Alternative Energy for the Home



The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources - ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that will continue through the 21st century and beyond.

We need to and will become more energy independent. There are many reasons to do this. Not having to rely on supplies of fossil fuels from unstable nations who are often hostile to us and our interests is a matter of National security. But beyond this factor... for a better quality of life, renewable energy is a must.

We need to, as individuals, to get “off the grid” and stop being so reliant on government-lobbying giant oil corporations who, while they may not be involved in any covert conspiracy, nevertheless have a stranglehold on people when it comes to heating their homes (And if oil is not used to heat your home, then the heat is usually supplied by grid-driven electricity or natural gas, another stranglehold).

As Remi Wilkinson, Senior Analyst with Carbon Free, puts it, inevitably, the growth of distributed generation will lead to the restructuring of the retail electricity market and the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. Eventually, the power providers will have to diversify their business to make up for revenues lost because of household energy microgeneration. Ms. Wilkinson is referring to conclusions by a group of UK analysts, herself included, who call themselves Carbon Free.

Carbon Free has been studying the ever-growing trend toward alternative energy-using homes in England and the West. This trend is being driven by increasing government recommendation and occasional government backing of alternative energy research and development, the rising cost of oil and other fossil fuels, concerns about environmental degradation, and desires to be energy independent. Carbon Free concludes that, assuming traditional energy prices remain at their current level or rise, microgeneration (meeting all of one's home's energy needs by installing alternative energy technology such as solar panels or wind turbines) will become to home energy supply what the Internet has become to home communications and data gathering. Eventually this will have deep effects on the businesses of the existing energy supply companies.

Carbon Free's analyses also show that many energy companies themselves have jumped in on the alternative power game and seek to leverage microgeneration to their own advantage by opening up new markets for themselves. Carbon Free cites the example of electricity companies (in the UK) reporting that they are seriously researching and developing ideas for new geothermal energy facilities, as these companies see geothermal energy production as a highly profitable wave of the future.

Another conclusion from Carbon Free is that solar energy hot water heating technology is an efficient technology for reducing home water heating costs in the long run. It maybe initially expensive to install, buyt with tax incentives and Cost savings overtime, an intelligent step to take. However, solar power is not yet cost-effective for corporations, as they require too much in the way of specialized plumbing to implement solar energy hot water heating. (A Green Job Work Program Initiative would solve this snag...)

And finally, Carbon Free notes that installing wind turbines is an efficient way of reducing home electricity costs, while also giving the invididual energy independence. Again, a wind turbine in your backyard is initially a very expensive thing to have installed, but expect companies to begin slashing their prices on these devices to insure themselves a share of this soon to be lucrative market.

For more information from Carbon Free visit their website: Carbon Free


About the Author

Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including: Sherlock Holmes Pastiches, On The Hook | Fishing Guide, Great Food | Great Recipes, Dieting Help | Move More - Eat Less, To The Stars | Astronomy, and Drive The Future | Hybrid Cars.


Ready to Harvest The Sun? Alternative Energy Resources!





Translate Page Into English Translate Page Into Spanish Translate Page Into French Translate Page Into German Translate Page Into Portuguese Translate Page Into Korean Translate Page Into Japanese Translate Page Into Italian

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Menu


My Articles


  • Hybrid Solar Lighting
  • Jobs In Alternative Energy Fields
  • Consultants On Alternative Energy
  • Making Biodiesel
  • Alternative Energy From The Ocean
  • CSP - Concentrating Solar Power
  • University Research Into Alternative Energy
  • Some Suppliers Of Alternative Energy
  • Investment Into Alternative Energy Research And Development
  • Alternative Energy For The Home
  • How To Seek Grants For Alternative Energy R & D
  • An Alternative Energy Education Method
  • Alternative Energy In Ireland
  • All about Tidal Power - Harnessing The Moon
  • Tankless Water Heater - Never Run Out of Hot Water
  • Alternative Energy Resources - Start Using Alternative Energy Today
  • Renewable Fuels For Alternative Energy
  • Investing In Alternative Energy Stocks
  • Investments In Alternative Energy
  • Government Grants For Alternative Energy
  • Recycling Cell Phones - Used Cell Phone/PDA Recycling
  • Solar Energy Collecting As An Alternative Energy Source
  • Resources For Alternative Energy
  • An Energy Alternative: Free Energy
  • Pursuing Alternative Forms Of Energy
  • Biofuels As Alternative Sources Of Energy
  • The Ways That The Military Is Using Alternative Energy
  • Developing Nuclear Power As Alternative Energy
  • What Is Alternative Energy
  • Wind Power As A Viable Solution To Meeting Alternative Energy Needs
  • Geothermal Power As Alternative Energy
  • Types of Renewable Energy
  • Alternative Energy Development in Japan




  • Tankless Water Heaters by Low Energy Systems
    Tankless Water Heaters by Low Energy Systems



    Links of Interest | Other Sites

    My Articles


    Developing Nuclear Power As Alternative Energy Many researchers believe that harnessing the power of the..


    Investment Into Alternative Energy Research And Development The US government must continue to back the expansion of the..


    Pursuing Alternative Forms Of Energy Record high prices at American gas pumps and continued..


    Consultants On Alternative Energy The alternative energy consultants tell us that the..



    Related Videos:

    Related News:

     
    CEO: No way to be energy independent - Atlanta Journal Constitution

        

    CEO: No way to be energy independent
    Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 7 hours ago
    But “energy independence is not a viable option,” he said. It’s not something alternative energy advocates either want to hear or agree with, ...



    Work toward energy independence - Hillsboro Times Gazette

        

    Work toward energy independence
    Hillsboro Times Gazette, OH - 13 minutes ago
    Reinstating the ban would delay our nation's transition to energy independence, inhibit progress toward widespread use of alternative and renewable energy, ...



    Iowa chosen for energy policy academy - Iowa Independent

        

    Iowa chosen for energy policy academy
    Iowa Independent, IA - 21 hours ago
    “Iowa’s selection for this academy demonstrates Iowa’s leadership in moving the US towards energy independence,” said Gov. Chet Culver. ...
    Study: Iowa facing $350 million budget shortfall Iowa Independent
    all 2 news articles



    Now Debate This Announces 2009 Topic: How Can America Achieve ... - MarketWatch

        

    Now Debate This Announces 2009 Topic: How Can America Achieve ...
    MarketWatch - Nov 14, 2008
    The 2009 topic and focus of the second year is: "How can America achieve energy independence through the lessons of history? ...