Educating People about Alternative Energy

Perhaps one of the most effective ways through which young people can learn about alternative energies would be to use PicoTurbine kits, books or even projects. This company, called PicoTurbine, is the main promoter of alternative energies, a company that has created awareness throughout the whole world of the numerous benefits of the large scale usage of such energies. The environment needs to be protected and alternative energies definitely take into account this aspect. Therefore, if humanity wants to benefit from the environment in the future, then active steps of protection need to be enforced.

PicoTurbine devices work on several concepts; for instance, they actively incorporate the knowledge on alternative energies and make sure people are remembered once in a while, of this approach. The company receives a lot of feedback from customers, thus modifying its solutions to traditional energies in a way young people seem to find fit. Therefore, young people get to put their hands directly on real life situation and be able to make a change. A suggestion the company has received was to conduct experiments on wind energy production, by using the common known picture wire necessary for the heating elements. PicoTurbines has also noted that when people think about wind energy, they generally conjure up the image of cold energy and therefore, are surprised to see in reality the benefits of this technology. A suggestion for the projects was to give the opportunity to young people to engage into group based projects and thus, conduct their own discoveries and pose their own questions to lead them to the creation of their own, virtual energy plant, capable of producing real time energy. The groups will then be able to see whether the experiments were efficient and which one of them was able to produce the biggest amount of electricity or the smallest amount of electricity. They could be then able to modify the projects once again and come up with revised versions of what they are working on.

PicoTurbine has even been implemented in school curricula; teachers are now starting to instill in the senses for their pupils the appreciation for the environment and the awareness for alternative energies. Children are being taught that alternative means solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric or biomass energies that can produce considerable quantities of electricity under given conditions .when combining alternative energies we are decreasing the dependence that countries have our traditional energy derived from fossil fuel. Foreign oil supplies are getting more expensive by the day, therefore it would be much less costly to produce the nation's own importer and if possible, then become the importer of energy. Judging from long terms effects, alternative energies are certainly less expensive that fossil fuel energies.

The company has also encouraged the sales of wind farms as well as solar arrays; these products are penetrating the market at growing rates and they are already becoming best sellers. To give you one example of how time has helped reduce the total cost for certain things, tale photo voltaic cells. Twenty years ago, they were evaluated at one thousand dollars per cell; now, each one of those cells costs only four dollars. Therefore, economists and specialists in alternative energies have denoted that it is possible to have the kilowatt being sold at one dollar, in 2015. thus, one needs to imagine the extraordinary impact that alternative energies would have on the entire world. Fossil fuels are starting to use their popularity, mainly because they damage to a large extent the environment and the air we are breathing. Thus, many cases of asthma attacks and pneumonias have been reported recently and the risks of developing allergies is extremely elevated. Such long term effects can even lead to cancer, therefore, it is advisable to switch to the alternative because this would mean no pollution, more protection to the environment and less money spent on energy costs.

Discover expert tips on how investing right in alternative energy stocks can be profitable as well as how to harness the true potential of harnessing energy from the earth when you visit http://www.replaceablegas.com, the top resources on secret alternative energy.

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Alternative Energy Usage in Ireland

Ireland is pursuing energy independence by trying to develop to a larger extent the usage of alternative energy; one must take into consideration the fact that Ireland benefits from a robust economy, allowing it to research and develop resource encompassing alternative energies. During modern days, almost ninety percent of the energy needs are accomplished by importation, from the energy that has become imported. This makes Ireland extremely dependent on energetic supplies coming from foreign locations. It should come as no surprise that Ireland wants to get over this dependency and start producing energy of its own. Therefore, it is only natural that institutions and the government start thinking about alternative resources as a way to produce the energy the population needs. The EU has in fact implemented some regulations regarding reduction in emissions of harmful substance and gases in the air, including regulations on sulphuric oxide and nitric oxide.

Green energy has become therefore the one thing the EU strives to accomplish throughout all the member states. Hydroelectric power is now utilized in some areas inside Ireland for quite a long period of time and has so far, proved to be very effective in producing energy, by capturing the energy of the waves from Atlantic Ocean, which is on the western part of Ireland. This energy supply is now capable of producing the energy supply needed by the whole country.

