Harvesting Ground Heat Through Geothermal Heating Technology

Just below our feet lies an energy source that can easily help us warm both our homes and hot water tanks. This energy source is known as thermal energy and can be harvested using specifically designed geothermal heating technology. This article will give you a better idea of how this natural energy source has come into existence and how geothermal heating systems actually harvest this energy.

But how does this energy under the earths surface occur? Thermal energy is caused by a number of contributors. For example, heat radiates out from the earths core and warms the ground. The earth also absorbs energy from the heat of the sun. The strength of this heat energy trapped beneath the surface of the ground will of course depend where you are in the world. It does not really matter where you are in the world though as geothermal heating technologies are able to extract heat from the ground however weak that heat is.

The concept of harvesting heat energy that is present beneath our feet is far from new. In the Roman Empire water heated naturally underground by geothermal energy was put to use to keep their spas hot. In effect this was the start of basic geothermal heating systems. This harvesting of naturally occurring geothermally heated hot water is still used today in some parts of the world. Iceland, for example, makes full use of this naturally occurring energy source using geothermal power plants.

Geothermal heating systems such as the Ground Source heat pump are now used across the world with much success. As the name suggests the Ground Source heat pump collects heat from the beneath the ground and literally pumps this heat around a home or property. Ground source heat pumps use a series of pipes that are laid underneath the surface of the ground. The loop of pipes are filled with a solution has properties to absorb geothermal heat energy directly from the ground. The solution is pumped through the loop of pipes, and gathers heat as it travels. The solution eventually passes through the heat pumps the heat exchanger part of the system where the heat is extracted and refined. This harvested heat is then used to directly warm living spaces and heat hot water tanks.

Geothermal heating systems are forecast to become even more popular with households across the globe. In general many people want to become more environmentally friendly and do their bit to help save the planet. Most people are also becoming increasingly frustrated at the incredibly high prices they are paying for fossil fuels such as gas and coal. Alternative ways to heat homes that are eco-friendly and cheaper to run, such as Ground Source heat pumps and other geothermal heating technology, are the ideal answer.

Would you like to discover more about geothermal heating technology and the benefits of investing in a heat pump system for your home? A good starting point is to visit one of the companies that specialized in geothermal heating and renewable heating systems. One reputable and well established company is called EcoVision. You can easily find their website. EcoVision specializes in all types of environmentally friendly technologies, including geothermal heating. The EcoVision website is probably the best next step for you to discover more information.

About the Author
Rich Stevens writes articles for EcoVision. Discover more information about Heat Pump technology and how Heat Pumps work on the EcoVision website.

Renewable Energy With A Tesla Generator

In order to save electricity, more number of people around the globe are opting for alternate electrical sources to save on power bills. There are various options for renewable energy which are getting easier to use. Apart from solar energy and wind energy, there is an emerging trend of an alternate electrical source called a tesla generator. Based upon attraction and repulsion of magnetic poles, a perpetual motion is attained, which is later converted into electricity. Additionally, the magnetic generator has the capability to produce more electricity then it actually consumes.

This means that the creation of electrical energy doesn't need help from other energy source for operation. An individual will be able to produce free electricity after investing costs on materials used in setting up a magnetic generator. Anybody can build their own DIY tesla generator, but it is best advised to spend quality on researching about the blueprints and guides during the process. Ideally, the material cost would be around hundred dollars and building it would effectively reduce the power bill charges by about 20% to 50%.

In addition, these magnetic generators are reliable and offer electricity without any need for routine checking. The magnet has the capability of generating electricity nearly for four hundred years after which they would lose their ability. These magnetic generators are eco-friendly and safe to use, as they don't produce any harmful by-products. Typically, the tesla generator would involve less cost and provide free electrical energy for a life-long period.

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Present-Day And Future Alternative Energy Sources

The major past energy sources have included petroleum and coal. With the sharp increase in energy prices, depleting non-renewable sources of energy, the increase of green house gases impacting global warming, the future of using alternative 'green' sources of energy looks bright. Governments around the world are feeling the pressure of consumer demands for alternative renewable energy sources that will not harm the environment.

Wind Power is one method of producing 'green energy' that is becoming popular all over the world. Wind turbines are used to create power. Wind turbines can be placed wherever there is sufficient amount of wind. The higher the number of installed wind turbines, the more electricity will be produced.

Solar energy is one alternative energy source that is expected to see an increase in use in the future. This form of energy makes use of the sun for power and heat. Solar panels harness the power of the sun without polluting the planet and atmosphere. The solar panels power generators provide the electricity. The solar panels are installed on the roofs of residential and commercial buildings. In the future, larger solar panels will be built that can power hundreds of thousands of homes Solar energy requires does not require any other energy source to operate and it is free of pollution. Sunlight can be harnessed as usable heat or converted into electricity using photoelectric cells, solar panels, or using synchronized mirrors called heliostats that follow the sun as it moves. Methods for using solar power to replace a gas-powered engine by heating hydrogen gas in a tank have also been developed. There have been positive results with powering a generator.

