GREEN ENERGY
ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
What can we do for the next generation and the generations to come? What environment can we leave for them? We believe that the path to greater affluence is harmony with the environment. We should use our limited resources very carefully
What kind of energy will we use in the future?
Most of our energy is fossil fuel – oil, coal and natural gas. Fossil fuels are limited and we may use them up sometime in the future. It is vital to use remaining resources very carefully and switch to new types of energy including natural energy (sunlight, solar thermal power, wind power, hydro energy, etc)
The History
1. Wind Power
Since ancient times, people have harnessed the winds energy. Over 5,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians used wind to sail ships on the Nile River. Later, people built windmills to grind wheat and other grains. The earliest known windmills were in Persia (Iran). These early windmills looked like large paddle wheels. Centuries later, the people of Holland improved the basic design of the windmill. They gave it propeller-type blades, still made with sails. Holland is famous for its windmills.
2. Hydro Power
So just how do we get electricity from water? Actually, hydroelectric and coal-fired power plants produce electricity in a similar way. In both cases a power source is used to turn a propeller-like piece called a turbine, which then turns a metal shaft in an electric generator , which is the motor that produces electricity. A coal-fired power plant uses steam to turn the turbine blades; whereas a hydroelectric plant uses falling water to turn the turbine. The results are the same.
3. Solar Power
A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Sometimes the term solar cell is reserved for devices intended specifically to capture energy from sunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell is used when the light source is unspecified. Assemblies of cells are used to make solar panels, solar modules, or photovoltaic arrays. Photovoltaic is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells in producing electricity for practical use. The energy generated this way is an example of solar energy (also called solar power).
Table of energy usage in many countries
Santa Laurensia School is already using renewable energy. The fans in the canteen are powered by the sun’s rays which are harnessed by solar panels just by the volleyball court.
It’s a start.