Energy Resources
How to Use -- Contents
Slightly Creaky does research to find the links you would most likely need and provides them for you in an easy-to-find format. You can access the various categories from any of our pages using the top or side menus. Each category has generalized headings, followed by more specific ones.
Categories
Updated January 1, 2012
Please Contact us if you find a broken or bad link.
| General Energy Information |
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| Solar | |||
| "Green" Energy |
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| Bio Fuel | |||
| Alternate Energy | |||
| Energy Efficient Construction | |||
| Alternate Transportation | |||
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General Energy Information
General Energy Information
General Energy Information |
"Energy is the vital force powering business, manufacturing, and the transportation of goods and services to serve the American and world economies. Energy supply and demand plays an increasingly vital role in our national security and the economic output of our nation. " Informational links for: Bioenergy, Coal, Electric Power, Fossil Fuels, Fusion, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Oil, Renewables, Solar, Wind |
| US Department of Energy | |
| Energy Star | "ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices." |
| EnviroLink | "Providing access to thousands of online environmental resources" |
| Daily Average Temperature Archives | "This site contains files of daily average temperatures for 157 U.S. and 167 international cities. The files are updated on a regular basis and contain data from January 1, 1995 to present. The data, when combined with utility billing data, can be used to determine energy savings from weather-sensitive building retrofits." |
| Alliance to Save Energy | "The Alliance to Save Energy promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security .Energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to extend our world's energy supplies." |
| American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy | "Dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection. " |
| Energy Ideas Clearinghouse | "The most comprehensive, technical resource that Pacific Northwest business, industry, government and utilities use to implement energy technologies and practices." |
| Home Power Magazine | “Each issue contains the most comprehensive, technical coverage of solar, wind, and microhydro electricity, energy efficiency, solar hot water systems, space heating and cooling, energy-efficient building materials and home design, and clean transportation options.” |
| Energy Information Administration | “The Energy Information Administration (EIA), created by Congress in 1977, is a statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. Our mission is to provide policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.” |
| Energy: Fuel for Thought | "Despite the importance of energy to every aspect of our lives, many Americans are not adequately armed with the basic energy knowledge to make informed decisions or determine what can be done to manage and conserve energy resources. " |
| Energy Technology News | From "Science Daily." |
| Energy Quest | "Energy is an integral part of our daily lives. Without energy our society would decay into pre-historic savagery. Teaching an "energy ethic" to conserve finite resources is essential to our energy future, which is currently dependent on fossil fuels." |
| Energy Efficiency in the Home | "The decision to make your home as energy efficient as possible is beneficial to both your family budget and the environment. In fact, there are many simple things that home dwellers can do to lessen their monthly energy costs and at the same time reduce the amount of pollution in our atmosphere." |
| ""These tax credits are available for a number of products at the highest efficiency levels, which typically cost much more than standard products. If you decide not to purchase a product covered by the tax credit, you may still consider purchasing an ENERGY STAR product. ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, without a tax credit." | |
| Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency | |
| Energy-Efficiency Home and Vehicle Tax Credits | "This document provides details on valuable federal income tax credits for consumers who purchase fuel-efficient hybrid-electric or diesel vehicles and who make certain, specified energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes. These credits, which started in 2006, were changed most recently in the "stimulus" bill in February 2009." |
| Consumer Energy Tax Incentives | "What the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Means to You" |
| Tax Incentive Assistance Project | "Sponsored by a coalition of public interest nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in the energy efficiency field. It is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and subsequently amended several times." |
| State and Local Energy Efficiency Programs | "Here you will find a listing of state, local and regional programs that help small businesses become energy efficient. These programs offer financial assistance in the form of grants and loans for making energy efficient upgrades. Grants are also available to firms developing energy efficient technology." |
| Database of State Incentives | "DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the NC Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council funded by the U.S. Department of Energy." |
| “Making your home more energy efficient should be your first step before purchasing a renewable energy system. Estimates indicate that for every $1 you spend on reducing the energy footprint for your home, you reduce your cost for a renewable energy system by $3 to $5.” | |
| Energy Efficiency and Your Home | |
| Green Energy News | "Offers news and commentary in regards to clean, efficient and/or renewable energy in relation to business, technology, issues and policy." |
| Natural Resources Canada | "Our purpose is to increase the understanding of renewable energy to accelerate the development and commercialization of renewable energy technologies. " |
| Alternate Energy News | “This site is an open source for news and information about renewable energy technologies.” |
| National Renewable Energy Laboratory | “Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies are key to creating a clean energy future for not only the nation, but the world. This Web site describes NREL's research in renewable energy technologies, and also provides information on energy efficiency and various applications of renewable energy.” |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | "NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 1.2 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. " |
| Energy Savers | "Energy Savers provides homeowners with tips for saving energy and money at home and on the road. By following just a few of the simple tips found on this Energy Savers Web site, you can make your home more comfortable and easier to heat and cool—while you save money. We bring you the latest information on energy-saving, efficient technologies. We even give tips for using clean, renewable energy to power your home." |
| Homeowners Guide to Energy Efficiency | Homeowners have many different options available to make their homes less dependent on resources, many can be done by the homeowner. These improvements can range from simple ways such as caulking windows and doors to reduce the amount of draft in houses and using energy-efficient lighting and appliances. By doing some of these simple methods, homeowners can save as little as a couple of dollars per month, to hundreds of dollars by utilizing many of these simple methods. However, homeowners can also radically reduce their dependency on natural gas and oil by using new technologies of solar, wind or water power. |
| Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings | "When you buy an appliance, you commit to paying both the first cost and the operating cost for as long as you own it. And over the life of an appliance, the energy cost to run it can be many times greater than the first cost. So it pays to buy an energy-efficient appliance. " |
| Home Energy Efficiency | Do-it-yourself projects to save energy. |
| Home Energy Saver | "The Home Energy SaverTM calculator is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen." |
Solar
Solar
How Solar Works |
"Solar energy technologies have great potential to benefit our nation. They can diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on imported fuels, improve the quality of the air we breathe, offset greenhouse gas emissions, and stimulate our economy by creating jobs in the manufacturing and installation of solar energy systems." |
| Solar Energy Technologies Program | |
| Energy From the Sun | "Solar energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity. In the 1830s, the British astronomer John Herschel used a solar thermal collector box (a device that absorbs sunlight to collect heat) to cook food during an expedition to Africa. Today, people use the sun's energy for lots of things." |
| Solar Power | " Solar energy is one the most resourceful sources of energy for the future. One of the reasons for this is that the total energy we receive each year from the sun is around 35,000 times the total energy used by man. However, about 1/3 of this energy is either absorbed by the outer atmosphere or reflected back into space " |
| Solar Power News | "The latest Solar Power news headlines." |
| Solar Energy News | A source of the latest information and headlines about solar energy |
| American Solar Energy Society | "Solar energy and energy efficiency are key to protecting the environment and growing the economy. They help tackle climate change and promote energy independence." |
| Solar Energy & Solar Collectors | "Solar energy is our birthright like the air we breathe or the water we drink. Solar Home Plans and affordable Solar Hot Water Plans are the gateway into a "Solar Age" of energy independence. Fossil fuels are no longer necessary to keep the wheels of civilization turning." |
| Offshore Solar Energy | "Solar energy technologies potentially suitable for use in offshore ocean environments include concentrating solar power technology and photonic technology." |
| Solar Energy Headlines | From "Alternative Fuel News." "The latest alternative fuel news headlines" |
