Electric power operates almost every device inside your home. Electricity is usually supplied by your local electricity company, but environmental damage caused by power plants consuming oil and coal has made people realize the importance of finding other sources of energy. If you are not connected to a utility grid, or if you simply want to help humanity’s effort to use green and renewable energy sources, then knowing that alternative energy resources will allow you to choose other means of feeding your home .
Solar energy
The United States Energy Information Administration notes that in 2009, 1 percent of renewable energy sources in the United States came from solar energy. Sunlight can be transformed into electric current using photovoltaic cell technology. Photovoltaic cells are placed inside a solar panel and exposed to the sun. Several solar panels are connected together in a series circuit to generate 12 volts of direct current. The 12 volt DC is stored inside the batteries, and electric inverters are used to convert to 120 volt or 240 volt alternating current.
Wind energy
Wind turbines can generate electricity for your home. When the wind blows, turn the blades of a wind turbine that turns an electric generator connected to the turbine blades. The low voltage DC produced by the wind turbine is stored inside a battery. Electricity from the battery is routed to an electric inverter that converts the low voltage from DC to AC. Wind turbines vary in size; Small turbines are used to power a house. Big ones used in wind farms can be as big as a truck.
Power of used vegetable oils
Used vegetable oil can be used to produce electricity. A chemical process called Trans esterification converts vegetable oil into biodiesel. During the process used oil is filtered to remove large impurities, then treated with methanol to extract biodiesel. Biodiesel can be used to run the engine of a diesel electric generator that produces 120 and 240 volts of AC electricity.
Micro hydro power
Small scale micro hydroelectricity refers to small electric generators driven by a thin body of water that flows like a stream. A small amount of flowing water can be used to turn a water wheel that is going to drive an electric generator. Then, the generator produces electrical current that will be stored in a battery and used when necessary. An electric inverter converts the DC to AC power to power the devices inside your home.
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