Geek Out With All Kinds Of Alternative Energy!
Here you will find the answers to all things alternative energy: solar power, wind energy, geothermal, nuclear and so much more.
Ever wonder how solar energy works? Or how big wind turbines have to be? What's the best alternatives for the environment? How many other safe, eco-friendly alternative energy sources are really out there? There's so many answers to all kinds of these questions I just want to geek out!
You can find tips on how to build your own solar panels, save money on your energy bills, improve your carbon footprint, convert your car to electric, and all kinds of stuff!
On these pages, you will discover a variety of energy fun facts, the latest news on hybrid and electric cars, and - most importantly - what kinds of amazing alternate energy ideas you can apply to your own life!
You ready?
Let's Geek Out!
The Alternative Energy Geek's Categories
Why is Solar Energy Important and Good For Actually? - Turns out lots of things - and we've been using it for thousands of years. The first use was with a magnifing glass to start wood on fire. The ancient Romans used glass windows to keep out the cold but let in the sunlight and trap the heat. Greenhouses were also invented then to make out of season fruits and vegetables. All of these ways to use the sun's heat is called solar thermal energy. This process is used in modern day solar ovens.
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What is Wind Energy and How Does it Work? - Wind energy is pretty Geek-erific! This is another abundant renewable energy resource. When there is no sun for solar power that is when this comes into play! It's caused by the uneven heating (the air above land heats faster than air above water) of the Earth's surface and atmosphere by the sun. As the warm air rises and expands above land, the cool air above the water will fill in that gap - that force of rushing air is wind!
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How are Fossil Fuels Made and Can We Rely on This Eenrgy Source? - The fossil fuels (gasoline and diesel) are converted into transportation fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. These are used to run cars, trucks, airplanes and all other gasoline powered machines. When burned they have a smaller carbon footprint then petroleum based fuels.
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What is Geothermal Energy? - Well, the geothermal energy is a resource that comes from heat deep within the earth. Underneath the earth's crust is a layer of extremely hot, melted rock called magma. When magma rises close to the earth's surface it comes in the form of volcanos, fumaroles, hot springs and geysers. The most famous geyser being "Old Faithful" at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Most of these activities are found in the Ring of Fire near the edges of the Pacific ocean, circling from the west coast of the Americas around to the East coasts of Australia and Japan.
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What is Nuclear Energy? - It's both heat and light that is produced through the splitting or merging of the nuclei of atoms. The process of merging is called fusion - reactors of this kind are still in development. Controlling this in a contained space is dangerous and delicate research but the benefits are enormous, such a reactor would produce less radioactive waste and last longer than the sun. The process of splitting is called fission - and this is what's used in every nuclear power plant today.
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Tidal Energy - Tidal energy, also called tidal power, has possibly the greatest potential for the future. This one of the virtually inexhaustible, fantastic renewable energy sources. Twice each day the earth's oceans move enormous amounts of water and converting that into electricity is a form of hydropower. The tides themselves are caused by the gravitational reaction of the sun and the moon which makes tidal power more predictable than wind and solar energy. The Geek gives this a thumbs up!
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Wave Energy
Wave energy is even better tidal power and even solar - let the Geek explain it all!
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Biomass Energy Processes - Biomass energy is a renewable energy from living or recently living organic material such as plants and animals. Types of this are: wood and wood waste, municipal solid waste (our garbage), biogas (methane from our landfills), and biofuels (such as ethanol and biodiesal ). It's kind of like solar energy in that plants take energy from the sun and store it through the process of photosynthesis.
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Hydrogen Energy - Hydrogen energy comes from the chemical element hydrogen. It's the most abundant element in the universe, every star you see at night is rich with it. Here on earth it doesn't occur as a gas naturally on it's own, it's usually combined with other elements like oxygen to make water, or in organic compounds like hydrocarbons such as propane, methanol and gasoline.
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Renewable Energy Sources
- Renewable energy sources come from sun, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat - basically anything that is naturally replenished on the earth. This also includes hydrogen, Biomass, which are wood and wood waste, sewage waste, and landfill waste. There are also biofuels which are: biogas, ethanol and biodiesel. However, when these are used they emit greenhouse gases like fossil fuels. Which is why non-biomass renewable energy resources are the way to go.
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Cold Fusion Energy
Get the facts on cold fusion energy. It's no longer just science theory.
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Human Power
Find lots of devices, gadgets and tools run on human power.
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How Does Hydroelectric Power Work?
Discover hydroelectricty and the new green ways making it more efficient.
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DIY Energy
DIY energy projects! Here's your chance to build a solar cooker and a solar oven, wind turbine, solar pool heater, and many more things!
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Energy Savings Tips at Your Home
Learn how to save energy at home while keeping your bill low.
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