It is difficult to believe that there are countries that can be generating all of its electricity from renewable sources, but it is already a reality. The following 5 are the top renewable energy countries:

1) Iceland. As many people know, Iceland is one of the top renewable energy countries due to the large amount of geothermal power it produces. 27 percent of electricity is via geothermal in Iceland, and the remaining 73 percent is supplied via hydro. So, Iceland is 100 percent renewable!

2) Norway. This country is also number 1, since 100 percent of its power comes from renewable sources as well. 99 percent of Norway’s electricity is generated by hydro, and the remaining 1 percent comes from other renewable sources. So, Norway is one of the best alternative energy countries in the world.

3) Costa Rica. Also doing pretty well on the scale of renewable energy countries, Costa Rica generates 94 percent of its power from renewable sources. 76 percent of that comes from hydro, and the remaining 18 percent is generated from other renewable sources (mainly geothermal power).

4) Brazil. The next on our list of alternative energy countries is Brazil, with 87 percent of its power coming from hydro and other alternative energy sources.

5) Colombia. Surprisingly, it is also one of the top renewable energy countries, since 80 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources (mostly hydro). (To read about the top renewable energy sources to replace oil by 2050, click here).

Unfortunately, there are also nations that are at the bottom of alternative energy countries, which depend on carbon-intensive or non-renewable sources of energy entirely (mainly coal):

1) Poland. It is regretful to say that Poland generates 96 percent of its electricity from coal.

2) South Africa. This country also receives a large dose of its electricity from coal, but slightly less than Poland, at 93 percent.

3) Estonia. Slightly higher is Estonia, where coal generates about 90 percent of the country’s electricity.

4) China. This country is currently the world leader in greenhouse gas emissions, and 80 percent of its electricity is generated by coal. This is largely connected to powering so many factories to make goods for foreign export – much like those goods you will buy in American department stores, for example. China’s government is pushing for more installation of solar and wind power, and hydropower facilities as well. However, new coal-fired power plants are also being build in large amounts, which counteracts those efforts. (To read about renewable energy storage methods, click here).

5) Australia. This country is only a little better than China, with about 79 percent of its total electricity coming from coal. But Australia still has a long way to go towards achieving a renewable future.

For more information on renewable energy, go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/renewableenergy

The problem of energy storage is not just related to the global increase in the number of renewable energy projects such as winder and solar farms. Energy peak demand has always been a big problem for energy suppliers. Demand rises and falls in a cyclic pattern throughout the day and week, and electricity suppliers have to be able to cope with this. This means that they produce more power than is required in off-peak times and store it for peak times. It is not feasibly possible to turn coal fired plants on or off, and gas plants can be fired up quickly, but they are expensive and very inefficient.

This problem has assumed an even greater importance now though, as many countries have policies in place to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy and renewable energies, and some of these renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, produce power intermittently, so without effective renewable energy storage systems it will become harder for electricity suppliers to provide reliable energy supplies.

Are our renewable energy storage methods ready for the wind and solar energy boom? Firstly, let’s have a look at the two main systems in use today:

Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage: This is the oldest method of storing energy in a large-scale: it has been utilized since 1929. Water is pumped to a high storage reservoir during off-peak periods and released through the plant in peak periods. 75% of the energy consumed is recovered. Time and testing have proved it to be the most effective way to store energy. Currently there are 295 pumped hydroelectric energy storage plants around the world. They can store a very large electricity capacity (a typical plant can store more than 2000MW.) In addition, such plants can store this energy for more than 6 months. They have a very rapid response speed, which means that they are ideal for sudden changes in demand. Such plants are large in scale and relatively simple, so the cost of storing energy is lower than in any other system.

However, such plants depend on geological formations – there are a limited number of suitable locations, and many of these are remote. Most of the hydroelectric plants that can be built have already been built in Europe and North America, although in other parts of the world there are still many suitable locations. Also, the capital cost of such a system is extremely high, even if the operating costs are relatively low. There is also the issue of localized damage to the wildlife habitats to consider.

