Solar and Wind Power and Alternative Energy Information

Alternative Energy Definitions

Alternative Energy Definitions

• Alternative energy: Fuel sources that are other than those derived from fossil fuels. Typically used interchangeably for renewable energy. Examples include: wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal energy.
  
  
• Crude Oil: A mixture of hydrocarbons naturally existing as a liquid in underground reservoirs that remains a liquid at atmospheric pressure. Crude oil is the raw material which is refined into gasoline, heating oil, jet fuel, propane, petrochemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and other products.
  
  
• Energy: The capacity for doing work as measured by the capability of doing work (potential energy) or the conversion of this capability to motion (kinetic energy). Energy has several forms, some of which are easily convertible and can be changed to another form useful for work. Electrical energy is usually measured in kilowatt hours, while heat energy is usually measured in British thermal units (Btu).
  
  
• Hydrocarbon: Any compound or mix of compounds, solid, liquid or gas, comprised of carbon and hydrogen (e.g., coal, crude oil, and natural gas).
  
  
• Kilowatt: A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts.
  
  
• Megawatt: A unit of power equal to one million watts.
  
  
• Natural resources: A material source of wealth, such as timber, fresh water, or a mineral deposit, that occurs in a natural state and has economic value.
  
  
• Nonrenewable fuels: Fuels that cannot be easily made or "renewed," such as oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear.
  
  
• Photovoltaic: Comes from the words photo (meaning light) and volt, a measurement of electricity.
  
  
• Recoverable reserves: The proportion of hydrocarbons that can be recovered from a reservoir using existing techniques.
  
  
• Renewable energy: Energy resources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited. They are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. Renewable energy resources include: biomass, hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action, and tidal action. (EIA Glossary).
  
  
• Watt: A metric unit of power, usually used in electric measurements, which gives the rate at which work is done or energy used.
  
  

Alternative Energy Definitions

Alternative Energy Definitions on the web.

Alternative Energy Programs Definitions The full list of United States Governments Alternative Energy Programs Definitions.

Fusel How to run your diesel engine on sunflower oil. This site give practical advice on the viability of converting your diesel engined vehicle to run on WVO (Waste Vegetable Oil) or SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil). Conversion Kits, Sources of Straight and Waste Oil and Examples of Engine Conversions are all covered.