Shifting from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy (Solar Power)

Fossil Fuels (Dead Organisms) Power Our Cars and Homes

Many people might think of gasoline or oil as just a chemical that you put in your car that gives it the explosive power to run. Those familiar with combustion theory understand that a gasoline engine captures a series of controlled explosions and converts them into forward momentum. Most of our electricity comes from coal or natural gas burning power plants. In fact, almost everything we use in this day and age that requires fuel or a power source, whether vehicles, appliances, or other—at some point each of these are presently dependent directly or indirectly on fossil fuels. But just where does that oil or gasoline come from? Oil, Coal, Gasoline and Natural gas are all examples of fossil fuels.

Below: An electrical coal burning power plant in Germany. The byproducts of coal burn-off damage the environment by releasing carbon dioxide (C02) and methane which are both attributed to global warming according to the IPCC. Other waste products include: uranium, thorium, and other radioactive and heavy metal contaminants which contribute to Acid rain, interfere with groundwater and water table levels and render land unfit for other uses.

How Fossil Fuels are Formed

Fossil fuels are formed through dead organisms which have decomposed over many millions of years, which have been further altered by heat and pressure in the earth’s crust. The high percentage of carbon and hydrocarbons along with other evidence has led to the generally accepted view that these fuels are the decomposed remains of once living organisms. According to the Energy Information Administration, fossil fuels represented 86% of all fuel usage in 2006 (with petroleum at 36.8% and coal at 26.6%). Apparently, most of our energy is supplied by dead organisms, heated and pressurized by our earth’s crust. Thank you dead organisms for providing gas for my car and electricity for my house.

Often the age of some fossil fuels exceeds 650 million years. Low carbon materials such as gasoline, methane and hydrogen are volatile in proportion to their lack of carbon (don’t light a match near a hydrogen balloon; ever heard of the Hindenburg?). On the other extreme, high carbon fossil fuels, like coal tend to be more stable.

Renewable Energy

Fossil fuels are considered a limited resource because they take millions of years to form. Our high (and growing) dependence on fossil fuels worldwide has lead to the development of renewable energy. Solar, wind, hydro power, and nuclear power are all considered sources of renewable energy because they are potentially unlimited sources of power. Aside from the limited nature of fossil fuels, they also tend to pollute our environment with the byproducts of combustion. Globally, most governments of industrialized countries have embraced the importance of renewable energy and strides are being made to shift energy use to renewable sources. For example, the use of photovoltaics has grown exponentially for years now, growing 110% just between 2007 and 2008. In fact, in 2004 solar panel manufacturing consumed more silicon than computer manufacturing for the first time in history. Unfortunately renewable energy only represents a small amount of world wide energy usage with hydro at 6.3%, nuclear at 6%, and geothermal, solar, wind, wood etc at a tiny 0.9% combined.

Here’s a few different types of Renewable energy sources along with descriptions:

Geothermal: deep in our earths crust there is an almost unlimited supply of heat energy, which can be converted for other uses, such as electricity.

Hydropower:

moving water, as it flows downstream can be converted from kinetic energy into electrical energy (or other forms of energy). This is also known as hydro-electricity. In more ancient times, water wheels were in use to grind grain or other uses.

Below: Clyde Dam is the 3rd largest hydroelectric dam in New Zealand. Owned and operated by Contact Energy, the dam is located on the Clutha River, near Clyde, New Zealand.

Solar:

Photovoltaic cells with photosensitive materials generate electricity when electrons are knocked loose by rays of sunlight, generating DC (Direct Current) electrical energy which can then be converted to AC (Alternating Current) energy which can be used to power homes or businesses. Solar water heating is also a growing industry. Both types of solar power are more popular in areas where direct sunlight is readily available.

Pictured Below: This home has solar panels installed on a pitched roof. Photovoltaic cells provide clean, renewable energy--because they convert sunlight into electrical power (or in some applications solar thermal is used to heat water).

Wind:

Windmills convert wind kinetic energy into electric energy. Sometimes windmills injure passing birds, which has created some environmental concerns.

Below: These wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electrical power.

Nuclear:

The bond between a proton and neutron in an atom contains an amazing amount of energy. Nuclear power captures this energy and converts it into electrical power. Unfortunately, radio active byproducts (toxic waste) result from this process. Generally, nuclear power plants are quite safe when proper safety measures and maintenance is maintained. However, if proper standards are not maintained, disasters may occur. For example, Chernobyl, a disastrous nuclear power plant meltdown in Eastern Europe, was the result of poor safety standards. Due to the risk associated with this type of power, it is often considered controversial. However, countries such as France, have wholeheartedly adopted nuclear power.

This nuclear power plant was built in Nassau County, New York. Although nuclear power is a renewable and cost-effective energy source, there are still potential environmental dangers if proper safety standards are not adhered to.

Biomass:

common waste products that always exist such as corn husks, sewage, and grass clippings are also known as Biomass. This source of energy is considered renewable because it is based on common waste products. These waste products have residual energy which can be released by burning in biomass plants.

Image Below: This power plant based in Alaska, owned by Unisea inc, consumed over 1 million gallons of 50/50 fish oil-diesel blends at this Alaska based plant in 2003. Biomass fuels are considered a source of renewable energy.

Although the use of renewable energy has grown exponentially during the last few decades, we still have a long way to go considering 86% of our present energy usage still consists of fossil fuels.

Find a local Solar Power contractor.