It’s no secret that fossil fuels and nuclear power are finite energy sources, and they’re also costly as well as potentially damaging to the environment. Luckily, alternative energy sources that are renewable, cost-efficient and eco-friendly are becoming more plentiful than ever.
Wind and Solar Power
The most common forms of alternative energy today are solar and wind. These energy sources are naturally occurring, infinite and produce no emissions. And they’re inexpensive! Solar power can heat a tiny house in Quebec for only $100 all winter, in addition to powering a full-size refrigerator, water pump system, lights and electrical outlets.
But solar and wind energy are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to alternative energy. Instead of looking to nature to supply energy, we can also create it on our own using mechanical energy on cloudy, windless days.
Bike Power
Pedaling the Free Electric hybrid bike, for example, can help supply homes with electricity. Bicycle generators are also now being used to support greener alternative energy at bicycle powered music festivals and exercise powered gyms. Not only is this good for the environment, but it’s great for your health too!
Food Power!
Another source of alternative energy comes from chocolate, of all places. Researchers in the UK have found that the by-products of industrial chocolate production can be converted into biofuel. This fuel can be used to run cars and create electricity. When converted into biofuel, chocolate waste has a zero emission rate with no other harmful by-products generated in the process. Innovations like these could theoretically help solve the global food waste problem by turning non-food biomass food into fuel.
Researchers have also begun using waste from the wine industry as biofuel in the same way that chocolate waste is being used. It may eventually be possible to convert waste already in landfills into biofuel, allowing us to retroactively reduce waste in landfills.
The continuous innovation in the search for renewable and eco-friendly energy sources points to a brighter future, providing benefits not only now, but for generations to come!
Have you heard about other unusual types of alternative energy? Let us know! Leave a comment telling us which alternative energy sources you think look promising.Resources:
Definitely a fan of alternative energy here. Both our local elementary school and our high school have plots of solar panels to offset energy costs. I can not wait until we can add them to our personal home as well!!!
I really like the idea of the bicycle and exercise equipment generated power, It might motivate more people to become active! Better for the environment and for our health!
I am hoping that solar energy will become more affordable to install in homes
I went to a Mother Earth News Fair last summer and took a seminar on solar energy. They are working to make it more affordable, but sadly it’s not the most efficient. We have to keep trying though. 🙂
We’ve been seriously looking into adding solar energy of some kind to our home. The upfront cost is big, but the savings are potentially amazing for our budget as well as the environment!
I wish that they could find alternative places to put the large solar panel farms. They really are an eye sore to the landscape and it seems like a waste of good land that could be used to grow food or just vegetation to help with the ecosystem.
I love alternative energy, but there are some things I just could not do….tiny houses lol
That bike energy sounds awesome!! Great way to get in shape too, right?!
It sure is, Gingi! Good for the environment and for us!