The topic of alternative energy has received more attention in the media lately, due to a combination of major political issues. President Bush has been taken to task about his intentions concerning the “energy crisis” and his environmental policies. The fact that both President Bush and Vice-President Cheney are oil men certainly does not help the prospect of alternative energy getting much attention during their administration. So the outlook seems bleak for citizens concerned about conservation of the world’s natural resources, and for alternative energy becoming commonplace in America’s homes and industry.

Before delving into the latest innovations in alternative energy, the critical need for these alternatives should be addressed, especially with President Bush threatening to diminish environmental efforts of the last eight years. For instance, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham declared the energy crisis could only be resolved by repealing the environmental and regulatory obstacles to increasing coal and oil supplies, and the Bush administration stated the 45% growth in demand for electricity warrants building 65 to 90 power plants a year. On the local level, the transmission line controversy represents exactly what could happen in communities similar to Rabun County, all around the country. President Bush also reneged on his campaign pledge to curb carbon dioxide emissions, which is critical for reducing pollution from coal and oil burning plants. And there’s the well-publicized debate about the need to drill in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. Our growing dependence on natural gas will threaten many other federally protected lands currently closed to exploration.

Whether or not there is a legitimate “energy crisis,” surely there is a need for changing our dependence on the 19th century fossil fuel burning technologies that President Bush is intent on expanding. The fact does remain that there is population growth and a greater demand for non-renewable resources. Is there a perfect solution for energy issues? A perfect solution would not produce harmful emissions, dam rivers, ruin farmland, strip mine, and decimate thousands of acres of land. The solution should also provide jobs and contribute to local tax structures while fueling the national and global economies. The answer may be in the form of combining many options that could suit the particular city, community or individual’s needs, specific to the geography and natural resources of the area.

Many major power companies are searching for the answers, and have spent millions of dollars researching and implementing alternative methods of power generation and storage. Power companies in the West, especially along the Mexican border, have been buying power from smaller geothermal plants. According to a March 22, 2001 article in the New York Times, there are 10 geothermal plants located near the Salton Sea that extract superheated water to create energy, and pay taxes high enough to greatly impact the local economy. Yet an unfortunate domino effect from California’s failing power companies is a loss in revenue for the geothermal companies reliant upon selling their power surplus. Some geothermal companies are being forced to cease generating power until they receive payment.

Still, examples remain of communities making use of their best local and alternative resources. Geothermal energy is more suited to the Southwest; however, we have options unique to our area. Energy-friendly homes are a great place to start, and have been encouraged by our government through tax incentives. Energy saving appliances, light bulbs, and heating/cooling units are well known options for saving money on power bills as well as lessening the impact of inefficient appliances. Providing incentives for contractors to build efficiently, in the form of builder certifications and lending packages offered by banks to the consumer, contribute to a competitive economy as well as conservation efforts. According to Tony Streible, President of the Rabun County Homebuilders Association, “a builder’s good reputation is the only reason,” albeit a powerful one, to build energy efficient homes in Rabun County. Georgia Power and Habersham Electric Membership Cooperative surveys and tags every house built to establish its efficiency rating, thereby allowing the homeowner to qualify for an amount of money towards their power bills.

Making a difference in your lifestyle is the first, and the easiest way, to bring about a positive impact on the environment. There are many ways to ease the burden of harmful emissions and wasteful energy habits so the power companies do not have cause to over-generate power. At home, start by turning off appliances when not in use. When buying appliances, look for energy-efficient brands. Caulk and weather-strip so heat and cool air do not leak. Consider catalytic converters on woodstove pipes to lessen the emissions of wood heaters. Landscaping with native species can have long-reaching effects by conserving water, cutting fertilizer use and providing shade in the summer. These are a few general ideas that can be explored and implemented in the short term.

What technology is around the corner? Will there ever be a revolutionary change in power generation? Unfortunately, there are no immediate and inexpensive means to collectively get off “the grid.” The conveniences of electricity provided by traditional means are too many to list and implicate everyone, whether at home or work. However, there are ways to generate power in the form of hydrogen fuel cells, wind power, solar power and many forms of micro power. Some of the most interesting scientific research is top secret due to claims of ownership. Patents and copyrights are heavily guarded before new technology appears in the open market.