| Evaluating The Cost Of Solar Power Systems | "Despite the perceived unreliability of solar power as an energy resource, it is far more versatile than grid electricity. There are not many places in the world that do not get some form of direct sunlight from time to time. In fact you can use solar power to provide energy for your weekend retreat in the woods or your suburban residential home. The only difference might be the scale and quantity of electricity that is needed." |
| "When most people picture solar-powered homes, they picture cabins in the woods, completely off the grid. They think of big, ugly panels on roofs, and frugal electrical consumption—no big screen TV’s or multiple refrigerators. However, that’s not an accurate picture of today’s solar capabilities." | |
| Solar Panels for Homes | |
| Solar Power Home (Residential) Case Studies | (Commercial) "Below are links to some of our solar power system designs in different locations in California, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Please note that there were different rebate rates in effect at the time of installation. We are listing these case studies to show how you can benefit from having a solar power system on your home. Your actual cost and benefit will vary depending on your house location, roof orientation, rebates in effect at the time of installation and size of your required solar power system." |
| Passive Solar Home Plans | "Some people say passive systems are better than active systems because they cost less and use no external energy source. Practical systems make use of both active and passive components." |
| Sustainable Solar Heated Workshop | "This is a simple, cost effective, solar heated workshop designed for Do It Yourselfers and dedicated environmentalist. The workshop was designed to, not only save heat and hot water, but it was also designed to generate income." |
| Passive Solar House Design | "Your home's windows, walls, and floors can be designed to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design or climatic design. Unlike active solar heating systems, passive solar design doesn't involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices, such as pumps, fans, or electrical controls to move the solar heat." |
| Solar Panel Articles | "With a major emphasis placed on the ever increasing cost of energy to heat and air condition a home consumers are seeking alternative means to bring the cost of energy down and ease up on the planets natural resource supply. It seems that (Direct) solar panels for harvesting the sun’s solar power are the most familiar and commonly researched source for energy today. This is probably due to the idea that the cost of solar energy is free for the taking but the cost to collect the energy is not." |
| Solar Kits and the Advantages of Solar Energy | "If you’re handy with tools and the idea of spending time on the roof doesn’t scare you, you can save thousands by installing your own system to create a solar powered home." |
"Solar heating harnesses the power of the sun to provide solar thermal energy for solar hot water, solar space heating, and solar pool heaters. A solar heating system saves energy, reduces utility costs, and produces clean energy." |
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| Solar Heating | |
| Glossary of Solar Heating Terms | Provided by a commercial site. |
| Active Solar Heating | "There are two basic types of active solar heating systems based on the type of fluid—either liquid or air—that is heated in the solar energy collectors. (The collector is the device in which a fluid is heated by the sun.) Liquid-based systems heat water or an antifreeze solution in a "hydronic" collector, whereas air-based systems heat air in an "air collector."" |
| Passive Solar Architecture - Heating | "Passive Solar Heating presents the most cost effective means of providing heat to buildings. Generally, the amount of solar energy that falls on the roof of a house is more than the total energy consumed within the house. Passive solar applications, when included in initial building design, adds little or nothing to the cost of a building, yet has the effect of realizing a reduction in operational costs and reduced equipment demand. " |
| Build It Solar | "Plans, tools and information to do renewable energy and conservation projects." |
| Solar Hot Water, Heating and Cooling Systems | "Solar systems should be employed only after extensive conservation strategies have been implemented. Solar energy systems typically have a high initial cost and extremely low operating costs. To reduce the high initial costs, reduce the size of the required system by the load that the solar system will need to provide. In space heating and cooling applications, the home should be weatherized and insulated to very high standards. In water heating applications, hot water piping should be insulated and water conserving fixtures should be used." |
| Solar Water Pumping | If you need to supply water beyond the reach of power lines, then solar power can solve the problem. (Photovoltaic) solar powered pumps provide a welcome alternative to fuel-burning engines, windmills, and hand pumps. |
| Using Solar Energy to Keep Homes Cool | "The latest version can also heat a room and has attachments for purifying water and running other DC (direct current) appliances, like lights and ceiling fans." |
| Solar Cooling | "It's a bit of a strange idea to think of using the sun to cool your home or business, but in fact, absorption cooling was the first type of air conditioning. Absorption cooling is still practical for remote homes in places where there is an excess of heat energy available. A home in the desert would be an ideal place to use absorption cooling via solar energy." |
| Cooling with Solar Heat | "The summer sun, which heats up offices, also delivers the energy to cool them. The thermal use of solar energy offers itself: Days that have the greatest need for cooling are also the very same days that offer the maximum possible solar energy gain." |
| "When light falls on the surface of the solar cell, some of the silicon’s electrons are knocked free by the photons, the bundles of energy that arrive from the sun. The electric field then drives these electrons from negative to positive as a flow of electric current. This current travels through wires in direct current (DC) to the inverter, which then converts it into alternating current (AC), the kind of electricity you use in your home." | |
| Solar Electricity for Homes – How Solar Works | |
| Understanding and Installing Your Own Solar Electric System |
"If you want information on solar electric systems, written in a non-technical manner that you can easily understand, you've come to the right place.With all the technical jargon kept to a minimum (and when necessary, fully explained), you will have all the answers to the questions that have made you a little hesitant, in the past, to get more involved in this clean, renewable form of energy production." |
| Beginner's Guide to Solar and Wind Generated Electricity | “Many of the folks who visit our site are interested in installing a solar or wind electric system for their home but they do not know where to begin. Although to a certain degree each situation is different there are a few basic things that we will need to know to get you started.” |
| Solar Electricity Global Benchmark Price Indices |
"Prices on this page are illustrative only, indicative of global, rather than specific country, grid connect markets. Prices for individual projects often vary widely according to the location and type of system required" |
| How Many Solar Cells Would I Need... | "To calculate how many square inches of solar panel you need for a house, you need to know ...." |
| Basics of a Solar Electric System | (PDF) "Solar electric systems, which use a natural source of power — sunlight— produce less pollution than traditional forms of electrical production. And they can offer homeowners the security of producing their own power. Components" |
| Battery Power for Residential Solar Electric System |
"A battery bank stores electricity produced by a solar electric system. If your house is not connected to the utility grid, or if you anticipate long power outages from the grid, you will need a battery bank. This fact sheet provides an overview of battery basics, including information to help you select and maintain your battery bank." |
| "Many homeowners enjoy the natural lighting that skylights provide. However, skylights often do not distribute light evenly, are a significant source of energy loss, and can cause UV damage to carpets and furniture. Tubular skylights, on the other hand, use the sun for lighting interiors without the drawbacks associated with conventional skylights." | |
| Tubular Skylights | |
| Install Solar Tube Lighting | "Installing a solar tube light is an easy one-day job and can be done with basic tools if you have a typical shingle roof. A solar tube provides light like a skylight, but doesn’t require major structural changes to the roof of your house." |
| Solatube | Commercial (Note: The Slightly Creaky editors installed this company's product and are pleased with their sales, service, and very helpful staff.) "The Solatube Daylighting System captures sunlight on the rooftop and redirects it down a reflective tube into interior spaces. The tubing will fit between rafters and will install easily with no structural modification. At the ceiling level, an attractive diffuser spreads the light evenly throughout the room." |
| How to Install Skylights | "In this document you will find information about: Types of Skylights, Framing the Rough Opening, Installing the Skylight, Building the Ceiling Opening and Light Shaft, and Safety Precautions." |
| Solar Lighting Reviews | "I am setting out to find the very best Solar Lighting Products available. I hope to help shoppers make the right solar lighting choices and do my little part to help spread the word about solar technology for the home." |
| Solar Landscape Lighting | "Do solar-powered landscape lights or solar landscape lighting really work, or are they a gimmick?" |
| Solar Landscape Lighting Tips | "Solar lights continue to grow in use and are being included more in the overall design phase of a landscape. Here’s a few tips on solar landscape lights and LED landscape lighting kits when you’re out shopping for them." |
