Advantages of Alternative Energy Sources

Procuring and utilizing alternative energy sources carries political, economic and practical advantages that, when weighed against the costs, often drive businesses and individual consumers to upgrade or change their power selections. Consider all the ramifications when looking at energy sources for the home and office. Weigh the various advantages of alternative energy sources against your needs and philosophies.

Gasoline Alternatives

One of the biggest concerns, and sometimes the toughest reliance to break, is the use of gasoline for operating everything from basic transportation to heating and air conditioning. Hydrogen energy is an alternative source for this power. Fuel cells that store electricity run on hydrogen and oxygen and are found in specially formulated batteries. Vehicles and power plants that run on hydrogen fuel cells can be as much as 25 percent more fuel efficient than oil and gas. Electric cars and hybrids, while initially more expensive, save consumers in the long run because of increased fuel efficiency.

Solar Energy

Solar energy has been used for decades to run small devices such as calculators. Larger applications that provide power to buildings capture that same free energy source that is far less polluting than traditional power sources. It is safe, flexible and easily coordinated with other energy resources. Solar panels can be sized and placed in a variety of locations to take advantage of the best sunlight exposure. As costs of the hardware needed to produce vast amounts of solar energy fall, the savings will be realized even more.

Wind Power

Harnessed wind power is another natural source that is used for mechanical power in optimal wind-producing locations. About 82 square feet of windmill blade can produce as much as 175 watts of power. Wind power ends up costing about eight cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to five cents for hydropower and 15 cents for nuclear power.

Water

Harnessing the power of tidal waves is an economical and reliable source of energy. Tidal charts are more predictable than wind or rain predictions and more reliable than ongoing sunlight. Hydropower is free and produces no waste. There is no chance of losing the ocean's powerful waves for billions of years. Tidal turbines, while initially costly to set up, can provide the most energy savings, as they are approximately 80 percent efficient.

Biomass Energy

The use of plants and animal byproducts is an alternative energy source that is considered one of the most efficient means of producing energy for electricity and liquid fuels for transportation. The U.S. Department of Energy promotes the use of biofuels through research and funding for crop development and production research. Biomass energy is both renewable and cost effective.

Resources

• Biomass Program