13Jan/100
Alternative Energy Usage in Ireland
Ireland is pursuing energy independence by trying to develop to a larger extent the usage of alternative energy; one must take into consideration the fact that Ireland benefits from a robust economy, allowing it to research and develop resource encompassing alternative energies. During modern days, almost ninety percent of the energy needs are accomplished by importation, from the energy that has become imported. This makes Ireland extremely dependent on energetic supplies coming from foreign locations. It should come as no surprise that Ireland wants to get over this dependency and start producing energy of its own. Therefore, it is only natural that institutions and the government start thinking about alternative resources as a way to produce the energy the population needs. The EU has in fact implemented some regulations regarding reduction in emissions of harmful substance and gases in the air, including regulations on sulphuric oxide and nitric oxide.
Green energy has become therefore the one thing the EU strives to accomplish throughout all the member states. Hydroelectric power is now utilized in some areas inside Ireland for quite a long period of time and has so far, proved to be very effective in producing energy, by capturing the energy of the waves from Atlantic Ocean, which is on the western part of Ireland. This energy supply is now capable of producing the energy supply needed by the whole country.
As a matter of fact, in the future, Ireland may even become energy exporter, granted the fact that it can now exploit the very few natural resources it has for its own benefit. The energy potential is constituted in the fact that throughout the whole Ireland, big winds blow, there is close proximity to the ocean and one can derive energy from biomass resources. It could for instance, supply energy to the rest of Europe, energy produced from ocean waves and biomass fuels. For the moment, Ireland has concentrated its efforts in obtaining the fifteen percent barrier, that is, produce fifteen percent of the energy needed by the population through wind farms. This is in fact, a governmental objective for 2010. Not only the government, but also institutions and research institutes are combining efforts to be able to discover the ways Ireland can reduce its reliance on foreign produced energy.
Researchers are now studying the fields of the ocean wave energy so that the energy produced can cover much of the necessary amounts for the population. A test site designed for alternative energy has been created in Ireland, on the western coast, to better study ocean energy. The experimental site, also known as "Wavebob" helps researchers study on the spot the most efficient ways they could use ocean waves to produce energy. Judging by the efforts made leading to discovery, one can say that in the future, Ireland can become the market leader in the sector. Analysts believe that wave energy possesses the potential to change and that renewable energy may become the norm; if this is accomplished, then Ireland wouldn't have to depend anymore on the energy provided by others and could thus reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.
Many people believe that since the industry dealing with sugar beet has been shut down, this means that there is more Irish land available to use to construct alternative energy power plant, including plants designed for bioenergy production. Since renewable energy is now catering for only two percent of the energy consumed in Ireland, it is imperative to come up with a solution or solutions that will resolve the problem to a large extent. Biomass energies are fit to be fully exploited, because the answer lies in not using conventional methods of producing energies and adapting existing equipment in order to produce energy from other resources.
Digital Camcorders
12Jan/100
Three Alternative Energy Solutions For Homes
One of the hot topics right now is alternative energy solutions, or, "green" energy. Here are three alternative energy solutions, the benefits, and how they work.
Wind Power
Wind power is created by a turbine on a tall tower using the wind to kinetically make electricity. A wind powered generator, can save 50 to 90 percent off of an electricity bill and can offset 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gases that would have been created by an electric company. They have very few moving parts, can be installed quite easily, and when your turbine produces more electricity than your home needs, the electric company is required by law to buy it from you, or the excess can be stored in batteries for later use in your home.
The cost for a generator can be quite steep, though. A small turbine can cost from $6,000 to $22,000, including installation. The cost can be paid for by government incentives and grants for those using and installing "green" forms of electricity, and the operating cost for a wind powered generator is basically nothing at all. A turbine can be retro fitted to your home's electrical system, so there is no rewiring that needs to be done for this alternative energy solution.
Solar Power
Solar power is made by converting sunlight into electricity using cells made from silicon, which, when exposed to sunlight, creates an electric charge. This process is called photovoltaics.