As a matter of fact, in the future, Ireland may even become energy exporter, granted the fact that it can now exploit the very few natural resources it has for its own benefit. The energy potential is constituted in the fact that throughout the whole Ireland, big winds blow, there is close proximity to the ocean and one can derive energy from biomass resources. It could for instance, supply energy to the rest of Europe, energy produced from ocean waves and biomass fuels. For the moment, Ireland has concentrated its efforts in obtaining the fifteen percent barrier, that is, produce fifteen percent of the energy needed by the population through wind farms. This is in fact, a governmental objective for 2010. Not only the government, but also institutions and research institutes are combining efforts to be able to discover the ways Ireland can reduce its reliance on foreign produced energy.

Researchers are now studying the fields of the ocean wave energy so that the energy produced can cover much of the necessary amounts for the population. A test site designed for alternative energy has been created in Ireland, on the western coast, to better study ocean energy. The experimental site, also known as "Wavebob" helps researchers study on the spot the most efficient ways they could use ocean waves to produce energy. Judging by the efforts made leading to discovery, one can say that in the future, Ireland can become the market leader in the sector. Analysts believe that wave energy possesses the potential to change and that renewable energy may become the norm; if this is accomplished, then Ireland wouldn't have to depend anymore on the energy provided by others and could thus reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.

Many people believe that since the industry dealing with sugar beet has been shut down, this means that there is more Irish land available to use to construct alternative energy power plant, including plants designed for bioenergy production. Since renewable energy is now catering for only two percent of the energy consumed in Ireland, it is imperative to come up with a solution or solutions that will resolve the problem to a large extent. Biomass energies are fit to be fully exploited, because the answer lies in not using conventional methods of producing energies and adapting existing equipment in order to produce energy from other resources.

Find out more about alternative energy suppliers and the use of alternative energy in military from http://www.replaceablegas.com the free resources on alternative energy research and development portal.

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Fukushima incident demonstrates the massive risks involved

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami at the Fukushima Nuclear Power plant in North Eastern Japan caused massive damage. More than 1000 people were killed and a major relief was necessary to help the victims. A state of emergency was declared and a 20 Km evacuation zone is still in force.

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A concensus of opinion seemed to have developed regarding nuclear power throughout the world and it seemed to be the way forward. The Fukushima incident demonstrates the massive risks involved but do we have a choice?

Is nuclear power worth investing in?

For the last ten years, most media outlets have paid a great deal of attention to the worldwide energy crisis and to global warming in particular. It is generally agreed that alternative energy sources will need to be developed to meet our ever expanding need for power. Possibilities include wind power, solar power, wave/tidal energy and biomass but while these technologies can make a contribution, it is unlikely that that existing alternative energy technology can provide enough energy to meet out needs.

Another possibility is nuclear power which is clean, efficient, reliable and relatively cheap. Despite the problems disposing of the dangerous waste produced, politicians seem to be ready to consider the use of nuclear power and might agree to a large scale construction program.

Many analysts have speculated that the worldwide nuclear energy market could grow substantially by 2030.

Does this mean nuclear energy is worth investing in?

In the U.S.A, the Department of Energy expects the amount of electricity needed to rise by 50% during the next twenty years. Worldwide electricity consumption is expected to double by 2030. Fossil fuel stocks are dwindling and the price oil continues to rise

It more than possible that there will be an increase in demand for nuclear power and this coincides with a weak amount of supply. Basic economics tells us that prices increase and decrease according to supply and demand.

Furthermore, as emerging economies in Asia develop over the next twenty years, the spike in demand for cheap, clean, reliable alternative energy sources could intensify and nuclear power is well placed.

Various private sector investment managers have recently described the structural shortage of power generation facilities in the developing world. Some countries are in the process of building large numbers of nuclear power stations and this will lift the demand for uranium.

Until recently, it has been very difficult for an ordinary investor to participate in the nuclear energy market because most investment opportunities were offshore. This has changed and there are now several options available:- 

• Three years ago, the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) launched its first futures contract for uranium. This allows investors to speculate on the future growth. Prices were high before the Global Credit Crisis in 2008 when uranium was trading at approximately $140 per pound. Recently it was approximately $40
• Investors can invest in the potential growth in the price of uranium by investing in mining companies which often have a very low share price. Proper research should be carried out and if the company finds substantial deposits the share prices will rise significantly
• Investors can invest in companies that have existing uranium operations such as BHP Billiton and Cameco which are both large companies and proven leaders in the field. Many smaller companies in countries with uranium deposits are good investment opportunities but shares would need to be purchased on a foreign exchange.
• The currency of countries with uranium deposits should increase in price and Forex Brokers could give advice about whether this is a viable investment opportunity

Global Warming? Energy Crisis? No Way! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_M_Williams

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Alternative Energy - If This Were Any Other Sector of Our Economy - We'd Call It a Bubble!