Compressed Air Energy Storage: Power is taken from the grid at off-peak times in order to compress air into a sealed underground cavern. This energy potential is then utilized at peak times. Such systems can be built on a very large scale, and the energy storage capacity is second only to hydroelectric energy storage. Typical, such systems can store 50-300 MW, and the energy can be stored for over a year. This system is not too costly to implement, providing that suitable natural geological formations are present, however this is also a drawback of this system, because there are a limited number of locations which meet the geological requirements. Without this, the capital costs are very high as underground structures need to be specially built.

Batteries: Battery technology to store electricity is developing fast, and has significant potential. It is most likely that the energy storage trend will move away from large scale projects like those described above, and towards smaller scale energy storage with much lower start up costs. Although some companies purport the benefits of batteries for energy storage, and the great potential that they could have for the future, many researchers agree that battery technology is too inefficient and too dirty to be employed on a large scale. In terms of cost per unit, it cannot compete with other systems such as compressed air energy storage. The good news for batteries is that high performance battery technologies are currently under development, such as lead-carbon and flow battery systems. As of now, the future of battery energy storage is uncertain.

However, this is not all: new energy storage technologies are being developed as we speak. For instance, researches at Leeds University in Northern England are working on new technology which uses excess electricity to freeze nitrogen and oxygen. In peak time waste heat could then be used to boil off the gases in order to power a turbine. This concept is still only at the theoretical stage, but it is an example of the work currently been done in this field.

For renewable energy systems to work on a large scale in the long term, energy storage systems need to develop in tandem. China is the world leader in this processes. The country plans to increase the amount of energy it generates by wind farms (including offshore) by 1000% in the next decade, and the country is spending billions of dollars on storage facilities as it upgrades its grid. The country is using a combination of hydroelectric, compressed air and lead-carbon battery systems to store energy.

In the US non-hydro sources of renewable energy only account for 1% of the electricity produced. Some people consider that until more effective energy storage methods are developed, this will strongly limit the ability of renewables to gain market share. Other people, however, believe that until renewables reach 20-30% penetration, the coal pile will act as a more than adequate energy storage method. Either way, the energy storage market is huge in the US, and a NanoMarket report suggests that within 10 years there will be a1.1 billion-dollar market for energy storage systems in the US in order to overcome the major obstacles to wind and solar power.

The answer to the question: Are our energy storage methods ready for the renewable energy boom – would have to be no. However, as technologies such as wind and solar energy are becoming increasingly advanced and efficient, the associated energy storage systems are developing too. With solar and wind penetration in the US at less than 1%, the energy storage issue is not currently a crucial one, but with the US set to supply 20% of its energy requirements from renewable energy sources in the next 15 years, wind solar and energy storage technologies will go hand in hand. If developments are not made in energy storage, then this may become a significant obstacle to the wind and solar power as a whole.

Or will it be? The University of Kassel has recently tested a small-scale experimental power plant which combines solar, wind, biogas energy production and to provide reliable and consistent power 24 hours a day, from only renewable sources. Is it possible that power plants like these will produce electricity for our homes and offices in the future?

For more information, go to:

en.wikipedia.org

1. Wind. This is probably the most promising of all sustainable energy sources. There is a lot of potential in wind energy. Currently wind power is responsible for producing about 20 percent of Denmark’s electricity, and about 7 percent of Germany’s electricity – the country that has the largest market in the world for wind power. However, there are some disadvantages to wind power as well. Of course, it is necessary to put the wind turbines in very windy places, otherwise they will not be effective. This means they would simply not work in certain areas of the world.

2. Geothermal Power. Under the earth’s crust there is a great amount of heat, and it is possible to generate electricity using this heat. This process is clean, and it requires the water to be heated into steam, which is then used for heat and electricity generation. Geothermal plants can work all day and night and they are environmentally friendly, so this is a source of sustainable power. However, geothermal energy is only available is some parts of the world, like the U.S., East Africa, Central America, and the Philippines.

