Solar power plants use the sun’s energy to create electricity. They are cost effective, and use only the energy of the sun to generate electricity. Their emissions are significantly less than current methods of energy production, or they are non-existent. While solar power plants are not in widespread use at this time, they do show...
Energy Alternatives
Strides are being made in the field of alternative energy, and some methods are becoming more mainstream and affordable. Read about the various types of alternative energy, like wind, solar, hydroelectric and more, along with their pros and cons.
Wind turbines are at the heart of wind energy. Wind flow is created by a variety of factors, including the rotation of the earth, the effect of high and low pressure systems and the impact of water, mountains and other elements of the earth’s terrain. The effort to harness this motion energy relies heavily on...
Natural gas is a type of gas that consists mainly of methane. It is found in coal beds and with other hydrocarbon fuels, and is both a major source of fuel and an important component in fertilizers. There are two major ways that natural gas is created: through biogenic and thermogenic mechanisms. Biogenic natural gas...
Hoover Dam is an excellent example of hydroelectric power that helps power the city of Las Vegas and other municipalities. The dam is located on the Colorado River between the states of Arizona and Nevada, and it was built between 1931 and 1936, at least in part as a solution to put men back to...
Nuclear energy has been the focus of considerable study by scientists since the late 19th Century. During the World War II years, the field of nuclear energy focused on the creation of the atomic bomb. After 1945, the U.S. government and others in the world studied nuclear energy as a power source for submarines. After...
Studies of weather and climate have shown that offshore wind power can be a huge boost to the wind power industry around the world. Some of the steadiest and most predictable winds in the United States and elsewhere occur just offshore in large bodies of water such as the Great Lakes and oceans. There are...
Wind generators, or wind turbines, are machines that convert energy from the wind into mechanical energy, which is then used to produce electricity. Developed for over one thousand years, wind turbines today are constructed in a range of models along either horizontal and vertical axis types. The smallest turbines manufactured are used to charge batteries...
Wind energy is a renewable, non-polluting, free resource that is almost always available, and it doesn’t rely on non-renewable fossil fuels. It can generate electricity, and it doesn’t emit greenhouse gases. The United States Department of Energy estimates that in 1990, the wind power plants in California offset the emission of more than 2.5 billion...
Homeowners who take the time to practice some relatively simple energy conservation tips can save significantly on their utility bills. There are a number of different areas throughout the home where some relatively simple changes can make a big difference. Here are just a few energy conservation tips for the homeowner looking to save money:...
Saving energy can be accomplished in many different ways. While a new vehicle that relies on hybrid fuel and solar panels covers two examples of ways to save money, there are plenty of energy saving tips that are free or relatively inexpensive. Here are some free and low-cost ways to save energy: Free Methods for...