Solar home kits can cost up to $10,000 or more, depending on your energy needs. Solar rebate programs or tax credits can help offset this cost. For example, the California Energy Commission has reserved $3.2 billion for funding solar projects throughout California. The money is doled out through cooperation with utility companies and businesses can get an automatic 30% federal tax credit for using this alternative energy solution. And, just like when using wind power, if you produce more electricity than you need, you can sell it to your electric company.
Hydro Power
If you are lucky enough to have a source of running water near your home, such as a river, stream, or brook, then hydro power may be an alternative energy solution worth looking into. Hydro power is formed by small water generators called micro-hydro turbines that are set into the water's stream. These turbines can produce non-stop power no matter what the weather is like, unlike solar or wind powered alternative energy solutions. It is also the cheapest alternative. A home turbine system can cost as little as $1,000 to $3,000 dollars.
Discount Halloween Costumes
11Jan/100
How Alternative Energy Works – Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Energy has been the topic of many discussions in recent years. What has sparked this fierce and sometimes violent debate is the fact that our Earth is running out of it. Fossil fuels are greatly depleted as wars are being fought for the control of these resources.
The natural solution to the shortage problem we're facing is to find some other source of alternative energy. But, where can we find them? And if we do, how do we harness it sufficiently enough to save power in the long run? The answer to the questions is simple - let's turn to the Earth4energy.
The main source of power for all living things on Earth is the sun. The light emitting from that flaming ball of hydrogen hanging in the vast reaches of space is used in plants as part of their photosynthesis. We humans, in turn, consume these plants and have the energy transferred to us.
But, we could use the energy contained in sunlight more directly in the form of solar power. In certain parts of India and the United States are vast collections of mirrors that reflect sunlight into a receiver that contains water. The concentrated heat produced boils the water and the vapor moves along several pipes and spins a turbine that causes it to generate electricity. However, the cost of erecting these huge structures is dear and they're only feasible in certain regions. So far, civilian solar powered homes are not that effective in saving power and reducing electricity bills.
Wind power is also a popular option for those who don't receive scorching sunlight all-year around. In the Netherlands, the government has built windmills, placed strategically on the nation's wind-swept plains. The principle of the windmill is the same as solar cells, except that they use the wind to turn the turbines. This form of alternative energy is apparently efficient enough to power a whole country.
Geothermal energy is another way we can turn to the Earth4energy. We can actually harness the heat and power that is trapped between the Earth's crusts and use it in our power stations. The potential of this alternative energy is vast, since this is the type of might that causes earthquakes and volcanic explosions.
The possibilities of alternative energy are still largely unexplored. What we need is proper funding and brilliant minds who can find cost-efficient ways to build windmills and solar cells. Fossil fuels are almost gone, people. We need alternative energy, like solar power and wind power to save power and reduce electricity bills.
Digital SLR Cameras - Lenses
11Jan/100
Alternative Energy – What is It?
Alternative energy, renewable energy, green energy - all these terms and more get tossed around a lot these days. Just what is alternative energy?
Most energy today is used as fuel to generate electricity, provide heat or run internal combustion engines. Fossils fuels - coal, oil and natural gas provide the vast majority of it.
This wasn't always the case. In the not too distant past, animals provided transportation and water mills powered small industries.
A windmill by a ranch house is an icon of the American west because thousands of windmills were used to provide power to pump water before electricity was available.
Early in the 20th century nearly 1/3rd of homes in Florida used solar hot water. The availability of cheap electricity in the 1940's changed that. At one point electric companies were even giving away hot water heaters to encourage consumption.
On the stage of human history, the dominance of fossil fuels has been very brief and very recent. As it becomes harder and more expensive to meet our energy needs with fossil fuel, we're returning to other ways of obtaining power.
So the current definition of alternative energy is: energy from a source other than the burning of fossil fuels (again coal, oil and its derivatives and natural gas).
While many people automatically assume that alternative energy sources are renewable, that isn't necessarily so. For example, burning peat for heat is an alternative energy, but it is neither clean nor renewable.