| "We view these proposals with alarm. Unscrupulous scientists and greedy promoters are hoodwinking a gullible public. We consider it rash and dangerous to commit our country to the use of solar energy. This solar technology has never been utilized on such a large scale, and we have no assurance of its long-range safety. Not one single study has been done to assess the safety of electricity from solar energy as compared to electricity from other sources." ((c) 1978, 1994) | |
| The Hazards of Solar Energy | |
| Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages | "Many of us know that solar energy is a good thing, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU." |
| Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages | "As oil prices spike, people are looking for alternative energy sources to save money. Here are solar energy advantages and disadvantages, with advantages definitely winning out." |
| The Disadvantages of Solar Energy | "There are many more advantages than disadvantages of solar energy, yet this article will cover the disadvantages of using solar energy to generate electricity." |
| Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages | Researching the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power is a great starting point for someone thinking about using renewable energy resources to heat water or generate electricity .Researching the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power is a great starting point for someone thinking about using renewable energy resources to heat water or generate electricity." |
"Green" Energies
"Green" Energy
Energy & the Environment |
"EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people." |
| Environmental Protection Energy | |
| Alternate Energy Sources For A Flourishing Future | "Finding and using alternate energy sources is of vital importance to your future, and mine. Some say that the human race may have about fifty years in which to get "it" right—or just to survive." |
| Alternate Energy Sources | "Growing concern over the world's increasing energy needs and decreasing reserves of oil, gas, and uranium fuel have prompted efforts to develop alternative energy sources.They are solar, wind, geothermal and other energies, each of them having their own advantages and disadvantages, including political, economical and practical issues." |
| Think Quest Alternate Energy | "Just as the conquest of an empire, the domination of energy has demanded large amounts of time, efforts, research and experimentation. The first battle won was the animal energy. Using the horse, man could move faster than using his own legs. With this animal, they shared the production of energy, water and wind. This was one of the first times, man tried to improve his work limited by his muscles." |
| Energy Technology News | From "Science Daily." |
| Environmental Technologies Innovator | "Formed in 1997 to address the problem facing large scale food manufacturers relating to food and non-recyclable packaging waste. After much research it was discovered that not only the food waste itself, but the non-recyclable packaging contained a high energy value which was being squandered. This waste stream was discovered to be a valuable means of generating renewable energy allowing an onsite energy recovery system to be placed on the food producer’s site, resulting in the displacement of external fossil fuel usage and reduction of greenhouse gases." |
| Alternative Energy HQ | "Whether you are concerned about global warming, or whether you are concerned about the national security implications of our dependence on imported oil, getting our civilization un-hooked from its addiction to fossil fuels is an issue that everyone should be able to agree on. And it should also be clear to anyone who is awake that waiting around for government to figure that out and do something about it is not the way to get anything done." |
| Renewable Energy News | "Get the latest renewable energy news from over 4000 news sources worldwide. We search the Internet for the latest solar energy news, wind energy news, photovoltaic news, alternative energy news, hydro energy news, geothermal energy news and renewable energy news." |
| Green Power Network | "The site provides up-to-date information on green power providers, product offerings, consumer protection issues, and policies affecting green power markets. It also includes a reference library of relevant papers, articles and reports" |
| Environment Headlines | From "Alternative Fuel News." "The latest alternative fuel news headlines" |
| Alternate Energy Institute | "Alternative energy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences such for example fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be "free" energy sources. These include Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy sources." |
| CEERT | "The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) is a partnership of major environmental groups and private-sector clean energy companies. We design and fight for policies that promote global warming solutions and increased reliance on clean, renewable energy sources for California and the West." |
| Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy | U.S. Department of Energy information site. |
| Green-e | "Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products." |
| Green Trust Sustainability & Renewable Energy | Provides a daily blog and forum for discussion of "green" energy. |
| "When power plants burn fossil fuels to make electricity, they release greenhouse gases. By using less energy at home, at work, and in the community, you can reduce these emissions and fight global warming. And using less energy will lower your utility bills each month." | |
| Join Us in the Fight Against Global Warming | |
| Earth & Climate News | From "Science Daily." |
| The Kyoto Treaty | "The Kyoto Treaty is an international agreement between nations to keep greenhouse gas emissions down. It is a response to serious concerns about global warming." |
| Global Warming Fast Facts | From National Geographic. "Here's the lowdown on why it's happening, what's causing it, and how it might change the planet." |
| Top 50 Things To Do To Stop Global Warming | "Global Warming is a dramatically urgent and serious problem. We don't need to wait for governments to find a solution for this problem: each individual can bring an important help adopting a more responsible lifestyle: starting from little, everyday things. It's the only reasonable way to save our planet, before it is too late." |
| Global Warning Facts | "This Web site, Global Warming Facts, is entirely devoted to giving visitors access to an extensive database of experts and research that contradicts many of the claims made by former vice president Al Gore and other climate alarmists. The Web site is loaded with links to other sites, a primer on global warming, and news. We continue to add material daily." |
| The 33 Facts About Global Warming | "The year 1998 was the warmest of record. The year 2002 was the second warmest (to that date). The year 2003 was the third warmest (to that date). The year 2004 was the fourth warmest (to that date). The year 2005 equaled 1998 as the warmest of record. The year 2007 equaled 1998 as the second warmest of record. The ten warmest years have occurred in the twelve-year period 1997-2008. " |
| Global Warming.org | Blog, research. links, and information articles. |
| World Clock: Environment | World statistics up to the minute. |
"Wind Powering America is a commitment to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the United States. This initiative will establish new sources of income for American farmers, Native Americans, and other rural landowners, and meet the growing demand for clean sources of electricity." |
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| Wind Powering America | |
| Beginner's Guide to Solar and Wind Generated Electricity | “Many of the folks who visit our site are interested in installing a solar or wind electric system for their home but they do not know where to begin. Although to a certain degree each situation is different there are a few basic things that we will need to know to get you started.” |
| Wind Power Turbines | “Wind turbine systems for homes are one of the more cost effective forms of generating electricity from a renewable energy source if you have the right site.” |
| Wind Power | "Wind power is another alternative energy source that could be used without producing by-products that are harmful to nature. Like solar power, harnessing the wind is highly dependent upon weather and location." |
| National and International Wind Energy Associations | Internet listing of international wind energy association and information centers. |
| American Wind Energy Association | "The American Wind Energy Association (AWEATM) promotes wind energy as a clean source of electricity for consumers around the world." |
| Wind Power News | "The latest wind power news headlines." |
| Wind Energy Headlines | From "Alternative Fuel News." "The latest alternative fuel news headlines" |
| Offshore Wind Energy | "Commercial-scale offshore wind facilities are currently in operation in shallow waters off the coasts of Europe, but further technology development is needed for use in the deeper waters of the Outer Continental Shelf ." |
"Learn about how hydropower works and the latest in research and development." |
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| Hydropower Basics | |
| Micro Hydro Power Systems | “Water power predates the use of electricity. At one time hydro power was employed on many sites in Europe and North America.” |
| Hydropower Generates Electricity | "Of the renewable energy sources that generate electricity, hydropower is the most often used. It accounted for 7 percent of total U.S. electricity generation and 73 percent of generation from renewables in 2005." |
| How Hydropower Works | "Hydropower plants capture the energy of falling water to generate electricity. A turbine converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy. Then a generator converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy." |
| Hydroelectricity Explained | "Hydro electricity is another term for power generated by harnessing the power of moving water. Not necessarily falling water, just moving water. There are many famous such generating stations in the world, not the least of them at Niagara Falls, Grand Coulee and Boulder Dam." |
