Module 6

Alternative Energy Resources

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Distinguish alternative energy from renewable energy;
2. Identify the most prominent alternative energy resources;
3. Examine the benefits offered by the different sources of energy; and
4. Describe the alternative energy sources in the Philippines.

Introduction:
The Philippines and other countries of the world have relied on the same sources of
fuels for the past hundred years. We have been so dependent on coal, oil, and natural
resources which up to this date still worked good. But at the rate we have been using these
fuels, the world may run out of these resources. There is a need to search for alternative
energy resources which are cleaner, more economical, and ecology-friendly which are
beneficial to the whole world.

What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative energy is any energy source that is alternative to fossil fuel (coal,
gasoline, and natural gas). These alternatives are intended to address concerns about fossil
fuels, such as its high carbon dioxide emissions, an important factor in global warming
(Wikipedia)

Alternative energy is a broader category encompassing all non-fossil-fuel-based

energy source and processes, of which renewable energies are only a part. It represents a
clean energy source (does not pollute) that are derived from natural resources that don’t run
out such as solar, wind, geothermal, waves, tides, wastes, biomass, and hydrogen.
(https://study,com/academy/lesson/what-is-alternative-energy-definition-source.html/)

Renewable energy sources are not exactly the same as alternative energy sources.
Although both alternative and renewable energy work to cut down on carbon emissions,
there is a stark difference between the two. Alternative energy is not infinite in supply,
unlike renewable energy which as the name suggests is always available similar to solar
energy.

Key Differences Between Alternative Energy and Renewable Energy

Renewable energy comes from a source that is naturally occurring and replenishes
naturally without the interference of human interventions. Examples of renewable energy
includes biomass resources, solar energy, wind energy, geothermal and hydro resources.
The most abundant of these resources is solar energy.
 Alternative energy does not include solar power but includes resources like natural
gas (often obtained from fracking or injection of pressure in subterranean crevices), natural
gas cogeneration, fuel cells or any waste energy that does not naturally replenish but emits
lower cast emissions (www.solar.com/the-difference-between-alternative-and-renewable-
energy/)

Sources of Alternative Energy

There are different sources of alternative energy. They are the following:
1. Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is among the most abundant forms of alternative energy. It creates a
number of direct benefits in terms of emissions and efficacy, while also boosting the
economy by creating jobs in plant creation and operation.

2. Hydroelectric Energy
Hydroelectric methods actually are some of the earliest means of creating energy,
though their use begins to decline with the use of fossil fuels. Despite this, they still
account for approximately 7% of the energy produced in the United States.

Hydroelectric energy carries with it a number of benefits. Not only is it a clean

source of energy which means it does not create pollution, but it is also a renewable
source of energy. It also offers a number of secondary benefits that are not
immediately apparent. The dams used in generating hydroelectric power also
contribute to flood control and irrigation techniques.

3. Wave Energy
Water proves to be a valuable contributor to alternative energy fuel sources with
wave energy converters. These hold an advantage over tidal energy sources
because they can be placed in the ocean in various situations and locations. One of
its benefits comes from the lack of waste produced in this kind of energy. It is also
more reliable than many other forms of alternative energy and has enormous
potential when used properly.

4. Biofuels
In contrast to biomass energy sources, biofuels make use of animal and plant life to
create energy. In essence, they are fuels that can be obtained from some form of
organic matter. They are renewable in cases where plants are used as they can be
regrown.

5. Natural Gas
Natural gas sources have been in use for a number of decades but it is through the
progression of compression techniques that it is becoming a more viable alternative
energy source. In particular, it is being used in cars o reduce carbon emissions.
 Demand for this energy source has been universal. However, the potential for
contamination is larger than other alternative fuel sources and natural gas still emits
greenhouse gases even if the amount is lower than that of fossil fuels.

6. Geothermal Power
Geothermal Power is about extracting energy from the ground up. It is growing in
popularity with the sector as a whole experiencing 5% growth in 2015.

The World Bank currently estimates that around 40 countries could meet most of their
power demands using geothermal energy. This power source has massive potential
while doing little to disrupt the land. However, the upfront cost of creating a
geothermal power plant has led to slower adoption than may have been expected.

7. Wind Energy
This form of energy generation has become increasingly popular in recent years, It
offers much the same benefits as many other alternative fuel sources do in that it
makes use of a renewable source and generates no waste.

