What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative energy is power that comes from sources which are not going to
run out, do not pollute as much as fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas), or do
not create leftover materials that are harmful to people and the environment.

Alternative Energy vs. Renewable Energy

Renewable energy and alternative energy are often interchangeable, but they do
have different meanings. Renewable energy comes from a replinishable energy
source (it can never deplete). Electric energy that is generated from the sun (solar),
the wind, the ocean (waves, currents or tides), the earth (geothermal), waste
(biomass), landfill gas, or water (hydro power) is considered to be renewable energy.
Renewable energy falls under the alternative energy umbrella because renewable
fuel sources like wind and solar don't hurt the environment.

Alternative Energy Sources

1. Solar Energy

Today, this type of alternative solar power, letting the sun heat something up, is
called thermal solar energy. This alternative energy source is used to heat water for
people's homes by passing cool water through pipes that are exposed to sunlight.
As the pipes heat up, the water gets hot.

Another type of solar energy, known as light solar energy or photovoltaic energy,
has only been used since the 1950s. This type of solar power comes from changing
sunlight into actual electrical current. Very thin photovoltaic cells, which contain
layers of different chemicals, absorb light from the sun and change it into electricity.
The photovoltaic electricity is then stored in large batteries for later use, or it is
actually sent back through the power lines to the electric company, which pays you
for making electricity. Photovoltaic energy is growing in popularity every year. New
types of photovoltaic cells, called thin films, are making solar electrical systems
easier to put into homes, and less expensive than they were before.

Pros
Solar power is a renewable resource. As long as the Sun exists, its energy
will reach Earth.
Solar power generation releases no water or air pollution, because there is
no chemical reaction from the combustion of fuels.
Solar energy can be used very efficiently for practical uses such as
heating and lighting.
The benefits of solar power are seen frequently to heat pools, spas, and
water tanks all over.

Cons
Solar power does not produce energy if the sun is not shining. Nighttime and
cloudy days seriously limit the amount of energy produced.
 Solar power stations can be very expensive to build.
2. Alternative Energy as Wind Power

Wind power is used to turn large propeller blades that are put on top of towers. As
the blades turn, their movement turns a generator, which changes the movement
into electricity, which is sent to power stations or stored in batteries. Today, more
people are buying small wind towers that make enough electricity to run their
homes.

Pros
Wind power produces no pollution that can contaminate the environment,
Since no chemical processes take place, as in the burning of fossil fuels, there
are no harmful by-products left over.
Since wind generation is a renewable source of energy, we will never run out
of it.
Farming and grazing can still take place on land occupied by wind
turbines which can help in the production of biofuels.
Wind farms can be built off-shore.

Cons
Wind power is intermittent. Consistent wind is needed for continuous power
generation. If wind speed decreases, the turbine lingers and less electricity
is generated.

3. Alternative Energy as Water Energy (Hydro Electricity)

Water energy is another type of alternative energy that has been utilized for many
years. Today, electricity is generated using water. Large walls (dams) are built with
tunnels to block flowing rivers so that the water can navigate through them, and, as
the water goes through these tunnels, propellers turn a motor, which then
generates electrical power. The generated power either is stored in batteries or is
sent to a power station. Technology has developed enough that a small home can
generate its own hydro power.

Pros
Water can be accumulated above the dam and released to coincide
with peaks in demand. So, unlike other types of power stations, hydroelectric
power stations can promptly increase to full capacity.
Electricity can be generated constantly, because there are no
outside forces, unlike other forms of alternative energy, which affect the
availability of water.
Hydroelectric power produces no waste or pollution since there is
no chemical reaction to produce power.
Water used for hydro power can be reused.

Cons
Dams can be very expensive to build.
 There needs to be a sufficient and powerful enough
supply of water in the area to produce energy.
4. Alternative Energy as Biomass Energy

The farming industry, among other industries, are using corn and other plants as a
biomass alternative energy source that can be put into the gas tanks of cars and
trucks that can replace earth-damaging fossil fuels.

The oldest type of biofuel is called biodiesel, which was first made out of plants and
vegetables. Today, biodiesel is made out of old cooking oil and other types of plant
materials that are not needed for other things. When its burning biodiesel made out
of old cooking oil, the exhaust from a cars tail pipe smells like french fries.

Ethanol, a second biofuel, is made by distilling plant materials (eg. corn) into grain
alcohol, which is then mixed with small amounts of fossil fuel. When finished, this
form of alternative energy can be used in cars, trucks and vans. While the farming
industry is utilizing this readily available alternative energy resource, studies show
that unless farms stop using petroleum-based chemicals for fertilizer and for killing
pests, growing crops to make ethanol fuels may be more damaging to the
environment than other forms of alternative energy.

5. Geothermal Energy

Geo means Earth and thermal means energy. Geothermal energy means energy
drawn or harnessed from beneath the earth. It is completely clean and renewable.
Geothermal energy has been in used since last several years. The earth contains a
molten rock called magma. Heat is continuously produced from there. The
temperature increases about 3 degrees Celsius, for every 100 meters you go below
ground. Below, 10,000 meters the temperature is so high, that it can be used to boil
water. Water makes its way deep inside the earth and hot rock boils that water. The
boiling water then produces steam which is captured by geothermal heat pumps.
The steam turns the turbines which in turn activates generators.
Geothermal energy can be found anywhere on the earth. Most countries tap this
energy to generate
Pros
If done correctly, geothermal energy produces no harmful by-products.
Once a geothermal plant is built, it is generally self-sufficient energy wise.
Geothermal power plants are usually small and have little effect on the
natural landscape.

Cons
If done incorrectly, geothermal energy can produce pollutants.
Improper drilling into the earth can release hazardous minerals and gases.
Geothermal sites are prone to running out of steam.

6. Coal as an energy source

Worldwide, coal is a sought-after energy source. It has the largest reserve and is
often the cheapest of the fuel options. Now that clean coal technologies are
available, the demand for coal has remained steady despite the current stringent
standard on environmental concerns. The Philippines is largely a coal consuming
country with coal having the highest contribution to the power generation mix at
27% in 2005. But, local demand for coal is not limited to power generation. The
cement industry utilized 20% of the countrys coal supply in 2005, 1 % went to
other industries such as alcohol, sinter, rubber boots, paper and chemical
manufacturing, fertilizer production and smelting process.