icon backReturn to Entries

Alternative Energy

Alternative energy is the generation of power from nontraditional sources as opposed to sources such as coal and oil. The main sources of alternative energy are hydropower, wind, solar, hydrogen, bioenergy, geothermal, and hybrid technology. Currently, the most prodigious source of alternative energy is produced by large-scale hydroelectricity schemes, which account for 16 percent of the world supply of energy. By comparison, the other sources combined generate approximately 4 percent.

Hydropower

Hydropower is produced by constructing a dam wall across a river to create a reservoir. The stored water is then released through turbines built into the dam wall, generating electricity. Although the generation of hydroelectricity does not produce any climate-changing emissions, the construction of large dams does cause significant environmental and social problems. When completed in ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles