources produce less

pollution than their fossil fuel counterparts. Some of these emissions are balance by the

fact that biomass is plant-derived, and a plant takes up carbon dioxide.

• By using biomass derived from forest thinning activities, it prevents this material from

being burned in the open air where there is no pollution controls. Likewise, agricultural

residues can also be used to produce power instead of being burned.

• Biomass utilization may also prevent the harmful effects of forest fires on the

atmosphere by preventing their occurrence. In forest fires Mercury, toxic materials and

particulate matter are released. Carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen

oxide, and other gases are also emitted.

• Biofuel contributes to cleaner air by dropping gasoline emission from motor vehicles.

Bio diesel is another common fuel blend that seriously reduces pollution.

• Biomass changes the wastes from livestock, food processing and households into

energy. By using this biomass as energy you can get the following benefits: odor

reduction, production of heat or electricity, reduced risk of water contamination, and

reduced exposure to disease-causing organisms.

• By using wastes from food processing, paper industries and household garbage which

also contain organic matter that could be converted to energy, we can reduce the use of

landfills.

• By reducing waste flows from livestock, food processing and city sanitation services it

can contribute to improved water quality. Preventing wildfires can also improve water

quality, as wildfires reduce the ability of soil to absorb water which leads to increased

soil erosion.

• Biomass benefits comprises of creation and retention of local jobs in a rural economy.

• Energy crops like fast-growing trees, shrubs and grasses are grown as sources of fuel.

Growing these energy crops can supply diversity of production to farmers, reducing risks

of fluctuating markets and stabilizing farm income. Moreover these crops are typically

resistant to disease as well as relatively inexpensive to grow.

Benefits: Why to opt Fuel cellsBenefits: Why to opt Fuel cellsBenefits: Why to opt Fuel cellsBenefits: Why to opt Fuel cells

• Does not release global warming gases: As hydrogen is obtained from renewable energy

sources, no global warming gases are emitted. Hydrogen fuel cell systems store

alternating solar and wind power so there is no requirement of back -up generators

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powered by fossil fuels. Hydrogen can also be acquired from wave, tidal, biomass or

waste energy sources.

• Clean Power: The only emission from hydrogen fuel cells is pure water. There are no

toxic emissions even if electricity is generated in schools, hospitals, homes and factories.

• Quiet operation: Fuel cells can generate electricity efficiently and quietly on the site

where it is needed.

• Security of supply: There is a security of supply in fuel cells, as hydrogen can be obtained

from using the renewable and indigenous resources of sun, wind, wave, waste, biomass

or tidal power.

• Environmental impacts of fuel cells: Fuel cells make energy electrochemically and do not

burn fuel; fuel cells are basically more efficient than combustion systems.

• High Benefits: Benefits that fuel cells offer, no other energy generating technology holds

those benefits. If only 20% of cars used fuel cells, America could cut oil imports by

approximately 1.5 million barrels every day.

• Fuel cells are used in powering trains, buses, boats, planes, scooters, forklifts, even

bicycles.

• A fuel cell produces direct current (DC) voltage which can be used to power motors,

lights or any number of electrical appliances.

• Fuel cells are used in wastewater treatment plants and landfills to convert the methane

gas produced there into electricity.

• Fuel cells are also used in vending machines, vacuum cleaners and highway road signs.

• Fuel cells are providing power to hospitals, credit card centers, police stations, and

banks.

• Telecommunications – Now days as the use of computers, the Internet, and

communication networks are steadily increasing, there arises a need for more reliable

power than is available on the current electrical grid, and fuel cells have proven to be up

to 99.9% reliable.

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Benefits of Geothermal energy:Benefits of Geothermal energy:Benefits of Geothermal energy:Benefits of Geothermal energy:

• Geothermal power plant causes very low level or sometimes no pollution.

• Heating cost is very low (cost savings can be as much as 80% more than fossil fuels)

• Geothermal power plant uses Earth's heat which is a renewable source of energy.

• The cost of the land to build a geothermal power plant is less, as geothermal power

plant requires very little land space in comparison to oil, gas, coal, or nuclear power

plant.

• Geothermal energy is a clean energy, you may receive tax deductions, and/or no

environmental bills or some quotas to meet the terms with the countries carbon

emission scheme (if they have one).

• No fuel is required to generate the power, which means the running costs for the plants

are very low. As there are no costs for purchasing, transporting, or cleaning up of fuels

are required hence resulting in overall low generation costs.

• Good to environment, as it does not release any greenhouse gases making it highly

ecologically acceptable solution.

• Geothermal power plant does not require structures to collect the energy (as in solar

panels or windmills).