Hydro Power is another alternative energy source with proven results. The flowing water drives the turbines which produces the energy. The energy created is dependent on the strength and force of the water flow because rapid flowing water drives the mechanisms that help with producing electricity. The current is then sent through a transformer where the electricity is transmitted over power lines. This is an eco-friendly form of energy and in the future, it is expected that more hydro power stations will be erected where there is a suitable water supply.

Current technologies for new renewable green energy sources, particularly solar power and wind power, are proving to be quite promising for the future. As well, Geothermal Energy which is heat energy extracted from the earth to create steam to power the generators that produces the electricity, is another potential future large energy source. There is also much research and development going into Nuclear Fission. Salinization of water at river estuaries as an energy supply is another possible source of alternative energy because many experts suggest that it will be millions of years before there is any impact. Nuclear fusion and artificial photosynthesis are two other energy technologies currently being researched as possible future energy sources.

Much of the traditional sources of energy are becoming unsustainable making new greener sources of energy the wave of the future. Many corporations, 'green' entrepreneurs, and governments are investing in the future of the planet and its inhabitants by investing in alternative renewable energy sources. An investment in 'green' energy means a future of low energy costs and a greener sustainable environment.

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Alternative energy sources don't have to be hard to come by. If you want to experiment with green energy, look up for more resources online. There is a huge repository of information waiting for you there.

Cost Effective Alternatives For Energy

Solar energy has been used by man since the beginning of time to cook or dry food, warm dwellings and heat water among others. Today solar energy is used for heating structures, lighting buildings, heating water, solar powered electricity and a few brave souls try to power their vehicles this way.

Biannually there is a solar-powered car challenge, where mostly universities and enterprises compete. This has advanced the technology for solar cars, in 2007 the winner had an average speed of almost 57 miles and hour. Not bad over an almost 1900 mile course. Solar costs are often rebated by governments on a local or federal level to entice people to convert to solar energy. Up to 30% of total installation of solar hot water or solar electrically can be deducted from taxes as credits.

Biomass is made of anything that burns; garbage, paper products, dead trees, yard clippings, saw dust. California alone produces 60 million tons of biomass each year which if converted could run the electricity for two million homes! That's worth thinking about. The biomass is collected and burned in giant furnaces which are used to head water in a boiler the energy from the steam turns generators and turbines. This is a great way to reduce land fill and make energy which is clean and uses unwanted materials.

Wind energy is clean and efficient as long as the wind blows. A 10-kw wind turbine generates enough power to run an average household and a 250-kw turbine can run an elementary school for a year. Clean and efficient but almost always needs a back up plan in the event of a calm. Unfortantely these turbines or "wind mills" are very expensive to purchase.

Water produces electricity by quickly flowing or falling, the water rushes through a power plant and with the use of turbines and generators the energy in the water is used to produce electricity. Clean and efficient with moderate to high amounts of useful energy compared with low operating and maintenance cost. All kinds of clean natural resources are available but with our constant need for more and more energy we have to use explore all available alternatives.

About the Author
GLOBAL SOLAR CENTER (http://www.GLOBALSOLARCENTER.COM) is designed to make the transition to solar cost power as easy and transparent as possible. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

The Advantages Of Using Wind Power

Wind power is the most efficient type of renewable energy and can be a good option for heating and powering our homes. This process converts wind energy into electricity using turbines. Wind has been used for decades to power many things including ships. Windmills were used to pump water and operate mills. While it might seem like a new ides, the use of wind power is not novel as humans have been using it since 17th century BC.

Wind occurs due to the uneven heating of the earth as the north and south poles receive less sun then the equator. Land also will heat faster then water and these different heat pockets cause wind. The greatest amount of wind power is found at high altitudes where it is always windy.

In order to get the best wind power conversion you need to put windmills or wind turbines in good locations. You need to use a spot that has consistent wind, where you are able to easily hook up transmission lines and also consider the natural surrounding land and environmental concerns of putting up the turbine. There is special software available - wind energy software - that can calculate the impact on the area by putting up wind turbines.

Offshore wind farms are very expensive to build but their constant energy production does offset these large costs. For powering entire cities and towns, offshore wind farms are a good option as there are not many suitable spots on land to put up wind farms but in shallow water there is always a wind so you can always produce power. All you need is a light breeze to convert wind energy to electricity.

Wind power has many advantages as it does not pollute, can provide extra income to those that may rent their land to wind farms, has more jobs per gigawatt of electricity then a coal station, is a renewable energy source and is a sustainable energy source.

While you can use wind farms on a large scale, it is also possible for the individual to use small scale wind power as there are many wind turbines designed specifically for the home that can be connected directly to your electrical system. Wind turbines are used in conjunction with batteries for home use and can also replace diesel generators. The most popular type of wind turbine is one that hooks up directly into the electrical grid so any power you do not use is feed back into the electrical company and you receive electricity credits.

There are many incentives available for those interested in using wind power. You will receive a tax break for using renewable energy. Green credits and property tax exemptions are all examples of this. But best of all, wind power allows for keeping the modern conveniences that we have come to love while reducing our consumption of fossils fuels and lessening the adverse impact on the environment.

