Let’s start first by talking about 2 different categories of alternative energy.

The first is Renewable Energy. Renewable can be defined as energy that does not deplete natural resources. You may have heard the “cradle to cradle” analogy. Simply put it is reusable. Solar Power, Wind Power, Geothermal and Biomass are all forms of renewable energy, and they are alternatives.

The sun comes up most every day. The wind blows a good portion of the time. More in some places than others. Geothermal is right below our feet, and biomass is usable trash that otherwise clogs up our landfills.

These are the most talked about renewable energy forms. Solar has been used by the US government to operate satellites since the 1960s. Wind power has been used in the Midwest US farms since the 1920s.A geothermal system was first patented in 1912. Biomass is gaining in popularity. So it is not like these are secret technologies being pioneered in our time.

They are being perfected though and that is the thing to be aware of. The efficiency of these systems improve while the costs to buy them are coming down.

Now let’s talk about the other Alternative Energy Sources. First is Hydro Power. The US has about 2,000 operating plants. Boulder Dam was built back in 1936 and the name was changed to Hoover Dam in honor of Herbert Hoover. It was the largest at the time. Nine years later the Grand Coulee dam was completed. Although bigger than Hoover Dam it now ranks 38th in the world. The current largest dam in the world is the Three Gorges Dam in china.

Nuclear energy is probably the most debated source of alternative energy.One side points out that it is a highly efficient means of generating electricity.It’s emits Carbon Dioxide which is good for plant life. The other side sites the accidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island as being good reason to stay away from nuclear. Also the radioactive waste that can stay in the ground if buried for over a thousand years. In it’s defense safety issues are in place and nuclear plants still in operation appear to be safer than ever.

It is up to us to make wise decisions going forward so that our children can pass along a clean environment to their children. The buck stops here with us. Knowledge is power and what we do with this power will determine the quality of life for future generations. We can not stand blindly by and watch our world natural resources being depleted at record rates. There are Alternative Energy Resources.

Some of us are already working in these fields. Green Jobs are on the rise. Solar and Wind power installers. You can get online training for all sorts of things. Are you thinking of a career?

How about becoming a Certified Energy Auditor? This course takes home inspection to a new level. You can get training online. You can become a certified solar installer as well. Remember Knowledge is Power!

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