Source of Alternative Energy, Research Paper Example

Introduction

The current, and traditionally established energy sources include fossil fuels, electricity generated by nuclear, thermal, hydroelectric plants and storage batteries which utilize chemicals to generate DC (Direct Current) current. All these sources have by-products and effluents which damage the environment, polluting it either through the generated smoke or due to dumping of by-products/waste material. Alternative and preferably green energy sources are those which are environment friendly and do not disturb the Earth’s ecological balance. Solar and wind energy are the prime examples of alternative energy which can be utilized to run some, if not all our machines. Already, small electronic appliances like watches, calculators, cell phones and music players powered by miniature solar cells are available in the market which converts light energy into electricity needed to run such appliances.

Part 1

Efforts to create appliances and gadgets running with alternative energy are ongoing and already prototypes of cars running exclusively with solar energy and electricity have been developed. Such technologies are labeled ‘green’ as they are environment friendly. The word green is chosen because the entire planet is covered by plants which are green in color. Efforts to develop other sources of energy are under intensive research as exhaustion of fossil fuels is imminent. A green shelter is housing for a human being or an animal which is made up entirely of natural products and does not depend on artificial inputs for either maintenance or sustenance.

A search on the internet reveals that numerous government and private entrepreneurs have endeavored to preserve the earth’s environment by cooperative efforts and also by designing innovative products which are ‘green’ in character. One such example is on YouTube, in which the designers have built a dog shelter which utilizes sunlight for lighting the kennels and recycling the water through a septic tank (Web, 2008). Another very good example is that of a bus shelter built in Singapore which utilizes a Japanese origami design (Sajnani, 2011). The shelter is boat shaped and has a sloping roof which does not allow rainwater to splatter onto the waiting passengers. It utilizes solar cells to meet its electricity needs and has transparent walls to shelter from the wind.

Part 2

Following is an attempt to design an emergency shelter for mountain dwellers who can sustain themselves for a limited period of time in order to survive during an emergency:

Description

The above self contained unit will harvest rainwater which will be collected in the water tank fitted with a filtration system to make it fit for drinking. The excess water and effluent will be drained to the septic tank from where it can be recycled to irrigate vegetables grown outside, as well as for washing purposes. Lighting will be through glass windows and stored energy in batteries charged by inbuilt solar panels in the roof. The above design meets the criteria for a green shelter.

Works Cited

“Animals: Green Shelter”, Assessed February 6, 2012 online on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Tm3HVpU1A

Sajnani Babita, “Sail Bus Shelter:An origami inspired design”, Accessed February 6, 2012 http://www.greencleaningideas.com/2011/11/sail-bus-shelter-an-origami-inspired-design/