It seems that now, because of rising prices across the board, people are looking more into alternative sources of energy. Here are a few to get you started. ~ I appologise for my terrable art :) ~
<---Also see the alternative fuels and the solar power pages.
Hydro Power-
Water flows down hill. This is a very simple concept, that everyone understands. We also know that it has a lot of force behind it as it moves. So, when an object is placed into it, naturally, that object creates drag. This drag can be used to turn a propeller and produce power.
Wind Power-
Wind is caused by the uneven distribution of heat on Earth. The idea that warm air moves up and cold down creates large wind belts called jet streams. Similar to how a propeller can be placed into the water, a turbine can be in air to produce the same effect.
The power of wind is one of the greatest energy sources we have today and is the fastest growing area of renewable energy. It is one of the easiest to capture as well.
Wind Belt- I read recently an article about new wind turbine ideas and, although I forgot the link, one of them stuck out to me. It was called a wind belt and it was basicly a ribbon streched, tightly, across an opening, with a magnet at one end. The ribbon vibrates and moves the magnet up and down, producing energy. This is a very cheap and easy wind generator to build.
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Thermo Power-
The idea of thermo power can be used in many different ways. Here are some:
Steam-
Similar to a steam locomotive being pushed along with pistons, a turbine can be turned by the force of heated water, ie: steam. The water is first heated in a reservor and turned into steam. As the pressure builds the steam moves a propeller and powers a generator. The steam can then either be released into the air or cooled and returned to the reservor.
UnderGround (heating your home)-
This follows the fact that the ground takes longer to heat up or cool then the air. It is very similar to how your radiator in your car works, actually. A liquid is pumped through a zig-zaging system of pipes buryed in your yard, then vented through-out your house.