3. Municipal Waste to Energy Programs. This is also very promising sustainable energy source. Waste to energy programs basically take household garbage that we discard and turn it into sustainable power, which comes back to us in the form of electricity for our homes and businesses. The best thing about them is that as we are cleaning up our overfilled landfills, we are creating electricity at the same time!

4. Tidal Power. This is another type of sustainable power, because the tides in the ocean are very powerful. Their energy can be captured and then converted to electricity. This renewable energy source is completely clean and it does not contribute to global warming.

5. Solar Power. This is one of the most powerful sustainable energy sources. If we were able to capture and use all of the sunlight we get in just one day, we could supply the entire earth with energy for one year! It is also completely clean, with no pollution or damage to the environment involved. Solar power can be generated through panels that can be installed on the roof of almost any structure. They can also be used for domestic purposes, like heating your home. It is also possible to use solar power as a solution for industrial heating or for cooling equipment.

6. Biomass. In this source of sustainable power, plants like corn are converted into ethanol. The ethanol is then burned by power plants and this generates power. Ethanol can be added to gasoline, which decreases foreign oil dependence. However, there have been some complaints from developing countries about using food crops that could be eaten for converting to ethanol, so this energy source is far from perfect.

7. Wave Power. There can be incredible amounts of energy derived from waves, especially when a storm hits. Of course, this is also the major drawback of this sustainable energy source, because the equipment used for this method has to be strong enough to survive the weather conditions necessary to generate wave power, and has to be able to withstand the corrosive forces of the sea.

For the original article, click here

For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org

7 Reasons Why Future of World Economy Depends on Renewable Energy – Updated article with new information – with focus on benefits for the US economy

There are various reasons as to why the global economic future depends on alternative renewable energy sources. Here are seven of these reasons.

1. Reducing the effects of global warming. Alternative renewable energy sources will provide a solution to the ecological crisis that is caused in part by global warming. If the switch to alternative renewable energy sources is not made soon, this may have a very serious impact on the world economy and the world’s communities.

2. Fossil fuels are running out. Oil and natural gas are not infinite and will run out eventually. Even before they run out, they will become increasingly expensive because of scarcity. The resulting energy crisis will have a devastating impact on the global economy.

3. Reducing pollution. Alternative renewable energy sources are a wonderful way for reducing the global levels of pollution. For example, waste to energy is a great method of turning discarded trash into desperately needed energy to power and heat our homes.

4. Supporting developing countries. The need for energy goes up every year, especially as more developing countries advance. When they have access to domestically produced energy, it will make their development process easier, as local economies benefit from the abundance of businesses and jobs.

5. Moving away from foreign oil dependency. It is possible to produce alternative renewable energy sources domestically in every country. This means that no nation will depend on another to provide it with the means to produce energy, as well as a cleaner domestic environment overall.

6. Investing in alternative energy. It is a smart choice to invest in alternative energy. This means that it is not only a great opportunity to help our planet, but also one to receive a good financial return in the end.

7. Creating green jobs. Many new jobs would be created once the switch to alternative renewable energy sources is made. Factory jobs would be needed, since the manufacturing of energy source components is needed. Technicians would be needed to install, service, and repair those energy source components, like wind turbines, solar panels, or municipal waste incinerators.

Recently the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Tennessee conducted a study, which showed that if the ranches, farms, and forestlands across the U.S. can meet a quarter of the energy needs of the country with alternative renewable energy sources, then it would be possible to create about four to five million new jobs, resulting in $700 billion in new economic activity per year. Another report from the Department of Energy, which analyzed wind power, came to the conclusion that it has the ability to contribute greatly to the U.S.’s energy supply over the next thirty years. This would result in about 500,000 additional jobs across the country and increased revenues for local communities by 2030 to over $1.5 million.

