Wind Energy

Like any other elements that rest upon this planet, wind is one of the essential components in building an equilibrium cycle of life. The common knowledge that is brought up about wind is that it’s the only element that gives and sustains life to us humans through the production of oxygen. But what we aren’t aware of Is that the air we breathe and relish gives an outstanding source of energy.

Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. According to www.nationalgeographic.com, the wind exists because the sun unevenly heats the surface of the Earth. As hot air rises, cooler air moves in to fill the void. As long as the sun shines, the wind will blow. And as long as the wind blows, people will harness it to power their lives. Like solar energy, the wind is a clean source of renewable energy that produces no air or water pollution. And since the wind is free, operational costs are nearly zero once a turbine is erected. Mass production and technology advances are making turbines cheaper, and many governments offer tax incentives to spur wind-energy development. 

Total wind power could be captured only if the wind velocity is reduced to zero. In a realistic wind turbine this is impossible, as the captured air must also leave the turbine; a turbine is a rotary engine that uses a continuous stream of gas or liquid to turn a shaft that can drive machinery.  Wind energy is so powerful that it can run and grind grains and pump water for farmers using wind turbines, wring electricity from the breeze that can run a city with the use of windmills. The town of Bangui in Ilocos Norte is one of the cities in the Philippines who is using wind energy as source of electricity and strongly promoting this environmental-friend source of energy.  

Windmills in Ilocos Norte, Philippines
(Image from tourism-philippines.com)

Wooden windmill in the Netherlands
(Image from zardec.net.au)

Windmill used for irrigation.
(Image from 4.bp.blogspot.com)

(Image from 3.bp.blogspot.com)

Anatomy of a windmill.
(Image from csa.com)

Posted by: Kevinross Z. Bool

"Rise and Shine"

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Sun”?  Does an image of an enormous ball of fire that’s floating somewhere in the endless galaxy rushed through your head? Or does the blinding rays of light it exudes suddenly remind you the feeling of a wave of heat? For many of us, the Sun is known and considered to be the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields (cited by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun).  It is intertwined with the natural phenomenon in our daily lives—namely sunrise and sunsets --- which is inevitable. 

(Image from howstuffworks.com)

But what does the sun really give us? Most of us say and appreciate the sun only because of the “Vitamin D” it gives you but what people do not acknowledge is the very powerful energy it gives off to earth. How powerful, you ask? Well, according to www.thesolarenergyfacts.net , In one hour, enough sunlight strikes the Earth to provide the entire planet’s energy needs for one year.

The energy that the sun produces is what we call the ”Solar Energy.” Solar energy originates with the thermonuclear fusion reactions occurring in the sun. It represents the entire electromagnetic radiation (visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays, and radio waves). This kind of energy is one of the simplest, most beneficial and less harmful energy that can be used in multi-dimensional purposes. One of the advantages of using solar energy is that all chemical and radioactive polluting byproducts of the thermonuclear reactions remain behind on the sun, while only pure radiant energy reaches the Earth. Energy reaching the earth is incredible.  By one calculation, 30 days of sunshine striking the Earth have the energy equivalent of the total of all the planet’s fossil fuels, both used and unused!

So how does Solar Energy work? 

Our world today uses two types of solar energy technology which are: Photovoltaic and Thermal. Photovoltaic Energy is created when sunlight photons hit a solar panel, which is made from silicon, and that the sun excites them, knocking electrons in the material loose and creating an electrical current. Solar thermal energy, on the other hand, is simply harnessing the heat via collectors and using it to power solar-powered electricity plants, roof-mounted hot water heaters and solar pool warmers. (Cited by www.solarenergyfacts.net ) Solar thermal energy can also be used in water treatment, cooking and process heat for commercial and industrial applications. 

                                                                                Does this look familiar to you?

(Image from http://2.bp.blogspot.com)

If you said solar panels, you are correct! This amazing piece of equipment can produce electricity coming from the sun. You can also see these in smaller versions such as calculators. They all have the same function - to convert energy from light to electricity that we can use. But how do solar panels work? According to http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com, solar panels are built using silicon, a semi-conductive material. When photons strike the solar cell,  electrons which are present in the silicon absorbs the solar energy. If the energy is strong enough to break away the electrons, it will cause them to carry an electric charge through a circuit to the destination. These panels may cost a lot, but since technology is growing rapidly, the prices tend to drop and in the long run, it can also save you a lot of money.

Solar Tubes that bring natural light into homes..
(Image from inhabitat.com)

  Here is another amazing and useful equipment that you can find mainly in houses and buildings. This is called a solar tube. Basically it is a cylinder fitted on a roof that goes down to the ceiling of a building. When light from the sun enters the tube, it is being reflected inside until it reaches the other end which is the ceiling and the diffuser distributes the light evenly to illuminate the interior of the building.

There are a lot of benefits in using solar energy. One of which is that it’s free. It doesn’t need any fuel and produces no waste or pollution. In sunny countries, solar power can be used where there is no easy way to get electricity to a remote place. Solar energy is also handy for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery chargers, or for helping your home energy bills. With these benefits and healthy reasons in using solar energy, I am challenging you, why not switch? Make use of what’s good for good old mother earth now! 


Posted by: Kevinross Z. Bool