Alternative Energy

The Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) was formed in 1977 at West Texas State University, Texas, USA, as an outgrowth of wind energy research begun in 1970. AEI's primary emphasis has been placed on wind energy, though certain research and education are also on solar energy. Recognized both nationally and internationally, AEI is proud to be the major information resource of wind energy for the State of Texas.Its new website is www.windenergy.org

Alternative energy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences such for example fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be "free" energy sources. They all have lower carbon emissions, compared to conventional energy sources. These include Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy sources.  Alternative enrgy can also refers to the different and subtle energies of the Universe.The awareness and study of these energies, which are similar to electrical energies that science knows can result in amazing curative and healing energies.

Wind Power

Societies have taken advantage of wind power for thousands of years. The first known use was in 5000 BC when people used sails to navigate the Nile River. Persians had already been using windmills for 400 years by 900 AD in order to pump water and grind grain. Windmills may have even been developed in China before 1 AD, but the earliest written documentation comes from 1219. Cretans were using "literally hundreds of sail-rotor windmills [to] pump water for crops and livestock."

The Windmill

The Dutch were responsible for many refinements of the windmill, primarily for pumping excess water off land that was flooded. As early as 1390, they had connected the mill to "a multi-story tower, with separate floors devoted to grinding grain, removing chaff, storing grain, and (on the bottom) living quarters for the windsmith and his family." Its popularity spread to the point that there were 10,000 windmills in England. But perfecting the windmill's efficiency to the point that it "had all the major features recognized by modern designers as being crucial to the performance of modern wind turbine blades" took almost 500 years. By then, applications ranged from saw-milling timber to processing spices, tobacco, cocoa, paints, and dyes.

The windmill was further refined in the late 19th century in the US; some designs from that period are still in use today. Heavy, inefficient wooden blades were replaced by lighter, faster steel blades around 1870. Over the next century, more than six million small windmills were erected in the US in order to aid in watering livestock and supplying homes with water during the development of the West. The first large windmill to produce electricity was the "American multi-blade design," built in 1888. Its 12-kilowatt capabilities were later superceded by modern 70-100 kilowatt wind turbines.

Wind Energy Sources

Today, people are realizing that wind power "is one of the most promising new energy sources" that can serve as an alternative to fossil fuel-generated electricity. As of 1999, global wind energy capacity topped 10,000 megawatts, which is approximately 16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. That's enough to serve over 5 cities the size of Miami, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Five Miamis may not seem significant, but if we make the predicted strides in the near future, wind power could be one of our main sources of electricity.

"With today's technology, wind energy could provide 20% of America's electricity (or about the amount nuclear power provides) with turbines installed on less than 1% of its land area. And within that area, less than 5% of the land would be occupied by wind equipment-the remaining 95% could continue to be used for farming or ranching." By the year 2010, 10 million average American homes may be supplied by wind power, preventing 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions every year. Lessening our dependence on fossil fuels is critical to the health of all living things, and wind energy can do just that.

"The 3 billion kWh of electricity produced by America's wind machines annually displace the energy equivalent of 6.4 million barrels of oil and avoid 1.67 million tons of carbon emissions, as well as sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions that cause smog and acid rain." In other words, "more wind power means less smog, acid rain, and greenhouse gas emissions."

Windmills may have been around for almost 1500 years, but it was not imagined that wind power would become affordable enough to compete with fossil fuels. Indeed it has. In fact, many utility services around the world offer wind-generated electricity at a premium of 2 to 3 cents per kWh. If a household used wind power for 25% of its needs, it would spend only $4 or $5 dollars per month for it and the price is still dropping.

Compare this to 4.8 to 5.5 cents per kWh for coal or 11.1 to 14.5 cents per kWh for nuclear power. Wind energy is therefore "cheaper than any other new electric generation except natural gas.[which] emits one pound of greenhouse gases for every kilowatt-hour of electricity it generates." The success of this energy is in part due to the fact that its costs have gone "down by more than 80% since the early 1980s." Even lower prices are expected, as "industry analysts see the cost dropping by an additional 20 percent to 40 percent by 2005."

Electricity from wind

Germany, the US, Spain, Denmark, and India are among the world's leading nations in the acquisition of wind energy. According to Chris Flavin, a speaker at the World Oil Forum held in Denver, Colorado, on October 30, 1998, "Navarro, Spain, is utilizing wind power to generate 23% of its electricity needs." Denmark now generates 8 percent of its electricity from wind power. Flavin, a vice president and senior energy policy analyst at the Worldwatch Institute, reported that wind generated energy is growing in leaps and bounds.

In fact, according to Worldwatch Institute Online, "The world added 2,100 megawatts of new wind energy generating capacity in 1998, a new all-time record, and 35% more than was added in 1997. Wind power is now the world's fastest growing energy source and has also become one of the most rapidly expanding industries, with sales of roughly $2 billion in 1998." Major offshore developments are likely in northern European waters in the early part of the next century.

This will be the next major step for this technology and will result in a dramatic increase in decentralized electricity generation. Offshore wind has the potential to deliver substantial quantities of energy at a price that is cheaper than most of the other renewable energies, as wind speeds are generally higher offshore than on land. Looking for a resource on Alternative medicine?Visit our sister site Alternative Medicine

Alternative Energy News

Alternative energy group submits proposal to buy Chrysler Plant in Fenton
(KMOV) ? A new bid for the old Chrysler plant in Fenton could bring in hundreds, even thousands of high-paying jobs to St. Louis County. A development group has plans to build a technology park, hosting businesses that use, make or research and develop alternative energy. The St. Louis County Economic Development Council isn?t naming the group yet, but says most of the investors are local ...

Alternative energy projects, including two in Dauphin County, receive funding
Some $20.5 million of state and federal money will benefit 40 diverse energy projects including two in Dauphin County, resulting in 1,400 jobs to Pennsylvania, said Gov. Ed Rendell.

Alternative Energy Monthly Deal Analysis and Other Market Research Reports by GlobalData Recently Published at ...
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Market Publishers Ltd informs that new in-demand market reports by GlobalData are available in its catalogue.

Matt Reed: Costs keep a limit on energy options
When will "alternative" energy go mainstream? Does manufacturing of solar panels and other "clean energy" gear really have the potential to stabilize Brevard's economy?

Energy park would come in phases, include helistop
A proposed alternative energy park at the site of an old phosphate mine would be the largest of its kind in the nation and would likely draw worldwide interest.

Local Plant Makes Strides in Alternative Energy
A Youngstown plant making strides in the alternative energy sector received a pat on the back Monday. State Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-33) toured Northern States Metals and presented the company with an award from Ohio. "You've taken technology to make solar energy more competitive and used hard work to make a product that's out in its own," Schiavoni said. "One of a kind. It's something that sales ...

Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance to Hold Workshop in Denver
DENVER - The Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance will hold a free workshop Sept. 9 in Denver. The training seminar will cover alternative fuel quality, infrastructure, available vehicles, safety, and environmental impact of propane, ethanol, biodiesel, and compressed natural gas.

Keating: Less military spending, more alternative-energy investment needed
U.S. House candidate William Keating said the country is at a ?pivotal moment? and that Congress should seize the chance to reprioritize federal spending to help ?transform our economy.?

O'Fallon might develop energy research park
O'Fallon officials are considering developing an alternative energy technology research park on Highway DD.

Xcel Energy's Windsource to provide all electricity to U.S. Mint at Denver
Xcel Energy's Windsource program will supply 100 percent of the electricity used at the U.S. Mint at Denver, making it one of the largest purchasers of renewable energy in Colorado.