Green power
Green power - is one of the types of energy, which is reached from renewable resources and technologies, that are environmental friendly (J. Neiva de Figueiredo, M. F. Guillen, 2014, p. 3).
The other well-known titles of this type of energy are green energy, environmental friendly energy or renewable energy.
The main feature of this type of power is that it has a lot of benefits for our environment in opposition to gas and oil power.
Why this type of energy is named "green power"?
Power, which can be classified as a green one, have to be produced and used in ways which are reflected on "environmentally friendly", and this is the main reason why it is called green due to essential color of our environment.
Important thing to remember is that any power may be described as a green energy only when two of fundamental conditions of this power are satisfied at the same time.
Down below you may find two of them, which are:
- the energy has to be renewable,
- the energy has to be non-polluting.
What are the main benefits of using green power?
All types of energies have it advantages and disadvantages. Green power is not an exception, but it has a lot of benefits which make it so popular now, and do motivate scientists to look for a way to make other sources of energy more "green".
The main advantages are:
- being renewable,
- being non-polluting.
The first one of the benefits makes us to feel save that we will not finish a supply of this type of energy, as for example, gas and oil may be used up one day. At the same time, second one makes us feel save about provoking luck of unhealthy transmission or waste of other vital needed products as water and air.
Types of green energy
There are 5 general types of green energy, known as:
- Solar energy,
- Wind energy,
- Biomass energy,
- Hydropower.
Solar energy
The Sun is one of the most endless sources of the energy. The type of energy we are getting from it, is named solar energy. As for now, there are two ways of using solar energy.
First of all, to create warmth. To do this, a flat plate is needed, which may be installed on the roof of the building. It will be keeping sun's radiation, which will wart up the liquid. After that, warmed liquid can be transported via channels to a warm exchanging mechanism. Depending on the goal, which has to be reached, exchanging mechanism can be rather a warm water tank either a blower.
The second way to use solar energy is to create electricity. To do this a flat late is as well needed, but the only one difference will be that instead of warmth liquid-filled channels in the plate, solar electric panel should be used. This type of mechanism has a big quantity of small apparatus named photovoltaic cells. These small apparatus are the ones, who transform light energy into electricity (N. Morris, 2006, p.4).
Wind energy
Windmills were used for the first time a long time ago to crumble grains and force out water from wells. Nowadays, windmills are named wind turbines due to their new function - electricity generating.
The main principle of functioning of the wind turbines is that there are two or three propeller blades, which are linked to diverse other parts, that twist a generator, which creates electricity. Modern wind turbines are very big and mostly used for wind farms - group of the wind turbines located at the one place (V. Nelson, 2013, pp.87-89).
Biomass energy
Biomass energy is that type of energy, which can be produced through dead trees, left-over crops, sawdust and clippings. As for now, there are two ways of using biomass energy (G. Freischman,1991, p.1). First of all, is to create warmth and light via burning biomass such as dead trees, left-over crops. Second way is to use micro-organism to perish biomass like grasses and reduce dregs to generate gases and liquid fuels. This sort of gas may be used to generate electricity, while this sort of liquid fuels may be added to oil-based gasoline.
It is important to remember that rubbish that we do produce everyday may also be a source of the energy. The main principle of creating the energy this way is that trash may be burned in special incinerators. During this procedure, rubbish is creating warmth, which may be used for making electricity or warming the building.
Hydropower energy
Hydropower energy was used by human for ages as well as wind energy. In the modern world the main way to create this type of energy is to use dam across the river. This technique makes big lake behind dam, water from which flows straight to devices named turbines. Those turbines are linked to generators, which are producing electricity.
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References
- Freischman G., (1991), Use of biomass energy by non-forest product facilities. Case study. , Idaho Dept., of Water Resources, Energy Division, p.1.
- Morris N., (2006 ), Solar Power (Energy Sources) , Smart Apple Media, p.4.
- Neiva de Figueiredo J., Guillen M. F., (2014), Green Power: Perspectives on Sustainable Electricity Generation, Productivity Press, p. 3.
- Nelson V., (2013), Wind Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment. Second edition., CRC Press, pp.. 87-89.
Author: Olha Slyuzar
