Energy Information

The Secrets to Saving Money with a Home Made Electric Generator

A homemade electric generator is just one solution to making your own electricity. ? More and more people are looking for alternative methods to create power. The reasons for this vary but the most popular are that if you create your own power you can cut down how much you spend on your home power bill and also creating your own power can help the planet by reducing the amount of pollution produced. The best way you or any home owner can do this is with a magnetic generator. Any method of creating power that reduces the amount of pollution we create and how much we spend on electricity is good. Solar and wind power both allow the creation of so called green electricity. Why aren’t they so widespread and adopted then? This is because these two methods of creating power have some major drawbacks. This being that they rely on external sources of power to create their electricity. Wind turbines will only spin if there is sufficient wind. They also require enormous amounts of space. If you have a home or apartment this obviously means there is very little chance you’ll be able to install a wind turbine on your roof. Magnetic generators are perpetual motion devices. When they start they continue to work and operate forever. They never stop. This translates into magnetic generators being able to create electricity forever without ever needing to stop. This is one of the main advantages of magnetic power generators. They create electricity without relying on any outside source of power. Solar power needs the sun and wind power the wind, but magnetic generators require nothing else and they function completely off the grid. Just how do they function then? As the name hints, magnetic generators generate power through the use of magnets. Get your own homemade electric generator and stop wasting money on your power bill, help save the planet and produce your own free electricity at home. ? A magnetic generator allows you to do this from your very home. They are efficient, very inexpensive to build and rely on no outside source of power to create free electricity for your home.

Using Geothermal Energy

We should be doing everything possible to develop geothermal energy technologies. This is a largely untapped area of tremendous alternative energy potential, as it simply taps the energy being naturally produced by the Earth herself. Vast amounts of power are present below the surface crust on which we move and have our being. All we need do is tap into it and harness it. At the Earths’ core, the temperature is 60 times greater than that of water being boiled. The tremendous heat creates pressures that exert themselves only a couple of miles below us, and these pressures contain huge amounts of energy. Superheated fluids in the form of magma, which we see the power and energy of whenever there is a volcanic eruption, await our tapping. These fluids also trickle to the surface as steam and emerge from vents. We can create our own vents, and we can create out own containment chambers for the magma and convert all of this energy into electricity to light and heat our homes. In the creation of a geothermal power plant, a well would be dug where there is a good source of magma or heated fluid. Piping would be fitted down into the source, and the fluids forced to the surface to produce the needed steam. The steam would turn a turbine engine, which would generate the electricity. There are criticisms of geothermal energy tapping which prevent its being implemented on the large scale which it should be. Critics say that study and research to find a resourceful area is too costly and takes up too much time. Then there is more great expense needed to build a geothermal power plant, and there is no promise of the plant turning a profit. Some geothermal sites, once tapped, might be found to not produce a large enough amount of steam for the power plant to be viable or reliable. And we hear from the environmentalists who worry that bringing up magma can bring up potentially harmful materials along with it. However, the great benefits of geothermal energy would subsume these criticisms if only we would explore it more. The fact that geothermal energy is merely the energy of the Earth herself means it does not produce any pollutants. Geothermal energy is extremely efficient-the efforts needed to channel it are minimal after a site is found and a plant is set up. Geothermal plants, furthermore, do not need to be as large as electrical plants, giant dams, or atomic energy facilities-the environment would thus be less disrupted. And, needless to say, it is an alternative form of energy-using it would mean we become that much less dependent on oil and coal. Perhaps most importantly of all-we are never, ever going to run out of geothermal energy, and it is not a commodity that would continuously become more expensive in terms of real dollars as time passes, since it is ubiquitous. Geothermal energy would be, in the end, very cheap, after investigation and power plant building costs are recouped.

