Alternative Energy Resource Exploration is a Social Responsibility

More and more I am concerned about the energy we use and what the residue emitting from that output does to our environment.  Some people still do not believe we are deteriorating our earth.  I do not understand how that can be, but there are still a few out there that believe we can continue to do what we want, manufacture and pour harsh pollutants into the atmosphere and there will be no consequences.  I just hope that segment of believers is shrinking daily.

It is important in our architectural future that alternative energy sources are seriously considered.  With the growing focus on renewable resources and "green" energy, it is important to understand options for alternative energy within the home.  A home built to conserve energy will go a long way toward cutting down on nonrenewable energy use.

An effective, clean energy system that reduces utility costs, solar energy comes in two forms: passive and active. Passive solar space heating uses energy-absorbing materials in floors and walls that contain, store and later release heat. Materials that can be used include specific types of tile, concrete or masonry.

Depending on where you live, wind energy may be a viable active resource for your alternative needs. Small wind turbines can use the wind from an area to produce clean energy. These turbines generate electricity.

Wind power has been used for centuries and is becoming more and more viable as an energy resource.  It is used for sailboats, sailing ships, windmills for pumping water for irrigation and water used for steam locomotives, and small wind turbines used for lighting of isolated rural buildings were widespread in the first part of the 20th century.  Now wind farms are creating interest.  That is a good thing.  The negative footprint of a wind farm is nominal.  The few associated negatives are minute compared to the positives to be considered.

A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used for production of electric power.  A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other purposes. The wind towers may be 70 to 100 feet tall where the highest wind velocity is found. A wind farm may also be located offshore.  Offshore wind power refers to the construction of wind farms in bodies of water to generate electricity from wind. Better wind speeds are available offshore compared to on land, so offshore wind power’s contribution in terms of electricity supplied is higher.  This creates a multi-task scenario on given property.

 A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used for production of electric power.  A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other purposes.  The wind towers may be 70 to 100 feet tall where the highest wind velocity is found.  A wind farm may also be located offshore.  A few of the challenges with wind power are obvious.  It can be a threat to birds and bats.  However, studies have shown that we lose more aviary life to the toxic atmosphere than to those killed by wind turbines. 

Another challenge is that of the obvious.  Wind power is not a stable source of power.  Research and development is underway to manage those types of issues.  The initial costs with wind power can be substantial, however, with anything else, the costs diminish as more and more wind farms are established.  It is an investment in the future.

People complain of the aesthetics of a wind farm.  However, we may need to accept those things which we cannot change in order to accommodate that which is necessary.  We have adapted to cell phone towers and power lines in our own back yards.  Wind farms can actually be more attractive than the aesthetics of towers and lines.   There may be a time in which it is more important to be healthy and safe and to see pretty.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5128657_alternative-energy-sources-houses.html#ixzz1NefUe86h

http://www.answers.com/topic/wind-power-2