Further renewable options
Apart from the already demonstrated types of renewable electric power production there are some technologies which are not so well known or not so well developed. Some of them we want to present here:
Geothermics
In many regions of the world there are subterranean sources of heat. Sometimes they are so hot that one can use their energy. Nearly hundred percent of the energy supply of Iceland are based on this energy. Only the fuels for cars and ships are derived from crude oil. Iceland wants to become independent of these oil imports as well and has decided to switch the whole energy economy over to hydrogen. They want to generate hydrogen by geothermal energy in future. Many European partners are supporting this project.
In Europe there is an unused potential of geothermics as well. It is imaginable that it will supplement our supply of energy in future.
Energy from The Sea
Ebb and flow are moving immense masses of water every day. Enormous amounts of energy are necessary to bring this about. Tidal power stations are able to use this energy. Such a tidal power station has existed in St. Malo at the French Atlantic coast for many years.
The power of the waves can be used as well. Mostly in Britain there are prototypes of such wave power stations. They are built on the seabed and use the sea's up and down movement. The energy contained in waves several metres high is considerable in any case. But the question remains whether we succeed in using them.
Certain sorts of algae are a perfect source for biomass. With algae farms the immense area of the sea could be used in a natural way!
Other Solar Power Stations
Apart from the thermo solar and photovoltaic power stations there are various other types. There one should mention up current thermal power stations and tower power stations. Both technologies have already been tested successfully.
Up current thermal power stations use the fact that hot air is lighter than cold air. On the ground of the tower air gets heated by the sun. The air then rises in the tower and drives a turbine.
In tower power stations hundreds of mirrors focus the sunlight on top of a tower where water vaporises. The steam then drives a turbine.
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