Alternative Energy Possibilities

Hydrogen is abundant on earth and throughout the universe (so I've been told).

Combined with oxygen, it makes water, which is necessary for all forms of life and is also excellent splashed over a couple of ice cubes nestling in a glass of Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Hydrogen is also a Renewable Energy. That is, it can be used over and over again without damaging the Earth or its inhabitants.
Quite a welcome change after a couple of centuries of doing all we can to fill the atmosphere with smoke and carbon dioxide.

The technology to use hydrogen as fuel has been around for years. NASA has been using it to send it's rockets spacewards (to see if ET DID get home) but, for some unfathomable reason, it hasn't been adapted to power everyday items, like our cars.

It seems strange, indeed, that this fuel can be used to put men on the moon but it can't be used to take me to the corner store for a pint of milk.

Hydrogen energy is stored in the form of fuel cells. These fuel cells power space vehicles during take-off.

Because hydrogen is not found naturally by itself, the first step in building a fuel cell is to release the hydrogen from a compound.
Hydrogen is present in many other things than water, such as natural gas; a substance that is often used in hydrogen energy.

Hydrogen energy is produced thermally by using heat to separate hydrogen and natural gas. Unfortunately, natural gas is a fossil fuel and there is only a finite amount available before it, too, runs out.

When water is used, a similar process, called electrolysis, is used to separate the hydrogen and oxygen with an electrical current. The result of each of these processes is more energy, in the form of hydrogen, than is used in the process itself.

However, using hydrogen, extracted from water, as a fuel has a by-product - water - that can be re-used to make more hydrogen.

This type of energy has been researched since it is considered to be pure power. An engine that uses hydrogen produces almost no pollution, making it much preferred over fossil fuels. The by-product (exhaust) is water.

In the space shuttle, for instance, the by-product of burning hydrogen to power lift-off is purified water, which the astronauts, then, can drink. (Sadly, for them, without the Johnnie Walker).

Therefore, using hydrogen power is not only clean, but also useful. You can compare fuel cells to batteries, since they are very much alike.

However, with the fuel cells you will never lose your charge and it will work until all of the hydrogen is cut off. Inside the cell, oxygen is combined with hydrogen, and the chemical process that produces water gives off heat and electricity. The water can then be broken into hydrogen and oxygen once again, and the process starts all over again.
Renewable Energy at its most efficient.

As for the future, some scientists have predicted that these fuel cells will become extremely popular in many day to day applications.

Scientific work is still on-going to make the final product convenient and cost effective.

Eventually, it seems that hydrogen fuel cells could be the solution that the world has been looking for.

A fully renewable energy source that is clean and safe for Planet Earth.

Did you know that the ocean tides could be a large source of energy and provide power to some of the world's largest countries?

Well, I'm telling you now - it could. So there, now you know.

You will find that there are a lot of advantages to using the tidal energy system.

By researching the topic of power, you can help benefit your community and find an alternative form of energy.

There are less than 25 sites in the world that are capable of producing tidal energy.

Because of the opposition of so many communities, there are no plants built to research and discover the use of tidal waves in energy. However, as the world's non-renewable energy sources begin to run out, tidal power could become very important for us to consider.

By building barrages and dams across some of the rivers that are greatly affected by the ocean's tides, you will find that it will still allow the tide to ebb and flow.

As the water moves through the relatively small pipes, the power of the movement pushes turbines, which run huge electrical generators.

Unfortunately, there are disadvantages to this system.

The process will end up changing the eco-system greatly because it will create dams of water.
Changes in the eco-system provide the main fuel for opponents of tidal barrages.

Animals like certain birds, fish, and other species could end up disappearing from this particular habitat.

However, barrages could help protect the shoreline from floods and storms.

They also do not pollute the environment with chemicals or greenhouse gasses the way fossil fuels do.

The great thing about tidal power is that you will be able to predict it and come to rely on it. Because the tide ebbs and flows at certain times of the day, operators know exactly how much power will be generated and when.

A tidal power plan is where electric can be generated for ten hours a day, but it can be completely free when the barrages are built. They require little upkeep and no fuel or energy to run. Overall, it is a very dependable and consistent source of energy.

(Image of St.Michael's Mount with the tide out courtesy www.freefoto.com)

Tidal power is just one of the alternative energies that the major companies are using to replace the fossil fuels and nuclear power. It is just a way that you can generate electricity from the water of the oceans.

You will also find that some people call this thermal energy conversion. The power companies are trying to use things like the ocean water's temperature, but this theory is still in the early development stages.