However most sources of alternative energy are renewable as well as better for the environment than fossil fuel. That is why there is such interest in these types of energy these days.
The alternative sources people most commonly think of are solar power, wind power and hydropower. However, researchers are eagerly exploring other innovative sources as well. These include things such geothermal, biomass and tidal power.
In the not too distant future we can expect that these forms of energy will no longer be "alternative" but instead be our dominate sources.
Caring for Parrots, Cockatiels, Parrotlets
7Jan/100
Alternative Energy – What Will the Future Hold?
Much like fashion and music, our perception of what the future will hold changes as time passes. Around the turn of the last century, we got visions of moon shots, Martian invasions and journeys to the center of the planet from science fiction writers like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. After Sputnik shot into orbit in the 1950s, our future became populated by robot butlers and flying cars. And today, as we face the specter of climate change and disappearing natural resources, our visions of the future include alternative energy solutions.
But what do we mean by the phrase "alternative energy?" Aside from crude oil, there's a wide array of viable options: Natural gas. Coal. Geothermal. The list goes on and on.
But in the midst of international tension and pollution, relying on a dwindling supply of fossil fuels is a futile exercise at best. New forms of alternative energy must be free from the limitations of the ones we're using now. The subtext here is sustainability -- the ability of alternative energy sources to sustain themselves.
So what kinds of alternative energy can we predict for the next century? Here's a quick list:
Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Since well before Toyota introduced the Prius gas-electric hybrid, we've been speculating as to how we'd power automobiles with alternative energy. But the popularity of the Prius has driven business and industry to pursue better ways to fuel cars. One of the best answers is hydrogen gas, since it can be drawn from conventional crude oil sources and (like gasoline), "alternative energy" sources (like biodiesel). The hydrogen drawn from these sources powers fuel cells to power a vehicle's motor. The only emission is water.
Biofuels. If you've ever been camping, you've used biofuels: Campfires burn biomass (dried or decomposed organic material) to create heat and light. In the process known as prolysis, organic products are burned to create liquid fuels. These fuels can be used to power an internal combustion engine or a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. However, burning biomass produces carbon, which contributes to global warming.
Solar Power. As far as sustainability goes, solar power wins the gold medal; the sun isn't scheduled to expend its supply of hydrogen gas for another four and a half billion years. Solar power uses photovoltaic cells to turn sunlight into usable energy. And though business and industry have generally been slow to convert power systems to solar, there are several notable exceptions: One Southern California utility announced plans to spend $900 billion on photovoltaic power generation in the Mojave desert. Home Depot, the home improvement retail store, has also begun offering solar installation service to its clients.
Wind Power. Windmills aren't just for quaint old farms anymore. Though wind power has been used as far back as the 1800s (when it helped to irrigate crops), it's only come into its own relatively recently. Now, wind farms speckle the landscape throughout the American southwest.
Wave Energy. Off the coast of Portugal sits the world's firs commercial "wave farm" -- an installation intended to generate power from the motion of ocean waves. The key to wave power is the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, the device that makes the whole process possible. The Pelamis is designed to survive even the harshest waves, since it only absorbs a portion of the energy of each wave.
Christmas Toys
7Jan/100
Alternative Energy – Why do we Need it?
Why Do We Need Alternatives?
To answer that question, we need to start by discussing fossil fuels-what they are, where they come from, how they are used and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Within this context, the pressing need for alternatives becomes quite clear.
What are fossil fuels?
Most fossil fuels are formed from the remains of long-dead creatures and plants. Buried over the course of hundreds of millions of years, these carbon-based deposits have been converted by heat and pressure over time into such combustible substances as crude oil, coal, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands. A smaller portion of fossil fuels is the handful of other naturally occurring substances that contain carbon but do not come from organic sources.
To make more fossil fuels would require both the creation of new topsoil filled with hydrocarbons, and time-lots of time. Given estimates of current fossil fuel reserves worldwide, it's not possible we can wait out the problem, and continue our dependence on fossil fuels until new reserves are built. At current consumption rates, the reserves of oil and coal and other fossil fuels won't last hundreds of years, let alone hundreds of millions of years.
