The Alternative Energy Sources

Energy

Energy is the ability to do work. While energy surrounds us in all aspects of life, the ability to harness it and use it for constructive ends as economically as possible is the challenge before mankind. Alternative energy refers to energy sources which are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. The renewed interest in this field of study comes from the undesirable effects of pollution (as witnessed today) both from burning fossil fuels and from nuclear waste byproducts. Fortunately there are many means of harnessing energy which have less damaging impacts on our environment. Here are some possible alternatives:

Biodiesel.

Biodiesel is a fuel made from different renewable raw materials such as vegetable oils, plant oils, animal fats, or algae. It can be mixed with the now-conventional diesel or can be used by itself for use in diesel engines.

The process of making biodiesel from plant oils is called transesterification. Transesterification is a process that breaks the plant oil molecule and removes glycerin* to separate it from the alcohol ester, the biodiesel). Methanol is mixed with sodium hydroxide to make sodium methoxide. Then , the sodium methoxide is mixed with the vegetable oil. When the mixture settles, the glycerin is left on the bottom and the alcohol ester, or the biodiesel, is left on top. The biodiesel undergoes more processes for cleaning and quality control. The final product from the alcohol ester is biodiesel fuel, which burns 75% cleaner than the regular Diesel fuel. Aside from that, the remaining glycerin can be used in other products, like soaps and lubricants.

*Glycerin: Glycerin (C3H8O3) is a sweet, syrupy, colorless or yellowish liquid obtained from fats and oils by saponification. This is used as a solvent, an antifreeze, and a sweetener and in the manufacture of cosmetics, liquid soaps, inks, and lubricants.

Several countries have active programs and legislative support on the use and development of Biodiesel. Soya oil is the main feedstock used by the United States of America for Biodiesel; rapeseed oil for Europe; and palm oil for Malaysia. In some countries, edible oil is not sufficient; so inedible oils are used. One example is India, where Jatropha oil is used.

In the Philippines, biodiesel is obtained from animal manure, coconuts, rice hulls, sugarcanes, and wood wastes. These are used for commercial cooking, household cooking, industrial processes, heating, power generation, and transportation. Biodiesel is currently being used in some places in the country. Most are commercially available. Some are classified under:

• technical feasibility proven by demonstration projects
• proven competitive with conventional systems and ready for commercialization
• technical concepts/laboratory studies ongoing

The use of Biodiesel has many advantages compared to fossil fuel diesel. These advantages include:

• More security in energy supply
• Less dependence on fossil fuels
• Less harmful emissions
• Protection of soil by biodegradable products
• Less health hazard caused by toxic products
• More jobs to offer, even in rural areas
• More agricultural returns
• Development in technology
• More profits
• Less debt

Solar Power.

Solar energy is the electricity generated from the sun. It is produced either by using solar panels or by using the heat of the sun to heat up a fluid used in the process of an engine or a turbine-generator.

Solar energy is used in many countries. Some countries, like the United States of America, Thailand,, and Singapore passed laws on the use of solar energy. Solar energy is usually used for street lamps and is being developed for the use in solar-powered vehicles. Many companies in the world, and also good companies from Asia and our own country, offer commercially available efficient solar at a reasonable and affordable price.

In the Philippines, a mix of big and small companies have solar panels to offer—some even have their claims on special technologies provided. Filipino engineers managed to improve the efficiency and technology of solar panels and also managed to drive down costs. With the education Filipino laborers have, private international companies, like a silicon-based company called Solaria, chose Philippines as their place of manufacturing of solar panels. This offers more job opportunities to more Filipinos.

In our country, solar energy is produced from solar insulation and solar heat. It is used for household electricity, telecommunication, water pumping, water heating, and drying of agricultural crops. All are readily available in the market and also come in free from the sun itself.

Solar energy is very advantageous because the sun is readily available during daytime. Our country is lucky to be near the equator, where more light from the sun is received. To convert this solar energy, solar panels are used. These solar panels aren’t hard to produce because they are usually made from silicon. Silicon is also abundant on Earth—it can be found almost everywhere, even at the seashore!

Hydroelectricity.

Hydroelectricity is the electricity made from moving water. It is produced when the water flows through a hydraulic turbine that will spin and rotate adjacent generators to transform the rotation energy into electricity. After going through the turbine, the water will be returned to the stream or riverbed. Hydraulic turbines are generally located near dams that increase the height from which water falls to increase the potential for energy generation. Learn more about hydropower.