Where the Green GenerationTM Gets its Power From
Wind Power
Wind power is the conversion of wind into a viable power source by using wind turbines, which generate electricity as they turn. Wind turbines are often situated on wind farms, which are connected to electric grids, capable of storing and distributing electricity to remote locations. Currently, wind power accounts a substantial percentage of electricity in many countries, including 19% in Denmark's, 9% in Spain and Portugal, and 6% in Germany and Ireland. As a clean, plentiful energy source, that minimizes our reliance on fossil fuels, wind power has a great deal of potential: studies show that with the advent of a national grid, wind power could come to supply one-third of American electricity needs. Discover more about wind power for residential use with this presentation from PVC Media.
Solar Thermal
Solar thermal energy is power that is harnessed from heat given off by the sun, which is used to drive turbines that convert it into electricity. According to WE, it already yields enough electricity to meet the needs of 100,000 homes, though new projects are in the works to increase that number tenfold, and shows a tremendous amount of promise: a small area of solar thermal in the Southwest could provide all of the United State's needs.
Solar Photovoltaics
Solar Photovoltaics - unlike solar thermal - convert solar energy directly into electricity. According to the US Department of Energy, PV systems installed since 1988 provide enough electricity to power 250,000 American homes-- or more than 8 million homes in the developing world. Solar Photovoltaics can be integrated into roof tiles for personal homes, be used to produce energy on cloudy days, and could supply up to one-quarter of all our energy needs if solar panels were put on all sunny American buildings.
Geothermal Power
Geothermal Power is energy generated by heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, and can be used to power large cities or relatively remote towns. Since it’s a sustainable resource with competitive prices, it’s a great alternative to fossil fuels. It currently supplies 1% of the world’s energy.
Working in concert, these alternative sources of energy can help us break free of our dependence on foreign oil, and enter into a new age of sustainable practices: the Green GenerationTM.
