Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

It is will documented that the earths supply of fossil fuels is running out. Oil in particular is forecasted to run out in less than 50 years. The human race is addicted to fossil fuels, so what are the alternatives? The first alternative to fossil fuels is one of the most controversial. Nuclear power is the splitting (fission) or joining (fusion) the nucleii of atoms together and harvesting the resulting energy in nuclear reactors. At present, nuclear fusion is technologically difficult to implement although has the potential to be generate less nuclear waste than fusion. The main controversy around the use of nuclear power is that even though it is clean and efficient, the generated waste stays radioactive for many years. Furthermore, the potential for accidents such as those at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island are of concern to the public. Even if nuclear power were accepted as a viable alternative, it will soon suffer the supply problems of fossil fuels. 

Other Alternatives for Domestic Power

Other options for domestic power include harnessing the suns energy through solar panels. As solar panels become cheaper to manufacture and more reliable. the are becoming a real alternative energy generation solution. Wind power is also capable of large power output, through the use of both off-shore and on-shore wind farms. The tides can also be used for power, where we harness the energy of the waves and turn it into electricity. All of the listed options are renewable and environmentally friendly, making them preferred choices to provide out energy supply into the future.

Alternatives to Fossil Fuels for Transport

Alternatives to fossil fuels for transport include biofuel; a method of creating fuel particularly for automobiles typically by fermenting the sugar in crops to generate bio-ethanol which is one of the best known biofuels. Bio-diesel is also made from greases and fats. In fact vegetable oil alone can be used as a fuel to power engines which are conventionally diesel powered with some small adjustments. Some airlines are already testing bio-fuels for use in jet engines with some flights already operating with one engine running on bio-fuel. Hydrogen fuel cells are also currently being actively researched as a method of powering vehicles.