Alternative Energy Resources

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Part 1
Recommendation of at least 2 alternative energy resources that could replace the fossil fuel OIL. Explain advantages and disadvantages of alternatives on environment for use of these alternatives. Provide references.
While there are a substantial number of alternative energy sources only a few have been researched enough to actually provide significant competition to the fossil fuel industry. The most common types of realistic alternative energy sources are; solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biofuel and ethanol, water power and nuclear energy.
Solar energy proponents claim it is the most abundant and cleanest source of energy at our disposal. The sun shines whether we take advantage of it or not. Capturing the energy of the sun can be done in a passive manner. An example of this would be building a home in the northern hemisphere with a bank or wall of windows that face south in order to catch the suns warmth in the winter months. This natural heat will cut down on a reliance on other sources of heat that are less friendly to the environment. Another form of passive use of solar energy is to run one's hot water lines on top of the roof of a house in black pipes then return the water to the water heater. Naturally heating up the water reduces the amount of electricity needed to heat the water since it will be pre-warmed. In the summer the sun's rays may be sufficient to warm the water to a temperature adequate for washing and bathing while in the winter it has the potential of raising the temperature several degrees depending on the latitude one lives in.
Active solar systems use some type of mechanical or electrical system to collect the energy of the sun and change it into electricity or some other usable form. Solar panels on a small scale, for example on a house, boat, or RV can capture a significant amount of energy and allow an individual to be free or nearly free from the power grid. Solar utility companies can install acres of large solar panels to collect significant amounts of solar energy and can provide electrical energy for hundreds or possibly thousands of people. Solar thermal plants capture the sun's energy and use it to heat water, which then turns to steam and operates a steam turbine which creates electricity for human consumption.
There are many advantages to solar power. First it is readily available. Secondly the solar energy can be captured in ways that ...