UCtelevision asked:


This conference on Emerging Energies Technologies takes an unbiased look at how the United States can make the transition from dependency on carbon-based fuels to a sustainable alternative fuels-based future. In this program Nobel laureate Alan Heeger of UCSB and Joan Ogden of UC Davis give their perspectives on renewable energy. Series: “Technology Management Program” [10/2007] [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 13287]

Cindy

Green energy
James Copper asked:


Green energy refers to the use of power that is not only more efficient than fossil fuel but that is friendly to the environment as well. Green energy is generally defined as energy sources that dont pollute and are renewable.

There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydropower on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.

Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.

The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.

Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.

As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.

Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.

The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.

Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.

While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.

Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energys impact is minimal, however.



Karen
Nov
10
Green energy
James Copper asked:


Green energy refers to the use of power that is not only more efficient than fossil fuel but that is friendly to the environment as well. Green energy is generally defined as energy sources that dont pollute and are renewable.

There are several categories of green energy. They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydropower on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.

Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.

The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.

Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of green energy as wind power.

As an example of the green energy production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.

Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from green energy resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.

The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with green energy, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.

Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these green energy certificates.

While green energy is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.

Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energys impact is minimal, however.



Rebekah
Green energy
Madison Greene asked:


A couple years ago when New York City had its blackout, many people woke up to the fact that we use way too much electricity as an energy source. They had been taking their electricity for granted.

This event also made us aware of other depleting natural resources, such as oil and that these resources as well should not be taken for granted. Pollution, global warming, high oil costs and the threat of running out of non-renewable resources had put a spark back into the search of alternative energy resources.

Although we still have a ways to go good progress is being made. Hybrid vehicles and solar powered homes are beginning to be more accepted as ways of the future and more and more people are using them. Yes you may run into a naysayer on the street, but remember we are making progress and you should always be optimistic towards our future.

What Does It Take To Make People Aware of Alternative Energy Resources?

Most environmentalists have been cautioning the world for years that the current methods of producing electricity are not going to be around forever. Using coal and oil products to turn turbines to make electricity, they warned, is going to deplete the supply and alternative energy resources that will be needed.

They often advised the time to act was before the supplies were gone. Additionally, they stressed the importance of alternative energy resources that did not pollute the air, water and send particulate matter into the wind.

Alternative Energy Technology Still In Its Infancy

The use of water to supply power has been around for decades; seemingly ever since electricity and windmills have been supplying power in many areas of the world. The use of solar power is becoming more acceptable and using the water, wind and sun as alternative energy resources are still being examined. While many technological advances have been made, developing a cost-effective production method is still in its early stages.

Why didn’t we work on this years ago? When these technologies were first introduced there was no real financial incentive to continue development. Prices for coal and oil were still low and methods to clean the air at coal-fired plants kept pollution concerns to a minimum. However, recent increases in coal and oil prices and threat of running out has made the hunt for alternative energy resources more urgent.

Lack Of Competition Keeps Prices High

Many blame the cost of the technology for the prices of using alternative energy resources, but most agree that a lack of competition among companies using them are the biggest culprit. Many contend the prices for alternative energy resources is artificially inflated using the supply and demand calculation that the supply has not increased sufficiently to offset even the slightest increase in demand, which sends prices even higher.

Many countries have initiated incentives for companies and individuals to find alternative energy resources that can save natural resources, reduce prices and save the environment. The scare of global warming has many looking at new methods of producing power without producing a hotter environment.

Right now, it is difficult to find a cheap alternative energy resource for your home for the reasons stated above, but we are making progress, and good progress. Eventually, as technology advances, we may be able to make the alternative energy resources we have a little cheaper.

It is just too bad we procrastinated for so long to get started. Just get educated, stay optimistic, and do your part to convert the energy in your home to an alternative source.



Mindy