Today the situation is such that the man causes to the environment is irreparable damage. This is due in large part to the use irrational of natural resources. One of the most important tasks of ecology is to preserve and improve the natural resources.
The environment and energy efficiency are two concepts that are closely linked with each other. Every day, we use electricity for the organization of your life. Thermal power stations that supply us with this energy are the more polluting the industry. Obviously, if we want to keep our planet alive and healthy, we have to use this energy economically and expediently. So, it can reduce the damage that power plants inflict upon nature.
Energy and the environment
The level of development of society is determined by the amount of energy that is consumed by a person. Today the main sources of energy are oil, coal, gas. The work of heat and thermal energy boilers and electric power stations of different ways that has an impact on the environment:
- in the atmosphere of our planet receives a large amount of waste harmful
- in reservoirs relieve harmful substances and hot water,
- consume large amounts of oxygen,
- large areas of land used for landfills and waste removal.
The pollution of soil, water and air leads to the so-called greenhouse effect. Causing the temperature of the planet goes up and as well run other consequences are irreversible. It should also be noted that these sources of energy, such as oil, gas and coal, it is very difficult to obtain, and, therefore, in a short period of time because of its use irrational, that can dry out.
Alternative sources of energy
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 the traditional sources. To the traditional, as we have previously pointed out, are oil, gas and coal. Alternative sources are necessary 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 energy source. The term "renewable" refers to a source of energy sources. The advantage of this type of energy is its respect for the environment, that is to say, the process of obtaining energy does not involve the emission of waste, harmful and does not pollute the environment. Solar energy is generated using solar energy. This type of energy has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the availability and, as mentioned above, the total safety for the environment.
The disadvantage is the dependence of the weather conditions and the time of day, so that this form of energy can be used regularly only in certain climate zones. Disadvantages are also true, and the high cost of this type of power plants such as are used in their production expensive items. The use of solar energy stations requires the use of large areas.
Wind energy is produced by the conversion of kinetic wind energy in the atmosphere at 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 the use of the wind energy sector can also be attributed to the fact that the wind, the plants are easy to maintain, does not require a long installation time and high cost.
But, of course, there are some disadvantages, for example, the capacity of this power plant does not depend on the person, and depends on the nature, that is to say, the force of the wind. Minor cons, some opponents of this technology include the danger to the birds, to the bad reception of TV and radio signals, the changes in the landscape.
The essence of the energy of the water is to convert the kinetic energy of the mass of water into electrical energy. The energy is generated using hydropower. The force of the water flow affects the turbine that generates electricity. One advantage of using this type of units is the fact that this source of energy is inexhaustible. In addition, the hydroelectric energy 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 its implementation at a later date.
In the scientific community, electricity produced through the use of the thermal energy of bowels of the Earth, called geothermal energy. Get through the use of geothermal energy plants. While it is cool the our planet emit large amounts of energy, which is thousands of times more than emitted by fossil fuels. The earth energy is a renewable source of energy. The advantages of this method of electricity production can be attributed to the fact that it does not depend on the environmental conditions. The disadvantages include the high cost of construction and maintenance of this type of plants. Also it is believed that these stations can not be called completely safe for larger environments, since the result is steam, which may contain harmful substances.
The term biofuel refers to the fuel that has been obtained from animal or vegetable raw materials. Biofuels can be of three types:
- solid
- liquid
- gaseous
Biofuel a solid, it is made of wood, chips, straw. Today people grow special energy forests, which consist of the rocks of the rapid growth of the trees.
Liquid fuels represented mainly bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is mainly produced from sugar cane and corn. Biodiesel is produced from fats of plant origin and of animal origin.
Gaseous biofuel biogas, bio-hydrogen, and methane. The biogas is produced from the products of the fermentation of organic waste. Bio-hydrogen is a hydrogen that is received from the biomass thermo-chemical or biochemical method.
Conclusion
Today, scientists have been trying to reduce the consumption of resources, which mankind spends on energy. Every day the energy needs more and more resources, and have less. In the current phase, it is important to learn how to preserve and rational use of energy obtained from traditional sources. Even more important is the development of a new, inexhaustible, environmentally friendly energy sources, will help you for many years to keep our environment alive and healthy.