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Understanding alternative energy is made more relevant
and accessible through exploring why it is needed. Once it is understood
you can readily implement alternative energy in your home without any
negative effect on your daily life and still feel the rewards of savings
and the knowledge that you are doing your share to help the planet survive
and regenerate. Alternative energy is not only intended for domestic
use but also for industrial application.
The wind does not blow constantly and the sun does
not shine at night, but technology has advanced to such an extent that
that these energies can be stored and used at a later stage. Understanding
alternative energy will equip you with the means to adapt.
If you are wondering whether this is the right time
to change…….
The answer is NOW
Africa as a continent derives almost 3 quarters of
it's electricity from coal burning power stations. Hydro Power represents
about 20% of energy production, while solar and wind power are not considered
as contributors to the continents electricity needs. However installing
an alternative energy source will contribute to decreasing coal energy
dependency.
Very few people in the civilised world have not heard
of global warming and it's devastating effects.
The world's population is growing at an ever increasing rate, meaning
there are more mouths to feed, more homes to be built and in order to
maintain a standard of living, the quantity of basic amenities needs
to increase. In order to do this production has to step up and as a
result energy consumption will increase which in turn place a strain
on natural resources and adds to greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases are the result of burning fossil fuels
for energy, the atmosphere fills with carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide
and carbon dioxide, which prevent the suns heat from escaping the atmosphere
resulting in an increase in the earths temperature.
Fossil fuels like coal and all of it's by products
will eventually become depleted, and other natural resources will become
increasingly scarce as they get used up faster than the earth is able
to replenish them.
- Cost - Although the initial outlay may be a bit expensive, the savings
are immediate
- Non-polluting / Less pollution - Certain alternayive energy sources
deliver no pollution while in others the pollution is minimised.
- Minimal maintenance.
- Alternative energy sources are mostly renewable.
- Most alternative resources are also predictable, i.e Sunrise and
sunset happen on a regular cycle.
- Reduced dependance on foreign energy.
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