There is increasing interest for geothermal energy spurring from all corners of the globe, and the number of geothermal energy countries is increasing according to the GEA (Geothermal Energy Association). 10,715 megawatts of geothermal power is currently being produced in 24 countries, and in 2010 it generated 67,246 GWh of electricity. This is a rise of about 20 percent since 2005. By 2015 the figure is expected to grow even more to 18,500 megawatts, since there is a variety of projects currently underway and many under consideration. Many of these projects are in areas that were before thought to have little resources to exploit.
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We’ve all heard of wind, solar, and biomass, but can there be new alternative energy sources on the horizon? You bet there can! Two amazing new forms of alternative energy are currently being developed, and here are brief explanations of what they are.

1) Creating a star
This is probably one of the most extreme forms of alternative energy. It is believed to be a permanent solution to our planet’s energy shortages. Scientists are out to perform a very intense nuclear reaction – one that will actually create a star right on the Earth’s surface. This group of scientists is aiming to have the “star” harnessing energy as early as late summer 2011and resolve the global energy crisis once and for all. The method that will be used to harness this energy is nuclear fusion, which is considered to be a miracle power source by the scientific community.
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Future power sources 3 – Refuse Derived Fuel Process.
Using solid waste from landfills, this process helps recover fuel. This is a green type of fuel that could produce electricity by running generators. The RDF process separates waste and takes incombustible materials away. Then its size is altered and it is utilized as feedstock for the method of retrieving energy. The process requires delicate boilers to be in place in order to transform solid waste into fuel. Sound like a great idea, but the only stick in the wheels is the cost – the technology is expensive and very complex, so reliable investment is needed. We saw it in the film “Back to the future,” and the future is coming soon!
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We’ve all heard of solar, wind, and ocean energy as renewable energy for the future, but is that going to be enough? You may have not heard about them, but there are lots other future power sources that are being developed as we speak. As you will see, some of them can definitely be categorized as weird! Here are five strange and unexpected sources of energy that we could be using in our lifetime:
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One of the most non-polluting and also the cheapest sources of power is hydroelectricity. It’s true that it may cause some initial ecological damage, but it has much better compatibility with the climate than other major forms of energy, such as coal, gas, nuclear power, and others. For some top hydroelectric power countries like China and India, which have enormous energy needs, hydroelectric energy sources are the only remaining options among the sources that do not contribute to global warming. (Is global warming fake? Read here – click here).

Hydroelectric power production began on a small-scale basis. Continue Reading »

The interest in wind energy as a renewable energy supply in the U.S. has risen substantially over the last few years. The completed capacity in the U.S. installed capacity was over 40,000 megawatts at the end of 2010, which puts it at number 2 behind China. Currently, 3 percent of the total electricity generated in the U.S. is derived from wind power.

The benefits of wind farms
Wind power is a renewable resource that is very clean, is available domestically, and this  can substantially help the United States meet its economic and energy needs. The wind industry in the U.S. generates billions of dollars through economic activity, as well as tens of thousands of jobs. Local taxes are boosted via wind energy projects in the U.S..  Rural community local economies are revitalized, since farmers get a steady stream of income just by putting turbines on their land. The largest turbine manufacturer that works domestically is GE Energy. (To read more about the benefits of wind power click here). Continue Reading »

The offshore wind sector in Scotland is taking off. Recent reports by the European Commission show that, as of February 2011, the Scotland wind farms industry has been given a huge boost thanks to a promise of $45 billion in green investments over the next ten years.

This could well turn this industry into a major part of Scotland’s economy. The government has given its commitment to the industry, and the next ten years the technology Scotland wind farms is going to develop, and the installed capacity is set to increase dramatically. In the next decade, it is estimated that 26,000 jobs good be created in Scotland in the green energy sector.
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There is a lot of heat under the surface of our planet. In fact, 47 percent of the solar energy received by the earth is stored under its surface. This is a great natural source for residential geothermal heating and cooling. Geothermal heating systems can also provide hot water that will cost you almost nothing, as well as superior dehumidification for your home. Geothermal home heating and cooling is a breakthrough on the renewable energy front, especially its cooling aspects.
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Power plants are designed to convert heat to electricity, whether they are fueled by gas, nuclear power, coal, or geothermal energy. In the case of geothermal energy, the earth’s heat is accessed by drilling steam or water wells (‘geo’ means ‘earth’ and ‘thermal’ means ‘heat’). This process is quite similar to oil drilling.
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There is a large number of geothermal energy uses, such as to heat and cool homes and offices, and to provide the energy to run power stations. One of its lesser known uses is in the food processing industry. This energy intensive sector can benefit greatly from this renewable energy source. The immediate question most people ask is what kind of geothermal applications this industry has.
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