America and Alternative Energy

        It is inevitable.  We (the earth) will eventually run out of oil.  How will a world that relies so much on oil continue to exist?Some say there are many different alternative energy sources that we can use, while others say that the earth has plenty of untapped sources of oil in places such as Alaska.  There are, however, many problems associated with alternative energies.  Before one can fully understand alternative energy and the controversy surrounding it, it is crucial for an environmentalist to examine the background information on alternative energies, the problems associated with each of them, and the possible solutions to these problems.

       Before one can see the flaws in alternative energies, he must first learn background information on each of them.  One type of alternative energy is wind power.  This is where a windmill is used to harness electricity by the wind blowing.  When the wind is blowing hard enough, the blades on the windmill spin around and transfer electricity through cables to a generator.  More and more people are using wind power.  According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind is now powering more than 4.5 million homes.  It is also being used in over half the states and many countries.  Some of these countries include Germany, Denmark, Spain, and Portugal.  Wind energy is one of the most widely used alternatives to oil in the world.

       Along with wind power, there are many other types of alternative energies.  One other type is solar power.  Solar power is when photovoltaic material, also known as solar panels, made up of highly-purified silicon collects sunlight.  When sunlight hits these panels, they convert the sunlight directly into electricity.  This creates an electrical current that can be captured and harnessed.  Solar energy also is used to power communications equipment and highway construction signs, pump water, and a great quantity of other small uses.  Solar power can be used for a multitude of things.

       Not including tose two types, there are many other types of alternative energy around today.  One type is hydroelectric (water) power.  According to the United States Geological Survey, or USGS, hydroelectric power is when there is a dam used to power electricity.  The water moves into an intake are under the dam where it spins a turbine, creating electricity in the generator.  The electricity then goes from power lines in the generator to other places, such as houses and skyscrapers.  The water that was spinning the turbine then goes down into an outflow river.  Another type of energy is geothermal.  Also said by the USGS, geothermal energy is when one of three things happens.  The first thing that can happen is when water from a hot spring is piped directly from the spring to buildings and industries to generate heat.  A second way is when high pressure hot water is converted into steam to power generator turbines.  The water is then injected back into the ground to “reheat.”  The final way is for heat from hot water to be transferred to another liquid to power the generator turbines.  There are many different types of alternative energy.