This is a research paper I wrote about alternative energy, what it is, why we need it and specific types we can use. I am going to upload this paper to my Wiki, and Weebly site.

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Jordan Losh
Ms. Mowery
English 101
4 October 2013
Alternative Energy
The world’s supply of fossil fuels is rapidly running low, and America is seeking out
ways to turn that around with the use of Alternative energy. There are many types of Alternative
energy that could be used around the world. Alternative energy is not used as widespread as it
should be because of the high costs. As the future gets closer the clock is ticking on fossil fuels
and there availability. Alternative energy will power the world in the near future.
Researchers believe that the population will have to find another fuel source by the end of
the twenty-first century (Bowman, et al 2). Close to twenty million barrels of oil are used in the
United States alone in a day that is more than available to use (Bowman, et al 1). If people could
cut down on energy use America may not have to find Alternative sources for a long time
(Bowman, et al 4).With the large amounts of energy used daily scientists are up for trying any
new Alternative energy source they find. Time is quickly running out because researchers predict
that if the world continues using massive amounts of energy there is only close to one hundred
years of fossil fuels left (Witherbee 1).
The lack of availability of fossil fuels is not the only reason America is searching for
Alternative sources. Oil and fossil fuels create pollutants which makes them bad for the
environment (Witherbee 2). The burning of fossil fuels creates global warming. Global warming
is a slow process in which carbon dioxide and other gasses trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere
(Lee and Warthol 2). This could also be known as the “greenhouse effect” because it emits

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greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. The use of coal releases more greenhouse gasses than
any other useful fossil fuel (Rich and Morley 2). Nearly 30,000 people die in the United States
from exposure to greenhouse gasses (Rich and Morley 2). Between the decreasing amounts of
fossil fuels, the harmfulness to the environment America is in need for Alternative energy.
There are seven types of useable Alternative energy sources (Witherbee 2). The most
common are wind, hydropower, geothermal power, and tidal power (Witherbee 1). However,
there are a few disadvantages to Alternative energy. Most alternatives are only available in
certain climates or land formations (Witherbee 1). Alternative energy is also known for being
very expensive. For example, keeping wind turbines in good shape and working is extremely
expensive (Bowman, et al 3). The major disadvantage is that there are many alternatives to fossil
fuels but none of them are efficient enough to replace them (Bowman, et al 2). The economy and
American lifestyle is built around the use of fossil fuels because it is the quickest and most
affordable way of getting energy, but Alternative energy must replace the use of fossil fuels
before it is too late (Bowman, et al 1).
Wind power is one of the most non-polluting forms of Alternative energy (Lee and
Warthol 1). The use of large turbines that resemble windmills is how wind power is created (Lee
and Watthol 1). A turbine is a machine that creates energy from a stream of steam, water, or
wind (Lee and Warthol 2). Wind turbines have to be placed in areas of consistent wind currents,
such as off shore saeways (Bowman, et al 3). A wind turbine works opposite of a fan. The
Turbine is hooked to a generator that makes power from wind spinning the blades (Alternative
Energy Sources 2). There are a few problems with wind energy. One of the major problems is
that it is only useful when the wind is blowing (Bowman, et al 3). Many people do not like the
way wind farms look (Bowman, et al 3). They think that it takes away the beauty from hill tops

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and rural areas where most wind farms are located. Another problem with wind energy is many
birds and other animals have been killed by wind turbines. However, in the end, the
expensiveness of wind power prevents it to becoming a solution to America’s energy problems
(Bowman, et al 3).
Another clean alternative to fossil fuels is geothermal energy. Geothermal energy comes
from the Earth’s magma to power turbines (Bowman, et al 3). Geothermal energy uses steam
from the magma and creates small amounts of pollution (Bowman, et al 3). There are two ways
of producing this steam into power. The two most popular types of geothermal power plants are
steam plants, and binary plants (Alternative Energy Sources 2). Steam plants use resources found
in geysers, such as steam and hot water. The steam comes straight from the geysers and turns
turbines that connect to a generator to produces energy (Alternative Energy sources 2). Energy
produced in steam plants cost between four to six cents per kilowatt hour. The other type of
geothermal plants called binary plants use lower-temperature water resources. This water is
basically in conjunction with another liquid that brings it to a boiling point which creates steam
and does the same process as steam plants. After the steam is created the left over water is
returned to a reservoir, this is an endless cycle (Alternative Energy Sources 2). This way of
creating energy is about five to eight cents per kilowatt hour (Alternative Energy Sources 2).
The sky is a huge opening for alternatives to fossil fuels. The sun is a constant heater and
light to the plant, that could also help out with America’s energy needs. Most of the energy from
sunlight is not captured because it can be found anywhere (Rich and Morley 3). In sunlight you
can find photovoltaic cells that give scientists the capability to make energy (Rich and Morley 3).
In the summer the sun produces so much power; this is good because that is when the demand
for electricity is at its highest (Rich and Morley 3). When the sun is shining at its brightest the

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World would have an excess of electricity to use, that is a good reason alone to look more into
solar energy. The equipment used in solar power is known for being extremely expensive. The
good news is that with new technology the equipment is getting cheaper and easier to use
(Witherbee 2).
If Americalooksintothese alternativesitcouldreallychange the planettremendously.Notonly
woulditbe an alternative tothe decreasingnumbersof fossil fuels,butitwouldbe betterforthe
environment.Despite the highcosts,Alternative energyissomethingeveryoneshouldlookinto.Inthe
future the planetandthe people livinginitcouldreallybenefitfromthe explorationanduse of these
newtypesof energy.Soon,Alternativeenergywill be the onlyoption.

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Works cited
“Alternative Energy Sources.” Congressional Digest. 87. 7. (Sept. 2008): 196-224. Points of
View Reference Center. EBSCOhost. 15 March 2013 <web.ebscohost.com>
Bowman, Jeffrey, and Marcus Griswald. “Counterpoint: Alternative Energy Won’t Solve All the
Demands of World Energy Consumption.” Points of View: Alternative Energy
Exploration. (2011): 3. Points of View Reference Center. EBSCOhost. 17 March 2013
<web.ebscohost.com>
Lee, M, and Tom Warhol. “Wind Power: An Overview.” Points of View: Wind Power. (2011): 1.
Points of View Reference Center. EBSCOhost. 15 March 2013 <web.ebscohost.com>
Rich, Alex K., and David C. Morley “Point: The World must Actively Explore Alternative
Sources of Energy.” Points of View: Alternative Energy Exploration. (2011): 2. Points of
View Reference Center. EBSCOhost. 17 March 2013 <web.ebscohost.com>
Witherbee, Amy. “Counterpoint: No Alternative.” Pointsof View: Alternative Energy
Exploration. (2011): 6. Points of View Reference Center. EBSCOhost. 27 March 2013
<web.ebscohost.com>