Tribal

In this present time the availability of energy is a source of anguish world wide. The major source of energy use in Australian households is electricity according to Year Book Australia, (2009–10) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics with electricity use accounting for about 48% of total household energy consumption. The price and availability of conventional energies is increasing at a steady rate that is proving difficult for everyday families to cope with. In light of this, alternative green and cheaper sources of energies are becoming increasingly prevalent such as solar, biomass, wind and geothermal energy.

Solar energy is the most accessible form of alternative energy for households due to its small space requirements and ability to easily source a house. Solar power is created first by the fusion reactions in the sun which produces energy that is transferred by radiation into the Earth’s atmosphere. This energy can be captured by solar photovoltaic (PV) cells which converts it into electricity. The PV system is the common choice for solar powered households although other forms of solar energy generation exist. Solar energy is particularly suitable for Australia’s climate and can be used simply for heating water, to electricity generation for a whole household. Generated electricity can be reserved in a battery for use at night, while any surplus electricity can be taken and used by the national power grid. Solar water heaters can be implemented over all facets of use such as in industry as pre-heaters, in households for washing, by power plants, in food processing and so on. As solar energy is a free source of energy it is very cheap to produce power and also doesn’t produce any waste or emissions making it an environmentally friendly and economical option. The initial cost of installation may be slightly expensive but the money saved in power and the reduction of a household carbon footprint soon makes up for it.

Biomass Energy is another viable alternative source that is derived from plants or animals. The main sources of fuel are wood remnants, organic waste from industry and humans and organic waste from domesticated animals. It is mainly used to heat space or for cooking and is generally fuelled by matter like pine cones, wheat, corn stalks and twigs. Other alternatives such as alcohol from sugarcane and oil from various plants or bio diesel may also be applied to generate electricity. Biofuel can be produced from animal and plant waste by using “Bioconversion” which can be implemented to generate electrical power or converted to a liquid or gaseous fuel. In Australia biomass is the most used source of renewable energy providing almost 72% of the total renewable energy consumed. As it is cheap and viable option the use of biomass energy is steadily increasing. As a result pressure on the conventional fossil fueled energy may be decreased, but collection and generation of biomass energy for individual households is difficult.

Wind Power is one of the most promising sources of renewable energy. Wind velocity is used to run the wind turbine to generate electricity and power can be generated at low wind speed as it requires a wind of velocity about 27 Km/hr. it is usually located near the coastal areas, at higher elevations and in large open spaces. A wind turbine is installed at the top of the tower to get proper velocity and since it does not produce any waste or emissions during power generation it is a good source of renewable energy. Wind energy only provides 1.3% (IEA 2008) of Australia’s electricity generation, leaving us well behind other countries such as Denmark and Denmark who have embraced it as a viable and economic source of energy.

Geothermal Energy is a power source derived from converting heat energy within the earth into electrical power. Geothermal energy is produced generally by pumping water into an underground layer of granite converting it to super-heated steam. This is then harnessed and purified to run turbines which generate electrical power. This steam also may be used as a water pre-heater in industry or power plants. At this point in time, geothermal energy has not been largely utilized in Australia although many projects are currently in development with the backing of the government who have provided funding for such renewable projects.

There has been a significant increase in the price of electricity in Australia putting a strain on families to maintain their budget. Due to the nature of consumption and capitalism in Australia, it is unlikely that these prices will fall in the near future, therefore increasing the need for alternatives. There are many forms of renewable energies available in this country due to our unique climate and geographic positioning and many of these energies prove themselves to be a cheaper alternative while also satisfying green consciences. Solar energy is perhaps the most viable option for everyday households due to its readily available power and self-sufficient nature. If families wish to ensure a renewable and cheaper form of power for their homes, solar energy is the most logical option.