Alternative Energy Sources Essay

Imagine a world where nobody can use their iPhone, their computer, or even turn on the lights. That is the kind of world the future may be like if there is not an overhaul of how electricity is obtained. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, people have utilized fossil fuels to power their homes, cars, and businesses. Unfortunately, our stores of fossil fuels are running low, and they have been demonstrated to increase the temperature in the atmosphere and accelerate global warming. As gas prices steadily rise, people need a newer, cleaner source of energy. The alternatives are numerous and would be beneficial to the well being of the whole world. The human race must replace its fossil fuel use with renewable resources in order to...show more content...

All of the proven sources of oil will be depleted by the year 2055 according to Erika Antoniazzo, a woman who is well read in terms of oil production.(eco–info.net) On the other hand, renewable resources can never be depleted. There will always be wind that can blow turbines. There will always be a sun to heat solar panels. There will always be water to run through dams. The power that can be drawn from these sources is limitless, which is obviously more sustainable than fossil fuels, which clearly has a limit. Scientists are developing technology in the field of nuclear fusion (the process in which the sun creates its energy), which if obtained will provide an infinite amount of power. These alternative sources of energy will provide energy for the world until the end of time. The government has been greatly influenced by big oil companies lobbying for political power. No single group should have such a large amount of power over the government. If our focus on fossil fuels is shifted over to a more general scope that includes various renewable energy sources, then no single group of companies will have a significant amount of power in the direction of the country. Since oil companies have an iron grip on decisions the U.S. makes, we have gone to several wars over the pursuit of oil. General Zilmer stated that the amount of casualties can be reduced greatly if troops could move away from their use of fossil fuels.(News Observer) These wars would

Alternative Sources for Energy

Millions and millions of barrels of oil, coal, and natural gases are being pumped out of the ground on a daily basis. These fuels are being used to heat homes, run machines, and take people from place to place. It has become a part of everyday living; just as essential as food and water. The more resources that is being pumped, the more people want it. Society has an insatiable thirst for this form of energy that is unyielding. It is a never ending cycle of supply and demand. The demand is high, but the supply is limited. One day the earth will be sucked dry of all its resources, yet people will continue to demand. What will happen then? What will take place of the current resources? Due to this crisis, ...show more content...

This concept of solar energy can also be used in refrigeration systems as well. An adsorption chiller has been manufactured that can achieve temperatures of 0ВЎГ†F (Henkel, pars.41). Solar energy has enormous potential in reducing gas usage in homes. In fact, one day it may even replace any need for gas at all.

Solar energy has its functions; however, it is not the onlyalternative energy source. Wind can be transformed into practical energy as well.Wind power is one of the fasting growing sources of energy and it doesnВЎВЇt seem to be slowing down. As technology advances, wind turbines are getting bigger and more efficient. A wind turbine in the United States has a 104 meter blade producing 3.6 megawatts of electricity (Talbot, pars.2). The blade span alone is longer than a football field and generates enough power for 1,000 homes. General Electric is currently attempting to design an even bigger wind turbine with a blade span of 140 meters and could produce as much as 7 megawatts according to Jim Lyons, chief technologist at GE wind. Although there is potential to tap into a vast amount of energy, it is not 100% reliable. Wind is not guaranteed to be always blowing and with these huge turbines, if one fails many users will be affected until the problem is fixed (Talbot, pars.4). Furthermore, there is no guarantee for the amount of energy produced due to constant changes in directions of the wind, which in turn affects the