Alternative Energy
The beginners guide
Joe Pater - joepater@gmail.com

What is Alternative Energy???
Alternative energy is typically defined as

coming from sources that do not deplete
natural resources or harm the environment.

Why is this important today?

Why is this important today?
Climate Change

Climate change is any long-term significant change in the

―average weather‖ that a given region experiences.
Average weather may include average temperature,
precipitation and wind patterns. (IPCC)
Peak Oil

Peak oil is the point in time when the maximum rate of

global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the
rate of production enters terminal decline. The concept is
based on the observed production rates of individual oil
wells, and the combined production rate of a field of
related oil wells. (Energy Bulletin)

Co2 Emissions = Climate Change?

Who is creating this mess?
Worldwide Population 2008

What does Peak Oil look like?

Oil will get more expensive…

Our Environment is at risk…
Appalachian Mountain Top Removal


Sea Level Rise
http://climate.jpl.nasa.gov/ClimateTimeMac

hine/climateTimeMachine.cfm

Why is it such a big deal?
Because the hydrocarbons in oil are

currently involved with almost everything
we touch, see or do….
Oil is a factor in our economic growth…

Cheap oil = inexpensive construction and

development…

Ok, so what can we do??
We need to transition to more sustainable energy sources

The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption in the Nation’s Energy Supply, 2007
Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternate Fuel

Yeah well why would I be interested?
Your future depends on it!

More exciting than that is that it’ll be the next growth boom…in fact

it’ll be the largest creation of wealth we’ve ever seen.
150 Billion was invested in Clean Technologies during 2007

Source: Harpers Magazine, Spring 2008

What technologies are out there?
Wind – growing at a rapid rate

U.S. Leads World in Wind Power Production
August 14, 2008
The United States now leads the world in the amount of
electricity it generates from wind energy, according to the
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). bringing the
total installed U.S. wind capacity to 19,549 MW.
While that still lags behind the roughly 23,000 MW installed in
Germany, the stronger winds in the United States are yielding
greater power production despite the smaller generating
capacity.

What does our wind resource look
like?

How does wind work?
Wind energy is actually a form of solar

energy, created by the uneven heating of
the Earth’s surface. Hot air rises, replaced
by cooler air, resulting in wind. Since air
has mass, wind — air in motion — has
kinetic energy, which is transformed by
some form of windmill.

What about the sun?
The energy in Sunlight striking the earth for

―40 minutes‖ is equivalent to global energy
consumption for a year.

How does Solar technology work?
Photons are created in the center of the sun by

the fusion of atoms. It takes a photon about a
million years to work its way to the surface of the
sun, but once free it is hurled through space so
fast that it reaches earth in just eight minutes -
after traveling 93 million miles.
Solar power cells convert sunlight into electricity,

using the energy of speeding photons to create an
electrical current within a solar panel.

Silicon Cells vs Thin Films (CIGS)
Silicon currently accounts for 90% of solar

They have a 13-20 % efficiency

Relies on the supply of Silicon, which can

be a costly resource.
Thin Films are newer technology based on

CIGS which are
copper, indium, gallium, and
selenium, cheaper yet less efficient.

Solar IDEAS

So what is holding us back?
Cost….

Change…

Technology…


What to look forward to?
Off shore wind projects

Thin film solar


What can you do?
Get informed

Play a role in a sustainable future by being

conscience of your role on the planet.
If you find the Earth, our future and the

health of generations to come as a passion
of yours then get involved and learn more!