The ocean thermal energy conversion is still being studied and it is a very expensive process, however, once it is cost effective, you could find that it will be a top way of producing the world's energy. There are plants for converting this energy on the shore, but then they are often found floating in the ocean or on the ocean shelves (which are not far from the land, but still too far to walk).

The basis of the idea is to use a large water intake pipe to pull very cold ocean water from a mile or more below the surface to the top of the ocean. Warm surface water is used to make a liquid with a low boiling point turn into steam, which expands to turn a generator. Then, the very cold seawater is pumped through, turning the vapor back into liquid so the process can happen all over again. As the water is then returned to the sea, you will notice that it is environmentally friendly and that the process itself is easy.

By placing the warm seawater into a low-pressure container, it will begin to boil and then create a form of energy. This is known as the open-cycle system. As with the aforementioned procedure, it is easy and good for the environment. However, since the 1980's the process has been studied and improved and the recent studies have proven that it can be over 95% efficient.

As for the process of converting, you will find that the seawater's temperature difference into energy is a new method when it comes to all the research. You will find that there are power plants that are devoting more time and money to try to be safer for the environment and use fewer pollutants.

You will find that the seawater method is becoming a focal point of the energy research project. However, like solar and geothermal power, it is also renewable and there are companies that want to produce the electricity in the hope of the survival of the human race.

Sometimes I wonder, "Why bother!"

You can turn to sources other than the rapidly diminishing fossil fuels to have the perfect energy opportunities and solutions.

For those who live near the ocean, you will be able to find this energy conversion to be the type of power that you can live with and enjoy while supporting the environment.

Altogether, a pretty good idea, I think. What about you?

Solar Energy appears to be the most talked about concept of alternative energy.

It's a simple concept, really. That's probably why it's talked about so much.

The largest nuclear reactor in our galaxy is hovering around in the sky just minding its own business, giving Australians skin cancer and turning Englishmen and Americans on the Costa del Sol into broiled lobster look-alikes.

The simple concept is that we use solar panels to collect the energy from the sun and convert it into energy that we can then use to run the appliances in our home, our businesses and our fake tanning salons.

Sadly, although it's been known about for decades, governments have not taken it seriously. This may be something to do with all the taxes and political contributions they collect from the coal burning power companies - who knows?

Recently, however, common sense has begun to prevail and a lot of governments are actually handing out cash to people who install Solar Power technology in their homes.

It took them a while to catch on that Solar Energy causes no pollutants and will make the world a much pleasanter place to live in for future generations.

A lot of people use solar power without even realizing it. If you own a swimming pool, the solar cover you use to cover it when it is not in use is a form of solar energy. The solar covers collect the rays from the sun and then transfer them to the water thus keeping the pool at a warmer temperature.
This way you do not need to use an electrical heating source to warm your pool. Although this is not an extremely efficient way of collecting the sun's heat as energy, it is the basic concept.

Did you know that the sun provides more energy than you use in a year in just one day?

Once again, you do now!

The trick is learning how to efficiently harness this energy for our use.

You can now buy solar panels to help heat your home. Even better, you can make them yourslf - cheaply and easily. Check This Out

You can either use a similar method to that of the pool method, or you can use the 'converting of heat into energy' system to power your home.
The latter is a far better idea as, if you make more power than you use, you can sell it to the power companies. How's that for a novel idea, getting money FROM the power companies!

New and more efficient products are being developed every day to help you do this. Not only more efficient, but CHEAPER. My favourite flavour!

Overall, it is important that you consider solar power and all of its options for the building or remodeling of a home. Insulation and careful choice of glazing can save you a bucket of money. {See "All About How Clever I Am" Module}

When it comes to the sun, there isn't any major pollution that you should worry about. The sun is one source that we are going to have for billions of years to come. It is going to be up there when all the other sources have long since gone the way of Glam Rock..

You will find that there is a lot of solar power research and it is the most likely future power source. You will see solar powered cars, houses, offices, and so much more. If you live in a hot and sunny climate, you will find that these solar panels are going to be the most efficient money saver for you and your area.

Oh, and the planet will love you, too.

Solar flare photo courtesy Sean at http://www.astronomy-blog.com

What a frightening and confused world we're living in!

Global Warming, Climate Change, Britney Spears, Rising Energy prices, Rising Food prices, Rising Transport prices, Paris Hilton and, just to put the icing on the cake, House prices dropping like a stone.

All these things are VERY scary!

Words never heard, five years ago, like 'Carbon Footprint' now conjure up visions of dried up fields and cities under water.

What can be done? I mean, really, this is getting way beyond a joke!