| Micro Hydroelectric Systems | "The first step in assessing the feasibility of any hydroelectric system is to determine the amount of power that you can obtain from the stream at the site. The power available at any instant is primarily a product of the flow volume and "head." Flow volume is typically measured in cubic feet per second (cfs) or gallons per minute (gpm). Higher flow means more available power." |
| Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydropower | "Hydropower offers advantages over other energy sources but faces unique environmental challenges." |
| Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydropower | "Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant rate. Dams are extremely expensive to build and must be built to a very high standard." |
| Micro Hydropower Pros & Cons | "Small-scale micro hydro power is both an efficient and reliable form of energy, most of the time. However, there are certain disadvantages that should be considered before constructing a small hydro power system." |
| The goals of the GRC are to: Encourage worldwide development of geothermal resources through the collection and timely distribution of data and technological information. Promote research, exploration and development of geothermal energy in ways compatible with the environment. Serve as a public forum for the world geothermal community, providing transfer of objective and unbiased information on the nature of geothermal resources and techniques of geothermal development. | |
| Geothermal Resource Council | |
| Geothermal Energy | “Geothermal energy is created by harnessing geothermal energy from the earth. Contrary to popular belief geothermal energy is not technically a renewable energy source. There is widespread debate as to its effectiveness for electricity generation or heating.” |
| Geothermal Power | "Geothermal power is the use of geothermal heat for electricity generation." |
| Geothermal Energy | "Geothermal energy is an alternative energy source, although it is not resourceful enough to replace more than a minor amount of the future's energy needs. Geothermal energy is obtained from the internal heat of the planet and can be used to generate steam to run a steam turbine. This in turn generates electricity." |
| Geothermal Education Office | "The Geothermal Education Office (GEO) produces and distributes educational materials about geothermal energy to schools, energy/environmental educators, libraries, industry, and the public. GEO collaborates frequently with education and energy organizations with common goals, and, through its website, responds to requests and questions from around the world." |
| AE Geothermal Energy | "Contrary to popular belief geothermal energy is not technically a renewable energy source. There is widespread debate as to its effectiveness for electricity generation or heating. The articles on this page explore geothermal energy technology." |
| Geothermal Resources | Internet retail and informational links. |
| Heat Pump Systems | "For climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer." |
| Air-Source Heat Pumps | "Electric air-source heat pumps, often used in moderate climates, use the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home." |
| How Does a Heat Pump Work? | "A heat pump is an air conditioner that contains a valve that lets it switch between "air conditioner" and "heater." When the valve is switched one way, the heat pump acts like an air conditioner, and when it is switched the other way it reverses the flow of Freon and acts like a heater." |
| Ground Source Heat Pumps | "The mission of International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) and its membership is to promote the use of ground source heat pump technology worldwide through education and communication." |
| Geothermal Heat Pumps | "Geothermal heat pumps (sometimes referred to as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps) have been in use since the late 1940s. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature. This allows the system to reach fairly high efficiencies (300%-600%) on the coldest of winter nights, compared to 175%-250% for air-source heat pumps on cool days." |
| Geothermal Heat Pumps | "Heat pumps move heat from one place to another - from outside to inside a home, for example. That's why they're called "heat pumps."" |
| Geothermal Heat Pumps | "Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are a relatively new technology that can save homeowners money. These ground-source heat pumps use the natural heat storage capacity of the earth or ground water to provide energy efficient heating and cooling." |
| Troubleshooting Heat Pump Problems | " Most heat pump failures are caused by thermostat malfunctions or a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. If the heat doesn't come on even when you adjust the thermostat to a setting above room temperature:" |
| Heat Pumps; 10 Most Common Problems | In outline form |
“The articles on this page explore advances in battery power technologies.” |
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| Battery Technology | |
| Battery Technology Inc. | (Commercial) Resource center for device replacement battery information. |
| Battery News | From "Science Daily." |
| Battery Power Products & Technology | Online magazine. "Battery Power is offering a new feature to assist readers in finding the answers to their power-related questions. Submit a question to Battery Power and the editors will find the answer from industry-leading companies." |
| Air-fueled Battery Could Last Up To 10 Times Longer | (May 18, 2009) " A new type of air-fuelled battery could give up to ten times the energy storage of designs currently available." |
| Battery University | "Battery University is an on-line resource that provides practical battery knowledge for engineers, educators, students and battery users alike. The papers address battery chemistries, best battery choices and ways to make your battery last longer." |
| What Does the Future Hold for Battery Technology? | "Basic battery technology has not changed much in the past century, but battery chemistries have become more refined. Modern products are driving a greater need for convenience - which often means wireless and rapidly rechargeable - longer cell life, higher energy density and complete safety and stability of the power source." |
| The Electric Car Battery War | "Should Uncle Sam provide billions in loans and grants to a promising but unproven business? Or should the government wait for the market to sort things out before it backs a U.S. company?" |
Bio Fuel
Bio Fuel
Bio Fuel Information |
"Fossil fuels, coal, oil and natural gas, are a non-renewable source of energy. Formed from plants and animals that lived up to 300 million years ago, fossil fuels are found in deposits beneath the earth. The fuels are burned to release the chemical energy that is stored within this resource. " |
| Fossil Fuel Details | |
| US Department of Energy: Fossil Energy | Learning About Fossil Fuels |
| Fossil Fuel News | From Science Daily |
| The Environmental Literacy Council: Fossil Fuels | "Fossil fuels are currently the most economically available source of power for both personal and commercial uses. Petroleum fuels our cars and thirst for plastics, while natural gas and coal heat and electrify our homes. Mass transportation is also largely propelled by fossil fuels. More than 85 percent of total world energy consumption is through the use of fossil fuels." |
| The Advantages of Fossil Fuels - What Are They? | "The advantages of fossil fuels are often overlooked amongst our worries about climate change. Fuel sources such as coal, oil and gas have provided developed nations with the industrial and economic might they have today. In both the US and Australia, coal fired power stations produce the bulk of the electricity consumed by these countries. " |
| Energy Technology News | From "Science Daily." |
| Main Problems Of Fossil Fuels | A PDF outline |
| The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuel | "Some energy costs are not included in consumer utility or gas bills, nor are they paid for by the companies that produce or sell the energy. These include human health problems caused by air pollution from the burning of coal and oil; damage to land from coal mining and to miners from black lung disease; environmental degradation caused by global warming, acid rain, and water pollution; and national security costs, such as protecting foreign sources of oil." |
| World Clock: Energy | World statistics up to the minute. |
| (PDF) "Petroleum is a liquid that is found underground. Sometimes we call it oil. Oil can be as thick and black as tar or as thin as water. Petroleum has a lot of energy. We can turn it into different fuels—like gasoline, kerosene, and heating oil. Most plastics and inks are made from petroleum, too." | |
| Petroleum | |
| The Importance of an Alternative to Oil | "No one, no group, and no movement is going to stop mankind from using all of the easily accessible fossil fuels available. " |
| Alternate Uses of Existing Oil and Gas Platforms | "The OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS will include analysis of alternate use of existing oil and natural gas platforms." |
| Petroleum(Oil) -- A Fossil Fuel | "Oil was formed from the remains of animals and plants that lived millions of years ago in a marine (water) environment before the dinosaurs. Over the years, the remains were covered by layers of mud. Heat and pressure from these layers helped the remains turn into what we today call crude oil." |
| American Petroleum Institute | "The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry." |
| Petrolium.com | "Petroleum is found in porous rock formations in the upper strata of some areas of the Earth's crust. It consists of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, mostly alkanes, but may vary greatly in appearance and composition." |
| " Natural gas is an extremely important source of energy for reducing pollution and maintaining a clean and healthy environment. In addition to being a domestically abundant and secure source of energy, the use of natural gas also offers a number of environmental benefits over other sources of energy, particularly other fossil fuels." | |
| Natural Gas and the Environment | |
| Natural Gas.org | "Naturalgas.org is presented as an educational website covering a variety of topics related to the natural gas industry. The purpose of this website is to provide visitors with a comprehensive information source for topics related to natural gas, " |
