How To Make A Difference - Renewable Energy
I suspect that most people would accept that we should all now be using renwable sources of energy. While solar electricity and wind energy are now well-established, I confess to being somewhat doubtful of the degree of commitment of states on the subject of renewable energy, and hence my question . Can we make a difference?
To date, states have stated that they have commitment to reduce carbon emissions, and have given grants for better insulation of homes, installation of solar power to heat water, solar power to create electricity and wind mills to generate electric power.
Some govts like the United Kingdom have built offshore wind farms and are building more. Some on shore wind farms have also been built, but these are coming up against growing opposition from the members of the general public particularly attempts to erect wind farms in locations of excellent natural beauty. It appears to be a case of we need replenish-able energy so long as it is’not in my back yard.’ there’s also talk about harnessing the power of waves to generate power.
I suspect that as individuals we will all contribute to reducing our carbon footprints by conserving energy in our homes and using renewable energy wherever possible. There are many straightforward measures we can take at home which cost nothing such as not leaving electric appliances at the ready, turning down our heating thermostats by one degree, and using a full load in our washers as well as many other easy measures. We can replace our light bulbs with low energy bulbs, draft proof our doors and windows and ensuring that our insulation is satisfactory to maximize the energy potency of our houses.
the price of providing clean energy systems in our houses is coming down all of the time, and it is now feasible to build your own solar cells and wind turbines at home to a pro standard for about a hundred dollars. Kits can be bought online for under $50 to build both these sorts of replenish-able energy. A more fresh invention is the reintroduction of magnetic power generators. It is feasible to build an infinite motion machine to provide free electricity for as little as $100.
Another form of renewable energy is heat pumps. These take power from a low temperature source and upgrades it to a higher temperature at which it can be usefully employed for heating. For instance ground source heat pumps which use stored heat in the earth’s temperature and converts it into free heat for the property. These pumps do need space at the front or rear of the property and have a tendency to be dear at around $12,000.
Turning to transport, which represents a huge area of carbon emissions, we know that fossil fuels will not last for all eternity, yet there seems to be tiny sign of alternative fuels being introduced. I speculate why? I believe we know the solution to that ; the oil companies have a vested interest in the continuing use of fossil fuels and they are extremely tough. While it is true to claim that some of them have invested in clean energy, as the Manager of one oil company stated latterly, they still see fossil fuel use continuing for several years to come. Sadly governments, though they make noises about reducing transport pollution, have no real eagerness for alternative fuels since they make so much tax revenue from ordinary fuels.
the UK and other european nations do insist on a percentage share of bio-fuel being included in the provision of fuel for transport. However they’d in recent times to cut back the level of bio-fuel as they found farmers were inclined to grow products like rape seed for oil, rather than food crops. The employment of bio-fuel is of course dishonorable when we consider the world food shortage. What governments have latched onto is battery autos, there isn’t any pollution, but they don’t seem to be a doable solution. They are pricey and can only travel 100 miles before having to be recharged.
I am certain that there’s a fuel that can be employed to power combustion engines that does not pollute the atmosphere. More than thirty years back one of the large EU vehicle manufacturers made an automobile that ran on water, yet nothing has been heard of it since. they were warned off by the oil companies. In spite of Governments being somewhat halfhearted towards total commitment on carbon emissions, I do believe that as people we all can and should do our bit to reduce carbon emissions. Our houses are one of the main areas where we can make a contribution. The brilliant thing is that in doing so we will be able to save ourselves a substantial amount of money in these tough economic times.
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Tags: electricity, energy, renewable energy, Solar Power, wind mills, wind turbines