Solar Energy, Wind, and Renewable

Solar Energy

Welcome to EarthCall.org where we are committed to providing the latest and best information on solar energy, wind power, and other renewable energy sources. No longer can humans ignore the threat posed by our current technologies and energy sources to our environment. In order to ensure a sustainable future we must protect our environment and develop the means to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and other harmful practices. This site is purely educational and strives only to enlighten and inform. We only wish to promote good stewardship of the Earth and welcome any questions or comments you may have on how we can improve this site.

Humans have long used sustainable energy sources for a myriad of tasks from simple to complex.  Windmills and water-wheels have served us for hundreds of years but it is only recently that they have been used to store or transmit energy to other places. Other things like hydroelectric dams and solar power are relatively new inventions that have proved a boon to modern humans. But solar energy and wind power are not the only useful renewable energy sources; there are now wilder power plants in operation such as geothermic plants which harness the heat-power of geysers and other such phenomena.

Here are two quotes used to describe sustainable energy and its purpose for future generations: “Effectively, the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the future without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. …Sustainable energy has two key components: renewable energy and energy efficiency.” Renewable Energy and Efficiency Partnership (U.K.) And from Sustainable Energy by J.W. Chester of MIT: “Dynamic harmony between equitable availability of energy-intensive goods and services to all people and the preservation of the Earth for future generations. And, the solution will lie in finding sustainable energy sources and more efficient means of converting and utilizing energy.” Sustainable energy is the process of ensuring that future generations can still inhabit a vital, clean, energy rich planet that is still capable of meeting the current energy demands.

There are three distinct types of sustainable energy sources. The first is First-generation technologies such as the hydroelectric dam which can have a severe environmental impact in that it floods an area displacing homes of both people and animals. They can also cause lots of carbon dioxide emissions during the construction phase. The biggest problem with the future of these things is that they can only be built in certain optimum locations.

The next type of sustainable energy is Second-generation technologies of which solar heating and power generators are a member. This type of heating uses solar powers to gather energy which can be used to heat a home or building immediately or it can be stored and used later. This is an excellent example of sustainable energy production but its one drawback is reliance on the sun.

 The final type of sustainable energy is Third-generation technologies an example of which is a wave generator. Wave generators actually gather energy from the motion of ocean waves; this energy can be used immediately or stored for later use. The largest wave generator in the world is called the Agucador Wave Park in Portugal. This facility is capable of generating 525 MW.

We hope you enjoyed this brief introduction to such things as solar energy, home wind turbine, and other renewable fuel sources. The rest of this website will explore these topics and many more in greater detail. Protecting the Earth is an important task that falls upon each and every one of our shoulders. We thank you for visiting this site and once again encourage any questions, comments, or discussion.

 

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