Carbon Down

Today, around 90 per cent of electricity generated in Australia is still generated from the burning of fossil fuels.

With energy prices on the rise and a carbon curbed future on the horizon, what better time than now to look at some alternatives to the brown coal generated electricity that we Victorian's currently rely so heavily on.

But what are your options? The alternative to brown coal generated electricity is renewable energy.

Renewable energy comes from resources that are replenished by natural processes, at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption by humans or other users.

Resources such as solar radiation, tides, and winds are perpetual resources that are in no danger of being used in excess of their long‐term availability. Natural resources that qualify as renewable include oxygen, fresh water, timber (when sustainably managed), and biomass. There are a few different types of renewable energy, the most popular being solar.

Solar energy
Solar panels use a technology called photovoltaic technology or more commonly ‐ Solar PV. Solar panels convert solar photons into direct current electricity. According to GMagazine, more solar power was added to the grid between January and October in 2010 than the total amount over the previous decade. Solar panels can be added to your home or business. They will be more costly upfront but as with any investment it's advisable to look into the initial outlay versus the long‐term cost. There are rebates available. For information on this visit www.orer.gov.au

Wind energy
Wind turbines capture wind energy within the area swept by their blades, proportional to the wind speed cubed, up to the designed maximum blade speed. The blades in turn drive an electrical generator to produce power for export to the grid. Currently there are 53 operating wind farms in Australia, with a total of 1089 operating turbines. South Australia has the largest installed capacity with around 51 per cent of the nation's total wind capacity. (cleanenergycouncil.org.au)

Biomass energy
Biomass power can be generated via the burning of organically based sources that contain carbon dioxide along with water and sunlight. Burning this material converts the energy stored from the sun into electricity and produces carbon dioxide. Organic materials include agricultural crop wastes, plantation wood waste, urban garden and food waste, sugar cane residues. Another method for generating biomass power is by capturing and burning methane that's created in the breakdown of organic matter in rubbish tips. Landfill gas plants are already in operation across all Australian capital cities.

Hydro energy
Hydro energy uses the energy of flowing water to spin a turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity. Hydroelectricity does not actually 'use' water: all the water is returned to the river. Australia currently has about 100 hydroelectric power stations. (cleanenergycouncil.org.au)

Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is created using the heat deep below the Earth's surface. Wells are drilled to a depth of 3 ‐ 5 kilometres below the surface to find the heat-producing granites. Water is then pumped down in the wells and through the cracks in the rocks. The water is heated to a temperature of up to 300°C and pushed back to the surface where the heat is used to drive a turbine and produce electricity. The water used is recycled. New Zealand taps into its abundant volcanic geysers.

Ocean energy
Power generated by ocean power comes from the water's movement be it tidal, wave or ocean thermal. The most common oceanic power generation system uses a turbine to drive an electrical generator. Note to reader: Many of these definitions have been adapted from the Clean Energy Council www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au and Sustainable Growth by Jon Dee.

For more information on switching to GreenPower visit www.choosegreenpower.com.au