Current wind energy installations power roughly 20 million houses in the United
States per year and the number is growing. Most states in the nation have some form
of wind energy set-up and investment in the technology continues to grow.

8. Biomass Energy
Biomass energy comes in a number of forms. Burning wood has been used for
thousands of years to create heat but more recent advancements have also seen
waste such that in landfills and alcohol products used for a similar purpose.

Focusing on burning wood, the heat generated can be equivalent to that of a central
heating system. Furthermore, the costs involved tend to be lower and the amount of
carbon released by this kind of fuel falls below the amount released by fossil fuels.

9. Tidal Energy
While tidal energy uses the power of water to generate energy much like with the
hydroelectric methods, its application actually has more in common with turbines in
many cases.

Although it is fairly a new technology, its potential is enormous. The most common
form of tidal energy generation is the use of Tidal Stream Generators. These use the
kinetic energy of the ocean to power turbines, without producing the waste of fossil
fuels.

10. Hydrogen Gas

 Unlike the other forms of natural gas, hydrogen is a completely clean burning fuel.
Once produced, hydrogen gas cells emit only water vapor and warm air when in use.

The major issue with this form of alternative energy is that it is mostly derived from
the use of natural gas and fossil fuels. As such, it could be argued that the emissions
created to extract it counteract the benefits of its use.

Renewable Sources of Energy

Biomass
Although biomass is a renewable energy, this should not be mistaken for a clean
energy source. Although biomass is significantly cleaner than most fossil fuels such as coal
and oil, it still produces sulphur dioxide during electricity production.

Hydro energy
Hydro energy commonly referred to as “hydropower”, is a very clean and powerful
method of generating electricity from a trapped wall of water.

The disadvantage to hydropower is the cost to the surrounding environment, as land

upstream needs to be flooded, and land downstream will be drained during construction.
This can have disastrous effects on wildlife and life in the rivers.

Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is a reliable energy source, depending on your location. It is
commonly used to provide a source of heating or hot water for households using “ground
source heat pumps”, and also can be used as the energy source for power stations in
appropriate areas.

Solar energy
Solar energy can be somewhat unreliable depending on the placement, location, and
surrounding environment of the solar cells. The greater the solar energy supply, the more
effective the cells will be, however, the more heat a solar panel receives, the more
unreliable it can be.

Tidal energy
Tidal energy can be used to create electricity from the large energy force behind the
tides. The main disadvantage of tidal energy is the effect on the surrounding environment,
affecting sea life, and shore access.

Wave energy
Wave energy is similar to tidal energy but instead uses the force behind the waves
(not the tide) to generate electricity. The cost to sea life is usually less of an issue, as the
construction tends to float on the water, and not in the sea. This is a relatively new
technology, and in many cases, is still in the research phrase.

Wind energy
Wind energy can be a very reliable renewable energy source if the wind turbines
are placed in the right location. The main disadvantages of this form of energy are: sight and
noise pollution, and that most designs of wind turbines can be harmful to birds.

Wood energy
Wood energy ties in with biomass, as it is still renewable, but must be burnt during
electricity production, which makes it harmful for our environment. (Source:
http://www.cleanenergyideas.com/energy_definitions/definition_of_renewable_energy.ht
ml/)

The Philippines may have been slow in adopting renewable energy, but is has been
catching up. In fact, there is a goal to make renewable energy account for 50% of the total
energy mix by the year 2030 when demand for energy is forecast to exceed 30,000 MW.

The question is, is it catching up fast enough? With the Philippine Department of
Energy approving a total of 616 renewable energy projects last year, we can look forward to
a cleaner energy infrastructure. Whether these will be enough to fulfill the 50% by 2030
objective is not certain, but at the very least, we know that progress is being made.

Assessment Questions:
1. Why do you have to know about alternative energy resources?
2. What examples of alternative energy resources can you give?

Supplementary Learning Materials:

The Philippines and other countries of the world have relied on the same sources of fuels
for the past hundred years. We have been so dependent on coal, oil, and natural resources which
up to this date still worked well. But at the rate we have been using these fuels, the world may run
out of these resources. There is a need to search for alternative energy resources which are
cleaner, more economical, and ecology-friendly and are beneficial to the whole world.

Watch the videos by clicking the link below:

1. Renewable energy 101… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kUE0BZtTRc
2. Renewable energy… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8WuEyL-YNY
3. How do Solar panel works?… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKxrkht7CpY
4. The future of Energy… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxyXLRI_Z0Q