The Alternative Energy Industry is an industry - don't let anyone tell you otherwise, and it's a 10-trillion dollar industry for new equipment and power plants. In fact, if you count the commodity trading sector of energy along with "carbon credit" trading of air it could be a 50-trillion dollar industry by the end of the decade. On November 29, 2010 there was a whole section in the Wall Street Journal dedicated to it - a whole section! And realize the WSJ is not a left-leaning socialist newspaper, rather it's all about money flows and markets.
Alternative Energy is an Industry.
Indeed, Alternative Energy is the fastest growing industry in the world. This is what has been created using propaganda, guilt trips on the populations, and careful promotion amongst the media to the masses. A good portion of the public now treats Global Warming as a religion with the fervor and passion of a new found God. And the already zealous environmentalists have joined the cause with all their sound and fury, as trumpet blowers at every turn.
However, Alternative Energy is still an industry, so let's not kid ourselves.
It is an industry that's been pumped up by media, big money, big oil, environmentalists, government funding, and your favorite billionaires around the globe, and they all intend on cashing in on it. Will building this bubble save us from the collapse of the last one? Do bubbles ever save us, or do they just make things worse down the road when the big boys walk away with the loot.
Folks, it's too late to stop it now, they are huffing and puffing and blowing this bubble up to kingdom come. We are all just along for the ride now with higher taxes to pay for subsidies and higher energy costs to make it work. But it won't, it can't - whenever our energy costs go up we lose jobs, our economy sputters, and there you have the reality. Consider the high oil costs of the past which always preceded economic downward spins of the business cycle.
Today, we have everyone running for the money, getting there any way they can - looking for research grants, incentives, tax breaks, start-up loans, venture capital, or even jobs. Indeed, we already see cracks in the wall, we have alternative energy projects which have failed, venture capital firms pulling money aside, and start-ups with a promise, a great business plan, and a fast talking entrepreneur, but no chance in "hello" of ever making a return on investment.
I presume that is how this larger balloon will go, and how this cookie will crumble.
Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow. Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Burning Waste to Produce Energy has great Potential as an Energy Source

The human race has used wood to make fire for a very long time. It has been our main source of energy for most of our existence and we have used it to cook food and provide heating.

Use is dwindling but burning waste to produce energy has great potential as an energy source. This is particularly important when you consider the amount of waste produced in the modern world, the problems faced with disposal and the effort being put into recycling.

A Biomass Power Station works in a similar way to a coal fired power station. Waste is burned and used to heat water, the steam produced is used to turn turbines, the turbines turn generators and generate electricity. Any solid waste can be used including animal manure, woodchip, seaweed, rubbish and any other waste.

Bio-conversion is a related process where plant/animal waste is used to produce bio-fuels such as methanol or natural gas. These bio-fuels can be burned to produce power and vehicles have been developed powered by bio-fuels

Sugar can be used in a similar way because it can be fermented to make alcohol which can be burned. Alternatively, the left over sugar cane pulp can be burned and often a biomass power station provides energy for a sugar mill as well as the surrounding area.

A Biomass Power Station is planned for Portbury near Bristol which would produce 150 MW of power and this is enough to provide power for two hundred thousand homes. It will burn wood materials brought to the plant by ship from sustainable sources and will annually offset about four hundred thousand tones of carbon dioxide emissions.

Another Biomass Power Station is planned for Longannet in Scotland which will produce 20 MW from wood and waste derived fuel and provide electricity for about thirty three thousand homes. It will also offset one hundred and thirty tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year and prevent one hundred and thirty five tonnes of waste material being disposed in landfill sites.

Bio-fuels could help us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and most particularly the oil used for transport which is obviously a good thing.

Some people claim that it will take a huge amount of land to grow the bio-fuels needed and this will affect our capacity to grow food. Bio-fuel powered vehicles produce similar carbon emissions to petrol driven vehicles but scientists argue that the plants growing the bio-fuel will take in the extra carbon emissions produced as they respire. Time will tell on this argument.

We should definitely take the opportunity to burn waste materials whenever we can. It is a very cheap source of fuel and would help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. It also destroys waste and reduces the need to recycle. We collect waste anyway and have trouble with disposal.

However, growing bio-fuels could cause problems and some fuels may not always be available. Bio-fuels are burned and still produce greenhouse gases in the same way as fossil fuels.

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