• Geothermal energy is not only used to heat the house but is also used to cool it as well.

• There is uniform heating which implies there's no cold and hot spots and there are no

furnaces or chimney to clean after.

• Geothermal heat energy can be used directly, without involving a power plant or a heat

pump, for a variety of applications such as space heating and cooling, hot spring bathing

and spas, agriculture, aquaculture, food preparation, greenhouses, and industrial

processes.

• The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) considers them to be one of the most

efficient heating and cooling systems available.

• Maintenance of geothermal heating system is very cheap.

• The overall financial aspect of geothermal power plants is outstanding; you simply need

to provide power to the water pumps, which can also be generated by the power plant

itself.

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Benefits of Hydroelectric power:Benefits of Hydroelectric power:Benefits of Hydroelectric power:Benefits of Hydroelectric power:

• Inexhaustible fuel source: Hydroelectric power plants use water to generate electricity

which is renewable and is inexhaustible.

• Clean source of energy: Since the hydroelectric power plants don’t burn any fuel no

pollution is created. It does not emit any harmful gases or particulate matter, thus keeps

the atmosphere clean and healthy for living.

• Cost of electricity is constant: Since it does not require any fuel to produce electricity;

the cost of electricity produced by them is more or less constant.

• Saves lot of local currency: Hydroelectric power plants do not depend on the cost of

fuels like coal, oil and natural gas in the international market. The country doesn’t have

to import the fuel, thus saving lots of local currency.

• Check floods: The Hydroelectric power plants prevent floods in the areas adjoining the

large rivers.

• Irrigation: Water from the Hydroelectric power plants can also be used for the irrigation

of farm lands therefore producing the agriculture outputs throughout the year even in

the areas where there is insufficient or no rainfall.

• Long life: The life of hydroelectric power plants is long. There are hydroelectric power

plants that were built more than 50-100 years ago and are still running.

• Hydroelectric power plants require relatively low operations and maintenance costs.

• Hydroelectric power stations can be set up in roughly any size, depending on the river or

stream used to activate them; big enough to power a single home, factory, small town,

or large city.

• The technology is trustworthy and proven over time.

• Withstand high peak daily loads.

• Water sports and gardens: In surrounding area of the dams the water from reservoir can

be used to develop public recreational facilities like water parks for water sports and

gardens.

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Challenges in using Renewable EnergyChallenges in using Renewable EnergyChallenges in using Renewable EnergyChallenges in using Renewable Energy

Renewable energy resources are sufficient to meet a significant portion of the world’s electricity

needs. Fully taking advantage of these potential low CO2-emitting sources for generating

electricity will call for enhanced technologies, increased deployment, financial investments, and

implementation of policies to drive increased adoption of renewable electricity.

If the use of renewable electricity is to rise appreciably, then manufacture and installation of

these technologies are required. Lot of research is required for technological advancements to

reduce costs and make renewable electricity technologies more efficient. However even with

current technologies, renewable resources could contribute more than they do at the present.

Overcoming the barriers to widespread renewable energy generation will require engineering

innovations in several arenas. There are lots of the challenges in using these renewable sources

of energy which are described as follows:

Sun is the best source of energy available on Earth. It out-powers everything that human

technology could ever create. Just a small fraction of the sun’s power provides 10,000 times as

much as all the commercial energy that humans use on the Earth. But solar’s share of the total

energy market is below 1 percent of total energy consumption, compared with about 85 percent

from oil, natural gas, and coal.

Different challengDifferent challengDifferent challengDifferent challenges in using solar energy:es in using solar energy:es in using solar energy:es in using solar energy:

• Efficiency of solar energy technology:

Today’s commercial solar cells which are most often made from silicon, normally convert

sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of only 10 to 20 percent. However some test cells

do a little better, but their manufacturing costs is much higher. The resultant cell will

produce electricity at a cost roughly 3 to 6 times higher than current prices. To make solar

economically competitive, engineers have to find ways to improve the efficiency of the cells

and to lower their manufacturing costs.

• Cost of solar energy:

The initial cost of the equipment used to harness the suns energy is quite high. Solar energy

technologies are a costly alternative to the use of readily available fossil fuel technologies. As

the price of solar or photovoltaic panels decreases, we are likely to see an increase in the use

of solar cells to generate electricity.

• Storing solar energy:

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However advanced solar cells become at generating electricity cheaply and efficiently, a major

barrier to widespread use of the sun’s energy remains: the need for storage. At the locations

where sunlight is plentiful, its energy have got to be captured and stored for use at other

times and places.

Many technologies present mass-storage opportunities. Pumping water (for recovery as

hydroelectric power) or large banks of batteries are established ways of energy storage, but

they face severe problems when scaled up to power-grid proportions.