| What is Natural Gas | "Natural gas is really a mixture of gases that formed from the fossil remains of ancient plants and animals buried deep in the earth. The main ingredient in natural gas is methane." |
| Natural Gas Facts | "NATURAL GAS is used in over 60 million homes. In addition, natural gas is used in 78 percent of restaurants, 73 percent of lodging facilities, 51 percent of hospitals, 59 percent of offices, and 58 percent of retail buildings." |
| History of Natural Gas | "In America it was known to the indians, who observed it issuing from the ground in various spots, chiefly along the western side of the Appalachian Highlands. It was used for illuminating purposes in Fredonia, N.Y., as early as 1821 and the effect was so striking compared to gas made from coal that a German scientist hailed the beautiful, clear gas lights as the eighth wonder of the world." |
| How Natural Gas Works | "Like oil, natural gas is a product of decomposed organic material. Ancient plants and animals, trapped in bogs and under water, broke down without the presence of oxygen. As they were covered with sediment they became trapped. Gas and oil are held in porous rocks, like sandstone, under a cap of impermeable rock." |
| Center for LNG | "LNG is simply natural gas in its liquid form – it is the same natural gas more than 64 million American homeowners use everyday." |
| Kid's Energy | From the US Energy Information Administration |
| Butane - Propane News | "Provides information on propane prices, supply, demand, regulatory and legislative developments, and news of the industry" |
| Facts About Propane | "When contained in an approved cylinder or tank, propane exists as a liquid and vapor. The vapor is released from the container as a clean-burning fuel gas. Propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas, making it economical to store and transport as a liquid." |
| Propane Facts and Safety Information | "I've posted some basic propane information below, and farther down the page is an article on using propane safely." |
| Methanol Shows Increasing Promise As An Alternative Fuel | "After grabbing headlines for years as the ultimate solution to world energy problems, the "hydrogen economy" has an emerging but lesser-known competitor called the "methanol economy,"" |
| Methanol Institute | " The Methanol Institute (MI) and its research arm, the Methanol Foundation, represent the global methanol industry. Our mission is to expand markets for the use of methanol as a chemical commodity building block, a hydrogen carrier for fuel cell applications, and an alternative fuel." |
| Ethanol Use Causing Corn Shortages, Spiking Price Of Tortillas | "Tortilla prices are going up, causing hardship for the poor in Mexico, apparently because of all the use of ethanol in the U.S." |
| World To Suffer Corn Shortage As Ethanol Demand Increases | "The Department of Agriculture predicts that the U.S., which exports 45-50 million tons of corn yearly, will instead convert 50 million tons to ethanol next year. Last year alone the country exported over 40 million tons which is enough to feed over 130 million people." |
| Ethanol | “Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol or Grain Alcohol) is commonly used in alcohol. The recent surge in interest for alternative fuel sources is driving research to use Ethanol as a transportation fuel source. The articles on this page deal with this form of ethanol use.” |
"Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons. It is the most abundant fossil fuel produced in the United States." |
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| Coal Energy | |
| The Future of Coal | "Some countries, those who are signatories to the Kyoto Protocol, have decided to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These countries should not increase their consumption of coal but rather reduce it in order to limit their CO2 discharges." |
| Coal: 100 Years of USGS Research | "The USGS Energy Resources Program research efforts yield modern, digital assessments of the quantity, quality, location, and accessibility of the Nation’s coal resources. The USGS also provides information on the environmental and human health impacts of coal extraction, coal combustion, and coalbed methane production. " |
| Coal—A Complex Natural Resource | "Coal is abundant in the U.S., is relatively inexpensive, and is an excellent source of energy and byproduct raw materials. Because of these factors, domestic coal is the primary source of fuel for electric power plants in the U.S., and will continue to be well into the 21st century." |
| Coal Information Network | "Your LINK to the World of Coal Information on the Internet" |
| Coal Resources | "Fuel resources such as anthracite, lignite, bituminous coal, or coke, consisting largely of carbonaceous material and formed from fossilized plants." |
| "We start from the premise that heating a house with wood, partly or totally, is environmentally appropriate (conditionally) and economically beneficial. That doing it is physically healthful, and that experiencing it is comforting to the body and soothing to the spirit. Big claims for a heating fuel." |
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| WoodHeat.org | |
| Wood as Fuel | Index |
| An Experimental Wood Chip Furnace | "Wood chips can be made from waste wood, brush, saplings, limbs, tree slash from logging operations, and from forestry and roadside maintenance operations. Wood chips do not need to be made from old standing timber. " |
| Wood and Pellet Heating | "Before the 20th century, 90% of Americans burned wood to heat their homes. As fossil fuel use rose, the percentage of Americans using wood for fuel dropped, falling as low as one percent by 1970. Then during the energy crises of the 1970s, interest in wood heating resurfaced as a renewable energy alternative." |
| Choosing And Using Your Wood Stove | "Not too long ago, even the best wood stoves weren’t terribly efficient. In fact, the haze they produced was a sign that homeowners’ hard earned heating money was literally going up in smoke." |
| Burn Wise | "Burn Wise is a partnership program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that emphasizes the importance of burning the right wood, the right way, in the right wood-burning appliance to protect your home, health, and the air we breathe. Within this site you will find information for consumers to make informed decisions about what it means to burn wise." |
| Wood Burning Efficiency and Safety | "Wood smoke is waste. Any smoke that escapes from your wood stove unburned is wasted fuel that will stick in your chimney as creosote or be released as air pollution. An old or poorly installed wood stove can result in higher maintenance costs, greater risk of smoke in your home, and more environmental pollution. It could cause a house fire." |
| Number of Homes Using Wood-Fired Boilers and Wood Stoves Rises | NY Times 2008 article. "Sales have risen despite environmental concerns. Wood-fired boilers can generate thick smoke round the clock throughout the year, and some municipalities have restricted their use." |
| Even in Vermont, the Ardor For Wood Stoves Has Cooled | NY Times. "National and regional statistics show wood heating at its lowest ebb since the numbers started to be tracked 20 years ago, out-run by other cheap fuels and increasingly abandoned by older, busier householders who do not want to cut, chop, split, stack, carry, load and sweep up anymore." |
| How To Use Wood Stoves Safely | " Keeping a fire in a wood stove is like having a pet in the house with you. A fire needs your attention at regular intervals, and is in danger of either dying or running amok if your judgment slips." |
| Wood Boilers Fuel Air Quality Debate | "A surge in sales of outdoor wood boilers, cheaper alternatives to oil and gas home heating, has neighbors fuming over the smoke they produce and states and towns rushing to regulate them." |
| Hidden Cost in Wood Burning: Pollution | "Scientists have long known that wood smoke contains carbon monoxide and cancer-causing chemicals. But research shows that wood smoke's major ingredient — tiny particles of soot and liquid pollution — worsens heart disease and triggers asthma attacks." |
| "Alternative fuels are derived from resources other than petroleum. Some are produced domestically, reducing our dependence on imported oil, and some are derived from renewable sources. Often, they produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel." | |
| Alternative Fuels | |
| Biodeisel Fuels | “Biofuels are produced from living organisms or from metabolic by-products (organic or food waste products). In order to be considered a biofuel the fuel must contain over 80 percent renewable materials.” |
| Bioenergy Feedstock Information Network | "A gateway to a wealth of biomass feedstock information resources from the U.S. Department of Energy," |
| Biodiesel Fuel | “Biodiesel Fuel can be produced from a variety of natural crops including rapeseed, soybean, mustard, flax, sunflower, canola, palm oil, hemp, jatropha and waste vegetable oils.” |
| EPA: Alternative Fuels | "EPA promotes and expands the use of environmentally beneficial alternative fuels and vehicles by providing the states with tools, such as benefits models, State Implementation Plan Credits, and the Clean Fuels Fleet program." |
| Alternative Fuel News | From "Science Daily." |
| Biomass | "Biomass describes the mass of all biological organisms, dead or alive, excluding biological mass that has been transformed by geological processes into substances such as coal or petroleum." |
| Biofuel News | From "Alternative Fuel News." "The latest alternative fuel news headlines" |
Alternate Energy
Alternate Energy
“Human kinetic energy can be transferred in a number of ways. Human energy is most commonly used to propel bicycles, but can also be used to generate electricity and power hand-crank tools.” |
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| Human Power Energy | |
| Human Power | "Using power of human activity for electrical and other power needs." |
| International Human Powered Vehicle Association | " The International Human Powered Vehicle Association is an association of national associations and organizations, dedicated to promoting improvement, innovation and creativity in the use of human power, especially in the design and development of human-powered vehicles." |
