Out goal on this site is to give you reliable information on all forms of alternative energy.
Naturally we’ll talk about obvious sources such as solar power and wind power, but I think you’ll discover some more unusual energy sources here as well.
Our emphasis will be on small scale energy production. We want home owners to actually be able to produce their own energy from whatever source they have available.
We’ll provide how-it-works descriptions, background information, pros and cons and some sources for more information if you do want to begin generating power yourself.
You’ll also find information here about larger scale non-traditional energy production. Some of these techniques (such as tidal energy) aren’t practical for home energy production but may be viable as commercial renewable energy sources. Knowing about them adds to your overall energy awareness. Plus, I just like writing and thinking about them.
Others, such as solar power generation, use the same principles as home energy producers do on a larger scale.
I suspect you’re as enthusiast as we are about the potential for clean, renewable alternative energy sources to provide our power while protecting our environment. Saving money while saving the environment helps everyone.
Burning fossil fuel was fine in its day, but now the cost in terms of money, the environment and even wars has become too high to continue to pay. At this site, we want to be part of the solution.
We’ll probably be stuck burning oil to some degree in the short term, but the sooner we move to alternatives the better. Our hope is to speed the process.
Fortunately, energy sources other than oil are becoming more practical, efficient and creative all the time. Every bit of
power produced from an alternative source now is one less bit of oil that gets burned.
So again, welcome. Click on any of the links to get more information in any area you’re interested in.
Let’s hope the day comes soon when what’s now “alternative energy” becomes mainstream.
Solar Energy
Enough solar energy reaches earth every hour to power our planet for an entire year - if only we could harness it. Fortunately, we're beginning to learn how.
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Wind Power
Wind power explains the different types of windmills and how they can capture wind energy.
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Wood Burning
Learn why wood burning needs to be part of our alternative energy mix, how to measure wood and just what it is we're burning.
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Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy refers to using the energy in the earth’s crust for heating and cooling purposes. These pages describe geothermal heat pumps and Geothermal Power Generation.
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What Is Alternative Energy?
What Is Alternative Energy answers the question posed in the title. Many definitions implie political bias. This page takes a different tact.
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Biomass Energy
Biomass energy reveals how energy can be produced from plant and animal waste as well as plants grown solely for energy production.
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Hydropower
Hydropower is one of the oldest and cleanest sources of energy available. This page explains old and new ways of harnessing the power of flowing water.
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Alternative Energy Homes
Alternative Energy Homes describes the combination of energy conservation, passive solar design and power generation that make a home and alternative energy home.
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Alternative Energy Types
Alternative Energy Types lists the various forms of alternative energy.
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Solar Energy Costs
Solar Energy Costs details the factors that determine the cost of solar energy systems for a home. The site details how photovoltaic solar panels are evaluted and total solar energy costs.
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Do Wind Turbines Kill Birds
Do Wind Turbines Kill Birds takes an objective look at the risks wind turbines and wind farms pose to bird populations.
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Artificial Photosynthesis
http://AlternativeEnergyPrimer.com/Artificial Photosynthesis explains why "articial leaves" may soon be a realtiy and how nono technology is driving development of artificial photosynthesis.
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Types of Solar Energy
Types of Solar Energy may surprise you with its unique look at the various ways of solar energy can be harnessed. There are more options than most people usually think of.
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Advantages of Biomass Energy
Advantages of Biomass Energy describes the plus side of using biomass to meet some of our energy needs.
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Anaerobic Digesters
Anaerobic digesters provide energy while minimizing the enviromental risks of manure and producing useful end products. The main catagories of digesters and their pros and cons are discussed here.
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Concentrating Solar Energy Systems
Concentrating Solar Energy Systems focus sunlight on a receiver to capture its energy as heat and use it to generate power.
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Earth4Energy Review
Earth4Energy Review closely examines this popular course that claims you can meet 80% of your energy needs with wind and solar systems that you build for under $200. Does it live up to its promises?
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Solar Hot Water Heating
Today solar hot water heating is practical and increasingly available. Using a solar syatem is a good way to both save money and help the environment.
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Solar Pool Heating
Solar pool heating
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Geothermal Power Plants
Geothermal power plants generate electricty using the heat of the earth's core to power turbines. Find out how they work and how they can help solve out energy problems on this page.
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Methane From Landfills
Methane From Landfills explains how methane produced in landfills can be captured to protect the atmosphere while providing energy.
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Wind Turbines
Wind Turbines describes the components of commercial electricity generating wind turbines, as well as some of the factors affecting their performance.
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Solar Outdoor Lighting
Solar Outdoor Lighting describes the recent advantages in technology that has brought solar outdoor lighting systems to the point where they often preferable to standard wired systems.
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Solar Chimneys
Solar Chimneys
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Energy Conservation
Energy conservation is even better than energy production. Find out why on this page.
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Dish and Engine Solar Systems
Dish and Engine Solar Systems
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Home Energy Saving Tips
Follow these energy saving tips: save energy, money and the environment.
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Environmental Effects of Wood Burning
Possible environmental effects of wood burning concern many people. This page addresses those concerns and explains the pros and cons of wood burining.
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Ethanol As Fuel - A Bad Idea
http://www.AlternativeEnergyPrimer.com/ethanol-as-fuel explains the dark side of the ethanol-from-corn industry. Find out why ethanol as fuel subsidies need to end.
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Fireplaces
Fireplaces are an excellent way to heat your home using a renewable resource, but it needs to be done right. This page tells you how.
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Linear Solar Concentrators
Linear Solar Concentrators use parabolic-shaped troughs to concentrate the sun's heat on a collecting fluid flowing through a pipe along the focal line of the trough.
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Masonry Heater Pictures
The Masonry Heater Pictures page show the versiltiy of masonry heaters.
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Masonry Heaters
Masonry heaters are the most effecient way to heat with wood. Find out why on this page.
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Oil From Algae
http://AlternativeEnergyPrimer.com/Oil-From-Algae/ explains why oil from algae has great potential as a source of energy, what some of the challenges are and what type of projects are underway
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Passive Solar Design Rules
Passive solar design rules of thumb gives quick run down on factors that should be considered when designing a solar home.
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Passive Solar Home Heating
Passive solar home heating not only saves money and the environment, it's principle make a home more comfortable and inviting.
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Run of River Hydro
Run of River Hydro
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Rumford Fireplaces
Rumford fireplaces are an antiquated technology that should probably never be built now. Find out why here.
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Solar Energy Facts
Fun and interesting solar energy facts.
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Small Hydropower
Small Hydropower refers to hydroelectric plants that produce between 100 kilowatts and 30 megawatts of power. As you'll see, this is an increasingly important class of hydropower.
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Solar Power Tower
Solar Power Tower
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Successful Solar Water Heating Experiment in India
Successful Solar Water Heating Experiment in India reports on the successful application of solar energy to provide hot water for a university hostel.
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Solar Panels
Solar Panels
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Sources of Tidal Power
Sources of Tidal Power explains the origin of the energy that drives the tides and explains why it is unique among all other sources of energy.
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Tidal Power
Tidal Power explains how the free and sustainable energy of the tides can provide our power. It outlines both the potentials and the drawbacks of this promising source of alternative energy.
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Wave Power
Wave Power describes how the power of waves can be captures and changed into electicity. A wave farm already send power to the grid in Portugal and several other exciting methods are in development.
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Wood Stoves
Wood s toves expaind. Find some of their history and why wood stoves are better than ever.
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