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What You Should Know About Alternative Fuel Sources

Alternative fuel sources are on a lot of people's minds and for good reason too! The world cannot continue down a path of waste, consumption and pollution. Biodiesel fuels are going to find their place among the most viable alternative fuel sources in helping to combat global warming. Common oils such as vegetable oils and animal fats provide an almost inexhaustible source of fuel. Restaurant grease may seem like an unlikely source, but it only takes a moment to consider all the animal fat available directly from the grill and there's no shortage of restaurants and healthy appetites.

Ethanol also ranks high on the list of alternative fuel sources. Ethanol is fermented and distilled from different forms of sugar and starch, which include corn, barley and wheat. An energy bill passed by the present administration requires ethanol to be a major part of the country's alternative fuel sources by 2012. The technology hopes to utilize wood byproducts, stalks and switchgrass. Meanwhile, alternative energy research continues.

Solar power currently provides less than 1 percent of the nation's energy supplies. However, the push for cleaner and safer energy will make it a viable option for enhanced development of alternative fuel sources. Harnessing the sun's energy is usually done with solar cells and these cells convert the sun's light directly into electricity.

Wind power is among the fastest growing alternative power sources in the United States. The use of this method of generating electricity has grown about 32% annually over the past five years, making it another contender for a choice among alternative fuel sources. The wind industry is proving itself capable of providing power needs at a level that is quickly becoming comparable to what conventional power sources offer.

Hydrogen fuel cell energy is produced from a reaction of oxygen and water. A fuel cell is made of many thin flat cells that are layered together to produce electricity and the byproduct is water. Oxygen and hydrogen are fed into the proton member exchange of a fuel cell stack. With this arrangement, enough electricity can be produced to power an electric vehicle. The industry is just starting to test this type of technology, and it's too early to know the true cost associated. However, it's a sure bet that it will be among the major alternative fuel sources in the near future.

Other alternative fuel sources include hydroelectric power, which is a clean source of alternative energy and currently supplies about 19% of the world's electrical power. In situations where it's too costly or difficult to set up a complete power system, the option to utilize mico-hydro power energy works well. Mico hydro-power is a good alternative in remote areas where there are rivers or streams.

Just about everyone in the Unites States uses natural gas for something. Roughly, six out of ten homes use natural gas for heating purposes, which includes water heaters, stoves and clothes dryers. In the future, there is no doubt it's going to play an even bigger role creating electricity. Natural gas plants produce energy far more efficient than coal producing plants and they produce energy with far less pollution. Alternative fuel sources are going to be the major focus of attention in this new millennium. So get educated and decide on the type of power you're going to go with.