Four Underused Alternative Energy Sources

Alternative energy is commonly defined as any type of energy source other than traditional fossil fuels. More than ever people are looking for alternative energy sources as the costs of traditional fossil fuels rise and the environmental impacts of their use become clearer. Biofuels, wind power, hydrogen and geothermal are some of the more popular alternative energy choices, but they are still much underused.ALTERNATIVE BIOFUELSBiofuels, like fossil fuels, are generated by taking organic matter and then converting it into some form of combustible fuel. Biofuels, however come from much more recent sources. The term biofuel covers ethanol and other such derivatives from sugar cane, corn and other vegetable oils. Many have hopped on the biofuel bandwagon for the simple reason that they are considered a renewable resource, and unlike fossil fuels, will be able to be produced as long as plants continue to grow. Admiration for biofuels is not universal, however. Some see the potential food sources we are converting into fuels and feel they would be put to better use feeding the poor and malnourished. Others also feel that they are no real alternative to traditional fuels, as they produce many of the same pollutants.WIND POWERWind power is electricity created when wind turns a turbine to produce electricity. Another of the more popular alternative energies, wind power comes with some drawbacks as well. First is the unreliable nature of the wind. Second, near coastlines and many other places where there is an almost constant breeze, locals have fought tooth and nail to stop proposed wind farms. One reason given for opposing such construction is aesthetics. Some people think they will ruin their property values or stick out like a sore thumb in otherwise pristine views, although advances in technology are working toward making smaller less obtrusive wind turbines.HYDROGENHydrogen power has been proposed as a direct replacement for gasoline for quite some time. However, there are several reasons why it has never achieved prominence, even though companies such as GM and Ford have gone as far as producing prototypes. First, Hydrogen is still expensive to produce, although it is getting cheaper. Secondly there are worries about transporting and storing it, as it can make some metal tanks and pipes more brittle and prone to leakage. GEOTHERMALGeothermal power has been in use for quite some time, and is quite efficient, but has up until recently been limited in scope to plate tectonic boundaries. Newer computerized control technologies like the ones produced by Greensleeves Energy Solutions are helping to make geothermal units smaller, more efficient, and able to be placed in more diverse locations. Greensleeves focuses on reducing energy in an affordable manner for commercial buildings.Biofuels, wind, hydrogen and geothermal energy are some of the more popular but underutilized alternative fuels. However, technological advances are allowing them to compete with fossil fuels more and more.Follow Dude, Sustainable! on Twitter or Pinterest, or subscribe to our newsletter.