For the original article, click here

For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy

7 Countries that Use Renewable Alternative Energy the Most.
http://www.bionomicfuel.com/7-countries-that-use-renewable-alternative-energy-the-most/
The increased interest in alternative energy sources is expanding each year, exponentially. Governments and companies alike are seeing alternative energy as not only the most cost effective direction to take, but a business-savvy move.  Thefore, this list will change, based on the financial investment changes that countries around the world make. This article gives an update to the previous article, with some surprising twists on specific countries and their status. To review the true top 7, please read the original article.
Canada.  A rather disappointment occurrence has been the decrease of Canadian investment in alternative energy.  Canada was on the original list of top seven countries, but, due to legislative and individual company investment problems, they have dropped off the list entirely. A large percentage of drop has been in the solar side.
Sweden. This is one of the oldest countries for renewable energy, because Sweden has been advocating against environmentally harmful energy sources for decades. Sweden’s goal is to be totally free from oil by 2020 and it shouldn’t have much trouble meeting this goal. They are investing in hydroelectric, biomass and wind power with a smaller investment in solar.

Denmark. At least 20 percent of Denmark’s energy is currently generated by wind, and biomass also plays an important role. Denmark’s population frequently uses public transportation and vehicle use is also very low. There are also very strict energy requirements for homes and buildings.
India. This country has demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy in recent years. The country has bee very successful in these regards, especially in terms of onshore wind energy generation and the necessary infrastructure development in order to use its widely available alternative energy sources.

Japan. The Japanese are an inventive and intellectual people with very little land mass but an intensity to progress. It is part of their culture to appreciate the land and nature, so it isn’t surprising that they have invested in hydroelectric, wind power, solar and geothermal. The logistics of their country offer good geothermal operations.  Japan is continuing to rebuild their economy after the effects of the earthquakes and tsunami damage.
The United Kingdom. This is one of the countries where renewable energy is delivered in relatively large quantities by offshore wind. This makes sense, considering that the coastal areas of the U.K. are extremely windy. It will be fairly easy and quick to make the switch to alternative energy sources in the UK, using technologies that have already been developed.

Germany. This is the next one in our renewable energy by country list. In recent years Germany has made sizeable investments into renewable energy technology. In 2007 Germany was the global leader in alternative energy use and solar PV production. Both solar and wind energy play a significant role in this country, which makes it thoroughly prepared for the switch to alternative energy.
Spain. It has made significant investments into wind energy, solar energy, and biomass energy. This takes Spain a big step closer to replacing energy generated by fossil fuels, which are notorious for their harmful effects on the environment.

This article follows on from our previous article on global warming in Antarctica. Here are some facts and figures regarding the consequences of global warming in Antarctica.

1) In the last 30 years, no less than seven gigantic ice shelves have reduced in area by 14,500 square kilometers.
2) The global warming effect on Antarctica is five times as strong as anywhere else. In the last fifty years, the continent has experienced a warming of around 4.5F, or 2.5C.

3) The Southern Ocean is warming fast. Measurements from the Southern Ocean waters around Antarctica showed an increase of 0.3F, or 0.17C in the average ocean temperature between the 50s and the 80s.
4) The global warming effect on Antarctica is rapidly decreasing its ice-thickness. For example, on one of the islands of Antarctica, called Signey, the permanent ice cover of its lakes has decreased by more than 45% in the last 60 years.
5) The famous Larsen B ice shelf has lost 3,250 square kilometers in the last 50 years. In 1995, 1995 km squared disintegrated suddenly, and in January to February 2002, the northern section of the shelf disintegrated. Nothing like this had been observed since scientists started studying Antarctica.
6) A large number of Antarctic penguins have suffered due to these changes. The population of the ubiquitous Antarctic penguin, the Adelie Penguin, has reduced by more than 33% in the last 25 years.
7) Scientists are very concerned about the fate of the massive West Antarctic ice sheet. If it collapses, it could raise sea levels by as much as an incredible 5.8 meters, which would be catastrophic for many islands and coastal areas around the world.

