Using Renewable Energy

For this article, I wanted to highlight some of the common options which are available to man for using alternative sources of energy that are easily available. I am sure, I do not need to highlight the need for using such energy sources, but there are 2 BIG reasons why we must pursue these sources:

1. It is available in abundance unlike other non-renewable sources.
2. It is completely non-polluting and environment friendly.

Let’s explore the various energy forms that are available at our disposal.

Solar Energy: Of all the renewable sources of energy, this one is clearly the most tapped – commercially and with respect to scale. It is not uncommon to see Solar Water Heaters on roof-tops of buildings these days. Solar Lamps are also widely used on a commercial scale by some industries. While, solar lamps are difficult to use inside homes, solar water heaters can be used very effectively for hot water availability. It can be of optimum use for around 2/3rd of the year where an average amount of sunlight is available. The best part is that it is only a one-time investment which can lead to potential cost savings in the long run.

Wind Energy: This is another powerful source of energy that is not sufficiently tapped as much as it could be. While, there are a lot of companies that are doing this on a commercial scale, it hasn’t really taken off in a large way. Wind energy is typically harnessed through windmills. If placed at strategic points within the country, it has the capability to store maximum stored energy that can be utilized for further use. It generates the energy used in its construction within the 3 months of its operation and yet it operates for close to 25 years!!!

Geothermal Energy: Geothermal Energy refers to the energy that is directly obtained from the earth. Either the dry steam or hot water is used to drive a turbine that rotates a generator which produces electricity. The construction of such a plant is very costly. However, in certain countries where such an energy source is common like Iceland, it is estimated that it could last for close to 100 years. It is usually harnessed in geologically unstable places like New Zealand, Iceland, certain parts of USA and Philippines among others.

Hydro-Electricity: The kinetic energy of water is the main driver for this form of electricity. Either it is the kinetic energy of flowing water, the temperature difference or the salinity gradients within the sea that are used to produce electricity. Flowing water is the most common way of harnessing Hydro electricity where the flow of water is sufficient to generate electricity. Tidal motion in the waves of the sea as well is another significant means of extracting electricity.