processes of wind, sun, water, plant growth, and heat from the earth being converted into power, steam and heat. Collectively, the energy captured by these technologies is referred to as renewables. Wind Wind power captures the energy of air currents using turbine blades; as the blades rotate, electricity is generated. Constant innovations in wind technology have made this one of the most pervasive forms of renewable technology. Wind power ranges from large wind ãfarmsä consisting of multiple turbines that are several stories high, to ãsmall windä sytems that individuals can install in their backyards. The American Wind Energy Association provides more specific information about small wind power options. Solar Solar power offers multiple applications, from powering traffic lights to heating water. Solar technologies include: photovoltaic cells which covert sunlight directly into useable energy; solar concentrators which use mirrors to focus the sunâs light and generate intense heat--turning water to steam and generating electricity in the process; and solar thermal heating devices such as solar water heaters and even solar ovens. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory offers extensive information about general advances in solar technology. The California Energy Commissionâs Emerging Renewables Buydown Program and the California Solar Industries Association provides specific information about solar power in California. Hydro Hydro power captures the energy generated by waterâs movement and converts it into electricity. While hydro is the largest source of renewable energy in California and the U.S, it can be controversial. In the context of renewable energy, low impact, small hydro, and micro hydro (those installations producing less than 20 megawatts of electricity) projects are considered by some as more environmentally sensitive and appropriate than traditional large-scale projects. The California Energy Commission provides California specific information about hydro power. Biopower Biopower releases the energy trapped in organic material, or biomass. Biopower uses biomass energy to generate electricity. Biopower has diverse applications from diverse sources: from creating gas that is used to fire electric plants, to recycling cooking oil and using it to power buses and cars. Biopower applications include co-firing with coal, collecting methane and landfill gases and burning urban wood waste to generate electricity. To review the various applications of biopower, visit the bioenergy discussion list archives. The California Biomass Energy Alliance provides further information about biopower in California. Geothermal Geothermal power uses heat from below the earthâs surface to produce electricity or heat buildings and water systems. Geothermal power produces little to no air pollution and is extremely reliable during the lifetime of the power plant. Geothermal applications cover a range of use, from small-scale geothermal heat pumps used in homes, to large-scale power plants that provide electricity. The California Energy Commissionâs geothermal page provides specific information about geothermal power in California.
Many critics claim that it is too late for renewables to contribute significantly to the solutions of energy woes. However, three immediate contributions renewables can make are: added wind capacity to existing wind farms; lowering regulatory barriers to promotion of solar resources; and re-activating dormant bioenergy plants. Also, it is still possible for individual customers to buy renewables such as solar photovoltaics (PV) and small wind turbines. These systems, particularly PV, usually run when blackouts are most likely÷during a summertime day. And since people face sharp price increases in their bills, running on-site power can avoid electricity consumption from the grid, especially when it is most expensive during summertime days. To learn more about how individual can help abate the problems, read more about incentives. Non-hydro renewables (geothermal, biomass, wind, and solar) already provide over 10% of Californiaâs electricity. Additional power can be made from existing renewable energy power plants (qualifying facilities) fairly quickly, given the right economic and regulatory incentives. New renewable power, such as wind, can be brought on line fairly quickly when compared to fossil fuel power technologies, but getting new renewables to generate additional power in California this summer will be difficult unless siting and permitting is already under way. In the medium- to long-run, renewables offer many values that will go far to helping Californians benefit from a stable electricity system: First, fuel-free renewables reduce financial risk to consumers. Wind, geothermal and solar have predictable cost-streams through their operating lives, and do not suffer from seasonal changes in natural gas prices or hydroelectric power availability. All renewables contribute to a diversified energy portfolio, which is as wise as developing a diverse personal investment portfolio, particularly since the risks of renewables are not related to those of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Second, renewables can offer power during peak demand periods. Both biomass and geothermal provide power year-round, and as often as fossil fuel power plants. And wind and solar patterns in California happen to coincide well with power demand patterns, both on a seasonal and daily basis. This means that all renewables are available when any one need them the most, and when power is most valuable. Third, renewables can respond rapidly to demand growth. Wind and solar are ãmodularä÷they can be manufactured in small increments and deployed either a few at a time or many at a time. Thus, they are flexible in responding to changes in power demand, particularly if, in the case of wind power, there are already wind farms to which more turbines can be added. Fourth, renewables reduce the risk of higher costs fueled by environmental regulations. Fossil fuel and nuclear industry advocates frequently complain about the high cost of environmental regulations. Since renewables tend to have zero emissions or low emissions, and since they do not generate toxic and radioactive wastes, their operators usually need not fear of new regulations that will add to their operating costs. This is very important for consumers, since the cost of environmental controls are usually passed on to electricity bills. Finally, it is important to note that energy efficient technology (such as lighting and appliances) and energy demand reduction through consumer energy conservation (such as turning off the air conditioner when one is out of the house) can go a long way toward ameliorating electricity crisis. |
| What is renewable Energy? |
| Renewable Energy. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |||||||
|
|
| Copyright ©2003, part of The YKTA Corporation, and its licensor's. All rights reserved. |
| Home I Mind I Body I Life I Tools I New I Music Instrument I Links I Contact Us I |
