Renewable Energy

Non-renewable energy sources are not effective, and cost far more than they offer in benefits. Fossil fuels formation is a very long process that occurs over thousands of years, and the reserves left in the earth are running out. Developing countries, including China and India, are requiring more energy and oil, and this means what fossil fuel reserves are left will soon be gone. Because of the time fossil fuel formation takes in the earth, it can not be renewed for thousands of years

Anyone who knows about the coal mining industry also knows why coal is also not the answer to future energy needs. Just like crude oil and natural gas, coal is a fossil fuel which is not renewable and harms the environment significantly. Mining for coal has changed a lot over the years, but recovering this resource still does great damage to the earth through mining methods, as well as greenhouse emissions. Coal is not unlimited, and eventually this fossil fuel will also run out as well. Since coal is a nonrenewable energy source, it is not a viable solution to any future energy crisis

The first problem is that our dependence on energy continues to grow. As the size of the population increases we are using more of our depleted natural reserves of fuel every single day. People today live longer due to advances in medicine and health care and we are a society dependent upon our electronic gadgets as well.

The second of the top three renewable energy sources is wind energy. The wind is air movement that happens when warm air ascends and cooler air dashes in, replacing it. The energy of wind has been a centuries-old tool for sailing ships and driving windmills to grind up grain. Currently, wind energy is used to generate electricity via wind turbines.

Other renewable energy science fair projects with solar power can explore the structure and functions of the solar updraft tower, the solar energy equivalent of a power plant. Did you know that a prototype solar updraft tower - Ciudad Real - was built in Spain in 1982 and operated until 1989? Today, several plans are underway to construct even larger solar updraft towers. Your project could investigate these plans and comment on their feasibility.

Computers and electronic tools are now a huge part of our lives at home and at work. It is impractical to suggest we stop using the electricity that is necessary to allow them to function. While our technological advances are, in the main, good things, the fact that we are using up our natural resources should be of concern to all. Fossil fuels are not a type of energy resource that we will be able to replace. When this resource is gone, it is gone forever - that is the reality of the situation.

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy by wind turbines into a useful form, such as electricity or mechanical energy. Large-scale wind farms are typically connected to the local power transmission network with small turbines used to provide electricity to isolated areas. Residential units are entering production and are are capable of powering large appliances to entire houses depending on the size.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline, diesel, or propane fuel. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill (natural gas is lighter than air, and disperses quickly when released).