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Posts Tagged ‘Alternative Energy’

Your office might be among the largest consumers of energy in the home. Here are a few simple ideas to help you be energy efficient in your office.

#1  Connect everything in the office into a power strip.

Computers, printers, recharging stations, radios or televisions and even the light fixtures can be plugged into power strips. At the conclusion of each day or each working period, turn off your various electronics and also switch off the power strip.

This can conserve a tremendous amount of energy since many electronics continue to use energy even when they’ve been powered down. Turning off the power strip eliminates energy consumption when electronics are not in use. And only turning on the item when you have to use it saves energy also.

Furthermore, many power strips are surge protectors, which offers your electronics protection against powerful electrical surges which is often caused by lightening and other things.

#2 Passive Solar & Wind Energy

Passive solar is the practice of using the sun’s energy passively For instance, you can use the sun’s power to heat your office in winter time by opening the curtains and letting the sun’s rays heat the office. In the summer you would want to close the curtains to help your office remain cool.

The wind’s energy could also be used to cool the office in the summertime by producing cross breezes. Open windows on opposing sides of the office to produce a path for the air current to flow. As the air passes through your office it can help it remain cool.

Fans are also a big help although they usually run on electricity, they’re more cost effective cooling methods than air conditioning which can cost more than $500 a summer.

#3 Active Solar

There are numerous office products on the market today that utilize solar cells to maximize the sun’s energy. You can purchase laptop bags with solar cells to power your laptop. You can buy solar recharging stations and recharge all of your electronics. You can even buy solar powered electronics.

Finally, reorganizing the office for optimum air flow can help it remain cool in the summertime. If you have boxes stacked and furniture sitting over vents there won’t be any means for the cool air to circulate in the office. Clean house and minimize clutter for maximum energy savings.

There are numerous methods to become more power effective in the office.  Utilize the power of the sun and the wind for heating and cooling and become wise about turning off and on your electronics whenever you need them. Utilize just as much as you’ll need.

Want to find out more facts about solar energy, then visit Ben Jerry’s site on solar energy information.

It’s the question of the day, and one that has beguiled too many people to count. Why oh why is it so hard to get truly renewable energy into the commercial marketplace? And the answer is somewhat more simple than one might think, and hard to accept.

One active alternative energy researcher puts it this way (Tim Benedict http://www.TimBenedict.net). 

“Sadly, it’s an unfortunate byproduct of our capitalistic economic system. And just so you don’t misunderstand me, capitalism is not a bad system. It’s just established energy’s abuses of this system that creates our problem.

But before we discuss this problem further, we need to make a distinction between “Big Energy” companies that broker oil, coal, and nuclear, and little companies that broker alternative fuels like solar, wind, hydrogen, magetic, and others. All the “Big” companies have money to build BIG projects with, that in turn require a BIG payoff in order to be profitable to them. Which is ok. The “Little Guys” on the other hand, are exploring home grown energy that is grassroots in nature: small, and easily implemented. Thus the coal companies resent the small solar power companies who cut into their electricity market. Gasoline companies resent hydrogen development because it will potentially cut into their market too. Electric power companies don’t like lots of self-sufficient people in their areas that generate their own electricity, because off-griders aren’t (captive) paying customers anymore. And this threatens all the big energy boys as a group who just happen to also pull most of the political, economic, and legal strings of our society. 

It all boils down to money. Big energy companies who have their entire wealth tied up in certain energy fields, by their very nature, don’t like to let competition threaten them. They do compete with each other, which is healthy, but they all tend to band together when Little Guy Energy threatens all of them together, which is not healthy.

If even just a few of the magnet motor generators under development in countless garages around the world were to be made commercially available, the electric power grid would lose customers left and right. It would also help unload the still currently overloaded electrical grid. Unfortunately, some places, at the instigation of the power companies themselves, have apparently already actually made it illegal to operate a magnet motor generator. End result? Alternative Magnet Energy killed, and electric power company monopoly and profit guaranteed and perpetuated.

And examples just like this can be found in every single alternative energy and fuel field. The oil companies fight to keep gas mileage improving technologies off the market shelves.Auto makers won’t produce better mileage vehicles unless Congress mandates it so that their oil company partners stay satisfied.Yada, yada, etc and so forth.