• Large area required:

Installation of solar energy requires a large area for the system to be efficient in providing a

source of electricity. This may be a big problem in areas where space is short, or expensive

(such as inner cities).

• Pollution problem:

Pollution can be another big problem to solar panels, as pollution can reduce the efficiency of

photovoltaic cells.

Wind powerWind powerWind powerWind power challengeschallengeschallengeschallenges

Wind Power should compete with usual generation sources on a cost basis. Although the cost of

wind power has decreased considerably in the past 10 years, the technology necessitates a

higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators.

The major challenges in using wind as a source of power are as follows:

• Wind is irregular and it does not constantly blow when electricity is needed. Wind energy

cannot be stored unless batteries are used; and not all winds can be exploited to meet the

timing of electricity demands.

• Superior wind sites are often situated in remote locations, far-off from cities where the

electricity is required. Transmission lines have to be built to bring the electricity from the

wind farm to the city.

• Wind can never be predicted. Because wind energy will necessitate knowledge of the

weather and wind conditions on long term basis, it may be a bit impractical. Hence, in areas

where a large amount of energy is needed, one cannot depend completely on wind energy.

• Wind turbines usually produce less electricity than the average fossil fuelled power station,

requiring various wind turbines to be built in order to make an impact.

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• The noise pollution from commercial wind turbines is at times similar to a small jet engine.

This is fine if you live miles away, but if you live within a few hundred meters of a turbine,

this is a major disadvantage. However scientists are working in that direction and latest

whisper100 wind turbine produces no sound at all.

• Sometimes birds have been killed by flying into the rotors. Even this problem has been

resolved or greatly reduced through technological development.

Geothermal Geothermal Geothermal Geothermal ChallengesChallengesChallengesChallenges

Geothermal heat is extracted from deep within the earth’s surface, and this is the main

disadvantage concerning finding a suitable build location. To extract the required heat they have

to find certain hot spots within the earth’s crust. These hot spots are very common around

volcanoes and fault lines, but who wants to build their geothermal power plant next to a

volcano.

Locations

One of the biggest challenges of using geothermal energy lies in exploration stage. In this

companies have to find the suitable locations for a power plant. An ideal location has hot rocks

at a depth that permits easy drilling. The type of rock over the hot rocks must also be easy

enough to drill through.

Longevity

Another big challenge of geothermal energy is the longevity of the locations. At times the

locations may temporarily run out of steam. This may lasts for months. During this time, the

power plant won't have sufficient energy to produce electricity.

Transportation

Oil is very easy to transport. Another challenge with geothermal energy is that it is not easily

transported. It can only be used to produce electricity for nearby areas. In addition, geothermal

energy can only be used to produce small amounts of electricity as compared to other fuel

sources. Power plants can also use the steam to produce heat, but only on a localized basis.

While difficult transportation of the produced energy is a shortcoming

Hazardous Materials

Another important problem with geothermal energy is hazardous gases and minerals. They can

turn up from underground along with the steam. The plant must be able to control any leaked

gases, but disposing of the gas can be very tricky to do safely.

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Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric power ChallengesChallengesChallengesChallenges

Seems to be an ideal source of clean, renewal energy. Not only hydroelectric power plants

provide power, but they control flooding, store irrigation water, and are also the sites for

recreation. The immediate challenges facing the industry are as follows:

• Pollution

Hydroelectric plants considerably alter the landscape around them, which invariably disrupts the

original environment. Often these changes are hazardous to human communities and they

cause damage to the local ecology. But the major impact comes from the reservoirs created by

large dams.

• Greenhouse Gases

When a reservoir is first impounded, all the vegetation in the area is flooded. Submerged plants

decompose and release their carbon content in the form of the greenhouse gases CO2 (carbon

dioxide) and methane (CH4).

• Oxygen Depletion

Biomass decomposition also has a severe effect on the water chemistry in a reservoir. The

production of CO2 removes dissolved oxygen from the water, and since reservoirs have little

circulation, subsurface water is usually without oxygen (anoxic) and thus hostile to fish and

other forms of life.

• Methyl mercury Contamination

Recently, mercury contamination has become a big problem. Even though mercury itself is

insoluble, but the anoxic and slightly acidic depths of a reservoir permits mercury in the rock

bed to react to form methyl mercury, a chemical which is both water soluble and extremely

toxic. Methyl mercury collects in the nerve and muscle tissue of animals and fish. Thus, many

native populations whose staple diet is fish are vulnerable to mercury poisoning.

