What is Alternative Energy?
Global energy demand is constantly growing, which has triggered increasing levels of concern about the scarcity of energy resources as well as national energy security. Spurred by these worrisome trends, along with government programs designed to boost economic competitiveness and job creation worldwide, alternative energy has emerged as a compelling market in the past few years.
Alternative energy generally includes renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass. Technologies that make alternative energy possible, enhance energy efficiency, and develop batteries or energy storage are also part of the alternative energy field.
Solar Power
Solar power is energy generated from the heat or light from the sun. The amount of solar energy that ultimately reaches the Earth’s surface every hour is greater than the amount of energy consumed by the world’s population in an entire year. Efficiently harnessing this power represents a profound opportunity but presents itself essentially through 3 technologies: photovoltaics (PV), thin-film, and thermal technologies. PV works essentially through the use of sunlight which knocks electrons loose and allows them to flow as an electrical current. Solar technologies are extremely versatile -- being able to be embedded in a myriad of applications – both off-the electrical grid and on the grid.
Wind Power
When air moves, causing wind, it has kinetic energy—the energy created whenever mass is in motion. With blade and turbine technologies, the wind’s kinetic energy can be captured and converted to other forms of energy such as electricity. Wind technology has evolved rapidly over the past thirty years, most notably increasing in scale and rotor blade size which has enabled the construction of large-scale wind farms capable of truly competing with commercial power plants.
Biomass
In terms of energy production, biomass refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel. Most commonly, biomass refers to plant matter such as corn, sugarcane, or algae grown for use as biofuel, but it also includes plant or animal matter used in the production of fibers, chemicals, or heat. Biomass may also include biodegradable wastes that are burned as fuel.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency represents a large range of technologies which have the collective aim of reducing the amount of energy used in producing a particular good or service. Energy efficiency includes building insulation, efficient lighting, improved industrial energy processes, and communication technologies that reduce the consumption of energy. Reducing energy in production and manufacturing (“energy productivity”) is now a critical aspect of industry, and at the same time, businesses and homes are using smarter applications and services to reduce energy costs. Improvements in energy efficiency can reduce the need for investment in energy infrastructure, cut fuel costs, and increase competitiveness.
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