DIY Home Made Energy

Paige Green asked:


According to 2003 figures from the Women’s Environment Network, it takes on average 22,250 MJ of energy, 75,000 ha of land for raw materials and 70 cubic metres of waste water is needed to manufacture enough disposable nappies for just one infant over the course of 2.5 years. Meanwhile, Jannine Barron, founder of Nature’s Child, an online retail store for natural and organic baby products, estimates that disposables can cost a family more than $3500 per child.

Cloth nappies also have a substantial impact due to the amount of water and resources it takes to launder them. A UK study done by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) indicated that under ‘average’ conditions, a traditional cloth nappy had a greater environmental impact of 570 kg when compared to a disposable nappy that they measured to have an impact of 550 kg. The study highlights ‘the importance of laundry choices for re-usable nappies in cutting their impact,’ said a spokesperson from DEFRA.

The study assumed that only three quarters of nappies were line dried and the remainder were tumbled in a drier. Washing nappies in fuller loads or line-drying them outdoors all the time was found to reduce impact by 16 per cent. The nappies were also assumed to be used on only one child when re-using nappies for a second child reduces the impact by another 24 per cent.

Meanwhile, modern innovations have taken nappy production to new heights. Many varieties of eco-friendly nappies are now available, such as Weenees disposable eco-pads or Eco-bots, a disposable nappy endorsed by Planet Ark, which use bio-degradable wood pulp and modified corn starch bioplastics.

The Dirty Lowdown on Disposable Nappies

Consider these sizable facts on disposable nappies:

• Nappies are the third most common item, by volume and weight, in American, UK, European, Japanese and Australian landfills.

• According to Choice consumer magazine, 95 per cent of Australian babies wore disposable nappies in 2007. In China, only 6 per cent do; in India, 2 per cent.

• It takes over 10 full sized trees to produce the number of nappies your baby will use in its first couple of years.

• Production of a single disposable nappy requires 2/3 of a cup of petroleum. This adds up to over 3 billion gallons (1134 billion litres of oil) per year dedicated to disposable nappy production.

Find out everything you need to know about green baby on the Green Pages, Australia’s leading green directory.



MILTON

Frank Mikael asked:


Fortunately, we can change our ways and then shift our attention to green energy sources.But why green energy sources?

Well because there are lots of advantages to using them, which we will never be able to get if we don’t change our ways. This is also even if some will argue that the problem with green energy is that it is sometimes difficult to generate the power we need. While that may be true, that is why there are other green energy sources available and we just to know which ones are viable given the geographic location.

There are various green energy sources such as:

solar, wind, wave, hydropower and geothermal

These energy sources do not produce anything harmful which may have a negative effect on the environment. This is the exact opposite of what you get when you continue to operate a coal or nuclear power plant.

Coal: you have to remember releases carbon dioxide into the air. On its own, it may not cause that much damage but there are currently 50,000 coal plants around the world and that number is expected to grow.

Nuclear plants may not release anything harmful into the air. The issue is how we dispose of the spend rods and if another nuclear accident should occur. We remember Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. We have probably learned better ways to prevent another incident from happening. Through the years, a few minor accidents have occurred and although the leak was contained, just imagine if it wasn’t?

Green energy sources may not be maintenance free, but at least it does not require that much to maintain them compared to conventional means. In the end, we save money because such facilities don’t cost that much to operate.

The next advantage of using green energy sources is that we will never run out of them. For centuries, the sun’s rays have reached so has the wind which is blown from the sea. By using it, we decrease our dependence on oil which is a nonrenewable resource.

If you think about it, many of us have taken these green energy sources for granted. If we do the right thing now, future generations will not have to face the mess that we could have handled on our own years before.

In short, the power is in our hands. We now have the technology and we know what to do with it. The only thing we need is to do is to put our money where our mouth is because despite the number of conferences on global warming and climate change, little has happened.

It is easy to talk about how concerned we are about the environment but you have to ask yourself when will more solar panels or wind turbines will be erected? When will the number of coal or nuclear power plants be reduced?

Green energy sources is the solution to the environmental, political and social problems of this lifetime.



CHUCK

Michelle Houser asked:


My first suggestion would be to start slow. Start small with everyday things like sharing rides to work, walking or riding your bike to lower how much fuel you are consuming and lower your contribution to air pollution. Change the light bulbs in your home to the smaller fluorescent bulbs. Regular light bulbs can really increase your monthly bills and the newer ones will last a lot longer. This adds up to big savings for you over time.

Another approach is to do a little maintenance around the house. Start caulking any gaps around the doors and windows and seal up any opening. This will help keep out drafts that cost you money. Another big tip is if you want to spend a little money – insulate, insulate, insulate! You will always make your money back on insulation. Having a well insulated home cuts down on those high energy cost in the wintertime. The more insulation, the less your furnace or heater will turn off and on costing you less.