As for creating more, experts have pointed out that it can take close to five centuries to replace a single inch of topsoil as plants decay and rocks weather. Yet in the United States, at least, much of the topsoil has been disturbed by farming, leading still more experts to the disturbing conclusion that in areas once covered by prairie, the past hundred years of agriculture have caused America's "bread basket' to lose half of its topsoil as it erodes thirty times faster than it can form.
The Advantages of Fossil Fuels in Energy Production
There are many reasons why the world became dependent on fossil fuels, and continues to rely on them. For example, it has so far been relatively cost-effective in the short run to burn fossil fuels to generate electricity at strategic centralized parts of the grid and to deliver the electricity in bulk to nearby substations; these in turn deliver electricity directly to consumers. These big power plants burn gas or, less efficiently, coal. Since so much electricity can be lost over long-distance transmission, when power needs to be concentrated more in one region than another, the fuels are generally transported instead to distant power plants and burned there. Liquid fuels are particularly easy to transport.
Thus far, fossil fuels have been abundant and easily procured. Petroleum reserves worldwide are estimated at somewhere between 1 and 3.5 trillion barrels. Proven coal reserves at the end of 2005, as estimated by British, were 909,064 million tons worldwide. Coal, furthermore, is relatively cheap.
Perhaps the simplest reason why the world continues to depend on fossil fuels is that to do anything else requires change: physical, economical, and-perhaps the most difficult-psychological. The basic technology for extracting and burning fossil fuels is already in place, not only in the large power plants but at the consumer level, too. Retrofitting factories would be cost-prohibitive, but perhaps even more daunting would be replacing heating systems in every home, factory and building. Ultimately, however, the true resistance may be our nature. We humans tend to resist change in general, and in particular those changes that require us to give up longstanding traditions, alter our ways of thinking and living, and learn new information and practices after generations of being assured that everything was "fine" with the old ways.
Why Do We Need Alternatives?
If there are so many reasons to use fossil fuels, why even consider alternatives? Anyone who has paid the least bit of attention to the issue over the past few decades could probably answer that question. If nothing else, most people could come up with the first and most obvious reason: fossil fuels are not, for all practical purposes, renewable. At current rates, the world uses fossil fuels 100,000 times faster than they can form. The demand for them will far outstrip their availability in a matter of centuries-or less.
And although technology has made extracting fossil fuels easier and more cost effective in some cases than ever before, such is not always the case. As we deplete the more easily accessible oil reserves, new ones must be found and tapped into. This means locating oil rigs much farther offshore or in less accessible regions; burrowing deeper and deeper into the earth to reach coal seams or scraping off ever more layers of precious topsoil; and entering into uncertain agreements with countries and cartels with whom it may not be in our best political interests to forge such commitments.
Finally, there are human and environmental costs involved in the reliance on fossil fuels. Drilling for oil, tunneling into coalmines, transporting volatile liquids and explosive gases-all these can and have led to tragic accidents resulting in the destruction of acres of ocean, shoreline and land, killing humans as well as wildlife and plant life. Even when properly extracted and handled, fossil fuels take a toll on the atmosphere, as the combustion processes release many pollutants, including sulfur dioxide-a major component in acid rain. When another common emission, carbon dioxide, is released into the atmosphere, it contributes to the "greenhouse effect," in which the atmosphere captures and reflects back the energy radiating from the earth's surface rather than allowing it to escape back into space. Scientists agree that this has led to global warming, an incremental rise in average temperatures beyond those that could be predicted from patterns of the past. This affects everything from weather patterns to the stability of the polar ice caps.
Conclusion
Clearly, something must change. As with many complex problems, however, the solution to supplying the world's ever-growing hunger for more energy will not be as simple as abandoning all the old methods and beliefs and adopting new ones overnight. Partly this is a matter of practicality-the weaning process would take considerable investments of money, education and, most of all, time. The main reason, however, is that there is no one perfect alternative energy source. Alternative will not mean substitute.