About the Author:
The author is the owner of an established plumbing business. He writes articles on consumer information / protection , business in general and home improvement. For more FREE INFORMATION visit here and here thank you!

Resources For Alternative Energy

There are many different forms in which alternative energy is available.

One of these is solar power. Solar power is driven by photovoltaic cells, and these are progressively getting less expensive and more advanced. Solar energy power can be used for electricity, heating, and making hot water. Solar energy produces no pollution, as its input comes completely from the sun's rays.

However, much more work still needs to be done in order for us to economically harness the sun's energy. For the time being, the resource is a little too conditional—storage batteries are needed to be used as backups in the evenings and on inclement days.

Wind energy has become the most-invested-in (by private investors and governments together) alternative energy source for the time being. The great arrays of triple-bladed windmills are being placed all over as “wind farms”, to capture the motion of the wind and use its kinetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy.

Of course, there is nothing new about the concept of a windmill for harnessing energy. Modern wind turbines are simply are more advanced variations on the old theme. The drawback to wind energy is...what do you do when there is a calm, still day? Needless to say, during these times the electric company kicks in for powering your home or office. Wind energy is not altogether independent.

Hydroelectric energy is available as a source of alternative energy, and it can generate a substantial amount of power. Simply put, hydroelectric energy uses the motion of water—its flow in response to gravity, which means downhill—to turn turbines which then generate electrical energy.

Needless to say, water is ubiquitous; finding sources for driving hydroelectric turbines is, therefore, not much of a problem. However, hydroelectricity as a source of alternative energy can be complicated and expensive to produce. Dams are often built in order to be able to control the flow of the water sufficiently to generate the needed power.

Building a dam to store and control water's potential and kinetic energy takes quite a lot of work, and operating one is complex as well,and conservationists grow concerned that it. Of course, a dam is not always needed if one is not trying to supply the electrical needs of a city or other very densely populated area. There are small run-of-river hydroelectric converters which are good for supplying neighborhoods or an individual office or home.

Probably the most underrated and under-appreciated form of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which is simply the naturally-occurring energy produced by the heating of artesian waters that are just below the earth's crust. This heat is transferred into the water from the earth's inner molten core.

The water is drawn up by various different methods—there are “dry steam” power plants, “flash” power plants, and “binary” power plants for harnessing geothermal energy. The purpose of drawing up the hot water is for the gathering of the steam.

The Geysers, approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco, is probably the best-known of all geothermal power fields; it's an example of a dry steam plant.

Renewable & Alternative Energy Resources: http://www.alternativeenergybase.com

Many alternative energy sources researched. Ocean thermal, wind power, photovoltaic, and wind power too.

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The Best Places To Find Renewable Energy

We already know that the use of electricity, gas and coal are all resources that we may eventually run out of. These are the non-renewable resources that we rely heavily on today. We use these non-renewable resources to do many things, including supplying us with power, heating our homes, businesses and schools and more. When we use all the non-renewable resources up and there are no more to gather, then what? How will we go without the convenience that we are so accustomed to? It's nice to flip a switch to get power and it is even better when the latest technology allows us to press a button to do all the things that women and men had to work for hours to accomplish. We are fortunate to live in a world with so many modern gadgets. Unfortunately when we lose it we may be so accustomed to the modern perks that we will not know what to do when we don't have them any longer.

What we have to rely on in the future is renewable resources. These resources are all resources that offer us an abundant supply and will never run out. They recharge and allow us to enjoy them again and again. The renewable resources consist of Solar, Wind, Biomass, Hydrogen, Geothermal, Ocean, and Hydropower We need all of these and right now we have access to each one of them. What do they do and how do they help us with solar power? Let's find out.

Solar refers to the solar energy that we get everyday either directly or indirectly from the sun. Solar energy can be used for several things, such as heating, electricity to home, schools, businesses, or buildings, heating water, cooling and ventilation.

Wind helps the suns heat down to earth. When the wind combines with the heat of the sun, it causes evaporation. When the water turns into precipitation it produces energy that can then be captured by hydropower.

Hydropower takes energy from flowing water and captures it turning it into electricity. Hydropower is very complicated and requires a great deal of technology in order to successfully accumulate energy from water.

Biomass is an organic matter that can help to make up the plants. It can be used for the production of electricity, transport fuels or chemicals.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element found on earth, usually with other elements. If hydrogen is found alone it can be burned or converted into electricity.

Geothermal looks toward the inner parts of the earth for heat and can be used for power, heating, and cooling.

Ocean produces thermal energy using the heat from the sun. It can also use mechanical energy for the tides and waves.

As you can see the renewable resources are all around us. We know what they do and how we can use them. There are so many benefits to using renewable resources. If we don't use them now we may not have a choice later. The knowledge we learn from today will help us use the energy more wisely.

About the Author:
Thomas Kerin is and expert on solar panel installation at OVR Solar.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Best Places to Find Renewable Energy