Renewable Energy (Green Energy) For a Happy Earth Day

Every year on April 22, people around the worldquickly than fossil fuels, which take millions of years to
celebrate Earth Day with events that promoteform. Electricity, heat, steam, and some fuels can be
environmental health and sustainability. And since itproduced from biomass sources.
was first observed in 1970, Earth Day has grown fromThe Future of Renewable Energy (green energy)
a once-a-year holiday into an international movementA great deal of effort is being devoted worldwide to
that strives to ensure a healthy environment for ourdeveloping new and/or improved sources of
children and generations beyond.renewable energy. For instance:
Moving Toward Renewable Energy (Green Energy)Cheaper Photovoltaic (PV) Cells: The late Sukant K.
SourcesTripathy, a chemistry professor and colleague of
One of the most effective ways of improving andDuffy's at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell,
maintaining the health of our planet is decreasing ourhelped found a company whose goal is to produce
dependence on fossil fuels and increasing our use ofinexpensive photovoltaic cells using plastic rather than
renewable energy (green energy) sources that, unlikesilicone. Produced in rolls, Duffy explains, the
fossil fuels, are inexhaustible. The most compellingphotovoltaic cells would be easy to install and could be
reasons for moving toward renewable energyused in a variety of forms. "You could even make
sources, says John Duffy, a professor and graduateclothes out of the things," he says, "so you would
coordinator of the Solar Engineering Program at theproduce electricity from your cap or your shirt."
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, are twofold:Fuel Cells: Fuel cells generate electricity using a
Renewable energy (green energy) sources arecombination of oxygen (air) and fuel (most commonly
generally cleaner than burning fossil fuels, thus reducinghydrogen). This technology is very clean, producing
the emission of greenhouse gases that cause theonly water and heat (in addition to electricity) as
serious global warming.byproducts. At this point, fuel cells technology is
Supplies of fossil fuels are running out. No one can sayrelatively expensive, but a great deal of research is
with certainty when the world's oil production will peak,underway to make fuel cells technology more efficient
that is, when production will no longer meet or exceedand affordable. Fuel cells are promising as an
demand, but many forecasters believe it will absolutelyenvironmentally clean method of powering vehicles,
happen within the next few decades. Increasing ourand they can also be adapted to power cell phones
reliance on renewable energy (green energy) can beand other small electronics.
the key to avoiding devastating economic and socialReconsidering Conservation
upheaval when that peaking occurs.With all this talk about renewable energy (green
But what Are Renewable Energy Sources?energy), it's easy to overlook the impact each of us
Of the numerous energy sources that are consideredcan have simply by using energy more efficiently.
renewable, some of the most widely used at this timeWhile the word "conservation" often invokes images
include the following:of the 1970s when we were told to turn down the
Solar: Solar energy, or solar power, which is providedheat and put on a sweater (still not a bad idea!),
by the sun, can be passive, such as maximizingenergy efficiency is an idea that deserves more
south-facing windows to heat rooms, or photovoltaicattention.
(pv), using special equipment to collect the sun's energyCompact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Incandescent lights,
and transform it into electricity. Photovoltaic (pv)for example, produce more heat than light, making
energy is still relatively expensive, says Duffy, but itthem extremely inefficient (and expensive!) light
can be cost effective in remote areas off the mainsources. A comparison by the Consumer Energy
electric grid. Photovoltaic energy has been gainingCenter, using data from the U.S. Department of
popularity throughout the world in recent decades, withEnergy, shows that using a $0.75 incandescent bulb
strong demand in Japan and much of Europe. Amongfor four hours a day over a three-year period will cost
the most efficient uses for photovoltaic solar power,the consumer approximately $39.54, including electric
says Duffy, is heating water. "In most places in thebills and about six replacement bulbs. The same lighting
United States where people heat their water withfrom an $11.00 compact fluorescent bulb will cost
electricity," Duffy notes, "they could actually save$19.06 over the same time period, and you won't have
money over a reasonable number of years with solarto change it for over six years!
systems."Simple Lifestyle Changes: Using human energy, for
Wind: Harnessing the power of wind to produceexample, walking and bicycling rather than driving, is
electricity is perhaps the fastest growing renewablehealthy for people and our planet. Rather than driving
energy source in the world. Wind power is clean. Windto the gym and spending thirty minutes on the
energy is been used for centuries in many parts of theStairmaster twice a week, why not shun the elevator
world, and in areas where high winds are prevalent,for the stairs at work? And other simple changes such
says Duffy, wind power can actually cost less thanas turning off lights when you leave a room, keeping
electricity produced by burning fossil fuels.doors closed during cold weather, and making sure
Geothermal: Geothermal energy comes from heatwindows are sealed effectively can go a long way
deep in the earth's crust which rises toward thetoward reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
surface producing hot water and steam. In areasA Healthy Future for Our Kids
where good geothermal resources exist, includingIt's never too early to introduce children to simple
many parts of the western United States, the heatedconservation habits and renewable energy (green
groundwater can be used directly to heat homes andenergy) use. If our kids get familiar with renewable
other buildings, or it can be used in power plants toenergy, says Duffy, they'll be more likely to use it as
produce electricity.adults. Besides, scientists and engineers must continue
Biomass: Biomass, or bioenergy, refers to solar energyto develop increasingly effective sources of
that has been stored in organic materials such as plantrenewable energy (green energy), and most of the
matter and animal waste. Biomass (bioenergy) isworld's future energy innovators are the children of
considered renewable because it develops moretoday.