Today the situation is such that man causes to the environment irreparable harm. This is largely due to irrational use of natural resources. One of the most important tasks of ecology is to preserve and enhance natural resources.
The environment and energy efficiency are two concepts that are inextricably linked with each other. Every day we use electricity for organizing his life. Thermal power stations that supply us with this energy are the most polluting industries. Obviously, if we want to keep our planet alive and healthy, we need to use this energy economically and expediently. Thus we can reduce the damage that power plants inflict nature.
Energy and the environment
The level of development of society is determined by the amount of energy that is consumed by one person. Today the main sources of energy are oil, coal, gas. The work of heat and power boilers and thermal power plants in different ways has an impact on the environment:
- in the atmosphere of our planet receives a large amount of harmful waste
- in reservoirs relieve harmful substances and heated water,
- consumed large amounts of oxygen,
- large areas of land used for landfills and waste disposal.
The contamination of soil, water and air leads to so-called greenhouse effect. Causing the temperature on our planet rises and thus run other irreversible consequences. It should also be noted that such energy sources as oil, gas and coal, is very difficult to obtain, and therefore in a short time because of their irrational use, they can dry out.
Alternative energy sources
The modern teachings strive to find alternative energy sources.
The term "energy source" refers to natural substances or phenomena that enable people to get energy.
Alternative sources of energy is contrasted with traditional sources. To the traditional, as we have pointed out above, include the oil, gas and coal. Alternative sources are needed in order to reduce the negative impact of traditional energy sources that harm the environment. There are sources that can provide alternative energy:
- the energy of the sun
- wind energy
- the energy of the water
- the energy of the earth
- biofuels
Solar energy is derived from solar radiation. Solar energy is considered a renewable source of energy. The term "renewable" refers to an inexhaustible energy sources. The advantage of this type of energy is its environmental friendliness, that is, the process of obtaining energy does not entail the emission of harmful waste and does not pollute the environment. Solar energy is generated using solar power. This type of energy has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the availability and, as mentioned above, the complete security for the environment.
The downside is the dependence on weather conditions and time of day, so this form of energy can be used regularly only in certain climatic zones. The disadvantages also true and high cost of such power plants as are used in their production expensive items. The exploitation of solar energy stations requires the use of large areas.
Wind energy is produced by conversion of kinetic wind energy in the atmosphere in any other form of energy. For this purpose, various devices, such as wind turbines, windmills and sails. The energy obtained from wind, is also related to renewable energy. In addition, wind energy is available and safe for the environment. The advantages of using the wind energy sector can also be attributed to the fact that windy the plants are easy to maintain, do not require time-consuming installation and high cost.
But of course, there are some disadvantages, for example, the capacity of such power plant does not depend on the person, and depends on the nature, that is, the force of the wind. Minor cons some opponents of this technology include the danger to birds, poor TV reception and radio signals, changes in the landscape.
The essence of water energy is to convert the kinetic energy of the water mass into electric energy. Energy is generated using hydropower. The force of the water flow affects the turbine that generate electricity. An advantage of using such units is the fact that this energy source is inexhaustible. In addition, hydroelectric power is safe for the environment. The energy obtained in this way are relatively cheap. Along with the advantages there are also disadvantages, such as dependence on weather, climate and natural conditions. To build stations only in certain places. Another disadvantage is that the energy obtained in this way is difficult to maintain for implementation at a later date.
In the scientific community electricity produced by using thermal energy of bowels of the Earth, called geothermal energy. Get it through the use of geothermal power plants. While it is cooling down our planet emit huge amounts of energy, which is thousands of times more than emit fossil fuels. Earth energy is a renewable source of energy. The advantages of this method of production of electricity can be attributed to the fact that it does not depend on environmental conditions. The disadvantages include the high cost of construction and maintenance of such plants. It is also believed that such stations cannot be called completely safe for surrounding environments, since the result is steam, which may contain harmful substances.
The term biofuel refers to the fuel which was obtained from animal or vegetable raw materials. Biofuels may be of three types:
- solid
- liquid
- gaseous
Solid biofuel is wood, chips, straw. Today people grow special energy forests, which consist of rocks of fast-growing trees.
Liquid fuels represented mainly bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is mainly produced from sugar cane and corn. Biodiesel is produced from fats of vegetable and animal origin.
Gaseous biofuel biogas, bio-hydrogen, methane. The biogas is produced from the products of fermentation of organic waste. Bio-hydrogen is a hydrogen that is received from biomass thermo-chemical or biochemical method.
Conclusion
Today, scientists have been struggling to reduce the consumption of resources, which mankind spends on energy. Every day energy needs more and more resources and have less. At the present stage it is important to learn to preserve and rationally use of energy obtained from traditional sources. Even more important is the development of a new inexhaustible, environmentally friendly energy sources, it will help for many years to keep our environment alive and healthy.