Alternative energy is not just windmills

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The Danish island of Samsø has proven that communities can cover 100% of their energy consumption from CO2-neutral sources. Since 2003 the island has received all of its energy from renewable energy sources such as windmills, solar cells and district heating from the burning of stubble.

2

Recent research shows that, by 2030, bioethanol obtained from ‘green waste’ from agriculture, forestry and special energy crops, such as maize, could become an environmentally sustainable substitute for a third of the petrol used in America. 

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Coffee grounds contain around 15% oil. The extracted oil can be used for biodiesel, while the remains are usable as fertiliser or briquettes. With 400 to 500 billion cups of coffee consumed annually on a global scale, there is plenty of raw material available.

4

An electric car running on electricity from a coal-fired generator produces a third of the emissions of a petrol car and just over half the emissions of a diesel or hybrid car.

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Wind power is an alternative to producing electricity from coal, oil or gas. In 2008, the generation of wind power led to a reduction of 229 million tons of CO2 emissions.

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In ten years’ time, a CO2 -neutral city of 6 square kilometres housing 50,000 people will have emerged in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Solar panels and solar collectors will generate most of the electricity, 80% of the water will be recycled and the city’s narrow streets, shaded walks and north-eastern orientation will reduce the need for air conditioning.

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The world’s first CO2-neutral polar research station was inaugurated in Antarctica in February 2009. Power and heating are supplied by windmills and solar panels, while microorganisms and compost processes allow water for toilets and baths to be reused up to five times.

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In 2008, 1.3% of the world’s energy consumption came from wind power. This was the fourth consecutive year that the global windmill industry posted growth of 30%.