• Reservoir Induced Seismicity --RIS

RIS is the change in seismic activity that often arises when large reservoirs first begin to fill. This

may originate due to the extra stress placed on the underlying geology and the lubricating effect

water has on fault lines. Increased seismic activity definitely alters the environment, and poses a

significant threat to surrounding populations.

• Sedimentation

Sediments are the organic and inorganic materials suspended in any river. They consist of sand,

soil, stones, boulders, wood, and other large debris. As a river travels, it moves large quantity of

sediment down stream. Most reservoirs yields slow currents permitting carried materials time

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to settle, maximizing sedimentation rates. For several large dams, the trap efficiency is nearly

100 percent.

Biomass Biomass Biomass Biomass PowerPowerPowerPower ChallengesChallengesChallengesChallenges

Biomass electricity is formed through the energies from wood, agricultural and municipal waste.

It helps to reduce landfill waste, however transportation can be expensive and ecological

diversity of land may be affected. In addition, its process needs to be made simpler.

Following are some challenges which Biomass electricity is facing:

• Biomass energy with only a 50% output capacity is less efficient than its fossil fuel

counter-parts. Biomass may work better with small power plants as big power plants

would involve thousands more road trucks and trains to deliver the biomass plant

material

• Biomass energy production has ‘hidden’ economic costs passed on to the consumer.

Although promoted as a cheap fuel source, bio-fuels remain very costly due its

inefficient output and government subsidies funded by taxpayers. This ‘double-dipping’

strategy means consumers pay double the price: at the pump and through taxes

• Burning biomass pollutes the air; however impact varies according the material and

production process used. Several biomass companies promote their energy projects as

environmentally friendly. However, their production process requires burning solid

landfill and sewerage waste which gives off harmful air pollutants including: Mercury,

Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide and Carbon Dioxin

• Requirement for land to produce these crops could cause loss of plant and animal

biodiversity and habitat, as well as put pressure on rainforests and other valuable

ecosystems

• Growth of biofuels could lessen the area existing for subsistence food crops and drive up

food prices by redirecting crop yields to generate fuel; making it even more hard to feed

the urban poor in developing countries

• Standard ethanol crops, such as corn in the US and sugar in Brazil, could even increase

soil erosion and deplete aquifers

• Growth of some bio-energy crops implies increased use of pesticides, fertilizers, and

water

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Fuel cells Fuel cells Fuel cells Fuel cells and Challengesand Challengesand Challengesand Challenges

Fuel Cells are not the ideal solution to the world’s energy needs. There are several

challenges that need to be overcome before widespread use of fuel cells occurs:

• Fuelling fuel cells is still a problem because the production, distribution, transportation

and storage of hydrogen is difficult.

• Reforming hydrocarbons using reformer to generate hydrogen is technically challenging

and not plainly environmentally friendly.

• The biggest challenge for fuel cells is cost. Even though some fuel cell systems are in use

today, but very few are presently cost effective.

• The refueling and the starting time of fuel cell vehicles are longer.

• Fuel cells are generally slightly bigger than similar batteries or engines. Though, the size

of the units is decreasing.

• In order to turn into widely conventional as a clean distributed generator, fuel cells have

to prove their adaptability for a variety of applications.

• Certain fuel cell system components like the cell stack which can involve a costly

replacement every one to five years depending on the model. They must be developed

to have a longer lifetime or be simply and economically replaced.

• The technology is still in a relatively early stage of development and only few products

are available.

Ocean Energy and ChallengesOcean Energy and ChallengesOcean Energy and ChallengesOcean Energy and Challenges

Oceans are vast source of renewable energy in the type of winds, waves and tides. Besides this,

there is vast amount of energy in the form of thermal difference which can be extracted. But

there are lots of challenges, some are as follows:

• It leads to the dislocation of wild life habitats.

• It can simply be used where there is appropriate tidal flow or wave motion.

• The frames of the turbines can interrupt the movement of large marine animals and

ships through the channels on which the barrage is built.

• Waves are a disperse energy source, irregular in durability, direction and size

• Ocean energy is not cost effective when compared to cost of conventional plants using

fossil-fuel energy. However it can be cheaper if better technologies and large-scale

production is applied.

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• Barrage systems necessitate salt resistant parts and lots of maintenance.

• the barrage systems disrupts the fish migration and kills fish passing through the

turbines, hence, there is also the risk of damage to ecosystem, which rely on the coming

and going of tides.

Powering homes withPowering homes withPowering homes withPowering homes with YourYourYourYour own renewable types of energyown renewable types of energyown renewable types of energyown renewable types of energy

Around the world energy is being used at an alarmingly high rate. This is because of the fast

industrialization and increased awareness in the consumers. But, all this is taking toll on the

fossil fuel reserves as they are diminishing fast and their usage becomes costly. Due to the

lessening of non-renewable sources from the earth, people are searching more ways to make

use of natural and renewable energy sources. Not only that the after effects of these non

renewable combustion like global warming and harmful green house gases are also alarming.

