Learn all about alternative energy.
Explore the possibilities for clean, renewable and environmentally sensitive energy.
For small scale or large scale; domestic or commercial.
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
-
Scope and Nature of Alternative Energy, and Associated Problems
-
Understanding The Physics, Measures and Laws of Energy
-
Generating Electricity
-
Storing and Using Electricity
-
Non-Electric Systems
-
Energy Consumption
-
Conserving Energy
-
Conversion to Alternative Energy Systems
WE NEED ENERGY FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS
Everyone uses energy today; from batteries in our phones to electricity for cooking, lighting and heating our homes.
Most of us don't think too much about where our energy comes from, and whether it will always be available. Even if it remains available, it's supply might might not be as reliable, or at the same cost that it is today.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR GETTING ENERGY
There are lots of different types of renewable energy. All have the same one thing in common: the source is not being diminished further and further, each time you use that energy.
- Alternative Energy is commonly defined as energy that is generated from non-fossil fuel resources and that does not harm the environment. Generally speaking nuclear energy is not included.
- Renewable Energy is energy from sources that are naturally replenished such as solar, wind, wave/tidal, hydroelectric, biofuels and geothermal energy.
- Solar Energy is energy from the sun’s solar radiation and can be divided into passive (no mechanical devices) and active solar energy (such as photovoltaic).
- Wind Energy is energy from the conversion of wind to electricity by a wind turbine.
- Hydropower Energy is energy generated by moving water, commonly from waterwheels, hydroelectric dams but also from tides and more.
- Biofuels are fuels generated from plant biomass, including bio-diesel and ethanol.
- Geothermal Energy is energy derived from the heat of the Earth’s core (underground).
LEARNING BETTER ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Better energy management is important for both yourself as an individual, as well as for the wider good -for social and environmental stability and sustainability.
Managing energy starts with an understanding of what energy is, the different ways we can create it and the different ways it can be used. From there we can consider and develop more efficient and less wasteful.
This course helps you understand energy in a broad and general sense, and the various ways in which all of these different types of energy can be harnessed for use by man.
You learn to:
- make better choices about where you obtain your energy from and how you use it.
- consider options for creating your own energy; and become less reliant on buying in energy from "the grid" or other mainstream energy sources.
- reduce the quantity of energy you use, by reducing "energy waste (such as heat lost to the environment)
ENROL or Use our FREE Course Advice Service to Connect with a Tutor