'Mini-glossary of alternative

Mini-glossary of alternative

Energia Solar a Formentera
photo credit: Global Warming

Solar photovoltaic

Converts solar radiation directly into electricity.
Solar panels are composed of a base unit, photovoltaic cells, which virtually behave like tiny central production of electricity thanks to solar radiation.

For an apartment with three people on average cost is between 20 and 25 thousand euro.
The cost is quite high but we must keep in mind that a choice of this kind is made - as well as in a total rethinking of the relationship between himself and the environment - to get away from any blackouts, more and more frequent, and future, inevitable increases in electricity tariff.

Obtained through the use of 'solar radiation, and then through conversion into heat or electricity that electromagnetic affecting the Earth.
To achieve 'electricity from solar, you can use photovoltaic technology which consists of using solar panels, composed of semiconductor material arranged in two layers, a loaded positively, others negatively, when the solar energy striking their surface there is a transition between the two layers that gender power.

An alternative system of exploitation of solar energy, a merger that provides for the presence of a collector who collects and concentrates the solar radiation transmitting its energy to a liquid, turning into vapor, activates a turbine.

Solar heat

Use solar radiation to heat water for sanitary purposes and for heating, through a solar panel.
The technology is mature and reliable, with installations that have an average life of 25 years, and time of return on investment very quickly.

To heat the water enough for 4 to 6 square meters per family, at a cost ranging from 4000 to 6000 euro.
For heating an apartment of about 100 square meters are needed instead of 10 to 20 square meters for a cost around 10,000 euros.

wind mill
photo credit: rayparnova

Wind Power

The wind farms exploit 's wind energy to produce electricity.
Consist of wind turbine that transform the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy and electricity in it.
Can be made wind farms of various sizes organized into "parks".

Obtained by exploiting the transformation of 'kinetic energy of wind, the machine responsible for this transformation is that wind turbine. The blades are secured to a hub in turn connected to a first tree where the transmit motion, speeded by a multiplier of turns, a second tree, connected to the generator itself. The power produced is proportional to the length of the blade.

The efficiency of this system has grown significantly over the past two decades: the power output has increased by 60 times, the costs of the facilities "only" 10. In late 2007, in Italy is already producing more than 4100 Giga watts of wind power.

Minieolico

The production of electricity from wind can be achieved through turbine power and reduced height (10-20 meters, and even less) able to serve customers so widespread (farms, enterprises, households, etc.). And better integrate into the landscape.

Pipes
photo credit: Karl Gunnarsson

Geothermal Energy

Through a heat pump geothermal probe, is exploited 's energy of the soil.
These pumps are heating (and cooling) that benefit from relatively constant temperature of the soil throughout the year and can be applied to a wide range of construction, anywhere in the world, residential houses, villas, commercial buildings, schools, etc..

Diga di Barcis - Ponte Antoi
photo credit: rivaalessandro

Hydroelectric

Obtained by exploiting the 'potential energy of mass d' contained in water reservoir through its transformation into kinetic energy and therefore the electricity.

To achieve this transformation should be the construction of dams and penstocks that will guide the water inside the plant, which has in the turbine components. This consists of a fixed part (distributor) and a mobile (rotor); water, passing in the impeller, sells its kinetic energy that is convigliata distributor, which in turn puts the tree in motor function. The turbine is then coupled to an electric generator.

The impact of this type of facility is especially necessary structures (locks, dams, ...) that often affect significantly the environment. But there are also facilities like "flowing", namely that the current use of water, and a "mini-hydro, reduced power and small size: in this way decisively limit their environmental impact, not requiring the construction large dams.

E 'can also exploit the mass displacement of water caused by tides - in some areas of the Earth the difference between high and low tide reaches more than 20 meters - by waves and currents.

Source: CONSUMER the monthly membership Coop 1 2007, Media World Magazine No. 3 2008