We need to put in all possible efforts at all possible levels, to work in favor of our environment.

Considering that let’s work on the possibility of powering homes with our own renewable types

of energy.

If you are tired of ever rising electricity bill and you don’t want to waste money on your

electrical bill or you want to help the global economy and save the Earth, then you’ve the

solution. With the ever increasing costs of living, there is no better time to stop throwing money

and start to make renewable energy with homemade solar power and homemade wind energy.

However, there are many solutions to make renewable energy. But when it comes to home

power, the best choices to make renewable energy are solar and wind power.

DIY Solar EnergyDIY Solar EnergyDIY Solar EnergyDIY Solar Energy

NASA estimated that the Sun irradiates the earth 174 Petawatts (Pw) of solar energy each day.

Out of this around 30% of energy is reflected back to space, and another major share is

absorbed by our atmosphere. Even if we get only 10% of this energy which is about 17.4 Pw per

day, it is still more than the whole daily energy requirement worldwide.

If this much energy is freely accessible then why there are energy crisis. The answer to this is

that we are not able to canalize fully all this energy to meet our necessities. Most Solar Cells

which are accessible in the market are quite costly to our purchase power. But now we have an

option of DIY Solar Panels. You need some good instructions and simple materials. By building

your own DIY Solar Panels with dedication and patience you will start saving in energy bills and

you can start generating your own electricity. There are lots of sites available on internet where

you can get the required information on how to build your own solar energy and without

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spending much of money. And you can cut your electricity bill by 80% or even eliminate it

completely! One such site can be found at:

http://www.energybeta.com/go/DIYElectricity

DIY Wind Energy:DIY Wind Energy:DIY Wind Energy:DIY Wind Energy:

Wind energy which is another form of solar energy. The wind energy is abundant and it is 5

times more than the world’s energy consumption. Wind energy is one of the oldest energy

sources. Wind energy was used to propel the boats in ancient times. At present wind is used

generally to generate electricity and is one of the most effective renewable energy sources.

Wind energy does not pollute the environment and have no impact on the climatic changes.

You can generate your own energy through the wind turbine and can get enough energy to

meet the demand of your home. It doesn’t require having a genius mind to make your own wind

turbine. There is a lot of information available on the web to guide you to make your own

facility. If you generate your own energy, you won’t have to worry about the power cuts. The

wind power sector and solar power sector are becoming really cost effective with several

researches being done so as to cut the installation cost and improve the efficiency of the facility.

DIY Solar Wind energy:DIY Solar Wind energy:DIY Solar Wind energy:DIY Solar Wind energy:

Solar power and wind power are the two main available sources of power on our planet. Both

are renewable energy sources and are abundant all year round in all areas, but still produce less

than 5% of the world’s electric power.

We are now capable to combine the most powerful and abundant forces of nature, available to

all of us every day. Take for example this very interesting device - a vertical axis wind turbine

embedded with solar cells. So if the sun's shining, but the wind is not blowing you've still got

juice; and vice-versa. If you have both that is even better.

Although solar power or wind power alone can fluctuate but when used together they provide a

reliable source of energy. In many areas once the sun is strongest the wind speed is low and

while the wind speed is highest the sun is often the weakest as in winter. The ideal solution is to

join these two forms of energy sources to create a constant energy flow. This hybrid system

balances out the fluctuations in these powers to give a more smooth flow.

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The Future for Renewable Energy The Future for Renewable Energy The Future for Renewable Energy The Future for Renewable Energy

Renewable energy has many advantages that will help to maintain and expand its place in world

energy supply:

• Renewable energy resources are huge—hundreds of times more than the needs of

world energy consumption.

• Advances and research in technologies are dropping manufacturing costs and increasing

system efficiencies, in this manner reducing the cost of energy from renewable

resources.

• Negative environmental and health impacts of renewable energy use are much lesser

than those of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

• Many renewable energy technologies can generate energy at the point of use, allowing

homeowners, businesses, and industry to generate their own power.

• Considering the environmental impacts, there is strong support for renewable energy

from people around the world.

• Many governments have plans that support renewable energy use to reduce the

emission of greenhouse gases and thereby lessening the threat of global warming.

As in coming years, fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas become insufficient, they will become

more expensive. Some experts consider that demand for oil will exceed production ability within

the next twenty years.

