Alternative energy
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2008-07-11T23:34:22Z
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/* Alternative Energy Sources */
[[Image:DanishWindTurbines.jpg|thumb|Offshore wind turbines near [[Copenhagen]]]]
'''Alternative energy''' is a term used for an energy source that is an alternative to using fossil fuels.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} Generally, it indicates energies that are non-traditional and have low environmental impact. The term ''alternative'' is used to contrast with [[fossil fuels]] according to some sources. By most definitions alternative energy doesn't harm the environment, a distinction which separates it from [[renewable energy]] which may or may not have significant environmental impact.
==Definitions==
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{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Source
! Definition <big><big>
|-
| Oxford Dictionary
| energy fuelled in ways that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment.<ref>Oxford Dictionary. [http://www.askoxford.com/results/?view=dict&freesearch=alternative+energy&textsearchtype=exact]. Accessed May 2, 2008.</ref>
|-
| Princeton WordNet
| energy derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment.<ref>WordNet. [http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=alternative%20energy Alternative Energy entry].</ref>
|-
| Responding to Climate Change 2007
| energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., compressed natural gas, solar, hydroelectric, wind).<ref>RICC 2007. [http://www.rtcc.org/2007/html/glossary.html Term Glossary].</ref>
|-
| Natural Resources Defense Council
| energy that is not popularly used and is usually environmentally sound, such as solar or wind energy (as opposed to fossil fuels).<ref>NRDC. [http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/a.asp Glossary].</ref>
|-
| Materials Management Services
| 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.<ref>MMS. [http://www.mms.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/Definitions.htm Definitions].</ref>
|}
==Alternative Energy Sources==
*[[Biomass]]
*[[Geothermal]]
*[[Solar energy]]
*[[Wind energy]]
*[[Wave Power]]
==Alternative Energy Adoption==
Due to a steadily rising gas price in 2008 with the US national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas above $4.00<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/02/news/economy/gas/?postversion=2008070206 Gas Prices post third straight record, CNN Money].</ref>, there has been a steady movement towards developing higher fuel efficiency and more alternative energy vehicles for consumers. In response, many smaller companies have rapidly increased research and development into radically different ways of powering consumer vehicles. While Hybrid Vehicles (such as Toyota's Prius) and Electric Vehicles (such as the Tesla Roadster) are commercially available, other technologies such as fuel cells, flywheels, ultracapacitors and a Water-Powered car are starting to emerge as viable options.<ref>[http://inagreenworld.blogspot.com/2008/07/fill-it-upwith-water.html In A Green World], accessed [[Jul 2]], [[2008]].</ref>
== See also ==
*[[Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas]] (ASPO)
*[[Alternative Energy Index]]
*[[Biofuel]]
*[[Energy development]]
*[[Green electricity in Australia]]
*[[Green energy]]
*[[Greasestock]]
*[[Renewable energy]]
*[[Solar energy]]
*[[Sustainable energy]]
*[[Wave Power]]
*[[Wind energy]]
*Energy storage topics
**[[Alternative fuel vehicle]]
**[[Fuel cell]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.thewhygreennetwork.com Information to spur collaboration from investors, suppliers, producers and the entire Green Global Network.]
[[Category:Alternative energy]]
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[[ar:طاقة بديلة]]
[[it:Fonti alternative di energia]]
[[he:אנרגיה חלופית]]
[[ro:Energie alternativă]]
[[ru:Альтернативная энергетика]]
[[th:พลังงานทางเลือก]]
[[zh:可替代能源]]