Solar and Wind Power

The majority of electricity research focuses on alternative electricity generation. Energy and electricity production has shifted from burning fossil fuels to using alternative sources that are better for the environment. The traditional methods of electricity generation involve burning coal, petroleum and natural gas. But slowly the world is shifting to investigating and producing electricity from alternative sources. Electricity generation from biomass, solar energy, hydropower and wind power have been successfully developed and more research is being conducted to make them cost effective.

There are three main reasons to start using alternative electricity generation methods. The first being that fossils fuels will one day run out and as supplies dwindle fossil fuel driven electricity will become very expensive. The second reason is that renewable energy is not harmful to the environment. You are not diminishing a natural resource but using something that uses gravity, the sun or wind to produce electricity. The third reason is cost; there will come a time when renewable energy will have almost no associated costs besides the purchasing of equipment.

Electricity has recently been generated from slow moving water. This is a brand new are of research that transforms the vibrations in the water, for example from swimming fish, and turns it into energy, which can be converted to electricity. Over 15 billion individuals could be supplied with electricity of only 0.1% of the oceans currents were accessed for energy production. This method of alternative electricity production can supply electricity for the world but it can certainly supply a large amount of electricity.

Solar power will soon be even more affordable then ever as research at MIT has produced an even more effective solar cell for less money. Researchers have managed to increase effectiveness by 50% and decrease the amount of silicon in the cell. The silicon is what makes cells expensive so in essence you are getting much more for your dollar then ever.

It is quite possible that waste will be turned into an alternative electricity source, as a new waste to energy project will take care of much of the waste disposed. Garbage is a problem to the environment and this is a great renewable options. Municipal trash is burned to produce steam and electricity. This has been know to produce electricity for over 100 years yet it has not been a popular source of electricity. This is a fantastic way to get rid of landfills and produce electricity at the same time.

Burning garbage may seem to be a cheap way for alternative electricity generation, however, the feasability of this option remains to be seen. The danger of creating noxious fumes or further contributing carbon emissions currently outweigh any benefit to the reduction of municipal landfills.

Wind power and solar energy are the most effective alternative electricity generation methods but some cutting edge technology focuses on harnessing the energy from the change of pH between the soil and trees, cyanobacteria, and more. There are many areas of renewable energy yet to be discovered and it is with hope that world embraces renewable energy production over the consumption of fossil fuels.

Is wind electricity the solution for everyone to be electricity self sufficient? Some parts of the world have sufficient consistent wind to generate sufficient electricity to serve everyones requirements.