Alternative energy is a term that refers to all energy that can be used with the aim of replacing conventional fuels. Generally, the term alternative energy is used to reduce the use of hydrocarbon fuels that cause environmental damage.
Environmental damage occurs due to high carbon dioxide emissions. This causes global warming (global warming).
Over the years, the meaning of alternative energy has changed due to the large number of energy options that can be chosen with different purposes in use. The term "alternative" refers to a technology other than technology that uses fossil fuels to produce energy.
Alternative technologies are used to produce energy to solve problems and not produce problems, such as the use of fossil fuels.
Current Forms of Alternative Energy
1. Environmentally Friendly Alternative Energy
Renewable energy sources, such as biomass, are referred to as alternative energy to fossil fuels that endanger ecological sustainability. Therefore, if biomass is commercialized, it is worried that it will harm the forest as the largest producer of biomass (wood is biomass).
Renewable energy can not necessarily be called alternative energy with this purpose. For example in the Netherlands, which used palm oil as a biofuel. Currently, the use of palm oil is discontinued because scientific evidence shows its use creates more damage than fossil fuels.
In addition, it is possible that oil palm expansion could deplete natural forest land. Currently, the development of alternative energy to biofuels is being developed in the form of cellulosic ethanol.
2. Zero Carbon Alternatives
From the perspective of climate change issues, low-carbon fuel economy is an alternative source to reduce or even eliminate carbon and methane emissions.
In order not to damage the environment, renewable energy sources, such as biomass, and hydrogen produced by natural gas, are not economically available to mitigate the global increase in carbon.
The application of alternative energy technologies that have low carbon emissions is not in accordance with the objectives of alternative energy which must not damage the environment.
3. Alternative Energy Independence
In Europe, there is hope to be more independent and no longer dependent on energy supplies (oil and gas) from Russia. Likewise, the United States hopes to be free from imports of oil produced by other countries.
From this point of view, domestic natural gas, fossil fuels, is an alternative energy to imported fuels. This point of view describes energy independence. Although natural gas is non-renewable, from this point of view, it is an alternative energy.
New Concept of Alternative Energy
1. Floating Wind Energy Capture Area Floating
wind energy capture area is the same as ordinary wind energy capture area. However, the floating energy capture area is in the middle of the ocean, while the wind energy capture area is usually done on land. Floating wind energy capture areas can be placed in waters with a depth of about 40 meters.
The advantage of a floating wind energy capture area is that it has the ability to capture wind energy in the middle of the ocean without the obstruction of hills, trees, and buildings.
Keep in mind that the wind in the middle of the ocean can reach twice the speed of the wind on land. The first company to conduct the first trial of a floating wind energy capture area was the Norwegian energy company StatoilHydro in autumn 2009.
2. Digested Biogas Digestive
Biogas is related to the utilization of methane gas released when animal waste decomposes. Methane gas can be obtained from garbage and sewer systems.
The production of methane gas is carried out by bacteria or decomposers which break down biomass under anaerobic conditions. The methane gas produced and purified can be used as an alternative energy source.
3. Helioculture
Helioculture is the process of taking solar energy into fuel. Helioculture is done by moving carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by utilizing agriculture.