One thing I hadn’t thought much about before was my appliances until my washer started to go crazy. If you have older appliances, they are probably eating your lunch in energy. It’s true! I couldn’t believe how much difference there was just in the ten years difference since I had bought my old one. You will actually save enough on your monthly bills over time to pay for a new energy efficient appliance. So if your spouse has been complaining about that old frig or washer, surprise them and replace it for them and save some money. (hint hint honey)

Of course, one of the most obvious “Going Green” changes that most of us have been exposed to since we were young is recycling. The bonus is that many vendors and manufacturers are making it easy for us. Watch for the recycling emblem when purchasing products. Buy more than one trash can so that you can separate out your paper, metal, glass and plastic.

These are all excellent ideas that you can utilize to start your “Going Green” lifestyle. Should you decide to pursue even bigger ideas’ there are many resources and a large amount of information available.  You can check out the site here for further research and information If you are interested at Alternate Home Energy



MARCELINO

Joe Randall asked:


Marietta, GA. June 1, 2009 — Verdant Energy Solutions, a “Bio-Coal” industry innovator, recently achieved distinction with the “Best Green/Alternative Energy Company” award out of over 40 companies participating in the “2009 (SPEC) Southeast Private Equity Conference” held in Atlanta, April 14-15, 2009. SPEC showcases emerging growth companies and exposure to venture capitalists, fund managers, and private equity investors representing over $560 Million in investment capital.

 “This significant recognition from an organization of this stature validates our belief and principles in the need to help power plants find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and opens the door to future investment in our young enterprise,” said Chris Pollatos, President and CEO of Verdant. “We are honored to receive this meaningful award which inherently defines our company’s value proposition to assist electric companies in meeting stringent CO2 emission reduction targets cost-effectively while utilizing today’s existing energy infrastructure.”

 Verdant Energy Solutions, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, is a producer of 100% renewable, sustainable, clean-burning “Bio-Coal,” that has an equivalent heating value to coal, but is carbon-neutral which can mitigate environmental risks. For more information please visit: www.VerdantEnergySolutions.com.

“Bio-Coal” is a 100% renewable fuel alternative to fossil coal used for electric generating utilities world-wide; substantially reducing CO2 and other harmful greenhouse gas emissions when co-fired with traditional coal.

Legislatively mandated CO2 reductions have created a market need for bio-coal. With no technology currently existing to remove CO2 from smoke stacks switching to clean burning Bio-Coal, provides compatibility with today’s existing energy infrastructure and the opportunity to meet tomorrow’s increasingly stringent emission reduction targets in a cost-effective manner.

Verdant Energy Solutions is currently developing its Bio-Coal production capability in biomass-rich regions such as Brazil, to serve the growing need for a non-fossil fuel alternative that can be co-fired with coal, to achieve reductions in CO2 emissions.



LEONEL

www asked:


How to calculate the energy saved by capacitors and do sine wave inverter save energy?Maybe the amount of energy saved by using power savers in percentage and how to calculate.

CYRIL

Carol Oon asked:


World today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy.

Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc. Various products that are now placed in the shelves of the store and that help in energy revolution and conservation are:

• Integrated Intelligent Home System:

This provides you with home security, control, automation and communication related features. One can control and monitor their home and office security along with controlling the home appliances and lighting from any telephone, keypad, handheld remote control system, computer or the internet. The products have outstanding remote communication features which can allow you to communicate with visitors when they are still at office doors, you can send them your messages and can also hear their messages. In case there is alarm notification, you can listen to different sounds and the activity present in the surroundings.

• Light and Air -conditioner Energy Saver:

These devices are normally very easy to install and help to save energy directly. They can adjust the temperature by automatically realizing the self-motion adjustment. They do not connect to any circuitry in the AC. They have stable capacities and do not get affected by fluctuations in external temperature. Trouble from these energy saver devices do not harm or affect the functioning of your equipment in any way. The devices are shock proof and help you reduce your power requirement by minimum 20%.

• Green Energy Products

Today, you would find an array of Green products in the market. Green products and appliances include energy saving appliances and devices for your office and home, windows/doors utilizing solar energy and household products built out of eco-friendly materials. Fluorescent light bulbs are another light saving devices utilizing minimum amount of electricity per watt. All these energy saver products positively influence the environment and reduce the energy and electricity costs. They also reduce the emission of pollutants in the long-term.

Other products like energy saving remote control made out of plastic are also available for saving energy in your day to day use.

Benefits of using Energy saving & Intelligent Products:

• Uses 75% to 80% less electricity.

• Cost less and work too well

• Reduce dependence on coal and petroleum

• Help to address concerns of global warming

• Reduce the gasoline and electricity bills

• Reduce the green house gas emission levels

Overall, reduced energy usage means that the need to go for building new transmission lines, infrastructure and other related devices can be delayed and prolonged. Hence, one can defer the environmental concerns and issues, if not have complete removal. All the energy saving programs and devices will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions made by coal utilizing power plants. Emissions up to an average of around 2.1 billion pounds per year can be saved for around 20 years

So, when we are aware of these things, why not head on the way to conserving energy!



