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Green is in; individuals and businesses are looking for ways to get by while using less energy. Whether the goal is to save money or to help the environment, the popularity of green technology is continuing to rise. These technologies, however, can be a bit complicated. Here is some information about a few different types of green technology.
Photovoltaic cells are becoming more powerful each year. Using what is called a photodiode, these cells directly convert light energy into electrical energy. They have been around for decades, and are becoming more efficient every year. In addition, their prices have dropped considerably; today, the largest cost associated with photovoltaic cells in electrical plants is labor fees. For this reason, they are being used in large numbers in China and other parts of the developing world where labor costs are low. They do have one major problem: storing energy for use when it in cloudy or after night has come.
Wind turbines have been used for centuries to generate energy, and they have recently been used to generate electric in large plants. These turbines are humongous, and they use fairly simple technology to convert mechanical energy into electricity. They are great for supplementing other electrical plants, but they can only generate electricity when winds are blowing. Without energy storage technology, they cannot fully replace coal, natural gas and nuclear plants.
People often think of green energy in the large scale, but there are a number of green technologies that can make a dramatic impact on how efficiently energy is used. Simply painting roofs white in hot regions can dramatically reduce electricity bills as white roofs reflect light energy and heat away from the building. Engines have become significantly more advanced as well, and drivers may see cars that can travel 75 or 100 miles for every gallon of fuel they use in the next decade. While these technologies do not have the breakthrough impact some are looking for, they are valuables tools in the fight to introduce less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Solar cells
Photovoltaic cells are becoming more powerful each year. Using what is called a photodiode, these cells directly convert light energy into electrical energy. They have been around for decades, and are becoming more efficient every year. In addition, their prices have dropped considerably; today, the largest cost associated with photovoltaic cells in electrical plants is labor fees. For this reason, they are being used in large numbers in China and other parts of the developing world where labor costs are low. They do have one major problem: storing energy for use when it in cloudy or after night has come.
- Wind turbines
Wind turbines have been used for centuries to generate energy, and they have recently been used to generate electric in large plants. These turbines are humongous, and they use fairly simple technology to convert mechanical energy into electricity. They are great for supplementing other electrical plants, but they can only generate electricity when winds are blowing. Without energy storage technology, they cannot fully replace coal, natural gas and nuclear plants.- Energy storage
There are a number of options being tested to allow plants to store energy generated from wind and solar energy. Some plants have tested batteries. While batteries work, they generally can only last for approximately 500 charging cycles. As a result, they must be replaced every two years or so. Others have tested large flywheels to store energy mechanically, and this technology holds some promise. Large-scale installations, however, have not yet been attempted. Another strange option being considered is to melt salt to store energy. Once the salt is allowed to form into a solid, energy can be extracted from it. While none of these technologies have proven to work, they do give hope for green energy generation in the future.
- Efficiency
People often think of green energy in the large scale, but there are a number of green technologies that can make a dramatic impact on how efficiently energy is used. Simply painting roofs white in hot regions can dramatically reduce electricity bills as white roofs reflect light energy and heat away from the building. Engines have become significantly more advanced as well, and drivers may see cars that can travel 75 or 100 miles for every gallon of fuel they use in the next decade. While these technologies do not have the breakthrough impact some are looking for, they are valuables tools in the fight to introduce less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
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