In short, the Big Boys have vested interests in obsolete energy technologies and WILL try to kill the new technologies off, nearly as fast as they are developed (see some of them at http://www.EvergreenGasLabs.com). Now I agree wholeheartedly that the Big Boy Energy companies have their place. They generally provide reliable power to big buildings, cities, and countless other people who cannot, or might not, generate their own power, even if the option were available to them. It’s like in the real estate market: there will always be renters, even when they could own their homes instead.

But when the Big Boys start to prosecute, bury, or otherwise squash home grown alternative energy, or through deceptive advertising brainwash people into believing that alternative fuels and energies aren’t practical, viable, or available yet, it actually makes our society their slave, and keeps us from moving forward.I draw the line here, especially since other options ARE already available.”

So what are our options?

1. Just accept that alternative fuels and energies are already available. 2. Carefully invest some capital into someone or some company that is making progress with them. 3. And don’t be scared to try some of them out for yourself.  

Alternative energy sources like biomass, sunlight, wind or water now represent the earth-friendly solution that could replace the consume of harmful fossil fuels little by little. From all the green-energy resources, bio fuel like food remains and palm oil are controversial. Without proper care, these alternative energy sources have an insignificant influence on the reduction of global warming, not to mention that they could lead to a high competition on the food market.  Read about TRUE Renewable Power!

Floating wind farms make superior alternative energy sources because they are planted in the middle of the ocean. They go as deep as 700 meters in water, and they bring the huge advantage of harnessing the strong ocean winds. The wind still has obstructions on the coast, which is why floating wind farms have an improved potential for energy production.  Look – A new breakthrough in Renewable Power!

Methane production by biogas digestion represents another fine energy source. Garbage and sewage systems represent a huge energy deposit given the fact that methane is produced by bacteria breaking down the biomass in an air-free environment. If ‘digesters’ were used, the resulting methane could be collected and put to very good use.

Another example of alternative energy sources that raises collection difficulties is hydrogen. So far, there haven’t been much success with the commercial collection of hydrogen. The challenge is that of implementing the hydrogen production system on the large scale. Yet, hopes remain high that this extremely abundant chemical element will produce the energy people need.

Solar energy still holds the top position among the alternative energy sources particularly in warm climates. It is highly efficient for the generation of electricity and home heating. Moreover, the government offers very advantageous rebates and tax reductions for the purchase and installation of solar panels. Carefully look into the regulations specific for such situation so that you identify the IRS forms you need to fill.

Always appreciate the efficiency of alternative energy sources in your particular case. The efficiency of the power system could be improved by using two types of renewable energy. Superior energy levels are thus more within reach!  Real renewable energy is here!

Using a DIY generator you will cut cost and be more environmentally friendly. Cust electricty charges and have the government pay you when you utilize natural wind power. When you build your wind generators two the key factors are wind velocity and how consistent the wind is.

Position your wind turbine within a consistent wind flow path that has speeds of about nine miles an hour to ensure that the wind you collect will be able to convert. The towe should be made of a very strong wood or steel and must be build away from the building. The blades must be positioned at a specific pitch angle to depending on your needs.

Surf the web as there are many sites which offer information and special offers to help you build your wind generator or maybe a solar power system, they will let you know exactly what materials are required. The cost of the overall installation is generally low and a unit will often pay for itself in savings in just a short time.

To avoid damage to your wind generator in strong winds and storms you may want to consider designing the blades to be collapsed when needed.

Use the internet to search for information about being green and maybe look at solar power systems.

There is so much information available to help you make your decision and get more indepth information about environmentally friendly energy solutions. Why not think about harnessing the power of the sun and set up a solar power system. Environmentally friendly homes are the way forward. Take a stand now for a greener planet, whether it is installing alternative green energy systems or recycling. Environmental options have grown over the years which will allow all of us to be a bit greener.

Go Green Today, don’t forget to be environmentally friendly.

When you build your solar panels it will save money on the heating and they are easy to build. The solar panels you build could heat your home or your swimming pool and save you money and the burning of fossil fuel! Who couldn’t use a little extra money these days and with a few simple tool, supplies and steps you can soon enjoy your own home made solar panels.

