Atlantic Energy Research says the ocean waves that are the inspiration for surfers and a wide variety of water sports can also be used to generate electricity. There are a number of plants currently in operation, but how exactly is electricity generated from the tidal forces of the oceans?
One method is to capture the tides of the ocean and utilize them to produce mechanical motion; another is to capture the forces of the high or low tides.
Energy produced using waves: The kinetic energy produced using waves is tapped by putting in place suitable apparatus so as to harness that energy. A mechanism filled with air allows the high rising tidal wave in, which in turn pushes the air outside. The rushing outflow of air sets a turbine into rotary motion which can be used to generate electricity.
Tidal energy: Tides rising about on the surface of the oceans, which are caused by the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon, can also be tapped just as the way they are in a hydro electric plant. The rising tide is captured behind a dam like structure and is let out when there is a low tide, similar in operation to a hydroelectric plant.
Although extracting energy from the oceans is a relatively simple process, the practicality is limited to, obviously, where the oceans are located and concerns have been raised by environmental groups about the effect on the habitats of various marine and plant life. Atlantic Energy Research says, also the cost of constructing and putting into operation such plants can be high.
In light of the fact that oceans cover almost 70 % of the earth's surface, they could be thought of as a planetary solar cell. With energy-generating potential of that magnitude, it is only a matter of finding the right way to harness and deliver this energy for our everyday residential or commercial use.
While it is uncertain if it could be used for mainstream industrial purposes, Atlantic Energy Research believes there is little doubt that energy generated in this manner can and, one day, will prove to be a useful supplement to the more established and traditional methods of generating reliable and useful power to our homes and businesses.
For information on this topic and more visit http://www.atlanticenergyresearch.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Sloan
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Harnessing the Power of the Ocean With Atlantic Energy Research
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Underutilized Forest and Wood Biofuel
As people are waiting for "them" to make biofuel available as a source of energy there are many of us who have been using forest biofuel to heat our homes for generations. This biofuel is sold on the free market without government subsidies or a need for more research and development.
Wood can be made into many biofuel products like methane, alcohol, or diesel and it can be burned directly to power electric generators to produce electricity. All of these are expensive and energy intensive. After refining wood into these biofuels the cost and energy used has not made wood biofuel a viable source of energy. The exception to that is burning wood to generate electricity which has experienced some commercial success.
What people often overlook is a form of wood biofuel that requires very little or no processing and that is wood as a heating fuel. While people are waiting for biofuel they are still using fossil fuels to heat their homes when they could switch today to an economically proven biofuel heat source which is to burn wood.
Since there is little or no processing required, direct heating with wood is more efficient than turning wood into another fuel such as diesel or electricity. The raw material is directly converted to the desired product which is heat.
The most basic form of wood biofuel is simple firewood for wood stoves and fireplaces. This is a very desirable form of energy for many homes but it's not for everyone. Burning firewood does have some disadvantages such as wood handling, it can be messy and can produce smoke. Although modern wood stoves have come a long way in reducing emissions and efficiency. Modern wood stoves can burn with no visible smoke. Burning firewood is not as convenient as other heat sources since you have to continually feed fuel into the fire.
The alternative to fireplaces and firewood stoves is wood pellet stoves. Wood pellets require more processing but pellet stoves are more efficient than firewood stoves so it makes up for the difference. A pellet stove combines the use of renewable biofuel with the convenience of traditional electric, gas or oil heating systems.
Pellet stoves have automatic fuel feeding systems and are thermostatically controlled. Wood pellets are available today and have been proven as a heat source that is competitive and can even cost less than fossil fuels.
Both firewood and wood pellets are available as a practical source of forest biofuel that you can start using today. Which one you choose depends on your situation and preferences.
Learn more about wood pellets and learn more about firewood as biofuels.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_A_Wilson
Saturday, December 12, 2009
What Type of Renewable Energy is Best For You?
Energy is considered renewable when it is generated from resources that are replenished constantly and naturally. The most commonly used sources are sunlight, moving water, wind, and geothermal heat. Whether you want to help preserve the earth's non-renewable fossil fuels by using renewable, clean energy, or you live in a remote area, how do you know what type is best for you? Following is a brief overview of the five main types of renewable energy.
Solar energy is the most widely used form of alternative energy. Sunlight is converted to electricity in three main ways: through the use of photovoltaic or solar cells; by heating air that turns turbines in a solar updraft tower; and in a plant that is concentrating solar power to run a generator. The most well-known of these is the solar cell.
Obviously, being able to use solar energy is dependent on the sun and how much of it you are able to harness. You also need a large area for the solar panels, whether they are mounted on a roof, a pole, or on the ground. Solar energy can also be converted to thermal energy for heating water, as in swimming pools or hot water heaters, and to heat air inside buildings.
Wind movement is used to generate electricity when it turns the blades of a wind turbine. As the wind speed increases, the power output also increases. When the blades of a turbine move, they turn the drive shaft they are connected to, which then turns an electric generator, producing electricity.
Being in an area where the wind blows most of the time is crucial for this method to be of any use. Having backup power is also necessary for when the wind dies down.
Water power is produced by flowing water that is converted into electricity. Rivers are the most common source, and ocean currents are also used. The water is funneled through a pipeline or restricted area to build up pressure. It is then forced through a turbine and the rotational force drives a generator, producing electricity.
Where there is flowing water, as in a river or ocean current, the force of the current is the pressure needed to turn the turbine. When water is accumulated, as in a dam, the force is provided when the water is released.
Biomass is organic material, primarily from plants, that can be burned to provide heat, or produce steam for making electricity. Wood is most commonly used, but garbage, crops, and manure are used as well.
Biomass is converted into other fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, which are burned in engines to release their energy. Ethanol is in most of the gasoline we use today and biodiesel can be used in diesel engines.
Geothermal energy comes from hot liquid under the ground, like hot springs and geysers. There are two main ways this liquid is used. The hot water can be piped into buildings as heat, and geothermal plants generate electricity from the hot water or steam they take from underground.
For additional resources, please visit http://www.gosolar4home.com
Carol is very interested in different methods of alternative energy, including smaller projects almost anyone can do. Go to http://www.GoSolar4Home.com for more information on converting your home to solar energy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Mack