What needs to change?
It seems simplistic to say that what really needs to change is our attitude, but in fact the basis of a sound energy plan does come down to the inescapable fact that we must change our way of thinking about the issue. In the old paradigm, we sought ways to provide massive amounts of power and distribute it to the end users, knowing that while much would be lost in the transmission, the advantages would be great as well: power plants could be located away from residential areas, fuels could be delivered to central locations, and for consumers, the obvious bonus was convenience. For the most part our only personal connection with the process would be calling the providers of heating fuel and electricity, and pulling up to the pumps at the gas station. And the only time we would think about the problem would be when prices rose noticeably, or the power went out.
There are people who have tried to convince us that there is no problem, and that those tree-hugging Chicken Littles who talk about renewable and alternative energy want us all to go back to nature. More often than not these skeptics' motivations for perpetuating this myth falls into one of two categories: one, they fear what they don't understand and are resistant to being told what to do, or two, they have some political or financial stake in enabling our fossil-fuel addiction. (And sometimes both.)
The reality is that except for altering our ways of thinking, there will not be one major change but a great many smaller ones. A comprehensive and successful energy plan will necessarily include these things:
Supplementing the energy produced at existing power plants with alternative energy means, and converting some of those plants to operate on different "feedstock" (fuels) Shifting away from complete reliance on a few concentrated energy production facilities to adding many new and alternative sources, some feeding into the existing "grid" and some of supplying local or even individual needs Providing practical, economical and convenient ways for consumers-residences, commercial users, everyone-to adapt and adopt new technologies to provide for some or all of their own energy needs Learning ways in which we can use less energy now ("reduce, reuse, recycle"), using advances in technology as well as simple changes in human behavior to reduce consumption without requiring people to make major compromises or sacrifices
Sell Your House
5Jan/100
Alternative Energy Sources – Energy Problem Settlement
The recent power problems that are happening everyday in the world make us rethink the manner in which energy is used and saved. The effort conducted at conserving this resource makes people to reevaluate their choices on consumption. The truth is there is really not that much power to waste and current natural energy sources today can not be renewable. Using alternative energy sources can solve these energy problems. The advancement in technology gives rise to alternative power sources such as wind power, solar power; especially they are renewable energy sources.
Solar power might be the best known alternative power source providing energy directly to your household. Many people have had solar panels to generate power from the sun for years so it is not an unusually sight. The panels collect the energy and convert it into electricity and store it. The only weakness of this type of alternative energy is that it will not work at night or on overcast days.
Wind power is known more traditional than solar power. This type of alternative energy is feasible because it is not expensive, easy to operate and environment-friendly. You only need to construct windmills in location with intense winds and then the force of the winds causes them to move and to eventually generate electricity. Obviously, in order to operate your windmills, you need wind but unlike solar power, wind is available any time day or night. So, with wind you have more chance to generate more electricity more often.
If you decide to use any alternative power source to improve your current energy, you should take consideration into solar power and wind power. But you should be aware of the fact that you have options to choose. You can use the suitable energy source which is the most suitable for your household.
Using alternative energy sources is the way you can help the planet and help your finances at the same time.
Gadgets and Gear
4Jan/100
Alternative Energy Sources
The expenses on the power bills are rising every day all around the world. it is time now to think of alternative energy producing arrangements which serve to reduce costs of power and are eco friendly too. The initial installation might cost you a substantial amount but with years of usage it is actually a profitable arrangement guaranteeing reduction in power bills. Also these arrangements provide to make your house energy independent and thus you could have great advantages in using them.
What are we looking at? We are looking at renewable energy resources which are different from fossil fuels and fort sources of energy which are not under the threat of extinction and are easily renewed. These would be primarily:
1. Solar energy: This kind of alternative energy grading is fast gaining popularity. These make use of the sun's energy. They are mostly used in conjunction with solar panels which absorb the sun's heat and store it as energy. In the night you could switch to usual fuel systems. The incredible efficiency of these systems in terms of performance and cost is indeed an attractive factor. The post purchase costs on these solar panels are nil. Thus you not only do not spend on maintenance too often but you also do not have to pay any extra amount for your energy requirements in the day.
