www.ourrenewablenation.org

Many gas stations and convenience stores offer sub sandwiches, fried chicken or other fast food. For some environmentally-aware motorists, filling up the fuel tank occurs at the local burger joint. Although vehicles powered by vegetable oil aren’t as common as electric or hybrids autos, using recycled oil is a great way to reduce waste and save money on fuel.

Any diesel vehicle can be converted to run on vegetable oil. Diesel is still necessary to start the unit. Once it is warmed up, however, ordinary filtered vegetable oil provides the energy to drive. Thorough filtering is essential (more…)

While replacing conventional combustion engines that are used to power cars and trucks with alternatives that are able to operate without generating harmful emissions promises to be the most effective way to address a number of environmental and economic issues, shorter term options that may play an important role should not go overlooked. Ways of replacing conventional gasoline with more renewable resources like ethanol and bio-diesel may be an important intermediate step in any effort to find a more (more…)

If you power your home with services like EnergSavings or the like then chances are you already know a thing or two about renewable energy. When we think about renewable energy sources we tend to think of hydropower, wind power and, especially, solar power, but did you know that there are, in fact two different kinds of solar power?

The first kind is passive and all it really refers to are components of a house or set up that take advantage of the shining sun. These include focused greenhouse glass and specially built walls that can trap and absorb heat. The other kind, the kind we most identify with solar power, is active and relies upon special solar arrays and cells to capture solar radiation for direct and immediate use in heating water and even cooking.

Solar power can be one of the most reliable forms of renewable energy and many homes are being built today with materials that make use of this form of energy. It’s important that we, as human beings, spread our wings and really explore new and reliable energy sources, especially solar. After all, we will run out of fossil fuels long before the sun runs out of juice and the money you save using solar power could quite possibly turn you into a believer.

Ethanol is a renewable alternative to gasoline. America’s top open wheel series, Indy car, runs on a 98 ethanol mix. Ethanol burns more cleanly than gasoline, can produce higher performance, and is not a fossil fuel.

As a result, auto manufacturers are producing more and more ethanol powered or, better yer, flex fuel cars. A flex fuel car can run on gasoline or an ethanol/gasoline blend of up to 85 ethanol. Flex fuel vehicles mean that the owner does not have to drive around looking for an ethanol station but (more…)

There are quite a few promising lines of research in alternative energy. One of them is obtaining electricity from rubbish.

Processing waste to create energy reduces landfill content as well as reliance on fossil fuels. In fact some first world countries are even exporting garbage to third world locations. Most waste to energy plants process waste biomass such as food or garden waste. They may do this by burning the waste and capturing the heat, but there (more…)

What was once the domain of the counter culture crowd and survivalists in rural areas; the idea of “living off the grid” has recently gained popularity, in of all places, the suburbs.

But what does living off the grid truly mean?

Urban or suburban homesteading, as it is being called by some, is about living a more fulfilling, sustainable and simpler life in the midst of our busy modern world.

Does this mean I have to read by candlelight?

Go for it! But you don’t have to. Get more information here. In terms of power and energy conservation, it involves the use of new and innovative ways of generating electricity, such as: battery, solar, hydro and wind systems just for starters.

Do I get to have chickens in my backyard?

If you want some, absolutely! In terms of food, it’s all about being organic. A well planned garden, as well as creating an edible landscape in your front and back yard, can provide healthy food for your family all year round.

Where do I start?

Living off the grid is challenging, but the wealth of information currently available on the internet is quickly making it a very attainable venture. Nothing is more rewarding than being able to take care of your family – especially in the event of an emergency – while at the same time creating your own little self-sustaining oasis.

Solar power has received a lot of press lately. However, it is far from the only alternative energy solution out there.

Wind power is one of the ‘big things’ right now. The current trend is to build wind turbines off shore in shallow water. In theory, they are in nobody’s way out there, although they are sometimes visible from ocean or lakeside resorts and some people complain that they interrupt the view. Wind power is best utilized where there is a steady prevailing wind. Also, turbines have to be located out of the flight path (more…)