Editor – Page 2 – RenewablePowerFocus

Is Nuclear Energy Renewable And Safe

Many people wonder is nuclear energy renewable, however, it is not. Although it’s not a renewable energy source, it’s far from the end of the discussion. Nuclear power has incredible potential, as well as incredible dangers. It has very definite advantages that make it worth considering compared to other sources of energy. It also has drawbacks that are quite unique.

Basic Principles

Nuclear power is, in principle, very simple. Purified radioactive elements – most commonly uranium, but the process can use others – are assembled carefully in an arrangement that allows controlled fission. As atoms split apart, they release heat and neutrons. The heat is captured and used to turn water into steam, and the steam drives generators. The reason nuclear power shows up on lists of “clean” energy sources is because the byproducts released by a well-designed, well-maintained nuclear plant are minimal. It’s true that nuclear power produces radioactive waste, but the volume of waste involved is usually vastly over-stated. Storing and disposing of it safely is a real problem, but not an insurmountable one.

The Limitless Potential

The real appeal of nuclear power is in its great efficiency. Over the past sixty years, it’s been discovered that uranium is a relatively common element within the earth. The process required to refine it and prepare it as nuclear fuel has also been streamlined and made as efficient as possible. The efficiency of nuclear power comes into play because of just how little uranium is required to run a reactor. The electrical needs of an average household can be sustained for a year by just a few grams of uranium.

Clean, But Not Renewable

As mentioned above, radioactive waste is a problem that can be dealt with. When operating within normal parameters, a nuclear power plant releases virtually no contaminants into the environment. This sets it apart from all the other non-renewable energy sources currently in use. However, because there is an inevitable limit to the amount of uranium available, nuclear energy cannot be considered renewable in the same way that solar or wind power are.

The Very Real Risks

Notice the qualifiers required above in discussing the safety of nuclear power. A well-maintained reactor is safe and a well-designed reactor will not melt down. A nuclear power plant releases no contaminants when it’s run properly. The problem that nuclear power advocates can’t avoid is that when things break down with nuclear power, they break down in a very frightening, very disastrous way. Whether it breaks down to poor design, such as at Three Mile Island or because of negligence as at Chernobyl or even through natural disaster like at Fukushima, a malfunctioning reactor can spread radiation into the environment and cause a serious long-term health risk. Additionally, in the modern age, it cannot be denied that nuclear power presents a security risk. While it would be difficult for terrorists to cause a serious breakdown, stealing potentially-harmful waste and fuel is a threat that calls for constant vigilance.

So, is nuclear energy renewable? No, not really and it has more than its fair share of other drawbacks. Yet still, it is such an efficient source of power that it deserves careful consideration. To meet the ever-growing needs of an ever-growing civilization, nuclear power remains a viable option, just not an ideal one.

By Editor

What Is Wind Energy And How It Is Used

Wind in its natural element is considered a form of solar energy. It is possible to harness that natural element and use it as a source of energy. In the past, it was used to sail ships. However, today wind energy is used to power wind turbines to generate electricity, but there is more in the works for wind energy on down the road. One of the main questions on the mind of millions is what is wind energy and how does it work.

What is Wind Energy?

Wind energy in today’s modern world takes harnessing the wind a little further. Harnessing the wind to use to power electricity is one-step. The second step comes from when it is harnessed to powerful generators that allow the wind to help powerhouses, schools and businesses. It is hoped that one day soon, wind energy will be able to power an electrical grid making it possible for society to live green and save the planet. As with any other environmentally friendly option, there are pros and cons to wind energy and wind turbines, as well.

The Pros of Wind Energy

Wind energy is clean and unlike coal and oil, it does not pollute the earth or use harmful chemicals that can make people sick and pollute the air in the environment.
Wind is free to use. If residents live in an area that has plenty of wind year round, it is there for them to use whenever they want too.
Wind is a renewable resource, so it cannot be depleted like oil and the other resources that have been used for energy through the years.
Wind turbines have been proven able to provide energy for many different homes. People do not have to own a wind turbine in order to get the benefits of the electricity it produces. People can buy your electricity from a company that harnesses the wind energy to use.

The Cons of Wind Energy

Users of wind energy cannot make the wind blow. Therefore, if there are times that the wind is not blowing users can always end up without electricity, or at least have to depend on the electric companies during that time.
It is possible for severe storms to damage the wind turbines; it is very possible for one to be struck by lightning.
Many people think that wind turbines are ugly, so it is possible that neighbors will complain.
Wind energy and the equipment it needs can be quite expensive upfront, but should pay for itself in the long run.
Wind turbines often interfere with electronic equipment, such as the reception on TV’s and radios.

These are just a few of the facts, pros and cons of wind energy. It does seem to be the wave of the future and more and more people are switching to this type of energy in order to lower their electric bills and save the planet for the future of the children as well. People should weigh the pros and cons carefully before making any decisions.

By Editor

Tidal Power Could Be The Renewable Energy Of Tomorrow

Tidal power or energy is produced by ocean waters surging during the rise and fall of the tides. Tidal energy is a source of renewable energy. In recent years, engineers developed methods for harnessing tidal movements to generate electricity. This is most successful in areas where there is a significant range between high and low tide.

Special generators are used to create electricity from tidal energy. This industry is still very young and the energy produced so far minimal. While there are some commercial power plants harnessing tidal energy to produce energy, there are not many.

The first of these plants is located in La Rance, France. The largest plant is in South Korea at Sihwa Lake. There are no tidal energy plants within the United States and actually only a few sites where producing tidal energy would be cost effective. Russia, China, Canada, and England are all better situated for producing tidal energy.

