The world is quickly discovering that we have reached our limit with traditional power sources. The continual increase in the use of fossil fuels is doing irreparable harm to the environment and eco systems around the world. We are also peaking in our oil availability, and demand is continually rising. Green power options are the future of energy.
As various green technologies continue to be developed, a few of them are already showing promise as serious contenders.
Green power has been around for a very long time, in fact windmills alone go far back in history. Only until recently have these innovative sources of power been taken seriously. Now, as more money is being invested into research, green power sources are being developed that will eventually contribute to how we fuel our need for energy.
With more money being invested in research and development, these technologies are being refined and geared towards replacing our reliance on fossil fuels. The development of wind farms has proven to be the most cost effective way to produce green and renewable energy so far. Their ease of manufacturing and installation and low maintenance make it a popular alternative that is being developed. Right now, only three percent of global power needs are supplied by wind farms, but that number is expected to skyrocket in the next couple of years.
Wind technology is easy to manufacturer and install, and once in operation, they are also very easy to maintain. They provide the most effective way of producing energy next to burning coal. As long as the wind is blowing, the turbines will be spinning. They generate nearly as much power as coal, without any of the harmful carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere. Wind technology is the single best candidate to provide a large percentage of our power needs in the future.
Turbines have also been developed to work under water. Oceans and rivers have tides or currents that are consistent and predictable. Developing underwater turbines have harnessed this power have been able to generate electricity. While being totally renewable and green, sea turbines need a lot of maintenance, and finding places to put them can also be a challenge.
Solar power is gaining momentum, especially in areas where there is abundant sunshine. In unpopulated and sunny areas, solar panels are being assembled to create giant sun farms. Solar energy also provides a stable and reliable source of energy, but they are not as efficient as they need to be in order to be a serious player in green energy. They are also more expensive than wind and coal power.
Coal and natural gas are big sources of power for us, but unfortunately both of them are limited resources. Natural gas is a clean burning and highly efficient source of energy, and fortunately natural gas has a cousin that can help feed our need for power. Methane gas burns like natural gas, and is also a clean source of energy. There are abundant supplies all over the world, from undersea deposits to gas from landfills. The technology to harvest methane for wide use is still being developed, but the future looks good.
There are limitless supplies of renewable energy sources available to feed our hunger for power. The greatest promise that green power has is that it can come from different sources and be integrated to work together. As more time and money are spent on developing these promising technologies, the more our society will adapt to a green way of life.
Cheryl Kearns is an internet marketer and author. researching the latest environmental developments is her main pastime . You can visit her site at environment
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