Alternative Energies(1/2)

Solar Energy

Energy from the sun is used by green plants to make their own food. The process is called photosynthesis and solar cells transfer energy from sunlight into electricity. Some calculators have solar cell rather than batteries.

Wind Power

Windmills transfer the kinetic energy of wind to another device capable of converting the wind power into a usable form of energy. Windmills in operation today are used primarily to generate electricity or pump water. Modern wind-turbines are huge. They usually have a propeller-type rotor mounted on a tall shell tower. The turbine drives a generator for producing electricity.

Windfarms - Today, over 16,000 spinning windmills are linked to the public power grid to provide one percent of California's electric power, enough to service 300,000 homes. California, where winds averaging seventeen miles per hour whip through mountain passes, holds more than 80% of the world's windmills. Another 13% spin in Denmark, while Hawaii has 2.3%.

Alternative Energies(1/2)

Fossil fuels, coal oil and gas, will eventually run out. Other ways must be developed of generating energy.
Some sources of energy are renewable. This means that however much energy you use, the source does not run out.
These renewable energy sources don't produce pollution and so can reduce the damage that is done to the environment.

Water Power

Energy from water can be obtained in several ways. The most successful of the possible techniques have been used for many years in most parts of the world. This involves using the kinetic energy obtained by water in falling large distances to drive turbines and generators to produce electricity. Generating stations that utilize this technique are referred to as hydro-electric stations.
Hydro-electric power plants convert the kinetic energy contained in falling water into electricity. The energy in flowing water is ultimately derived from the sun, and is therefore constantly being renewed. Energy contained in sunlight evaporates water from the oceans and deposits it on land in the form of rain. Differences in land elevation result in rainfall runoff, and allow some of the original solar energy to be captured as hydro-electric power.

Honda releases a zero-emissions car.

"Honda's new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday and is headed to southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring."

This was an article released about half a year ago. Every week on car magazines you will see a new report about a car being or going to be released running on new products to reduce natural resource usage and to diminue the emissions released everyday into the air.
Another good reaction to our environment crises.

Solar Taxi


The solar taxi is a vehicle with 2 seats and a small trailer with Photovoltaic panels, this famous taxi is about to end a historic "Round the World", this idea has the objective of demonstrate how reliable is this clean technology.

The solar taxi is the first vehicle ever, to travel around the world using solar energy only. Loius Palmer, who conceived this project, has left Switzerland at 3rd July of 2007 and has already been trough Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zeland and North America. Louis Palmer didn't spend a dime on gasoline or other fossil fuels and without poluting the air with CO2.

The vehicle has been built by Technicians from four diferent engineering Swiss schools, the vehicle is powered 100% by solar energy produced by Photovoltaic panels on a small trailer with 5 meters of length or by electricity of the vehicle's batteries.

Watch Video:


Sources:
http://www.solartaxi.com/

Energy saving.

There are many ways for you to safe energy without having to be a millionaire. Tasks such as not having your room lights unused on, or a unwatched TV talking to your lonely sofa. You can even spend a amount of money to buy a couple of solar panels. With these panels you'll be able to get the sun to contribute to electricity saving on you house, and heat your water passing through.
There are enumerous things you can do to save your energy consumption. Simple things that help alot to our environment and to your pocket.

Times Square has his first "green" billboard.

When we think in Times Square in New York, we don't think in clean energy sources for sure with so many cars, people, lights, sounds and so much confusion.

But the first steps to improve that situation are happening, thats what Ricoh (huge Japanese creator of Office Equipment) have done.

The new billboard of Ricoh in Times Square works exclusively with wind and solar power (with 64 solar panels and 16 turbines), without even having an emergency power gerator, so if there is one day at night that is no wind the billboard goes off without publicizing the trademark.
That doesn't worry Ricoh, beacause they think that it may give a good example to the people.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/nyregion/15billboard.html

Air Pollution (health problems)

What is this air pollution being talked about?
It is the contamination of air by discharge of harmful substances.
Rapid industrialization and modernization have led to the worsening air pollution problem over the years. Industries, vehicles, continuous increase in the population and urbanization are some of the major factors responsible for air pollution. The following industries are among those that emit a great deal of pollutants into the air: thermal power plants, cement, steel, refineries, petrochemicals and mines. Air pollution results from a variety of causes, not all of which are within human control. The source of pollution maybe in one country but the impact of pollution maybe felt elsewhere.
Air pollution can cause health problems and above certain concentrations and durations, certain air pollutants are extremely dangerous and can cause severe injury or death. It can also damage the environment and property.