There is a growing concern worldwide with the onset of climate change and global warming, which has causes drastic changes all around the world, and not exactly in a good way. Many have called for a shift particularly in the kind of energy we use and consume, one that is friendlier to the environment, and is renewable as well.

As things stand, we are traditionally dependent on oil and coal, which are basically non-renewable sources of energy, which means they will run out someday. Besides that, they are also relatively expensive and have harmful by products that damage the environment when they are utilized and harnessed to create fuel and energy.

Thus, there arises a real and legitimate need to utilize cleaner, cheaper and renewable sources of energy, and one of those ways is through wind energy.

Wind energy is harnessed by wind turbines, which use the power of the wind to power generators that in turn produce energy and electricity. One kind of wind turbine is called the vertical axis, which has the advantage of having the gearbox at the bottom of the whole set up, which makes for a more stable turbine, since the weight is not on top of the turbine. The downside though, is that pulsating torques can occur, which will diminish the amount of wind energy collected.

Vertical axis wind turbines are also much more cost-efficient, and are cheaper to maintain and can stand up to most winds. The parts are also much easier to transport, making it more mobile and easier to set-up in ideal locations.

An example of these vertical axis turbines is the windmill type vertical axis wind turbine, which is made up of three sails, which can contract and expand based on the strength of the wind, allowing for better and more efficient energy collection. The contraction and / or expansion of these sails is controlled through a magnetic counter.

Regardless of the type, these wind turbines are undoubtedly one of the best ways to harness the power of the wind, which is an invaluable resource and can serve as one of the substitutes for traditional non-renewable energy sources. While the research concerning these wind turbines has still much more room to grow in, it is our hope that we will see much more of these wind turbines so our plant will become a cleaner, greener, and safer world to live in.

With the growing concern about global warming and climate change all over the world, more and more people and even large organizations are looking to alternative energy sources for clean and safe and renewable ways to get energy without damaging the environment.

At present, human society is very dependent on oil and coal, which are not only non-renewable sources of energy, but are also harmful to the environment when processed to produce fuel or other types of energy, like electricity.

One particular way of preserving the environment through the use of the clean and green renewable sources of energy is through the use of wind power. Wind power is collected using wind turbines, which are large structures with blades that turn as fast as the is wind blowing at a particular time.

The movement then powers a generator connected to the turbine, which in turn produces energy. It a clean and efficient way to generate power without the harmful by products that damage our ecosystem and environment. There are two kinds of wind turbines, the horizontal axis as well as the one with the vertical axis. There are pros and cons to each, but either one is an effective way to harness wind power.

Wind turbines are usually located along the coast, there the winds are strongest. The strong the wind, the more energy is generated and collected by the wind turbine’s generator. To further maximize the potential of this kind of renewable energy, there have also been studies and experiments that aim to put wind turbines in the ocean itself, so that even the strongest typhoon winds will be able to be harnessed to create free and cheap and clean energy for all.

The use of wind turbine energy has also been proven to be effective in small communities that are far from urban areas, most of whom have no access to electricity. Wind turbine technology changes all this, with nearby beneficiary communities enjoying much cheaper electricity rates compared to their urban counterparts, but having the same benefits of a household that uses electricity.

Especially in the long run, wind turbines and wind energy can really pay off, not only in terms of the efficiency of the whole system, but largely because of the benefits to the environment. This will help our planet become a much better place to live in, with future generations enjoying the benefits of a cleaner and greener planet, with cheap and clean energy to support them.

photo credit: Amarand Agasi

People cannot function without energy. For one, people need light to see in the dark. Whether you are using candles or electric bulbs, you would need energy to light it. People also travel by car, trains, vessels and airplanes. So, you need energy to reach your destination.

With the present technology, people are actually able to live an easier life. Today you no longer have to light up wood in order to cook food. You have your stoves and burners powered by electricity and gas. The problem is most machines and equipment today is fueled by non-renewable sources. As the name suggests, they will be depleted one day. Because of this conservation is imperative.

Finding an Alternative in Solar Energy

Aside from conservation, you have to find alternative sources of energy. The important thing is to be able to use renewable energy in our daily lives. To be able to do that you would also need to learn how to store energy for later use.

One of the best alternative sources of energy is the sun. By using solar energy, using non-renewable energy can be avoided or at least minimized. You may not feel it but you will be making a big difference. One thing you will appreciate though is the savings you will get from electric bills. But before you can enjoy such savings, you would have to make some investments first. You can purchase appliance that only use solar energy. You can also power your entire house with solar energy using solar panels and the works.

