While discussing fossil fuels, there is nearly always another topic mentioned: alternative energy resources. Alternative energy resources are defined as, “current technologies that have comparable or better performance, but do not emit carbon dioxide (Alternative Energy 2015).” Due to the harmful nature of the overuse of fossil fuels, scientists hope to replace them with four alternative energy resources. The four alternative energy resources are solar power, nuclear power, wind power, and hydroelectric power.
Solar energy is derived from the sun. It is considered to be a valuable resource because, unlike fossil fuels, it is inextinguishable. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are four ways to harness it: photovoltaics, …show more content…
It uses mirrors to track the sunlight, and that sunlight is converted into thermal energy through a receiver tube. The resulting product is usable electricity. Unlike the latter, however, this method uses mirrors to track the sunlight. These large mirrors are called heliostats.
Another way to absorb solar power is through heating and cooling. These systems collect thermal energy and uses it, as the name suggests, to heat and cool homes, businesses, and even to heat pools. Solar power is highly extensive, and it is easy to believe that the planet could survive on solar power alone; however, there are three more alternative energy resources. One of them is nuclear power.
According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, there are ninety-nine power plants currently in the United States. Together, they generate nearly twenty percent of the country’s electricity. These plants convert boiling water into steam. The steam turns into turbine, which turns into electricity. This is possible due to the existence of uranium, and there are two types: U-238 and U-235. U-235 contains atoms with an unstable nucleus. The nuclei break up, enabling the neutrons to burst free. From there on occurs a domino effect: One neutron hits another atom, causing that atom to split. U-238 is rarely used. In both cases, the uranium is contained in tubes held up by rods in order to control the reaction. The heat from the fission meets water, and this water is also generated through a turbine to generate steam. The end result is a steam which is used for
Solar energy is derived from the sun. It is considered to be a valuable resource because, unlike fossil fuels, it is inextinguishable. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are four ways to harness it: photovoltaics, …show more content…
It uses mirrors to track the sunlight, and that sunlight is converted into thermal energy through a receiver tube. The resulting product is usable electricity. Unlike the latter, however, this method uses mirrors to track the sunlight. These large mirrors are called heliostats.
Another way to absorb solar power is through heating and cooling. These systems collect thermal energy and uses it, as the name suggests, to heat and cool homes, businesses, and even to heat pools. Solar power is highly extensive, and it is easy to believe that the planet could survive on solar power alone; however, there are three more alternative energy resources. One of them is nuclear power.
According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, there are ninety-nine power plants currently in the United States. Together, they generate nearly twenty percent of the country’s electricity. These plants convert boiling water into steam. The steam turns into turbine, which turns into electricity. This is possible due to the existence of uranium, and there are two types: U-238 and U-235. U-235 contains atoms with an unstable nucleus. The nuclei break up, enabling the neutrons to burst free. From there on occurs a domino effect: One neutron hits another atom, causing that atom to split. U-238 is rarely used. In both cases, the uranium is contained in tubes held up by rods in order to control the reaction. The heat from the fission meets water, and this water is also generated through a turbine to generate steam. The end result is a steam which is used for