Sven Van Zanten - Using Renewable Energy Solutions

1. Sven Van Zanten - Using Renewable Energy Solutions We have all heard that a major crisis is on the horizon. It is essential to cut our dependence on fossil fuels. Those resources are decreasing at a rate that will see them wiped out in our generation's lifetime. We have used over 50 percent of the oil thought to exist on the planet. The remaining oil will run out in the next 30 years, if we continue to use it at the current rate. Renewable energy solutions have been available and in use on a small scale for hundreds of years. These are resources that never run out, unlike coal, oil and gas. Three of the most easily-accessible renewable energy solutions are wind, solar and water (hydro). Wind Energy Solutions: Wind energy solutions have been characterized as "expensive", "unreliable" and "inefficient." In the past few years, the technology upgrades have lowered the cost. Like much green energy, the upfront cost is higher than traditional sources. But, as with all renewable energy solutions, the long term savings more than make up for the initial expense. According to a recent study of Midwestern wind farms, wind alternatives provide a 17 to 39 percent return on the power they consume. The standard return on a coal plant is 11 percent. Wind solutions return much more power than they consume.

2. Does the wind actually blow enough to make a windmill or wind turbine a good investment? The answer is yes. They generate electricity 60 to 85 percent of the time. Even conventional power plants produce electricity less than 100 percent of the time. Plants are shut down for repairs and maintenance, and often slow down output when demand slows. Solar Energy Solutions: Ever thought of making money from the sun? With solar solutions, you can not only cut your power bill, but possibly even sell power back to the power company. What is better than taking free, plentiful power and making a buck from it? Again, there is an initial investment when installing a solar power system, but the system will definitely pay for itself in the long run. Think of these benefits plus doing your part to make the world a greener place. In addition to making you money and helping the environment, these systems are low maintenance. They take up little time and effort once installed. In addition to solar lighting and heating systems, you can do things like cook your meals and dry your clothes with solar power. Hydro Energy Solutions: Water covers over 70% of the earth. We can use it for more than cooking and cleaning, we can use it to create the electricity we need to run our homes. Hydroelectric dams generate more than 90 percent of the renewable energy solutions currently produced in the United States. Hydroelectricity makes up about 19% the globe's renewable resources. Hydro solutions produce none of negative by-products that coal or nuclear facilities create. As is common with technology, it has to be adopted and used on some level in congruence with ongoing research and development. It is the same for renewable energy solutions.