2. Hydro-Power: Water is of course a pollution free fuel. When rivers run on highlands they usually are endowed with a certain kinetic energy which can be put to use via its conversion to potential energy to turn turbines and in turn to run generators to produce electricity. The key factor here is that the rivers have to run down highlands to have sufficient momentum to run turbines.
3. Wind Power: the wind is yet another thing with expendable kinetic energy. Line up wind mills on a flat surface and let the wind blow at 30-40 miles an hour. The fans of the mills rotate to the wind and the turbines inside start functioning leading to the production of electric power to run entire towns.
There are several other kinds of alternative energy plans which you might find. Corn for example is proving to be a great substitute for gasoline in cars. Waste of every kind-organic and inorganic, can be put to use to create fuel out of them. Conservation of energy, environment consciousness and a check on power and fuel bills are increasingly leading to the configuration of energy in terms of alternative ways of procuring and producing it.
MP3 Player Accessories
2Jan/100
Ireland Seeks Alternative Energy Sources
Ireland is currently into serious energy development research in an effort to free itself from reliance on imported energy sources. Over the years, imported energy sources have fueled the country's growing economy. The country's dependence on imported energy currently stands at nearly 90 per cent of total energy demand. It is considered as the single biggest import item in the country's entire history. This precarious situation puts Ireland's long-term development strategy under threat. The country's need for alternative energy sources has never been sharper. It does not only need to develop those sources, it also needs to protect its environment and check its worsening air pollution caused by petroleum-powered energy generation.
With the European Union mandate seeking cuts in nitric oxide and sulfuric emissions from its member countries, green or environment-friendly energy is seen as the ultimate response to all of Ireland's development needs. Hydroelectric power has been proven effective and safe since the 1930s when the country first tried harnessing it. Development more of this kind of energy source is however needed to fully meet the growing demand. With its strategic location on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland also stands to benefit from wave-generated energy.
Interestingly, Ireland has the capacity to become an energy-exporting nation rather than being dependent on imported energy products. Truly, because of its abundant ocean waves, wind and biomass-producing alternative energy sources, Ireland can utilize these substantial and natural energy resources to become a major supplier energy generated from these alternative sources. It is a potential income-earning industry for the country in the future. For now, the nation may need to focus on its target of producing 15 per cent of the country's total demand for electricity using the wind farms by 2010. But studies coming from the academe, research institutes and government agencies that support harnessing of ocean wave as alternative energy source, the nation is in a position to jumpstart its twin goals of accelerating economic growth and energy independence.
Ireland has tested its site for ocean wave energy technology in an area near the coast off County Galway Bay. Tagged as "Wavebob", the experimental site for ocean wave energy generation produces the greatest mass of power waves in the world, according to Dr. Peter Heffernan, Ireland's Marine Institute Chief Executive Officer. With the right and improved technology to develop the power of the ocean, the nation stands to gain the title as the top producer of ocean wave generated energy.
David Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy Initiative has likewise committed SEI's interest in the development of new technologies for the renewable energy sector. The huge potential of ocean wave energy can be harnessed to considerably lessen the country's dependence on fossil fuels.
Irish Farmers' Association President Padraig Walshe, on the other hand, said that with the shutting down of the sugar beet industry, there is an expected rise of available Irish crop land for other uses like bio-energy production. Currently, the nation's renewable energy production only accounts for not more than 2 per cent of its entire energy consumption. From the farming sector's view, growing energy crops can only be sustained if it can guarantee economic returns on investment and labour at a sustainable and secure level. As of now, it can be noted that the return from energy crops remains marginal, thus preventing the industry from fully expanding. It is thus imperative for Ireland to do more research to address these challenges.
15Dec/090
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