Should the U.S. Invest in the Research and Use of Alternative Energies?

One of the most common alternative energy resources that is getting more popular with every passing year is solar energy. Solar energy has been used by humans for thousands of years. People would use it to help start fires or to keep their houses warm. But it was not until 1839 that photovoltaic activity was first shown by Edmond Becquerel. He noticed that certain materials, when exposed to light, could increase their electrical current (History of solar energy). In 1905 Albert Einstein clearly…

It is a clean, practical alternative that would satisfy the world economy's growing energy demand." Today there are 212 nuclear power plants in the world and the number is expected to rise to 250 in the next five years. Nuclear power already provides 75% of power in France and 20% here in the United States (McQuinn). Like nuclear energy, wind energy is also becoming more popular and efficient. Large wind turbines powered completely by wind gusts generate up to 233 megawatts of power every minute…

on the use of fossil fuels and the search for alternative fuel sources are starting to pick up. One of the leading sources of fuel being tested is the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. One of the disadvantages is that hydrogen is only found in a handful of locations. They have already started to integrate it into natural day to day living like the power plant in Italy, many car companies are starting on designs of hydrogen powered cars. I feel that the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy…

The topic of this paper is the use of wind as an alternative energy source. Wind, along with solar energy, is the most readily available sources of energy in the world. The difficulty comes in harnessing wind to produce useful energy. I will look at some of the costs associated and the advantages of wind utilization. Harnessing the wind's energy is not a new concept. For hundreds of years from old Holland to farms in the United States, windmills have been used for pumping water or grinding…

in which the sun creates its energy), which if obtained will provide an infinite amount of power. These alternative sources of energy will provide energy for the world until the end of time. The government has been greatly influenced by big oil companies lobbying for political power. No single group should have such a large amount of power over the government. If our focus on fossil fuels is shifted over to a more general scope that includes various renewable energy sources, then no single group…

that the world possesses today is underdeveloped when referring to solar and wind energy. The research needed for the extensive use of wind and solar energy should be a priority for today's world because it will reduce the monetary cost of energy in the long run, decrease the negative effects of burning fossil fuels on our atmosphere, and preserve the natural resources of the Earth. To begin, the use of solar energy is not something new that has been recently discovered. Solar power has been utilized…

activates a generator to get electricity. Hydroelectric power does not require a large dam. Some hydroelectric power plants just use a small canal to channel the river water through a turbine. (Union of Concerned Scientists) Third, geothermal energy is heat from the earth that is used directly as hot water or steam, or used to produce electricity. Geothermal energy is contained in underground reservoirs of steam, hot water, hot dry rocks and hot spots. Geothermal hot spots are volcanic…

This shows that wind energy can not only save the environment but also stimulate the economy which is an equally huge problem in society today. For these reasons, the government should endorse wind energy and set regulations to require wind power. Waterpower was one of the very first methods of obtaining electricity. Even before that, people used rivers to turn a water wheel and the water wheel was attached to a machine in order to complete a task. However, today’s waterpower is being promoted…

Energy is fundamental item used in making things work. Plants and animals use it to power their bodies and humans use it to power everything else. The problem happens to be the source in which the energy originates. The energy source used right now is burning coal. It is very dirty and it results in massive CO2 emissions. Scientists are looking for alternative energy resources. One of the sources they discovered is nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is “energy stored in the nucleus of an atom” (Office…

has been manufactured that can achieve temperatures of 0¡ÆF (Henkel, pars.41). Solar energy has enormous potential in reducing gas usage in homes. In fact, one day it may even replace any need for gas at all. Solar energy has its functions; however, it is not the only alternative energy source. Wind can be transformed into practical energy as well. Wind power is one of the fasting growing sources of energy and it doesn¡¯t seem to be slowing down. As technology advances, wind turbines are getting…