Alternative energy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alternative energy is a term used for an energy source that is an alternative to using fossil fuels.^{[citation needed]} Generally, it indicates energies that are non-traditional and have low environmental impact. The term alternative is used to contrast with fossil fuels according to some sources. By most definitions alternative energy doesn't harm the environment, a distinction which separates it from renewable energy which may or may not have significant environmental impact.

Contents 1 Definitions 2 Alternative Energy Sources 3 Alternative Energy Adoption 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Definitions

Source	Definition
Oxford Dictionary	energy fuelled in ways that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment.[1]
Princeton WordNet	energy derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment.[2]
Responding to Climate Change 2007	energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., compressed natural gas, solar, hydroelectric, wind).[3]
Natural Resources Defense Council	energy that is not popularly used and is usually environmentally sound, such as solar or wind energy (as opposed to fossil fuels).[4]
Materials Management Services	Fuel sources that are other than those derived from fossil fuels. Typically used interchangeably for renewable energy. Examples include: wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal energy.[5]

[edit] Alternative Energy Sources

• Biomass
• Geothermal
• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Wave Power

[edit] Alternative Energy Adoption

Due to a steadily rising gas price in 2008 with the US national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas above $4.00^[6], there has been a steady movement towards developing higher fuel efficiency and more alternative energy vehicles for consumers. In response, many smaller companies have rapidly increased research and development into radically different ways of powering consumer vehicles. While Hybrid Vehicles (such as Toyota's Prius) and Electric Vehicles (such as the Tesla Roadster) are commercially available, other technologies such as fuel cells, flywheels, ultracapacitors and a Water-Powered car are starting to emerge as viable options.^[7]

[edit] See also

• Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO)
• Alternative Energy Index
• Biofuel
• Energy development
• Green electricity in Australia
• Green energy
• Greasestock
• Renewable energy
• Solar energy
• Sustainable energy
• Wave Power
• Wind energy
• Energy storage topics
  • Alternative fuel vehicle
  • Fuel cell

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Intelligent Community Initiative and Operation Energy Transition – A three-part solution to the Peak Oil crisis involving conservation, movement to alternative energy sources, and societal re-architecture.

• Information to spur collaboration from investors, suppliers, producers and the entire Green Global Network.