Advantage And Disadvantage Of Alternative Energy

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Introduction There are numerous energy sources available to man for numerous activities that require energy in one form or another. An energy source, such as fossil fuels for example, are natural resources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas that are consumed in the generation of power and from which different forms of energy are obtained (Hubbert, 1948). These sources can be grouped into multiple categories such as primary and secondary; non-renewable and renewable; and finite and alternative energy sources (Hubbert, 1948). The major well-known sources will be unpacked and viewed in more detail, illustrating their life span, accessibility, sustainability and environmental impacts as well as contribution to mankind and the environment.…show more content…
Solar thermal systems store heat from the sun that can be used for a variety of purposes through active and passive systems (Lewis & Nocera, 2006). The main advantages of solar energy are that it is clean, able to operate independently or in conjunction with traditional energy sources, and is remarkably renewable (Lewis & Nocera, 2006). The main disadvantages are that it is currently more expensive than traditional energy, and the availability of solar radiation varies from day to day, and from season to season (Lewis & Nocera, 2006). 5.2 Wind power Wind power involves converting wind energy into electricity by using wind turbines. A wind turbine is composed of 3 propellers-like blades called a rotor (Lund, 2006). The rotor is attached to a tall tower. In a way, wind energy is another form of solar power. A wind turbine captures the wind to produce energy (Lund, 2006). The wind makes the rotor spin. As the rotor spins, the movement of the blades spinning gives power to a generator which makes energy (Lund, 2006). Lauren Cotterell (5557 3215)…show more content…
It's clean and sustainable. People around the world use geothermal energy to produce electricity, to heat buildings and greenhouses, and for other purposes (Armstead, 1978). There are four main kinds of geothermal resources. These include “hydrothermal, geo-pressured, hot dry rock, and magma” (Armstead, 1978: 97). Today hydrothermal resources are the only kind in wide use (Armstead, 1978). Geothermal heat pumps can tap into the Earths radiant warmth to heat and cool buildings (Armstead, 1978). Heat from the earth can be used as an energy source in many ways, from large and complex power stations to small and relatively simple pumping systems. If the full economic potential of geothermal resources could be realized, they would represent an enormous source of electricity production capacity (Armstead, 1978). Many regions of the world are already tapping geothermal energy as an affordable and sustainable solution to reducing dependence on fossil fuels (Armstead, 1978). 6. Conclusions It is clear that energy sources are not black and white. They vary in their life span, accessibility, sustainability and environmental impacts as well as contribution to mankind and the environment. All over the world, there are numerous energy sources available to man for numerous activities that require energy in one form or
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