Putting Potential Energy To Work Can Save Resources


From a strict physics standpoint, potential energy can be likened to a rock resting on the top of a hill. One little nudge can have that rock rolling down the hill, crushing everything in its path, turning its potential energy into damaging energy. From an energy savings point of view, a waterfall, stiff breeze or a bright sunny day are also potential resources that when harnessed can provide the world with an abundance of energy.

There are a few potential energy sources that are available but remain undeveloped in many areas of the country as users remain complacent about the availability of non-renewable sources of energy. Oil is one of the largest current sources of fuel being used around the world and is being used to power cars, trucks and industry with natural gas a close second in the amount of energy used. While being used for over 100 years, there are other potential energy sources that are being overlooked.

One illuminating potential energy source is the sun and the technology is available for turning the sun's energy into electricity with the use of photovoltaic cells, commonly called solar cells, as well as thermal energy. By using the heat of the sun's rays to warm water and air, it can be used to provide heat for homes as well as energy.

Natural Resources Provide Potential Money Savings


Industrial nations have become so used to using fossil fuels, such as oil and coal as their primary energy source, that they have not fully studied the savings involved in using renewable resources. Current technology is available to create electricity from the sun, the wind and waterways, but the cost of using this technology makes their use as a potential energy source nearly prohibitive.

In the early days of solar energy, it cost more to produce the amount of power needed than the savings associated with the cost. However, newer photovoltaic cell technology makes the solar arrays cheaper to produce as well as more efficient, making this one of the primary potential energy sources being used. Windmills are also being used to a larger extent in harnessing the wind as a potential energy source.

The Hoover Dam at Lake Meade in Nevada is another example of using the water as a potential energy source and turbines at Niagara Falls has been producing electricity for decades. However, turbines that can produce more power with less water are turning smaller rivers and streams into potential energy streams.


8-Jan-2008