4 Reliable Suppliers Of Alternative Energy

1. Amelot Holdings is a US based company specializing in development of ethanol and biodiesel plants. It establishes relationships between the researchers and suppliers of alternative energy. The company facilitates joint ventures and mergers between the research facilities and the manufacturers of alternative energy. Thus, there is exchange of information and technology which helps to promote the growth of the alternative energy industry.
2. Environmental Power is another alternative energy supplier. It has two subsidiaries namely Microgy and Buzzard Power. Microgy undertakes research and development in the field of alternative energy. It has developed a cost-effective biogas facility by making use of agricultural and plant waste. It focuses on eco-friendly production of renewable energy like biogas to compare with the standards of natural gas. The biogas is used in combustion engines, and for heating homes and offices. Buzzard Power has an 83MW power facility to generate ‘green’ energy from coal waste.
Environmental Power has been in existence from the year 1982 and has a long history of development in the field of clean energy. The company has developed and operated municipal waste projects and hydroelectric plants and assisted in clean gas generation and energy recovery. It has a team of experts from the agriculture and finance sectors to manage the business and help its growth and expansion.
3. Intrepid Technology and Resources Incorporated (ITR) processes animal waste into natural gas as an alternative energy resource. America’s supply of natural gas is depleting. ITR believes that the two billion ton animal waste produced every year can be used to generate natural gas to tide over the deficit. Their ‘organic waste digesters’ built close to the sites of the organic waste, produce clean methane gas which is a viable option to natural gas. The company is based in Idaho but plans to expand its operations to the whole country.
4. Nathaniel Energy generates energy from waste matter. The company has devised s system known as Total Value Preservation System (TVPS) which sees the potential of waste materials to generate energy. Industrial waste matter which would have otherwise been discarded or destroyed is being put to optimum use to recover the trapped energy. The production costs towards generation of alternative energy are equivalent to the costs incurred by a company to install pollution control systems and preventions. TVPS is an innovative technology which recovers valuable resources that other processes fail to do.
There are many companies such as those listed above, which use innovative technology to augment our diminishing supply of natural resources by adopting environmentally safe methods to generate alternative energy or renewable energy. There is a need to invest in research towards finding alternative sources of energy as a replacement to fossil fuels. The future of the world depends on industries which can help to achieve this goal. The governments of the various countries need to co-operate in terms of exchange of ideas and information to solve the problems of global warming and environmental pollution. Alternative energy suppliers like the above mentioned companies can play a major role in this process and the government can promote these companies by providing them subsidies.

Make the Glycemic Index Work for you

The Glycemic Index is a nutrition concept that can help you sort out the pros and cons of eating various carbohydrates and the rise in insulin levels that occurs after eating carbohydrates.

Low to moderate glycemic index carbs produce a small but steady rise in insulin levels (healthy) as opposed to high glycemic index carbs that produce a large and rapid rise in insulin levels (unhealthy).

Low to moderate glycemic index carbohydrates provide slow release of energy that supplies continuous fuel for the body and brain and for the working muscles. Their slow rate of digestion and absorption puts less stress on the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.

Misconceptions about the Glycemic Index abound and people often have a hard time putting the principles into daily dietary practice.

A glycemic rating over 70 is high. Medium runs from 70- 56. Under 55 is considered low.

Many factors affect the glycemic index of a carbohydrate. In general, carbohydrates that are more processed and ground more finely with the bran separated out will have a higher glycemic index.

Guidelines for choosing lower glycemic index breads, cereals, crackers, chips and other carbohydrate packaged products:

Limit your intake of finely ground, soft, puffed and flaky products. Finely ground flour products ? both 100% whole wheat and white flour such as soft whole wheat or white flour bread, crackers, breakfast cereals will have a high glycemic index. If you can mush it together and form a ball out of it? the glycemic index is high.

Anything “puffed” such as puffed wheat, rice or corn cereals ? even whole wheat ones ? usually has a high glycemic index. If something has been processed into small fine particles that can be crushed into crunchy crackers and cereals ? the glycemic index is probably going to be high ?even those made out of good whole grains. Most crackers, packaged cold cereals and chips have a glycemic index in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Instead, choose dense, grainy, chewy products. Foods with intact fiber will be more “dense” and chewy and less flaky and light. If the fiber is intact the product will have a lower glycemic index. Grainy, dense breads are more likely to have a lower glycemic index. Choose coarse breads with at least 50% intact kernels.