Antarctica remains the best guide scientists have to the impact of global warming. Many predictions that they make regarding the rest of the world comes from what they witness in Antarctica. For a variety of complex reasons, this part of the world is abnormally effected by global warming, and whilst the globe as a whole has not heated up that severly in recent decades, this region has got a lot hotter.

One of the most worrying aspects of global warming is rising sea levels, especially as most of the world’s great cities are located on the coast. Antarctica is the main reason that sea levels are rising, as that is where the majority of the worlds water is locked up in ice (thousands times more than, say, the north pole). Hundreds of scientists are stationed on Antarctica as you read this article, systematically recoding the breakup of ice sheets and reduction of ice cover.

The effects of global warming in Antarctica will eventually touch all of our lives. Let’s hope that society can move towards a sustainable future as quickly as possible, so that the impacts of the climate change will be kept to a minimum. For the original story, and further information on the global warming effect on Antarctica, click here

For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org,
globalwarming.org

There are two types of sources of energy in the world: renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources include solar energy, biomass energy, wind energy, tidal energy, hydro energy, and geothermal energy. Non-renewable energy sources include oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy.

Renewable energy sources are generated directly from nature, like the sun, rain, wind, tides, and it is possible to generate it over and over whenever it is needed. Renewable energy sources are abundant and are definitely the cleanest energy sources in Earth. For instance, it is possible to utilize the energy we get from the sun in order to generate electricity. Geothermal, wind, tides,and biomass energy from plants can also be used in different forms.

Most energy that is used in the world today is generated from non-renewable energy sources. These energy sources can be re-generated over a short period of time. Natural gas and oil are derived from anicent plant or animal remains or fossils. These remains are what we have been left with after millions of years of fluctuation in pressure and temperature.

There are pros and cons to using both renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources. First let’s look at renewable energy. The obvious advantages of it is that wind, sun, ocean, and geothermal energy is in abundance and completely free of charge. Secondly, renewable energy sources have very low or zero carbon emissions, so they are environmentally friendly. Thridly, it isn’t necessary to rely on any country to supply renewable energy sources, unlike its non-renewable counterparts.

However, things are not all so rosy with renewable energy sources. First of all, it is quite difficult set-up to get any of these sources to generate energy, and the starting costs can be astronomical. As in the case of solar energy, it can only be generated during the day, which completely excludes night-time and the rainy season. And to utilize wind energy, you have to depend on strong winds, so choosing the right place for the set-up can be challenging.

The obvious advantage of non-renewable energy sources is that they are ready, cheap, and easy to use. It is also cheap to convert one non-renewable energy type to another. However, a major disadvantage of non-renewable energy sources is that they are finite and will expire some time in the future. This will make the prices of these energy sources increase dramatically. They also cause severe environmental changes and are in a large way responsible for climate change and global warming. Non-renewable energy sources can have a serious impact on human health, as they are certainly not environmentally friendly.

For the original article and further information on renewables and non-renewables, click here

For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-renewable_resource

The 8 leading sources of renewable energy that will supply half the world’s power by 2050

The following is a list of sources of renewable energy that are especially promising in two aspects: competitiveness and abatement potential.

1.Onshore Wind
This is one of the main sources of renewable energy power, as wind technology is the renewable energy sector that is the most mature. 21GW were built in 2007 in the onshore wind industry, which made the installed capacity exceed 100GW. In Denmark, Spain, and Germany electricity generation from wind technology now comprise up to 19 percent of the nations needs (in Denmark) throughout the duration of the year.

2.Offshore Wind
There is enormous potential in offshore wind technology, which makes it a powerful source of renewable energy. Since the winds are more predictable, the space for turbines is almost unlimited. It may be easier to obtain planning permission than for onshore wind, and it is possible to construct farms at scales that would be impossible on land. In addition, if deep waters can be mastered, the space available becomes virtually unlimited.

3.Solar Photovoltaic Power
In the past four years Photovoltaic (PV) technology has made noticeable progress with reducing crystalline silicon costs, which is its main component. It has also made very rapid strides in commercializing thin film technology. In the last two years its investment volume increased to $50 billion.