Well, the idea of 'saving electricity' is one that's looking pretty good at the moment.

"Going Green" certainly is not viewed with the derision it was, sadly, twenty, ten, or even five years ago.

"Going Green" and "Energy Saving" are now responsible business practices.

It is finally being seen as good business sense to save the environment.

However, as energy costs continue to rise, you may be among the millions of people, all over the world, who are looking for ways to save electricity around their personal living environment - the family home.

Here are a few bright ideas that can save you small amounts of money in themselves, but they will add up to significant savings when taken altogether.

If you're only preparing meals for one or two people, use the smaller burners on your stovetop. They use less energy than the big burners, and generally won't take any longer to prepare your meals.

If you want to save even more, get a hot and tasty winter meal started in your crockpot before you head off to work. That way, it will be ready to eat when you get home, and you will have saved a surprising amount of electricity in the process.

You don't always have to save huge amounts of energy to see a drop in your electric bill.

The simple act of leaving your computer monitor on all the time can cost you nearly $18 a month (approximately 60 cents a day). It's not too friendly to your monitor, either, as I found out about 12 months ago, when I had to buy a new one!

If you leave your cell phone and battery charger plugged in, you'll pay $1.50 a month for the privilege. That might not seem like much, but small things like that represent a giant energy drain on the country when you think of the millions of people that do it.

More than $8 billion a year, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.

Insulate your water heater, or "geyser," with a special insulating blanket. This can save you about 2KW hours a day, possibly more in cold climates. Also put insulation around your hot water pipes, to further reduce heat loss and lower your family's energy usage. Another way to save money and be kind to the environment!

Setting your thermostat a little lower in the winter and a little higher in the summer can also save money, and not just pocket change, either, significant amounts of money are simply wasted, every day.

If you've going to be out of the house for any length of time during the day, Turn Your Thermostat Down.

Even a few degrees up or down will save more than $100 a year on heating and cooling costs, according to Alliance to Save Energy calculations.

President-elect Obama's "New Energy for America" plan correctly cites energy efficiency as the "cheapest, cleanest, fastest energy source" and calls for new energy efficiency policies and substantial federal investment in energy efficiency to help reduce U.S. oil dependence, create new jobs, and curb climate change, the Alliance said.

All in all, it won't take a huge effort or sacrifice to save yourself significant amounts of money on your electric bills every month.

Look at your lifestyle and the things you use around the house every day. Do they really need to be on all the time? Can you do the various things you do on a daily basis in a different way that will use less electricity? All it takes is a little commitment to begin paying attention to the many small energy-draining details that can make a noticeable difference in your overall energy usage.

Utility companies offer energy audits, tips, and other help for customers who want to reduce energy consumption.

Call your local utility or log onto their website to see what they have to offer.

Consider How to Save Electricity by increasing your energy efficiency when buying new appliances. Appliances are labeled with energy usage comparison tables. Look at these figures. Also, you may be able to buy an adapter to make your older appliances more energy efficient.

Turn off appliances that no one is using. Turning off TV's, lamps, computers, VCR's, ovens, and other appliances that no one is using can reduce electric energy consumption. Even turning them off for short periods can produce noticeable results.

The 'stand by' mode, on most appliances uses about 60% as much electricity as when the appliance is being used. This electricity is a total waste, but YOU ARE STILL PAYING FOR IT. Something you don't even use!

Your home will need LESS electricity, the wasted energy will be conserved and re-disbursed through out your home. This will result in a LOWER ELECTRIC BILL!

Make sure the refrigerator door seals are tight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

If you have an electric oven turn it off 5 minutes before the food is done. The heat will stay in the oven and will continue to cook your food.

There, that wasn't too hard, was it?

Of course, Alternative Energy is the way of the future, there's no doubt about that. Some of the systems, like Solar Power, are available today.

But what about the average, everyday home of 2009 (or 2010, if you're a bit slow getting here)?

Well, the obvious answer is to use the power facilities you have now but use them far more efficiently.

Here's where "How Clever I Am" comes into the picture.

I have written an e-Book containing 120+ simple and cheap tips for saving energy and saving money in the home.

Being environmentally friendly doesn't have to mean chaining yourself to a tree in front of a bulldozer. It can mean that you don't waste money on electricity that you don't need to use or, even worse, that you don't use at all.

Did you know that about 30% of the electricity that you pay for is wasted?

Well, guess what.....you do now!

So, don't hang about here, there's not much more interesting to see, anyway.

Slip along to This Website and check it out.

You'll be glad you did. (and so will I).