| Human Power Generator | "Use pedal power to generate electricity. The Human Power Generator is user friendly, portable and available whenever you have the need for it." |
| The Pedal-A-Watt Stationary Bike Power Generator | (Commerciasl) "The average rider will produce between 125 and 200 watts using the Pedal-a-Watt. While this may not seem like much power, many pieces of equipment draw very little power and can be powered for long spans of time with small amounts of power." |
| Bike Commuting and Transportation | "Bicycle commuting is an enjoyable trip to work which provides exercise, saves money, and helps to alleviate congestion, noise, pollution, and global warming. Accounts of and solutions to traveling to work by bike." |
| International Bicycling Fund | "A non-governmental, nonprofit, advocacy organization, promoting sustainable transport and international understanding. Major areas of activity are non-motorized urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and bicycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programs." |
| Bicycle Transportation Network | "BTI is an international organization of lawful, competent cyclists who promote driving bicycles, because cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles, just as the traffic laws require." |
| Bicycle Transportation Alliance | "The BTA creates healthy, sustainable communities by making bicycling safer, more convenient and more accessible." |
| Growing Bicycling | NYC. "More and better lanes and greenways lead to increases in bicycling. Read here to learn about T.A.'s advocacy around bicycle street design." |
| World's Most Energy Efficient Vehicle? A Bicycle | "The WorldWatch Institute published some intriguing figures on cycling. Comparing energy used per passenger-mile (calories), they found that a bicycle needed only 35 calories, whereas a car expended a whopping 1,860. Bus and trains fell about midway between, and walking still took 3 times as many calories as riding a bike the same distance." |
| Basic Skills for Cyclists | "Becoming adept as a cyclist requires understanding many tricky techniques such as bike handling, bicycle repair, traffic maneuvers, and other very helpful abilities." |
| Bicycling Resources Page | "Links to sites with information about bicycles or cycling or with information about transportation, the environment, or health related to cycling." |
| Bicycle Touring Links Page | "Touring links sites or sites with at least one detailed travelogue, photolog, or travel advisory of a long (seven days or more), self-supported (no sag) bicycle touring trip; most include camping." |
| Pedicab (Rickshaw): A Taxi Without An Attitude |
"Hardly forming a tidal wave of clean quiet collective transportation, pedicabs (rickshaws, trishaws, cyclos, cycle-rickshaws, bike-taxis) have found their way into the travel mix of a number of communities." |
| “Tidal energy is produced through the use of tidal energy generators. These large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements, and are designed to capture the kinetic motion of the ebbing and surging of ocean tides in order to produce electricity.” | |
| Tidal Energy | |
| WaveGen | " Wave energy technology is very young compared to generating electricity from wind turbines. Wavegen is at the leading edge of developing technologies to generate electricity using wave energy." |
| Tidal Power | News & information about tidal energy technology. |
| Ocean Wave Energy | "Ocean wave energy is captured directly from surface waves or from pressure fluctuations below the surface." |
| EPRI Tidal In Stream Energy Conversion | Scientific Study. PDF Report |
| How Tidal Power Plants Work | "The power of the rise and fall of the sea level or tidal power, can be harnessed to generate electricity." |
"Studies carried out over the years by international organizations and national institutes have demonstrated that nuclear power has been competitive with other baseload electricity generation alternatives." |
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| Advantages of Nuclear Power | |
| Advantages and Need of Fusion | "Fusion has potential advantages as a safe, sustainable and environmentally attractive source of energy for electricity generation." |
| Nuclear Energy Institute | "Modern society uses radiation to provide hundreds of beneficial uses, from electricity generation to cancer treatment to space exploration." |
| Nuclear Energy & Society | "Only 30 years ago, nuclear energy was an exotic, futuristic technology, the subject of experimentation and far fetched ideas. Today, nuclear energy is America's second largest source of electric power after coal. More than 110 nuclear energy plants supply more electricity than oil, natural gas or hydropower." |
| How Nuclear Power Works | "Nuclear power plants provide about 17 percent of the world's electricity. Some countries depend more on nuclear power for electricity than others. In France, for instance, about 75 percent of the electricity is generated from nuclear power," |
| Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power | "As a result of the current discussion how further global warming could be prevented or at least mitigated, the revival of nuclear power seems to be in everybody's - or at least in many politician's - mind. It it interesting to see that in many suggestions to mitigate global warming, the focus is put on the advantages of nuclear power generation, its disadvantages are rarely mentioned." |
| Frequently Asked Questions About Nuclear Energy | " One of the major requirements for sustaining human progress is an adequate source of energy. The current largest sources of energy are the combustion of coal, oil and natural gas. They will last quite a while but will probably run out or become harmful in tens to hundreds of years. Solar energy will also work but is not much developed yet except for special applications because of its high cost. Nuclear energy is likely to remain cheaper." |
| The Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Energy | Lists three factors favoring and three against the use of nuclear power |
| Nuclear Energy Pros and Cons |
"The objective of this page is provide a dispassionate and non-aligned collection of information on nuclear energy. No judgments are passed, or opinions expressed. It is up to the user of this information to use it as necessary ..." |
| Basic Nuclear Fission | "This page will explain to you the basics of nuclear fission." |
| “Hydrogen is one of two natural elements that combine to make water. Hydrogen is not an energy source, but an energy carrier because it takes a great deal of energy to extract it from water. It is useful as a compact energy source in fuel cells and batteries.” | |
| Hydrogen Fuel | |
| American Hydrogen Association | "The mission of AHA is to facilitate achievements of prosperity without pollution and to close the information gap between researchers, industry and the public, drawing on world-wide developments concerning hydrogen, solar, wind, hydro, ocean and biomass resource materials, energy conversion, wealth-addition economics, and the environment." |
| Microbial Fuel Cells Might Solve The Hydrogen Problem | "Renewable energy sources would have multiple benefits, from mitigating climate change to increasing energy security. Currently, bioethanol is receiving the most attention as a replacement for fossil fuels, but a host of problems associated with using corn make this solution less than ideal." |
| Hydrogen Fuel Headlines | From "Alternative Fuel News." "The latest alternative fuel news headlines" |
“A fuel cell is an electrochemical devise that converts a fuel source into electricity. Fuel cells require a fuel source, but will perform for infinite periods of time if inflows are maintained.” |
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| Fuel Cells | |
| Advantages & Benefits of Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Technologies | "Fueled by pure “clean” hydrogen, fuel cells produce only pure water as exhaust. Even when powered by fossil fuels, they produce far less pollution than conventional technologies." |
| Fuel Cell Basics | "The purpose of a fuel cell is to produce an electrical current that can be directed outside the cell to do work, such as powering an electric motor or illuminating a light bulb or a city. Because of the way electricity behaves, this current returns to the fuel cell, completing an electrical circuit. " |
| Fuel Cell Today | "Fuel Cell Today is the leading organization for market based intelligence on the fuel cell industry. Covering key trends and developments in industry and government, Fuel Cell Today has provided relevant, unbiased and objective information allowing decision makers to take advantage of the opportunities that our new industry offers." |
| The Future of Fuel Cells | "Fuel cells are an old technology. Problems have plagued their introduction. Present material science may make them a reality soon in specialized applications. The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell appears to be the most promising technology for small electric power plants over 1 kw. The Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell appears to be the most promising as a battery replacement for portable applications such cellular phones and laptop computers. It is difficult to tell at this moment which fuel cell will be most practical for transportation applications such as automobiles and buses." |
| Fuel Cells and Hydrogen | "Hydrogen is the lightest chemical element and offers the best energy-to-weight ratio of any fuel. Hydrogen is colourless, odourless and its only by-product is water." |
| How Hydrogen Can Save America | "Only an Apollo-style effort to replace hydrocarbons with hydrogen can liberate the US to act as a world leader rather than a slave to its appetite for petroleum." |
| Algae Could Generate Hydrogen For Fuel Cells | "For several decades, scientists have known that certain species of algae can produce hydrogen in anaerobic conditions. More recently, researchers have been trying to take advantage of this ability to produce hydrogen that could be used by fuel cells to generate electricity—without expensive processes like electrolysis required for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen." |
“In the future, civilization will be forced to research and develop alternative energy sources. Our current rate of fossil fuel usage will lead to an energy crisis this century.” |