The renewable energy sector is a latest and upcoming business model, and needs to have large

and predictable markets to invest in the economies of scale in manufacturing that will drive

down costs. For renewable energy technologies, where initial costs are usually higher than

existing market prices, strong and consistent government policy support is a key prerequisite for

creating initial demand.

Scale of production is also important to both wind and solar to bring down the costs. The solar

industry is transitioning from a zone of component assembly operations to large-scale

manufacturing of solar panels (photo-voltaic modules) and other components. New market

contestants are bringing capital, technology and manufacturing experience from established and

successful industries, for example semiconductor and display, which will noticeably increase

scale, automation and throughput of photo-voltaic module production in the coming years.

Measures we should take for better future and to close the fossil fuel supply gap are:

• Increase efficiency

• Consume less

• live slower & friendlier

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• Reduce increase of population

• Replace fossils by renewable energy

Renewable energy products available in the market Renewable energy products available in the market Renewable energy products available in the market Renewable energy products available in the market

There are different types of renewable energy products available in the market. Some of the

best products are as follows:

Solar power is used to power all sorts of electronic equipment, from handheld calculators, to

remote solar-powered sensor arrays, on emergency road signs or call boxes, on buoys, even in

parking lots to power lights and even some experimental vehicles and boats. Solar panels are

even placed on outdoor lighting structures where the solar cell is charged during daylight hours,

and at night, we get free electricity to keep our streets well-lit and secure. Solar panels are also

used on satellites, where array of solar cells provide reliable power for the satellite's electrical

systems.

Solar Charger:Solar Charger:Solar Charger:Solar Charger:

The world moves very fast these days, and accordingly, the modern human are constantly on

the go from one place to another. The inventions of the cell phone, laptop and the personal

digital assistant (PDA) have made us yet more mobile. Your phone, GPS, digital camera, MP3

players, etc all involves their batteries to be charged on a normal basis. Your superior pocket

computer becomes nothing more than a paperweight once its battery runs out.

Solar Charger is a solution to this problem. Solar charger absorbs light energy through the use of

Solar Collectors or solar panels and turns that energy into electricity. This electricity can charge

the internal Battery-on-Board. Once the Battery-on-Board is getting a charge, you can charge

your electronic digital devices.

There are different sizes and shapes of solar battery charger. Some are incorporated into bags

and backpacks. Some can be rolled up or folded to create a charging station you can take along

with you. All you require is a little sunshine and time, and you'll never be short on battery life

again. Solar-powered backpacks are the most recent travel gadgets in the tech world to make

certain you stay connected.

There are some new technical developments that allow you to plug your charger into an

automobile or wall socket while this is available, and use this energy to charge your electronics.

Wherever conventional energy sources are not available, you would use solar energy in its

place. These types of chargers are called "hybrid solar chargers."

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In our world of electronic requirement, and the ever-increasing demand for power, portable

solar chargers are shortly likely to be a must for adventure travel, wilderness camping, and even

off-grid living.

Solar charger may be an important piece of equipment to take with you if you are trekking

through the mountains or other unfamiliar area. When out in nature, it’s a little hard to find an

electrical outlet. This is where a solar charger can come in quite handy… You may recharge your

camera or mp3 player while out on a hike with the help of a solar charger.

With advanced technology, they can also be used for larger batteries that provide energy to

boats and RV’s.

Solar battery chargers for recreational vehicles (RV’s) are a good investment when out on the

road. Solar battery chargers can be placed on the dashboard of your RV and let it soak up the

sun while you are enjoying the scenery streaking past you.

During an emergency, like a hurricane or earthquake when power goes out, leaves the residents

without any ways to contact family. Cell phone batteries only last so long, and recharging them

could be a difficulty without electricity. Solar cell phone chargers lessen this problem.

Solar Attic FanSolar Attic FanSolar Attic FanSolar Attic Fan

The Solar Attic Fan is an inexpensive way to use solar energy in your life, which helps to exhaust

hot air from your attic. Powered wholly by free solar energy, this sleek and competent vent is

both compact and quiet. Installed on a rooftop or in an end-wall or gable, solar attic fans

operate each time there’s sunlight striking the solar module. Fully operational right from the

box, it installs effortlessly, without electrical wiring, no expensive electrician and city permits.

Most important feature is a single 10 watt unit can completely vent up to 1,200 square feet,

operating at up to 850 cfms. Place it anywhere you need better circulation; attics, lofts,

workshops, storage sheds, garages, even barns.

Solar Attic Fan provides attic venting which is an important aspect in maintaining a healthy

energy efficient home. Proper venting cools your roof which not only extends the material life

but also reduces the load on your air conditioning system. Attic venting also increases fresh air

flow which reduces moisture build up produced by every day activities like showering and

cooking.

