Alternative Energy

Geothermal energy utilizes the heat stored in the earth’s subsurface mostly in the form of high temperature underground water sources that remain at fairly constant temperatures.  Geothermal energy sources are not a source of greenhouse gas emissions and the earth assists in making this a renewable resource because it heats these underground sources naturally and continually.  Geothermal, like hydroelectric power, has also been viewed as not being completely renewable because some of geothermal sites may become depleted over long periods of time.

Ocean energy, also referred to as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), utilizes the pressure differential between saltwater and freshwater at the river/ocean interface.  It is dependent upon the use of semi-permeable membranes to distribute the energy, and it has significant potential in various parts of the world.  Wave or tidal energy is also a form of renewable energy.  It converts the energy of waves and tides into electrical energy, and is more predictable than solar and wind energy.

Bioenergy comes is numerous forms including biofuels, biogas, and biomass.  Bioenergy is an appealing energy source for greenhouse gas reduction because it is truly renewable and consumes carbon dioxide in the photosynthetic process of creating the raw fuel source.  Biofuels are liquid fuels such as biodiesel, ethanol (e.g., corn-based), and bioleum (e.g., algae-based).  Algae have a high potential in their use as a biofuel.  They have simple growth needs and require only sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.  They provide lipids that can be refined into biocrude, biodiesel, synthetic diesel, and gasoline.  Biogas is primarily produced from waste decomposition, and can be compared to methane or natural gas.  Biogas often comes from landfills, anaerobic digestion of cow manure, or from the anaerobic digestion of municipal wastewater sludge.  Biomass (straw, cow dung, wood) is used primarily for heating in place of coal due to its lower density and lower likelihood to produce harmful emissions.

There is much debate in the media regarding the merit of climate change and the causal effects of climate change.  However, until there is ample evidence presented against the notion that worldwide shifts in temperature are occurring due to the increased presence and emission of carbon dioxide, there is a need to explore the various forms of alternative and renewable energy presented above.  The majority of these energy sources are not sources nor are they responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, specifically carbon dioxide.  They are cleaner forms of energy that do not have adverse impacts on public and environmental health.  Utilizing these energy forms have not been linked to many of the environmental illnesses like those caused by the use of conventional energy sources and fuels.  It’s in the best interest of our fraternity to explore and educate the communities we serve about protecting the environment and as a consequence reducing the adverse health impacts of poor environmental conditions.

Brother August S. Martin, Jr.

SPR 90, Rho Iota Chapter, Tulane University of New Orleans