Alternative Energy Sources - 1852 Words

The world currently faces a major problem. This problem is the need for alternative energy sources which can be converted into electricity because the main energy source currently used is coal and the coal deposits will not last forever. The main alternative energy sources that many countries are currently researching are wind, solar, hydro and nuclear. But there is currently another source of energy that is heavily debated to see whether the pros outweigh the cons. This energy source is natural gas. The main reason for the heavy debate of natural gas is not because of the energy source, but rather the mining process of the energy source through the process of hydraulic fracturing. In this report the following topics will be discussed to get a better understanding of natural gas and the hydraulic fracturing process. An overview of natural gas will be discussed. A detail description of the hydraulic fracturing process will be provided. The advantages and disadvantages of hydraulic fra cturing will also be compared. Finally the report will look at hydraulic fracturing in a South Africa context and weigh all the information before deciding if the hydraulic fracturing process is advantageous or disadvantageous for the country to use. The report looks at natural gas, which is a fossil fuel that can be found approximately 1 500 – 4 500 metres below the surface of the Earth and the hydraulic fracturing process by which the natural gas is mined. By comparing the benefits economicShow MoreRelatedAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources1123 Words   |  5 PagesRough Draft: Alternative Energy Sources Imagine a world where sea levels have risen, a world where extreme weather happens more often and with more intensity, and a world that has very few species of animals left due to mass extinctions. (Environmental Protection Agency) But that future is still avoidable. The answer is renewable energy sources. Alternative energy sources are sources of energy that does not use fossil fuels, and generally are clean and renewable. (Jessa) Some examples include solarRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources1704 Words   |  7 PagesAlternative Energy Sources Air pollution, resulting from the burning of fossil fuels, amounts for about 7 million deaths each year. On average, 1 in 8 deaths are caused by some type of air pollution. Fossil fuels are burned every day to keep the world functioning but are accompanied by tremendous amounts of pollution. The world needs energy sources that are as effective as fossil fuels but that come with less harmful pollutants than fossil fuels do. An effort must be made to pull away fromRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources2141 Words   |  9 PagesWhat are alternative energy sources? Alternative energy sources are forms of energy that use natural resources to produce energy. There are three main alternative energy sources that can be used in the place of fossil fuels, which are Nuclear, Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are decreasing and eventually will run out. Usage of fossil fuels cause harm to the environment by producing greenhouse gasses. Alternative energy sources are not harmful to the environmentRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources2142 Words   |  9 PagesWhat are alternative energy sources ? Alternative energy sources are forms of energy that use natural resources to produce energy. There are three main alternative energy sources that can be used in the place of fossil fuels, which are Nuclear, Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are decreasing and eventually will run out. Usage of fossil fuels cause harm to the environment by producing greenhouse gasses. Alternative energy sources are not harmful to the environmentRead MoreSources Of Alternative Energy Sources926 Words   |  4 PagesAlternate Energy Sources Alternative energy sources are becoming more and more popular. The most important alternative energy sources are solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, ocean, and hydropower energies. Their main advantage lies in the resumption of energy resources. This paper will give information about each of sources as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Solar energy The Sun is a leading environmentally clean energy source. The process of generating electricity from sunlight has beenRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy3097 Words   |  13 Pages Alternative Energy by Gage R. Shots University of Southern Indiana Global Economic Issues 241 Section 003 Prof. Daria Sevastianova Due December 8, 2014 Alternative Energy Alternative energy is imperative to the continuation and advancement of the world. There will come a time where the unsustainable resources we use to power every aspect of our lives will cease to exist, or become uneconomical. In the same way, the pollutants given off by using these energy materials are believedRead MoreAlternative Energy Sources894 Words   |  4 PagesAlternative Energy Sources â€Å"In United States around half of million deaths each year are attributed to air pollution. It is estimated that air pollution each day kills three people in the city of Hong Kong. Air pollution also contributes to soil and water pollution. More than 15,000 people in the world die each day because of water pollution† (pollutionfacts.com). With these statistics, it is no wonder people are coming up with alternative energy sources. From energy to gasoline, there are manyRead MoreAlternative Energy Sources For Renewable Energy1710 Words   |  7 Pagesconcern for our environment, alternative energy has become a source of energy that is an alternative to the problem that these fossil fuels have caused our Earth. Alternative energy are renewable and is considered to be free energy sources (Alternative Energy). All alternative energy sources have lower carbon emissions when being compared to conventional energy sources. These sources include Biomass Energy, Wind, Solar, Ge othermal, and Hydroelectric Energy (Alternative Energy). With the use of recyclingRead MoreNew And Alternative Sources Of Energy1311 Words   |  6 Pages Today s society uses enormous amounts of energy. *The shadow of our presence on this planet is a result of generations upon generations of production and utilization of energy*. New and alternative sources of energy are being developed to replace the declining accessibility of coal and fossil fuels. Use of renewable energy is a key component in combatting the climate change that has become a major issue in the 21st century. Reducing our impact on the climate as a result of greenhouse gas emissionsRead MoreAlternative Energy Sources For Renewable Energy1466 Words   |  6 Pagesseeking new forms of energy that will provide clean energy and also preserve Earth s lifespan. The use of renewable and non-renewable resources has been a major controversy throughout history; renewable energy such as wind power has been the main focus of this issue. Many would believe wind energy is the best renewable power source because it is the cleanest and most efficient, whereas, others view wind ene rgy as a time bomb that will soon destroy the planet. Alternative energy sources should replace