Read n' Seed 4: Third Quater of Citizen Powered Energy Handbook

1. I read pages 144-259. I read 3 chapters that each covered 3 more different types of renewable energy sources.

2 & 3. The main topics were the 3 different renewable energy sources, biomass, liquid biofuels, and geothermal power. Biomass is basically stored solar power. What happens is the plants capture solar power through photosynthesis, and then the organic matter that makes up the plants and such are known as biomass. An example, is burning firewood to heat your home. Other examples of biomass include using pellets, and wood chips as a source of heat. Something I found really interesting is the methane gas that is produced in landfills, can be converted and used as a biofuel. So instead of polluting our planet and destroying our ozone, landfill gas is being reused.

The second renewable energy source that is discussed is liquid biofuels. Liquid biofuel is very similar to biomass. It is power from biomass (described above) that is converted into a liquid state to primarily to be used as a transportation fuel source. You have probably heard of ethanol being used in cars or biodiesel being used for diesel powered vehicles; this is a very common liquid biofuel. Ethanol is made from grain. Ethanol is a much cleaner fuel source and it is biodegradable so if there is ever an accident involving ethanol, there would be no major environmental impacts. One drawback of using ethanol, is the amount of land needed to grow feedstock crops can be grown on. Feedstock crops are the plants grown specifically to be converted into biofuel There may not be enough to reach the demand if ethanol became extremely popular. Biodiesel is not only good for the environment but it is good for an engine also. Not only can you use the same engine you've been using the entire time, biodiesel is actually more lubricated so increases the engine life. Biodiesel has none of the contaminants that have been associated with cancer in which traditional diesel contains. One drawback that is associated with biodiesel engines is that they are hard to start in the winter.

The final chapter I read discusses geothermal energy sources. This renewable energy uses heat produced from the Earth as energy. Processes such as volcanic eruptions and radioactive decay, which takes place deep within the Earth's crust, are used as energy sources.
Collecting Process:
Also, pools of super- heated water that is associated with geysers lie within the Earth. The way the energy source is collected is by drilling wells to these pools. The water and and steam that is collected is then used to spin turbines and to create the electricity. Geothermal energy is primarily used for heating buildings. Many people are unaware of geothermal potential. The use of geothermal energy could skyrocket if simply people become more aware of it and how it can be utilized.

4. I have mentioned this in my previous Read and Seeds, but I really can not stress this enough. We need to, as a nation, to find other sources of energy and incorporate them into our everyday lives. Otherwise, we will eventually run out of nonrenewable sources and our country and our people will suffer. I have just explained 3 different types of renewable sources. Each of these have the potential to replace our old energy habits, we just have to become more aware of how to use them properly. We should also find out how we can help advocate for renewable energy sources to be used. People need to become aware of these sources. Personally, I did not know what biomass or how geothermal energy was used before I read this book. I am sure many other people had never heard of these sources before. Hopefully, you have all learned something from the read and seeds and will pass this valuable information on.