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When it comes to deciding between solar, wind,
biogas, biomass and low-impact hydroelectric, it's important
to realize not all green energy is created equally.
Low-impact hydroelectric green energy uses a river or
canal's natural drop in elevation rather than a dam to
produce energy, eliminating negative environmental impacts.
Biogas green energy is produced when the methane gas
produced by the breakdown of organic materials—animal
manure, sewage treatment sludge, food waste—is burned to
generate heat and electricity. The process converts the
methane gas into carbon dioxide, reducing the total
pollution created by the decomposing materials.
Biomass green energy is created when a living or recently
living organism (think plants, waste from livestock farming,
food processing, and domestic organic waste) is burned to
create energy. Biomass includes burning wood, crops, manure
and organic garbage. The main drawback of biomass energy is
it produces carbon dioxide, but the industry maintains it
doesn't increase the total carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
since it just releases the CO2 already in the plant.
Using the wind to generate green energy power with wind
turbines seems like a 100 percent green option, but there is
one pitfall: Wind turbines are noisy, and since they often
end up in rural areas, farmers—and, many say, their
livestock—aren't too happy with the noise. But the notion
that turbines present a significant hazards to birds is
largely myth.
Solar power green energy is the cleanest of all green
energies. Photovoltaic cells (also called solar cells)
collect energy from the sun's light, filtering the
electricity directly into the power system. There are zero
emissions and zero noise pollution, and while solar cells
are quite inefficient—they only perform at 10 to 25 percent
efficiency—the "sun generates enough clean energy in one day
to provide a year's supply of energy for your home or
office," according to the DOE's website.
Whichever you prefer, green energy options are growing in
the U.S. and they're worth the investment.
Cara Smusiak http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/find-green-energy.html |
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