Alternative Energy Sources

Ludwig Boltzman is credited as having defined entropy. Entropy is the tendancy of energy being spent. Long aog, scientists discovered that everything deteriorates. A major issue today is whether we should adopt alternative energy sources like solar and wind power to curtail the cost of fuel and our dependency on foreign nations.

The sun is one of the foremost sources of energy. After all, it is free and efficient. From the beginning of the late nineteenth century, scientists have been creating different models used in solar energy. For example, Clarence Kemp invented the first commercial solar water heater in 1891. Using solar power curbs the emission of greenhouse gases. Solar power is uncomplicated because it requires little maintenance. Because solar power creates no pollution, it is environmentally safe to use.

Solar power is not available everywhere, because some places are located at high latitudes barely receive any sunlight. Places that are constantly drenched with rain are not well suited for solar power either. The preliminary cost of materials is quite expensive. Also, small amounts of emission are produced when the panels are manufactured.

Wind power is another means of alternative energy. Over 60% of the United States is adequately suited for the use of wind turbies. “A device used in the generation of electricity. It has a shaft with blades at one end and electromagnets on the other. Water or steam or some other energy source pushes the blades, which make the shaft and the magnets spin very fast. The magnet end is surrounded by heavy coils of copper wire, and spinning magnets cause electrons in the wire to begin to move, creating electricty,” advises a spokesperson from safeelectricty.org. Not only is wind energy safe, but it is also free and unlimited. Wind turbines can also be used on land with other uses such as farmlands. In the event of a power outage, wind power will act as a backup system.

The only downfall with wind turbines is that it is hazardous to many birds, namely the golden eagle which are now considered endangered. It is also an intermittent source, which means it can stop at any moment. Many view the wind turbines as an eyesore on the rolling plains and farmland. Lastly, wind turbines are often noisy and disruptive.

Overall, I believe that in order for the United States to profit as a nation, we must use other sources of energy. It would definetly cut down our dependance on foreign nations and our gas prices would be lower. Our dependency threatens not only our environment, but also our economy. For example, “in 1970 we imported 24% of our oil, but today we import more than 70%,” claims Pickens from pickensplan.com. The time to act is now. Using other sources of energy will save us money ten times over in the long run.