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| Future Technology | |
| Alternate Energy Technology | " You can find news on Alternative Energy Technology below" |
| Alternative Energy Technologies of the Future | "Alternative energy sources are now firmly on the agenda. With the prospect of dwindling natural resources, energy conservation and efficient, sustainable energy production are more important than ever. So what new alternative energy technologies are out there?" |
| Cold Fusion -- 18 Years and Heating Up | "Ambient temperature fusion technologies and developments." Available in several languages. |
| Cold Fusion Research Laboratory | In English and Japanese. |
| What If Cold Fusion Is Real? | " It was the most notorious scientific experiment in recent memory - in 1989, the two men who claimed to have discovered the energy of the future were condemned as imposters and exiled by their peers. Can it possibly make sense to reopen the cold fusion investigation? A surprising number of researchers already have." |
| Cold Fusion Times | "The Latest, Uncensored Scientific News on Cold Fusion, Condensed Matter Nuclear State Physics, Solid State Nuclear Reactions, Lattice Enabled Nuclear Reactions and Low Energy Nuclear Reactions." |
| The Continuing Battle Over Cold Fusion | "Establishment science continues to turn cold shoulder despite mounting scientific evidence." |
| Anti-Gravity | "Devices and theories for counteracting the effects of gravity for levitation or propulsion." |
| Anti-Matter: The 21st Century's Energy Salvation or Ultimate Weapon? | "Antimatter destroys any matter that it touches in a pyrotechnic flash, an explosion that releases all the energy that had been locked inside for billions of years. Antimatter thus could become a wonderful source of power, the technology of the 21st century. Or instead, its potential to consign matter to oblivion could make it the ultimate weapon," |
Energy Efficient Construction
Energy Efficient Construction |
US Dept of Energy. "Explore your options for saving energy and using renewable energy at home, at work, in your community, and while driving." |
| Consumer's Guide: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy | |
| Advanced Energy | Located in Raleigh, N.C., Advanced Energy is a North Carolina and national resource that focuses on industrial process technologies, motors and drives testing, and applied building science. Our facility houses state-of-the-art laboratories, where we perform testing and applied research in all three of these evolving disciplines |
| Building Green | "From building blocks made of straw bales to solar-powered hot water, choosing recycled materials and sustainable resources can dramatically reduce your new home's "footprint" on the environment." |
| Energy Independent Housing | "Energy efficient homes lessen the expense and burden of energy consumption. Energy independent housing sets us free from fossil fuel corporations, saves fuel oil and electricity, reverses the process of land and air pollution and promotes social harmony." |
| Building Green | "Updated frequently with real-time event coverage, reviews, and our editors' unvarnished opinion on the latest news from all over the green building world! Join the conversation:" |
| Home Energy Magazine | "Home Energy magazine’s mission is to disseminate objective and practical information on residential energy efficiency, performance, comfort, and affordability. It is the only magazine that thoroughly covers residential comfort issues from the only approach that really works, systems engineering." |
| Simply Insulate | "How would you like the Federal Government to pay you for adding insulation to your home? You save money and make your home more comfortable and the Federal Government pays you. Sound too good to be true, but it's not!" |
| Insulation Fact Sheet | "If you are buying or building a new house, make sure that energy-saving features are included. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) home insulation rule requires the seller of a new home to provide information on the type, thickness, and R-value of the insulation that will be installed in each part of the house in every sales contract. Many state or local building codes include minimum requirements for home insulation." |
| Sustainable Building Sources | "Sustainable Sources was created in 1993 to provide a one-stop online resource center for sustainability - specifically, green building, sustainable agriculture, and responsible planning." |
| Green Roofs for Healthy Cities | "Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ mission is to increase the awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roof infrastructure across North America and rapidly advance the development of the market for green roof products and services." |
| Green Building Sherpa | "A green building resource directory that includes sustainable products, eco-friendly services and green industry information." |
| Homeowners Guide to Energy Efficiency | Homeowners have many different options available to make their homes less dependent on resources, many can be done by the homeowner. These improvements can range from simple ways such as caulking windows and doors to reduce the amount of draft in houses and using energy-efficient lighting and appliances. By doing some of these simple methods, homeowners can save as little as a couple of dollars per month, to hundreds of dollars by utilizing many of these simple methods. However, homeowners can also radically reduce their dependency on natural gas and oil by using new technologies of solar, wind or water power. |
| Energy Efficiency in the Home | "The decision to make your home as energy efficient as possible is beneficial to both your family budget and the environment. In fact, there are many simple things that home dwellers can do to lessen their monthly energy costs and at the same time reduce the amount of pollution in our atmosphere." |
| "It may not seem like using a compact fluorescent light bulb or fixing a leaky faucet will do much to reduce your energy costs - or protect the environment.But if every household practiced just a few simple conservation ideas like the 101 easy ways to save below, we could reduce energy consumption by a significant amount." | |
| 101 Easy Ways to Save Energy | |
| Energy Savers | "Don't miss these great ways to conserve energy around your home - inside and out." |
| How Home Energy Audits Work | "Before starting a home energy audit yourself, it's helpful to know what you're dealing with. Gather your energy bills from the last couple of years and compare them month-by-month to look for trends. Spikes in energy usage during specific times of the year can offer clues about your consumption." |
| Your Home's Energy Use | "The first step to taking a whole-house energy efficiency approach is to find out which parts of your house use the most energy. A home energy audit will pinpoint those areas and suggest the most effective measures for cutting your energy costs." |
| Home Energy Saver | "The Home Energy Saver is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen." |
"Backyard Conservation shows you how conservation practices that help conserve and improve natural resources on agricultural land across the country can be adapted for use around your home. These practices help the environment and can make your yard more attractive and enjoyable." |
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| Backyard Conservation | |
| Rainwater Harvesting | US, Canada, and UK resources for rainwater harvesting. |
| Resource Conservation Quick Finder | "Choose from the efforts and resources below to learn how to conserve resources at home and at work. " |
| 101 Things To Conserve Resources And Protect The Environment | "Recycle everything you can; newspaper, cans, glass, aluminum foil and pans, motor oil, scrap metal, etc. Investigate local recycling centers that take items your garbage hauler doesn't (scrap paper, plastics, appliances)...." |
| 8 Easy Ways to Conserve Resources at Work | "Not only can you save the company a bit of cash, but you can do your part to conserve resources. By recycling where possible we can reduce the amount of energy used to create new products." |
| 25 Ways to Conserve Water at Home | "Conserving water can also extend the life of your septic system by reducing soil saturation, and reducing any pollution due to leaks. Overloading municipal sewer systems can also cause untreated sewage to flow to lakes and rivers." |
| Water - Use it Wisely | "The Water - Use It Wisely conservation campaign is all about giving voice to water. Your voice. No matter where you want to get the word out—home, classroom, or municipality—we’ve developed lots of easy ways to get involved and help spread your own, unique message of water conservation." |
| World Resource Institute | "WRI is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people’s lives." |
| Do Something | "Do Something believes you have the power to make a difference. It is our aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action" |
| Conservation International | "We believe that the Earth's natural heritage must be maintained if future generations are to thrive spiritually, culturally, and economically. Our mission is to conserve the Earth's living heritage – our global biodiversity – and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature." |
Alternate Transportation
Alternate Energy Vehicles |
" Americans have a new-found obsession with large cars. Vehicles such as Hummer's H2 and large SUV's such as the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition have come to rule the streets and highways. The average new vehicle in 2003 consumed more fuel than its counterpart in 1988" |
| Environmental Problems with Traditional Automobile Fuels | |
| Transportation News | "The latest alternative transportation news headlines." |
| Vehicle Technologies Program | US Dept of Energy. "The Vehicle Technologies Program is developing more energy efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation technologies that will enable America to use less petroleum. The long-term aim is to develop "leap frog" technologies that will provide Americans with greater freedom of mobility and energy security, while lowering costs and reducing impacts on the environment." |
| Fuel Economy.gov | "Gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks" |