4.Solar Thermal Electricity Generation
PV may be a perfect source of renewable energy for smaller-size projects, which are mostly integrated into buildings, but big solar plants in deserts worldwide seem to be choosing Solar Thermal Electricity Generation (STEG). This system concentrates the sun’s heat and generates steam that may be utilized in efficient conventional turbines.

5.Municipal Solid Waste-to-Energy (MSW)
Municipal solid waste use for energy generation is on the rise, primarily in the EU countries. Traditionally waste was deposited into landfills, but this is now getting more and more expensive, as well as difficult due to a shortage of landfill sites. These sites also produce methane, which is a very powerful greenhouse gas. However, waste that is impossible to recycle can be utilized for electricity generation.

6.Sugar-based Ethanol
During 2004-2006 US investment in biofuels was extremely high, with $9.2 billion invested in this sector. However, the majority of this money was put into corn-based ethanol, which has higher production costs than sugar-based ethanol. On the other hand, sugar cane-based ethanol from Brazil can compete with oil at $40 a barrel.

7.Cellulosic and Next Generation Biofuels
We currently have enough land in most regions of the world to increase the production of biofuels from 1 percent of transport fuel to 5 percent, and not affect food availability in the process. However, after that the only way to raise biofuel production is to source feedstock, which would not compete with food.

8.Geothermal
This is a particularly attractive source of renewable energy, since it can be utilized as predictable base-load power. This is something that wind and solar sources of renewable energy power cannot do. So far, geothermal power is only used in a few regions, but new approaches are helping make it more economically feasible in other regions.

For more information, go to:
wikipedia.org,
aeromt.org

Kempton is one of the beautiful locations in Pennsylvania that makes you think of home. Just outside Allentown, PA, the community is known for their rolling hills and friendly atmosphere. It is of no surprise that they take incredible pride in the high level of ecological interests; Kempton Pennsylvania has taken this to the next level. It I here, in September, that you will see Kempton hosting the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival. It seems that Kempton is setting the bar pretty high and is now an example of excellence for other states to follow.

Sponsored by the MidAtlantic Renewable Energy Association, the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy Festival is drawing crowds from all walks of life. A three day festival, from September 17 through 19th, 2010, the festival will be a flurry of excitement. Every renewable energy topic imaginable will be addressed at the Kempton Community Center: building construction using natural renewable resources, agricultural endeavors using sustainable resources, forestry and general healthy living habits for all.

If you join everyone at the community center, you will see speakers, vendors presenting renewable energy products and solutions; workshops, and of course, live music using solar powered sound systems, fun and food! The theme of this year’s festival is EMPOWERED. The theme is an example of the open attitude for new concepts and ideas to empower everyone towards the renewable energy concept. There are so many fascinating attractions that it is difficult to select the highlights. It is a small little big presentation with all efforts devoted to the topic of renewable energy.

Lehigh Carbon Community College offers an educational summer camp experience for students to explore renewable energy in every day life and everyone will be able to view the Photovoltaic system installation that was completed in May, 2010.

It seems that Pennsylvania has passed legislation to encourage renewable energy as an alternative for private citizens and businesses alike. Pennsylvania has stepped up to the plate with this concept with the understanding that it will help to create jobs, offer safe and healthier environments and, simply must be done.

The renewable energy festival is a first step to larger awareness of what each of us can contribute. Changing our society from a waste oriented and fossil fuel based lifestyle is a major undertaking. Most people do not have any idea where to start, even though they might want to invest in renewable energy. This festival is a platform to offer the every day person the education as well as the resources to begin making these major changes in our private and business lifestyles. Change is often very difficult, but the people of Kempton known how to throw a party and the topic is one that will remain embedded in the minds and souls of all who attend.

If you are serious about renewable energy, then Kempton in September is the path you should take. Hats off to everyone involved in the Renewable Energy Festival. You are the Gold Standard for everyone else to admire!

