Alternative energy is the use of non-conventional sources to generate electrical power and fuel. With worldwide concerns over pollution, global warming, and fossil fuel dependency, we need to move away from conventional fuel sources such as gasoline, diesel, coal, and wood. Harnessing alternative energy sources has become a necessity. There are many alternatives to the expensive, inefficient, and environmentally damaging technology of wind power. Listed below are a few of the more promising technologies.

Fuel cells – fuel cells are a rapidly emerging commercial way to produce electricity. They utilize a chemical reaction that produces electricity from fuel sources like hydrogen. They provide a way to effectively store electricity that is not reliant on batteries. The electricity can be produced on site.

Photovoltaic – this is a solar power technology that uses solar cells to convert energy from the sun into electricity. Solar cells are often used to power watches, calculators, and outdoor light fixtures. On a larger scale, solar cells (solar arrays) are increasingly incorporated into the roofs and walls of homes and industrial buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electrical power. Solar array panels can be located separately from buildings and connected by cable to supply power.

Solar heating – solar collectors are used to harness thermal energy to heat water and homes. The collectors heat air or a fluid and then transfer solar heat directly to a building or water tank.

Biomass/Biofuels/Biopower – biomass is energy derived from plant matter –food crops, grassy and woody plants, agriculture and forestry residue, organic industrial wastes, and even methane fumes from landfills. Biomass can be converted into liquid fuels for transportation. The two most common types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is typically made from starches and sugars, but newer technologies are attempting to make ethanol from cellulose which is the fibrous material of plants. Ethanol is mostly used as a blending agent with gasoline to increase octane and cut down on smog causing emissions. Biodiesel is made by combining alcohol with animal fat, vegetable oil, or recycled cooking grease. It can be used as an additive (typically 20%) to reduce vehicle emissions or in its pure form as renewable alternative fuel for diesel engines. Biopower is the use of biomass to generate electricity. Biopower plants burn bioenergy feedstocks to produce steam. This steam drives a turbine, which turns a generator that converts the power into electricity.

Saving energy is much cheaper that producing energy. We must lean on our elected officials to bring about big changes that can conserve conventional sources of energy. We must demand better gas mileage from automobiles, promote rail transport for freight and for travel, promote the use of biodiesel which could make a huge impact on pollution and dependence on foreign oil, demand current fossil fuel technologies be upgraded for better efficiency, demand filters be installed to reduce emissions.

As individuals there are many things we can do to conserve. Hybrid gas-electric cars use 60% less gasoline than average conventional new cars. Better insulating our homes and businesses can greatly reduce energy needs. Small changes can also return big dividends. According to solar energy consultant Real Goods, if every household in the U.S. replaced one incandescent light bulb with a fluorescent bulb, one nuclear power plant could be closed. The U.N. sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that simple energy efficiency improvements in buildings could reduce world energy use by as much as 15% by 2020. A U.K. conservation group has stated that if the money used to subsidize one wind turbine was used instead to insulate roofs of 500 hundred houses, it would save in 2 years the amount of energy that one wind turbine might produce over its lifetime.

Using Less Power Through Conservation

• Use compact fluorescent bulbs – these funny looking bulbs produce the same amount of light and use ¼ of the electricity; they last for years.

• Lower your thermostat to at least 68 degrees during winter months. Every degree it is lowered could save up to 5% on heating costs.

• Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use. This prevents up to 8% of furnace heated air from going up the chimney. It also prevents loss of cooled air during the summer.

• Test for air leaks around doors, windows, electrical boxes, ceiling fixtures, and plumbing fixtures. You may need to caulk, seal, or install weather stripping which could save up to 10% on energy costs.

• Clean furnace filters monthly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use.

• Use appliances efficiently. Don't run clothes and dish washers unless you have full loads.

• Reduce hot water use by installing cheap low-flow shower heads ($15) and faucet aerators. Old shower heads deliver 5 gallons per minute while low-flow heads deliver 2 ½ gallons per minute. Cutting shower time in half can reduce water heating costs by 33%.

• Reduce hot water temperatures. Set your water heater to normal or 120 degrees (unless your dishwasher requires a higher setting). You could save 7-11% of water heating costs. Insulate your hot water tank and pipes.

• If building a new home or replacing old appliances buy the most energy efficient appliances, in the long run it will pay off even though they may be a bit more expensive.

For more tips visit:

Alliance to Save Energy – www.ase.org

Consumer Energy Center – www.ConsumerEnergyCenter.org

Energy Star - www.energystar.gov