| Natural Gas Vehicles America | "There are over 150,000 NGVs on U.S. roads today and over 5 million worldwide. There are over 1,500 NGV fueling stations in the U.S. - over half are available for public use. Natural gas costs, on average, one-third less than conventional gasoline at the pump. |
| Convert Your Car to Propane | "Unlike gasoline, LP (and from here on, whenever I say LP you can take it to mean liquid propane, homemade methane or natural gas . . . the system will work on any of these) enters your engine as a completely vaporized fuel that's free from lead, carbon, gum, sulfur and most pollutants." |
| Propane for Your Car? | "For the past 25 years the propane industry has been active in the automotive industry, creating over 850 propane conversion centers and thereby establishing propane as the leader in the alternative fuel market." |
| Ethanol Cars | "Ethanol is made from the fermentation of a U.S. grown, renewable feed crop such as corn; often used with FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicles) that run off of a blend of 85% ethanol with 15% gasoline and is somewhat cleaner burning than gasoline alone." |
| Ethanol Cars May Not Be Healthier | "Ethanol vehicles may have worse effects on human health than conventional petrol, US scientists have warned. A computer model set up to simulate air quality in 2020 found that in some areas ozone levels would increase if all cars were run on bioethanol. " |
| Ethanol for cars? Not so quick | "Ethanol, which can be produced from plants and blended efficiently into gasoline, burns clean. But it's expensive. " |
“Hybrid Cars use a rechargeable energy storage system to supplement fossil fuel energy for vehicle propulsion. Hybrid engines are smaller and more efficient than traditional fuel engines.” |
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| Hybrid Cars | |
| New Hybrid Reviews | Blog, forum, research, and links. |
| Hybred Electric & Fuel Cell Vehicles | "In the past few years several commercial HEV models, which are powered simultaneously by batteries and fuel, have taken their place in the mainstream automobile market. More recently, HEV drivetrains have been used successfully in heavy-duty trucks, buses, and military vehicles." |
| Hybrid Vehicles That Are Even More Efficient | (June 11, 2009) "In recent years, some companies in the automobile sector have brought out models that combine a standard combustion engine with an electric one. These are known as hybrids, and they produce less pollution." |
| Hybrid Electric Vehicles | "Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of high fuel economy and low emissions with the power, range, and convenience of conventional diesel and gasoline fueling." |
| Motor Trend: Hybred Car Report | "Find Hybrid car prices, safety ratings, rebates, specs, and Hybrid car pricing in the Motor Trend new car buyer's guide. Select one of the 2010 and 2011 Hybrid cars below to refine your search further." |
| How Hybrids Work | "A hybrid vehicle is any kind of vehicle that uses two or more propulsion systems. Current hybrids integrate an internal combustion engine and an electric motor and battery." |
| How Hybrid Cars Work | "Despite the host of benefits being touted for the hybrid, better gas mileage and better for the environment being just two, some people are still reluctant take the leap." |
“Electric Cars use the energy stored in a battery (or series of batteries) for vehicle propulsion. Electric motors provide a clean and safe alternative to the internal combustion engine.” |
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| Electric Cars | |
| Kelly: Green Cars | "Tell us about your commute and we will show you how your car stacks up against our fleet of green car challengers." |
| All Cars Electric | News blog. Daily news in the field of electric vehicles. |
| In Japan, Testing the Market for All-Electric Cars | (June 9, 2009) "As Japan's top automakers, Toyota and Honda, battle it out for supremacy in the hybrid car market, Japan's smaller car companies are taking a different eco-car road. Mitsubishi Motors on June 5 presented its zero-emissions i-MiEV — Japan's first fully electric vehicle for the global market." |
| Electric Cars: A Definitive Guide | "An electric car is powered by an electric motor instead of a gasoline engine. The electric motor gets energy from a controller, which regulates the amount of power—based on the driver’s use of an accelerator pedal. The electric car (also known as electric vehicle or EV) uses energy stored in its rechargeable batteries, which are recharged by common household electricity." |
| 23 Electric Cars Driving the Revolution | "Here are some electric cars (some more successful than others) that are showing us what tomorrow might be like." |
| The Car of the Future Promised for October | (January 22, 2009 ) "Aptera Motors has rolled out the first pre-production model of the 2e, an all-electric three-wheeled two-seater that gets the equivalent of 200 mpg and goes 100 miles on a charge." |
| "Hydrogen cars are not only the future, they are here, now. When hydrogen cars become the status quo, the U. S. can lessen its dependence upon foreign oil, achieve lower prices at the fuel pumps and cut down on the greenhouse gases that produce global warming." | |
| Hydrogen Cars | |
| Fuel Cell Vehicles | "Although they are not expected to reach the mass market before 2010, fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) may someday revolutionize on-road transportation." |
| Hydrogen-fueled Cars Not Best Way To Cut Pollution, Greenhouse Gases & Oil Dependency | ""Hydrogen cars are a poor short-term strategy, and it's not even clear that they are a good idea in the long term," said Farrell. "Because the prospects for hydrogen cars are so uncertain, we need to think carefully before we invest all this money and all this public effort in one area."" |
| Nanotechnology Could Clean Up The Hydrogen Car's Dirty Little Secret | "Getting an internal combustion engine to run on hydrogen is not difficult (but it is difficult to get it to run smoothly). Some of the Hydrogen Vehicles on the road today still have an internal combustion engine, but one that uses either pure hydrogen or a mix of hydrogen and natural gas" |
| How Do Hydrogen Fueled Cars Work? | "Most fuel cells in use today use hydrogen and oxygen as the chemicals. A hydrogen car uses hydrogen as its primary source of power for locomotion. There are two main methods: combustion or fuel cell conversion. Fuel cell conversion is what has been in the news most recently and is expected to power the cars of the future." |
| "Japan was one of the first countries to realize the problems of the car. With very dense city centres such as tokyo and being such a densely populated country it was realized the motor car was not the way forward. The Bullet train could be thought of as the worlds first high speed train." | |
| The Shinkansen | |
| Mass Transit News | Daily updates. |
| Mass Transportation | "Modern mass transit is an outgrowth of industrialization and urbanization. In the 1830s early mass transit in New York City included horse-drawn buses, which were soon replaced by fixed-rail horse-drawn trolleys." |
| Public Transportation Takes Us There | "Public transportation plays a significant role in finding solutions to the numerous challenges facing America today. Whether it's more jobs, a cleaner environment, energy independence or a better quality of life, public transportation takes us there." |
| Public Transportation News | Daily updates from AOL |
| Florida Bullet Train | "One of the many advantages of high speed rail it is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. In fact, environmental groups such as the Audubon Society, Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife have all endorsed the concept of high speed rail as an important part of Florida’s transportation policy. " |
| A Seafaring Commute | NYC. "A comprehensive ferry system would not only give us a better view, it would turn waterway commuting into a viable and appealing form of public transportation. If done right, a ferry system could be affordable, environmentally conscious and ease the mounting pressure on our rickety transit system." |
| "Ever since the wheel was invented more than 5,000 years ago, people have been inventing new ways to travel faster from one point to another." | |
| How Teleportation Will Work | |
| Just How Close are we to Teleportation? | "Over the last couple of years physicists working independently in Austria, Australia and Denmark have all achieved a rudimentary form of teleportation, albeit at the quantum level of atoms and photons rather than the macro level of objects and actual people." |
| Teleportation | "The different types of visual teleportation are. visual body or astral body teleportation, or visual object teleportation but before we can master teleportation we must first learn the art of Telekinesis/Psychokinesis and Clairsentience and the higher state of consciousness the seventh sense. Other abilities useful in teleportation are Tele-Visualization and ESP (Extrasensory Perception). The ability of teleportation is used in Time travel, Interstellar travel, and Dimensional travel. Teleportation is the near instantaneous transport of the Psychic from one location to another and there is no other form of travel faster then teleportation " |
| Levitation | "Levitation is a phenomenon of psychokinesis (PK) in which objects, people, and animals are lifted into the air without any visibly physical means and float or fly about." |
| The Time Travel Fund | "Current scientific theory states that Time Travel may be possible, however the technology is a long way off, perhaps hundreds of years in the future. Now, assume it does become possible in say, 500 years. As with any technology, Time Travel will get less expensive as time goes on. " |
| Quantum Time Waits For No Cosmos | "Physicists have long puzzled over the fact that two distinct "arrows of time" both point in the same direction. In the everyday world, things wear out -- cups fall from tables and break, but broken cups never re- assemble themselves spontaneously. In the expanding Universe at large, the future is the direction of time in which galaxies are further apart." |
| How Antimatter Spacecraft Will Work | NASA is possibly only a few decades away from developing an antimatter spacecraft that would cut fuel costs to a fraction of what they are today. |
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