The issues with producing tidal energy in the United States are numerous. To begin, there are legal problems concerning environmental impact and ownership of underwater lands. Since the industry is so new, there is little information or guarantees on its effectiveness or if it will actually make any money. This makes investors uneasy and hesitant to provide any money.

There are engineers and scientists working on improving the technology and developing more cost effective methods of harnessing tidal energy. They are also looking for ways to decrease the environmental impact and still earn a profit for the energy companies.

Harnessing the Energy

There are three methods to harness tidal energy. The first is within the tidal stream. Tidal turbines or energy generators are placed in the stream and gather energy from the flow of the tidal waters. These waters flow very quickly as they are created by the tides.

Tidal waters produce more energy than wind since they are much denser. Additionally, tides are stable and predictable, unlike the winds. Using tidal generators or turbines produces a reliable, steady stream of electricity.

Another method of harnessing tidal energy is to use a barrage. This is a large dam which causes the tidal waters to spill over and through the dam’s turbines to create energy. Barrages are constructed across bays, tidal rivers, and estuaries.

The last method of creating energy from tides is to create a tidal lagoon. This is a body of water which is partially enclosed by a manmade or natural barrier. A tidal lagoon can also be an estuary which is fed by freshwater.

The tidal generator which uses tidal lagoons operates very similar to a barrage. Tidal lagoons, however are built along the natural coast line. This means a tidal lagoon energy plant could also produce continuous power, its turbines working as the lagoon fills and empties.

Tidal lagoons have a minimal environmental impact. Most are built from natural materials, such as rock and are constructed much like a low water sea wall. These walls are submerged during high tide and visible when the tide is low.

The structure also provides other benefits such as a place for animals to swim and for other marine life to grow. The larger predators would not be able to invade the lagoon because of the sea wall, so the smaller fish and crustaceans would do well.

The drawback to all of these methods is that tidal power output is still low. Scientists and engineers are still working on improving energy output of these methods, but until they do, the energy output may not be worth the cost of creating it.

By Editor

Solar Energy Pros And Cons To Consider

The time has finally come for solar energy to be taken seriously as a real contender in providing abundant and reliable power to people the world over. Today great numbers of people all around the globe are converting to solar energy use at home. This has fossil fuel companies shaking in their boots and producing quite a bit of misleading information regarding solar energy. In this article, we will explore the real solar energy pros and cons.

All The Great Things About Solar Energy

Solar energy is renewable energy because it comes from the sun. The sun is not expected to die for five billion years, so we can count on it to provide us with clean, free energy for a very long time to come. This certainly cannot be said of fossil fuels, which are non renewable. Once we have blasted, drilled and goaded every drop and scrap of oil, gas and coal out of the earth, that’s it. There will be no more, and we will be left with a ravaged earth, polluted air and water and gas and oil companies claiming to have “discovered” the very renewable energy sources that are available to us by choice today.

Solar energy is abundant. In fact, its potential is simply unimaginable. The surface of the earth receives more than 120,000 terawatts of solar energy daily. This is equal to enough power to take care of all the energy demands of the earth for 20,000 years.

Solar energy is eco-friendly. It can be harnessed with a minimal production of pollution. Unfortunately, today most solar panels are produced in China where environmental standards are lower. For this reason, there is some pollution concern in terms of production; however, stronger environmental regulations can address these problems. Additionally, when compared to the massive amounts of pollution and destruction that result from every aspect of the gathering and use of fossil fuels, these concerns are minute.

Solar power is sustainable. We can count on it to meet our energy needs and the energy needs of future generations into perpetuity.

Solar energy is more than affordable. With today’s technology, it is possible to power your entire home using nothing but solar energy. In fact, you could install a system that produces excess which you can sell back to the power grid. This means that, once set up, your solar panels will provide you with both free electricity and a regular income.

Solar energy is versatile and portable. It can be used for a multitude of purposes. Today, solar energy is used to bring electricity to very remote areas on earth and in space! It is also regularly used for single applications such as heating pools or providing automatic outdoor lighting at night. Portable solar chargers can be used to power and recharge all kinds of electronic devices in areas where there is no electrical outlet available.

The Minor Downsides Of Solar Energy

There are really very few downsides when it comes to solar power and those downsides are becoming fewer and smaller by the day.

One current problem is that installing a solar energy system can be very costly. The cost of solar panels has gone down by more than half in this century, however, it can still get a bit pricey to install a whole house system. Luckily, today there are a number of rebate and incentive programs offered by local, state and the federal government to encourage people to convert to solar energy. These programs can reduce the cost of installing solar by half or more.

In the past, one of the cons of solar power was that it was considered intermittent. This has changed considerably in recent years. Today’s modern, efficient panels work consistently and well even in areas that do not have blazing hot sun every day of the year. Furthermore, energy can be stored in batteries, or people using solar power can simply stay hooked up to the grid to draw electricity back from the grid in the event it is needed.

Another disadvantage that is fading fast is the idea that solar panels need a massive amount of space. Like all technology, solar panels are becoming smaller and more efficient by the day. Additionally, they are available in a variety of formats and configurations including sturdy, attractive roof tiles that can simply be used to roof your home to provide energy inconspicuously all year round.

When considering solar energy pros and cons, it’s easy to see that the pros far outweigh the cons. Modern solar energy is clear a strong and viable contender as a supplier of energy needs for people in all walks of life the world over.