We are in a current global situation where all industries, governments and scientific laboratories are seeking forms of renewable energy. As we make our attempt at removing ourselves from the dangers of fossil fuel dependency, we need to research what forms of renewable energy have the greatest potential.

The positive potential benefits of any renewable energy resource are completely dependent upon the technology of the time of production. The lesser quality and higher cost of the technology, the less value the alternative energy resource will have. We must first examine our current renewable energy alternatives before we make judgment calls on the best potential.

Solar Energy remains quite costly. The pros on solar energy are that the technology is being forced to reduce cost, size and energy storage ability. The tax incentives have not kept up with the total cost of investment. The sun states are in the best possible position to encourage solar energy, but have also not added any real movement for the private citizen or commercial business to pay the higher price. It is, at the current time, the most popular and easily accessed of the forms of renewable energy.

Tidal Energy is a remake of the historical use of the water wheel. Tidal energy uses the difference in low and high tide elevation. The process can be costly, as it involves the building of a dam or barrier to block the in tide. The build up of water pressure opens a channel through to a turbine which generates electricity. Some countries around the world have access to excellent tidal energy and have instituted tidal energy to reduce the cost from four hundred KW to 240 megawatts. The down side is that everything is dependent upon the length of time between tidal rise and fall. The maximum amount of energy is at a ten hour rate for every twenty four hours. The maintenance cost is low for this type of energy format, but the initial costs can be $13.8 billion dollars.

Wave Energy is very similar to tidal energy in that it uses the power of the waves to turn the turbine. The amount of power that can be generated is dependent upon the wind velocity pushing the waves. The benefits are obviously only for those that have extensive coastlines and can use wave energy. The positive output of wave energy has been equated to between seven and seventeen megawatts of power per coastal mile. The other downside to wave energy is that it hasn’t received the technology attention as some of the other forms of renewable energy. Lack of Federal funding combined with the fact that wave energy cannot sustain long term use has made this a lower priority energy resource.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) uses the heat differences between the lower and upper oceanic areas that have at least thirty six degrees Fahrenheit difference. This difference is usually found in the tropical and subtropical oceans and is the engine that runs a thermodynamic process. A partial vacuum supplies a conduit for warm seawater to evaporate and then create steam that runs a generator. The downside on this is again, lack of attention. Very few OTEC plants have been developed and all are still in the experimental stage.

Nuclear Fusion has been applauded by those that feel nuclear is the direction to go in. Nuclear fusion is neither earth friendly, green, inexpensive, nor considered a renewable source of energy by the experts. The byproducts of nuclear fusion create other environmental problems that cannot, in any way, offset the benefit of any energy gathered.

Wind Energy has received a lot more attention as well as becoming a more viable mass manufacturing option. Wind energy uses the power of the wind to turn arms of wind turbines which then creates energy via a generator. The popularity of this option has increased as we see cost reduction in the price of the turbines. There remains a limitation in the fact that it is only viable in open areas and areas that have higher wind capacity.

Biomass Energy uses the principal of burning sources that are alternative to fossil fuels to generate energy. This can include everything from food to organic waste to generate electricity. The downside to this is that burning, in general, can produce other side effects and gaseous pollution, if not monitored properly.

Hydrogen is the most common element on our planet and has the highest possibility of being used as a renewable energy resource. The hydrogen molecules can be separated to produce energy and potentially replace natural gas. Unfortunately, the technology and dollars have not been invested for scientific study or manufacturing results. Studies have not been made as to any planetary effect that may occur through the large scale hydrogen conversion process.

Geothermal uses the heat produced beneath the earth’s surface to produce steam for generators. This alternative has also not received wide spread attention or funding and is still in the beginning stages of scientific investigation.

To summarize, it appears that using current technology, solar and wind offer the best forms of renewable energy. With that said, new technologies may show promise when addressing any of the hydropower alternatives (tidal or wave) as well as OTEC.