ARTHUR

James Copper asked:


Green energy refers to the use of power that is not only more efficient than fossil fuel but that is friendly to the environment as well. Green energy is generally defined as energy sources that dont pollute and are renewable.

There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydropower on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.

Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.

The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.

Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.

As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.

Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.

The latter is generally a more cost - efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.

Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.

While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.

Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energys impact is minimal, however.



ARON

Paige Green asked:


Setting up a good green home starts with energy efficiency. Traditional incandescent light globes lose almost 90 per cent of their energy in generating heat - only 10 per cent of the electricity used is actually going into lighting your room. And because of their various filaments and parts, incandescent bulbs generally have a much shorter life span than their more energy efficient counter parts.

Installing energy efficient globes is one of the most cost effective and easiest options available for a good green home. Some companies had even traditionally given out energy and water saving “packs” for people to try out. Nowadays, these energy saving globes are available everywhere - so the question becomes, which light fitting is right for you?

Eco Home Tip # 36 - The lowdown on CFL - Compact Fluorescent (CFLs) are the most common energy saving fitting. CFLs use just about 20 percent of the energy required for the same amount of light from an incandescent globe and last 10 times as as long. All in all, a CFL will help reduce the cost of lighting your home by as much as 60 %.



Eco Home Tip # 37 - Keep your CFLs close, if shaded - a British study last year revealed that CFLs produced a small amount of UV radiation when used unshaded and in close proximity. Open globes were of note, which “encapsulated” globes were considered safe. So if you’re using a work lamp with a CFL, keep it shaded of opt for an encapsulated globe instead.

Eco Home Tip # 38 - Recycling your CFLs - The typical CFL contains a minute 4 mg of mercury sealed in its glass tubing. Some manufacturers have lowered its CFL mercury content to as little as 1 - 2.5 mg. Handle your CFLs with care and take advantage of recycling programs for CFLs to keep mercury from ending up in landfill.

Eco Home Tip # 39 - Leading by example with LEDs - Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are another popular energy efficient lighting option, especially to replace halogen globes and downlights in your home. The small cluster of diodes can be arranged in a number of configurations and sizes to suit your home. LEDs have been traditionally found in electronics including clocks, and have a variety of uses in terms of producing a broad spectrum of bright coloured light. LEDs are the perfect substitute to the more heat intensive halogen globes and last for over 50,000 - 60,000 hours and uses 70 percent less energy than standard halogen globes. LEDs are also mercury free.

Lighting a home can account for as much as 20 percent of a home’s energy use. Energy saving lights are simply a bright idea for your green home.

Looking for more eco home tips and ideas? Visit the Green Pages directory for more great eco home tips and ideas!



JOHNIE

Jad A asked:


Can u please explain the different energy transfers that take place for the following energy resources….

Geothermal Energy
Nuclear Energy
Hydroelectric Power
Solar Power
Biomass
Wind Power
Waves
Tidal Power
Coal/Oil/Gas

i.e. Gravitational PE to Kinetic energy to Electrical energy.

I would appreciate any help.
Thank You in advance.

MARLIN

Max Loodlin asked:


The market of green energy is growing exponentially. More and more people are going green and for good reason. Let’s take a look at 3 reasons why you should use green energy right now.

1. Green For The Environment

Using green energy is one of the best ways to help out the environment. Green energy is clean and is renewable which means that it won’t harm the environment and it will never run out. Fossil fuel emissions are slowly killing our planet which is why everyone needs to do their part in keeping our environment healthy. We need to take action now if we want keep our planet a sustainable place to live.

2. Green $$$

Along with helping out the environment, green energy can also save you a ton of cash. At the very minimum, a natural energy source will save you 80% on your energy bill. And this is just within a months time of using a renewable energy source. Not only will your natural energy source have payed for itself within a month, but you will also save you hundreds of dollars. But, even more incredible is the ability to make money off of your green energy source. Since green energy is renewable it has the ability to produce more energy than you actually need. This means you will be able to sell unused energy back to your utility company for a lot of cash.

3. Green Won’t Always Be Cheap

The most important reason why you should go green now instead of waiting is because this market is growing rapidly and is bound to become huge within the next six months. And when this market becomes huge you can expect prices to soar as well. Right now you can make your own green energy source for around $50. How long will this be a realistic price? Not very long. In just a few months this price could easily increase to 3x times the current amount. Green energy will always have the ability to save you money, but when you have to dish out hundreds of dollars it may take a pretty long time.

Want to learn more about the best DIY green energy guide? Click the link below and learn how you can make your own clean energy for less than $50.

http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakenaturalpower



CLEVELAND