The Alternative Energy Source to Oil Essay -- Renewable Energy Solar P

The Alternative nada Source to OilIntroduction1.0Renewable Energy is the term used to describe those zilch flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment, e.g. from the sun, wind and the oceans, and from plants and the fall of water. It besides refers to the energy available from wastes and to the emerging corking technology of fuel cells.There are wide ranges of renewable energy sources/technologies, varying in technical and commercial viability. These includeSolar Power (Photovoltaic)Hydro electrical PowerHydrogen Fuel Cells Geothermal Wind PowerNuclear Power1.1The modern drive to harness renewable energy began in the 1970s. It was promoted by concerns over the price and availability of fossil fuels oil, gas, and coal. Fossil fuels are finite only coal is predicted to be available in probatory quantities at the close of the 21st century at current rates of consumption. Using fossil fuels to generate electricity also produces pollutants, which can lead to env ironmental problems (such as stinging rain and the greenhouse effect).By contrast, renewable energy produces few, if any, harmful emissions. Exploiting renewable, which at present meet over 2% of the UKs electricity needs, also reduces the rate at which other energy resources are used up. With the worlds population continuing to grow, renewable energy promises to play an increasingly significant role in the future.1.2The estimated oil reserves in the Earths crust are about 1 trillion barrels. Oil consumption is at 25 billion barrels per year and increasing at 1.5% per year. At current rates of consumption, measured against known reserves, there is only a 30-year depict of oil in the Earths crust. Even if the reserve estimate were doubled, it is a moral imperative that the population takes immediate action to develop a sustainable energy economy.Solar Energy2.0Solar energy is quite simply the energy produced by the sun and collected elsewhere, normally the Earth. The sun creates it s energy through a thermonuclear process that converts about 650,000,000 tons of total heat to helium every second. The process creates heat and electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation (including panoptical light, infra-red light, and ultra-violet radiation) streams out into space i... ..., such as natural gas. Practical fuel cell systems are therefore likely to include a fuel processor, which generates hydrogen from hydrocarbons.There are a number of types of fuel cells currently the focus of development workAlkaline fuel cells AFCDirect methanol fuel cells DMFC break up carbonate fuel cells MCFCPhosphoric acid fuel cells PAFCProton exchange membrane fuel cells PEMRegenerative fuel cells RFCSolid oxide fuel cells SOFC3.5Fuels cells are inherently clean and good and are uniquely able to address the issues of energy security and environmental degradation. Now market experience is showing that the technology provides a range of searing benefits that no oth er single power generation technology can match.Fuel cells are quiet and reliable with no moving parts.They produce no emissions (other than water) when using pure hydrogen and very light emissions when using hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel.They are extremely efficient compared to conventional means of generating electricity typically 40 50%.PEM fuel cells have a very low operating temperature