Alternative Energy Sources Wiki Project Kevin Boyle, Mark Fraser

Problem: We are rapidly depleting the world’s supply of natural resources while constantly creating the need for more power.

Solution: As a result of these serious issues, scientists and engineers have been working to develop other means of powering and supplying the world. -One major contribution is the global effort toward using alternative energy. -Another key factor is the replenishment of the natural resources we have been eliminating.

What is Alternative Energy? Alternative (or renewable) energy is: Derived from sources that do not use up our natural resources -Unlike traditional fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal and natural gas, these sources are not burned. Burning these carbon based fuels wastes our already limited supply of natural fuels. Safe for the environment -Alternative energy is “environment friendly,” meaning it does not cause harm like the fossil fuels or nuclear power which result in very high carbon dioxide emissions. Renewable -Renewable energy sources are those that are naturally replenished.

What Types of Alternative Energy Sources Are There? Hydro Power - This is formed by using a small water generator that is known as micro-hybrid turbines that are put into the flowing water's stream. Solar Power - This type of alternative energy is made by converting sunlight into electricity using cells make from silicon, which, when it is exposed to sunlight it will create an electric charge. Wind Power - This energy is created by a turbine that is placed on a tall tower and uses wind to kinetically produce electricity. Ethanol - This is one alternative fuel that is made to replace gasoline in vehicles. It is made from ethyl alcohol, which is a common alcohol that is made using corn or wheat. Biodiesel - This is an alternative fuel that is for petroleum diesel and is made from vegetable oils and animal fats. Hydrogen - This alternative energy is the most abundant element in the world and it can be made from fossil fuels, biomass or by electrolyzing water. Solar Power Wind Power Ethanol

Can You Use Alternative Energy to Produce Other Goods? Absolutely! These sources of renewable energy can be harnessed to provide power to plants that will in turn produce such commodities as the world’s natural resources that we have been depleting so quickly. A prime example of this concept is found with wind and water: –Wind turbines can provide the energy needed to run the pumps of a desalinization plant. With such a source of power, the plant will save enormous sums of money while helping to save the environment by cutting down on pollution at the same time. The desalinization plant will convert sea water to potable water for us to use for everything from doing the dishes to watering the garden, and most importantly, to drink.

Our Design Such a concept could realistically be put into use. This is the type of thinking that will lead us away from our dependency on oil. The plant would be located near the ocean, preferably in an area where there is a consistently high amount of wind. –Such locations are selected based on their potential to produce strong winds and their proximity to areas in need of the resource. –A method called Extreme Value Theory is used to determine which location would be the best as far as wind production.

Wind Powered Desalinization Plant

Specs Lets take a look at a hypothetical wind turbine powered desalinization plant and what it would be capable of. -If the turbine producing power was a 660Kw like the one we have here at Mass Maritime, (obviously too small for a realistic plant but good for our example), then it would, as its name suggests, produce 660Kw of energy. -This much power could not possibly turn the pumps of the largest desalination plant in America, which produces 25 million gallons of fresh water per day, but you get the idea. It could, although, turn a smaller electric motor driven centrifugal pump capable of producing around 100,000 gallons per day. -Considering the average household daily usage is 63.9 gallons, this amount of flow could supply roughly 1,565 houses per day.

Positive Aspects There are many upsides to such a plant. These include, but are not limited to efficiency and environmental friendliness. -The efficiency would be far better than a plant run by diesel generators or another power source because it would use natural wind power to turn the water pumps instead of using up our dwindling fossil fuels. -Our plant would be for better for the environment as well because the emissions would be far cleaner without burning fossil fuels. Diesel engines traditionally used to power pumps produce up to the standard maximum 5.0 grams of CO2 per Kw hour.

Conclusion: As the great Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” As greenhouse gasses, fuel consumption, power demands resource depletion and world population increase, we are faced with an ever increasing problem. We must all face this issue now, before it is too late.