Energy sources are used as fuels. Fuel is burned in machinery to create motion (such as in a car) or heat (such as in a home heating system). When fuels are used for producing electricity, heat or motion causes a generator to rotate, creating electricity for everyday use in homes and businesses.
Our energy choices have direct implications for our health, our environment, and our climate-and right now we are dangerously dependent on coal and other fossil fuels for most of our electricity needs. Power generation is a leading cause of air pollution and the single largest source of U.S. global warming emissions.
Saving energy in schools and making energy efficiency a lesson for students is fundamental in shaping a new generation of energy efficiency leaders. Next Generation's Leaders Nationwide, schools spend $8 billion per year on energy. To lessen the economic blow and influence the next generation of leaders, the Alliance uses a variety of educational programs to reach students.
RP Siegel frequently contributes to Triple Pundit, a website devoted to sustainability initiatives favoring "people, planet, profits." Recently Triple Pundit posted Siegel's series exploring the advantages and disadvantages of four widely used energy sources that fuel American industry. Whether a fossil fuel or renewable energy, every source presents its own unique set of challenges.
There are many renewable energy sources out there right now, continuing to develop in their technology and production. All of these resources have very high capital cost inputs that are hard to compete with cheap natural gas. However, these new resources are abundant, some even limitless, and unlike natural gas, fuels and oil, they will be around for a long time.
Wind Pros and Cons, Myths and Misconceptions Myths and Misconceptions Myths about birds: Turbines kill: Today, turbines are built larger and more efficiently, and as a consequence, they rotate much more slowly than earlier versions (see them spin! Link to video). Even Audubon supports the development and use of wind power.
The U.S. Department of Labor details careers in alternative energy, including energy overview, career descriptions, definitions, and what "green" means
Variety of specific alternative forms of energy discussed including listing of careers associated with each source. Good source to find careers in field, not much info on actual career, though.
Opportunities exist in the nuclear energy industry like never before. Growing electricity demand and greater concern for the environment are leading to the continued operation and planned construction of new nuclear power plants in the United States.
When comparing LECs for alternative systems, it is very important to define the boundaries of the 'system' and the costs that are included in it. For example, should transmissions lines and distribution systems be included in the cost? Typically only the costs of connecting the generating source into the transmission system is included as a cost of the generator.
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