Thermal mass systems need to be in place in order to be able to store solar energy. The good thing about this process is you will only be using renewable materials. Although no system is yet capable of storing solar energy for a long time, what is available now is enough to heat your entire house and run some appliances as well.

Other Means of Storing Energy

The most common perhaps is the use of rechargeable batteries. Depending on the size of battery, it can be portable as well. But the best thing is you can have energy when you need it. Nevertheless, depending on your source of energy you might not be able to conserve non-renewable energy.

Molten salts would be more effective in storing solar energy. It’s cost effective and it’s not even flammable. While the storage tank is heating up, the salt mixture becomes hot and so it’s used to make steam.

On the other hand, eutectic salts are ideal for heating systems. It stores energy and is able to distribute heat evenly and for a longer time as well.

By finding more ways of storing energy, you will be able to make use of renewable energy and help save the planet.

photo credit: rmcgervey

Many people are growing concerned with the state the world environment is in, and with good reason. Al Gore’s documentary, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ made the world more aware of global warming and climate change, which has caused many weather aberrations and natural disasters like flash floods and extremely powerful typhoons and hurricanes that devastate all in its path, as well as the rising of water levels all around the world, where more and more coastal town are losing coastline to the ocean, as sea levels continue to rise.

A large part of global warming and climate change can be traced to our use of energy, which not only destroys the environment but depletes out natural resources. Oil, which is the main source of fuel all around the world, is a non-renewable natural resource and will one day become depleted. Plus, the by products of gasoline use fill the air with pollution. What we need then, are clean and safe sources of energy that are renewable and are cheap as well. Fortunately for us, alternative energy research has been driven more in recent years to come up with ways for us to be able to utilize renewable energy sources the same or maybe even in bigger ways than we do with traditional sources of energy.

photo credit: rmcgervey

One example of alternative energy sources is the sun, whose heat powers solar cells. Solar cells store heat from the sun and use it to power generators, which can then produce electricity. Solar power is very good to use especially when used in tandem with the so called electric cars – cars that run on electricity. They are no less efficient compared to their gasoline or diesel fuelled counterparts, and simple require plugging into an outlet to recharge their power. Moreover, they have zero emissions, meaning no harmful gasses are blown out into the air, making it a very green and environment friendly car indeed.

Another is wind power, which is harnessed through wind turbines. Most wind turbines are located near coastal areas, since the wind there is much stronger that it is inland. These turbines use wind power to generate electricity, and is once again a source for cheap, clean, and renewable power.

Another is hydropower, which comes from the force generated by moving water. The movement again powers a generator which produces electricity.

Biomass is another renewable source of energy, where gasses, oils and fluids from rotting objects are used as fuel. And since humans periodically have lots of waste, this is one way to use garbage in a very productive manner.

photo credit: SkyFireXII

With all the brouhaha with the prices and the supply of oil, plus issues on renewable energy, it is only natural that we look to cleaner, renewable, and greener sources of power. With the prospect of climate change and global warming at out doorstep, we need to be able to find the right ways to generate power without the harmful by-products of traditional power sources. When it comes to green energy, we have many to choose from and develop, such as solar power, wave power, and wind power.

Wind power is generally generated through the use of wind turbines, large modern windmills that use the power of the wind to power generators, which in turn produces energy, which is usually electricity – a need in this technologically advanced world of ours. Basically, the wind turns the turbines, which then powers the generator – the stronger the wind, the more power is generated.

The principle behind wind turbines is not new, actually, as even in olden times windmills were used to crush grain in order to make flour.

When building wind turbines, it is best to put them in the best locations possible to that wind power and energy collection through the generators is maximized. While the power is free and clean, there is considerable expense in putting up wind turbines so it is best the ideal location be utilized in order to generate the maximum power possible.

Usually, wind turbines are located off shore and away from highly urbanized communities. This allows for wind to flow freely and allows for maximum power to be generated. There have also been studies where the possibility of putting wind turbines in the ocean itself, where there are stronger winds, and even strong storms that normally weaken when they make landfall can be utilized, giving clean, cheap and renewable power to many households and cities.

Another benefit to wind turbines is that they are generally very quiet, unlike traditional power plants that are noisy, and are usually unsafe to live nearby. Wind turbines do not have any radioactive or harmful by-products, which makes it safe for humans and animals and plant life alike.

Wind power is still in its infancy these days, but the results of research and initial trials being done have proven very promising. Some remote communities who have no access to electricity now have power because of experimental wind turbine projects done in their communities, which give them cheap and clean power, as well as the convenience of having electricity. Wind power and wind turbines is indeed one of the gateways to a cleaner planet.