Most of the energy is generated through Hydro electric dams, thermal power plants run on coal, gas, oil etc, then we have the nuclear power plants. Each and every of the mentioned methods leads to pollution directly or indirectly. The newer methods of energy generation is focussed not from the rawmaterials mined form the earth but from the environment we live in. The only problem with the electrical energy is the cheap way of storing the energy to which no solution is still available. All the energy generated has to be consumed almost immediately except for small quantities to be stored in battries.
Solar energy is unlimited source of energy available for everyone to use. The use photovoltaic panels is one method of direct energy converion and another method is generating steam by focussing the sun's ray. Both have their own set of advantages and limitations. the former method has been widely used due to direct conversion and lesser loses. The cost of the panels is the main hurdle which is limiting the use of this power source. Much work is being done to make the panels less costly. In some research work, a paint coated on the roof top with embedded copper wire grid collects the electricity is being worked upon and this will be come public use in another 15years. Many companies and government offices, houses are putting their own solar panels to minimize the consumption of grid power, but the steps are good to start.
With wind blowing at good speeds at the sea and mountains the energy is also being harnessed, but the works some wildlife activists is slowing the process. The claim of the activistists is that the wind turbines are affecting the migrating birds and even killing them. But birds will be intelligent enough to find a new path around the wind turbines, but the pollution created without the use of wind turbines is more. The equivalent power generated of coal based plants create so much pollution which is not talked about. The wild life activists have to take a holistic approach. But the speed of increase in the wind power generation is not great but still the progress made is the thing in right direction. Small scale wind turbines are also designed for use for local household and community purposes. The winds being more seasonal the production will have more fluctuations but the energy is less polluting.
After successfully generating gas from garbage in the west, and locally in india in the form of cowdung the garbage is in great demands. Big cities in India have realized the energy potential of the garbage. For this to get successful the gargabe that is collected has to seggregated into biodegradable from which energy can be generated and non biodegradable. The public has to have some sense when they dispose off the waste from their households. Since our country is progressing well, the people should be following this method. The government on its part has been partially successful in implementing the ban on plastics. But still we see large number of disposale plastic articles in the form beverage drinks, mineral water bottles, etc.
Work is also going on in the developed nations, to decompose the non degradable plastic into fuel. Only very success is achieved for a specific kind of plastics. But bacteria is produced which is not harmful to the eco system and can convert the huge plastic piles into useful gas it will sovle the huge garbage problems, drinage problmes arising out of the plastic accumulation. The research work is still in early stages and will require another 25years to come out for public use.
The factor that is being used to measure the development of a society is the percapita energy consumption. With more facilities, some luxiries and some needs the energy requirements are increasing everyday. The people in general have to wake up to the present scenario on uncontrolled energy consumption. The conversation law that holds is energy can neither be created nor destroyed but changed from one form to another. We still have not the capacity to absorb the sunlight and live without eating foods. Thus for everystep of life we are spending the energy. The natural forms of energy available in the nature cannot be directly used, but must be converted. At each stage of conversion there are huge amounts of losses.
Energy from noise, geo thermal sources, vibrations, heat on the roads, ocean waves etc are also being worked upon but the success rates are low. The last option is as shown in the movie The Matrix, where the human itselt is converted into a electric battery. For this to happen another 200years of technological advancement in virtual reality is required. Virtuaily reality and control of objects by mind through electrical impulses tapped from the brain of monkey are performed. The insects are also remotely controlled by using chips attached to roaches, but keeping the human soul intact and harness the energy of the mind is altogether at a different level. So need to worry about whether you are a cell or not.
Energy Generation is one thing which is a matter of technological advancements, but the unbridiled consumption is nothing but greed. If the consumption is not controlled and some austerity is not maintained then there will sure going to be Engery wars. The preliminary of which have already begun.
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