Recently an invention known as the Sterling engine, previously used to teach physics students about highly efficient, low-fuel burning engines, has been in the news because renown inventor Dean Kaman advanced the design. Kamen’s patented invention known as “It” or “Ginger” is reportedly his version of the Sterling engine. The Sterling engine can be purchased on American Sterling Company’s website (sterlingengine.com) as an aid for physics teachers to demonstrate how highly efficient power generators operate.

Sterling engines can be powered by the amount of fuel it takes to fill a coffee cup, and are small enough to fit on top of one. The engine can also be powered by a variety of heat sources including solar heat. Brent Van Arsdale, president of American Sterling Company, explains the impact an advanced Sterling engine could have on society: “Why do I think that this invention could change the world? Because the current method of delivering electricity is extremely inefficient.

A new power plant will typically burn natural gas, but there are a lot of losses between the power station and your house. It would be much more efficient to generate the power by burning the natural gas at your house. That way the waste heat can be used to heat your water or keep your house warm in the winter. To keep you cool in the summer, the Sterling engine could drive an optional Sterling cooler (which is basically a Sterling engine running in reverse). Besides, the ‘refrigerant’ used in the Sterling engine is environmentally friendly helium, not freon.” Nobody knows for sure when Kamen will reveal his product to the world, but it is eagerly anticipated.

American Sterling Company also offers waste heat recovery systems to industries, and they claim to be able to save money for industries by applying the same Sterling engine principles “to recover power from industrial waste heat sources.” In addition, the Sterling engine is a cleaner burning engine that could reduce emissions, thereby helping industrial companies meet current clean air standards. This is just one example of the many companies offering money saving and energy efficient solutions to industrial wastefulness.

Fuel cell technology is another example of progressive alternatives to energy generation issues. There are a wide variety of fuel cell designs, with hydrogen being the common design element and diversity coming in the form of the catalyst used to create the energy-producing reaction. The heat released by the chemical reactions inside the cell manufactures the energy; multiple sets of fuel cells in a series create a fuel cell stack capable of producing greater amounts of energy. Determining the type of fuel cell necessary for the application also depends on how much heat the operating system can bear in extracting the hydrogen from the source. The catalyst to produce the reaction makes the difference in the type of fuel cell used, with hydrogen being the common denominator.

The types of fuel cells most commonly used include alkaline, phosphoric acid, proton exchange membrane, solid oxide and molten carbonate, and the newer methanol generative system. These fuel cells operate at varying temperatures, which makes a big difference in the type of systems they can be used in. For example, for the space shuttle NASA uses alkaline fuel cells with platinum as a catalyst, rendering it useless for anything else (besides NASA’s budget!)

Converting internal combustion engines to fuel cells is simple and reasonably priced; however, hydrogen’s extreme combustibility is an issue to be surmounted for the broad application of this technology. The generation of hydrogen is another issue. There is not a single solution for this problem; however, the options reach into solutions for other environmental issues. For instance, making use of photovoltaic solar panels and biomass technology to generate hydrogen is a very real possibility. The Sun may be used to start reactions that create hydrogen as a by-product and that also forms a residue called char, which can be burned to produce more heat.

Fuel cell technology is already a very real possibility for such power companies as Tennessee Valley Authority. According to a November 16, 2000 article in the Knoxville News, TVA has plans for a $25 million plant that will be using fuel cells to store electricity. The plant will be the first of its kind in the United States, and will be located on two acres of land near a substation so as to utilize existing power lines.

Meanwhile, it is up to the local citizenry to seek alternatives to being on “the grid,” if one so chooses. Many alternative energy possibilities are available, and are worth researching to see what is right for the Southeast’s climate and your particular budget. Solar power and wind power have their place, and combining solar panels and wind turbines may work to meet a household’s electricity needs.

Knowing that fuel cell technologies are vastly improving and will be available for residential applications in the very near future is encouraging. Transforming trash and green waste into electricity is on the horizon as well. Using the gases given off from the breakdown of garbage in landfills, such as methane, and converting it into usable energy is exciting.

So far there are no limits on consumption in this country for individuals and corporations. The statistics on American consumption are staggering, and quite embarrassing. From a global perspective, the United States seems intent on forwarding oil-based economic principles, and that sends a distinct message to the world. Yet, the United States has many opportunities to integrate alternative energy into the fabric of our daily lives. In the meantime, the best option we have is to conserve energy, and seek and implement alternatives to our current lifestyles as citizens of the world.

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