To make the panels you will want to build a frame that fits on a south facing outside wall if you are in the northern hemisphere, north facing if you are in the southern hemisphere. Why customize the solar panels to fit around the window, however the larger the solar panel is the more heat it can coolect. The frame should be around 6 inches deep. On the back of the frame you will attach black plastic; this will go against the wall.

The outside of the frame should have 4-mil clear plastic attached, sealing the entire frame. The black plastic will collect more heat from the sun and store it between the clear and the black material. Let the heat into your home buy cutting a hole in the top and the bottom of the wall and the black plastic. The heat will be distributed inside your home while the bottom whole will let the cold air exit.

The world will still be around for your siblings if you start to be more environmentally friendly.

When you build your own solar panels you will save money and the planet. Build your own and save money!

it is easier than you think to start building your own solar panels and create your own power.

Be environmentally friendly and start being greener… Recyling any material you do no use?? Find out the recycling facts about being green

Water pumping windmills are a very effective tool for the farmers. Farmers often face times of drought where there is just not enough rain, and this is a big risk for losing all the crops and the source of income for the year. However, even when there’s no rain, farmers can use water pumping windmills to save their harvest, provided there is air, which there usually is, because the trees and brushes that block the current of air die or lose their leaves in times of drought.

A windmill is not only a great source of electricity, its a good way to pump water from the ground to water crops. You can use the movement of the blades to pump the water from very deep underground. Because there’s not really a limit to the “quantity” of wind available, it’s an energy source that you can use for years and years. That’s the reason why you see many water pumping windmills around agricultural centers. Many farmers like the option of free energy to pump water in cases of drought or a big delay in the rainy season starting.

A water pumping windmill is very good for those farms located in areas with abundant wind. They generate plenty of electricity to meet the needs of your family and your household. They can even be connected to electrical fences and power them at no cost. That way, if an animal comes to the crops, they will get a small electrical shock that won’t hurt it, but will scare it away. That way it’ll keep animals from eating the crops. Another benefit is to use it to keep cattle from escaping. In addition, if an area is flooded, they can be used to pump out the water, in order to dry it.

Water pumping windmills are also excellent to pull water out of the ground and then push it into water storage tanks. With global warming and the increase of human populations, some areas have started to suffer lack of water, or water rationing. Using a windmill to fill up water storage tanks is a great idea, and really comes in handy for those drought times or when the water pressure is too low to reach the house.

This shows you some of the many advantages to installing a water pumping windmill. While water pumping windmills are unpractical in big cities, if you live in a farm or in an open area with lots of winds, water pumping windmills are a great idea. In addition, you can’t help but relax when you sit out in your porch and watch those water pumping windmills’ blades rotate with the air.

When you imagine using alternative energy and living off the grid, do you think you will have to give up your TV or freezer to live that way?Is this only for hippies, survivalists, or techno-anti Luddites wanting to live with less?Nope.  Living off the grid with home power is a possibility open to you or anyone.If you need high-power, for freezers, TV and such, you build a bigger system to drive them.It is not to say.

Because of increased demand driven by the cost of gas and the economy, demand for renewable energy technology has soared, leading to more efficient and easy to use components. Thus, anyone caring about their carbon footprint and eneergy consumption has an option of living off the grid.  

Using home power to produce electricity is fairly simple.A power source is what you need.  Sun, wind and water are the big three right now for home power.Find the components that fit the one(s) best suited for you.A low voltage direct current is harnessed through the components.Through an inverter, current is converted from DC into usable house current (AC).  Excess current you generate can be stored in battery banks for retrieval during more high demand times or times when the direct energy source is unavailable.  

When living off the grid with renewable power resources, there is little special attention needed and is almost completely automated.  You do need to:

Tend to the maintenance of your batteries

Monitor your energy use to make sure you keep your supply more than your demand.

The main key to success in living off the grid is making sure you have a system built in a size to meet the demand of your energy needs. 

Living off the grid can be exhilarating.Alternative energy gives you a feeling of freedom like a breath of fresh air.You can help to combat global warming and take pride in doing it.Imagine a life without power outages.  

It is important to research and determine which are the best alternative energy sources for your geographical area, for example, the number of days of sun in your area, or average wind, but it is definitely worthwhile to learn how to live  off the grid and feel the rush of freedom being  off the grid can give.