Excess moisture trapped in your attic can cause many problems like rust and rot, increased

bacteria and mold counts which can have a direct impact on your respiratory health. Solar attic

fans simply change the grid energy source with free solar energy. They run when the sun is

shining and adding heat to your house. They can be installed wherever unobstructed sunlight is

available for their solar modules.

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Benefits of Solar Attic Fan:

• Lowers attic temperature

• Prevents ice blocking in colder climates

• Extends the life of the roofing materials

Solar lights Solar lights Solar lights Solar lights

Solar energy is the cleanest and inexhaustible of all known energy sources. Solar energy is

nothing but the light, heat and other radiation that is emitted from the sun. Solar radiation

holds huge amounts of energy and is responsible for almost all the natural processes on earth.

Solar Lights are completely free standing. Simply fit the light components collectively, press the

spike into the ground or screw on to the wall mounting, it really is that simple! Power is

provided by solar panels, located tactfully on the head of the lights.

During the day the lights charge up with free solar energy via the solar panels collecting power

from both sunlight and daylight. The energy is stored in long-life NiCad batteries (supplied)

integrated into the lamp body. Often, these lights are designed to turn on automatically at end

of the day, providing an enhancing effect through-out the night, and then charge up again

during the day. All weather design ensures that Solar Lights are not affected by unfavorable

weather conditions ensuring years of pleasure.

Features of our Solar Lights:

1. Automatic sunset sensors operate light at evening.

2. Strong design ideal for year round outdoor use.

3. Solid state Light Emitting Diodes give 20,000 hrs life.

4. These are the very economical lighting system.

5. Sun is a direct source of energy for the solar panel.

6. The battery is recharged during the day by direct-current (DC) electricity produced by

the solar panel.

7. The light source is powered by the battery each night.

8. The electronic controls are used between the battery, light source and solar panels to

protect the battery from overcharge discharge, and to control the timing and operation

of the light.

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Solar bricksSolar bricksSolar bricksSolar bricks

The Solar Energy Lighting Brick system are self contained lighting device that are powered only

by solar energy and are used for decorative or traffic floe purposes.

SolarSolarSolarSolar----Powered Security Camera:Powered Security Camera:Powered Security Camera:Powered Security Camera:

The 2.4GHz Solar Color PIR Camera & Receiver is a wireless camera, receiving all of its required

energy from the sun. With no wires to run, this camera installs simply, providing security and

convenience in easy and cost-effective manner.

As the camera's PIR motion sensor senses motion, images and voices are transmitted. Upon

receiving these signals, the receiver beeps twice, and the LED flashes for one minute, so you'll

know when to record or to view on your TV or monitor. The actual transmission time is

adjustable for 10, 20, 30 or 40 seconds, but the camera will continue to transmit as long as the

PIR sensor is triggered.

The Camera's solar panel uses the sun's rays to run and sustain a charge to the camera battery

during daylight hours. A negligible amount of energy is released by the long-life rechargeable

battery to manage the camera at night.

Wind Energy Kit for BoatWind Energy Kit for BoatWind Energy Kit for BoatWind Energy Kit for Boat

When you are out on the water, you are miles and miles away from the nearest electrical outlet.

Aside from having backup batteries in stock to restore your other batteries as they run out of

juice, or having a generator, there is no way for you to keep your devices up and running

without heading back into shore and waiting.

The Wind Energy Kit for your Boat comprises an Air Stream Small Wind Generator which

generates upwards of 200W of power, and mounting hardware and pole set specifically

designed to attach your wind generator securely to your boat.

If you are looking for a fun toy for your boat, but also want a tool that can save you hundreds of

dollars along the way, the Complete Wind Energy Kit for your Boat is the perfect choice for you.

Wind & Solar Hybrid System: Wind & Solar Hybrid System: Wind & Solar Hybrid System: Wind & Solar Hybrid System:

This Wind and Solar Hybrid System functions both on and off grid.

With this we are capable to combine the most powerful and abundant forces of nature,

available to all of us every day. Take for example this very interesting device - a vertical axis

wind turbine embedded with solar cells. So if the sun's shining, but the wind is not blowing

you've still got juice; and vice-versa. If you have both that is even better.

Although solar power or wind power alone can fluctuate but when used together they provide a

reliable source of energy. In many areas once the sun is strongest the wind speed is low and

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while the wind speed is highest the sun is often the weakest as in winter. The ideal solution is to

join these two forms of energy sources to create a constant energy flow. This hybrid system

balances out the fluctuations in these powers to give a more smooth flow.

(Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hybrid_Power_System.gif)

The system charges a small set of batteries. In the event of a grid failure, the system reverts to a

standalone (off grid) function and will continue to supply your home with power for essential

loads (water, refrigeration, boiler operation). This system will keep you up and running once all

else fails.

Water pumping Windmills:Water pumping Windmills:Water pumping Windmills:Water pumping Windmills:

A usual Windmill comprises of an 18 bladed rotor of 3 meter diameter installed on a tower of 10

meter height. The rotor through the gear mechanism drives the connecting rod along with the

pump, which can pump water from a maximum depth of 30 meter, at an average wind speed of

8-10 km per hours. The estimated rate of pumping under ideal conditions ranges from 1000 to

1200 liters per hours that could cater to the irrigation needs of about half to one hectare area

depending upon the cropping pattern and its water requirement.

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A Windmill can be installed on an open well, bore well etc at a site that is free from any

obstacles that could restrict the availability of Wind to the rotor of the windmill.

A Fuel cell vehicle: A Fuel cell vehicle: A Fuel cell vehicle: A Fuel cell vehicle:

A fuel cell vehicle is a vehicle which uses a fuel cell to generate its on-board motive power. Fuel

cells generate electricity to power an electric motor with hydrogen or a reformed hydrocarbon

fuel and oxygen from the air. Fuel cell vehicle efficiency is limited

SummarySummarySummarySummary

Even though most of today’s electricity comes from big power plants, new technologies offer a

range of options for generating electricity nearer to where it is needed, saving on the cost of

transmitting and distributing power and improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the

system. Improving energy efficiency signifies the most immediate and most cost-effective way

to reduce oil dependence, improve energy security, and lessen the health and environmental

impact of the energy system. By dropping the total energy requirements of the economy,

improved energy efficiency could make increased reliance on renewable energy sources more

practical and affordable.

By now it is clear that renewable sources of energy – wind power, solar power, hydro-electric

power, fuel cell power, tidal power, geothermal energy and biomass all are important

alternatives to fossil fuels. Their use reduces our greenhouse gas emissions, expands our energy

supply and reduces our dependence on unreliable and volatile fossil fuel markets. The growth of

renewable energy sources also encourages employment, the creation of new technologies and

improves the trade balance.

So what we are waiting for…. We are already late, it is better to act now than never. So act

now!!

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“Renewable energy is one of the great stories of recent years,

and it’s going to be a bigger story in the years to come.”

—George W. Bush, former President of the United States

“The Stone Age did not end for lack of stones, and the Oil Age

will end long before the world runs out of oil.”

—Sheikh Yamani, former Oil Minister of Saudi Arabia

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References:References:References:References:

[#1] http://www.prlog.org/10295698-diy-solar-panel-complete-analysis-on-home-solar-power-

systems.html

[#2] http://www.energyhimalaya.com/information-center/facts-and-figures.html

[#3] http://www.solarbuzz.com/FastFactsIndustry.html

[#4] http://thatgreenblog.com/2010/01/11/solar-energy-economic-impact/

[#5] http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/03/wind-energy-facts.html

[#6] http://www.energyhimalaya.com/information-center/facts-and-figures.html

[#7] http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/en/scenarios-and-targets/chapter-5-global-scenarios

[#8] http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/long307.html

[#9] http://www.our-energy.com/energy_facts/geothermal_energy_facts

[#10] http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/03/geothermal-energy-facts

[#11} http://www.envirohub.net/hydroelectric-energy.html

[#12] http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/03/hydropower-facts

[#13] http://hubpages.com/hub/facts-about-hydroelectric-energy

[#14] http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/04/biomass-energy-facts.html

[#15] http://www.buzzle.com/articles/biomass-energy-facts.html

[#16] http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj04/spr04/blanks.html

[#17] http://www.greencar.com/articles/5-facts-hydrogen-fuel-cell-cars.php

[#18] http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/03/ocean-energy-facts.html

[#19]http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/climate_carbon_energy/energy_solutions/renewabl

e_energy/clean_energy_facts/ocean_energy_facts

[#20] http://www.energyboom.com/10-facts-about-ocean-wave-power

[#21] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_energy_resources_and_consumption

[#22] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy

[#23] http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/alternate/page/renew_energy_consump/rea_prereport.html

[#24] http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/epm_sum.html?featureclicked=3&

[#25]http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/01-26-10_AWEA_Q4_and_Year-

End_Report_Release.html

[#26] http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/Annual_US_Wind_Power_Rankings_041107.html

[#27] http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/pdfs/1_overview-demeo.pdf

[#28] http://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/

[#29]http://www.energyonline.com/Industry/News.aspx?NewsID=7401&FPL_Commissions_DeSoto_Next

_Generation_Solar_Energy_Center__

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