Sourdough breads, because of the acids produced by the fermentation of their yeast starter culture, have much slower rates of digestion and absorption.

You can also eat whole grains in their natural state. Whole intact grains that have been softened by soaking and cooking will have a low GI value. For example, cooked barley has a GI value of only 25. Cooked whole wheat has a GI value of 41. But choose old fashion whole grains and not the “instant” varieties ? any thing that has been “instantized” is probably going to have a higher glycemic index.

Fruits and Vegetables:

Choose barely ripe fruits and vegetables for a lower glycemic index. Overly ripe fruits and vegetables have higher sugar content and a higher glycemic effect than just ripe foods.

Tropical fruits, such as mango, papaya, pineapple, and cantaloupe tend to have higher values than temperate fruits such as apples and oranges. But all fruits are OK. Even the higher glycemic index fruits like pineapple will usually have a GI rating in the 60s. Just don’t eat only watermelon (GI 72).

Almost all vegetables are low to moderate glycemic index and are great to eat. The poor carrot has been greatly maligned as having “too much sugar” but actually has an average glycemic index of only 47.

Potatoes:

Most potato varieties have a high glycemic index due to the presence of high amounts of amyl pectin that is quickly digested.

Tiny new white and red bliss potatoes have a lower GI value than normal varieties. Russet baked potatoes have the highest glycemic index (an average of 85) and mashed potatoes an average of 92.

The glycemic impact of potatoes can be lessened by eating smaller portions and varying your diet with alternatives such as sweet potato (GI- average 61 – the starch in sweet potatoes is amylose ? more slowly digested and absorbed) or yams (GI average 37).

Rice vs. Pasta:

Pasta gets a bad rap. Pasta gets blamed for all sorts of maladies because it routinely gets categorized as a bad carbohydrate. “They” say to cut out the pasta and eat rice.

Well, it just so happens that pasta has a low to moderate glycemic index (30-55) that results in a slow, steady release of energy in your body.

Pasta made with semolina is made from cracked wheat and not finely ground flour so it has a moderate glycemic index. Furthermore, pasta is unique in its physical make up. The reason for its slow digestion and steady release of energy is “the physical entrapment of ungelatinized starch granules in a sponge-like network of protein molecules in the pasta dough. ” That is something you don’t need to understand to get the good news that pasta can be good for your energy. Yippee!

But always serve pasta al dente. If you overcook pasta it gets soft and swollen and you have fully “gelatinized” those starch granules and turned pasta into an energy drainer.

Almost all kinds of pasta have a lower glycemic index than most varieties of rice – even brown rice (a glycemic index over 70 is typical because almost complete “gelatinization” of rice starch takes place during cooking). And pasta has more protein than rice or potatoes. Overall semolina pasta is a good energy food and can be part of a high-energy diet. Remember though ? a serving is just 1/2 cup and keep variety in your diet by not eating pasta any more that once every four days.

Rice varieties such as Jasmine and short grain varieties (even short grain brown rice) that have a lot of amylopectin tend to have higher glycemic index GI (high 70s to 139). You will know these higher amylopectin rice varieties because they tend to stick together after cooking (an example of the “if you can mush it into a ball and it sticks test”).

High amylose content rice varieties such as Basmati, Uncle Ben’s converted rice and long grain brown rice have a low glycemic index. If the rice grains stay separate after cooking it is more likely to have a lower glycemic index (GI 50s and 60s)

Great alternatives to rice include pearled barley, buckwheat, bulgur, couscous, or noodles – all moderate to low GI.

Simple steps to lower the glycemic effect of your diet:

To get good glycemic control you don’t have to eliminate all high glycemic index foods ? just be sure and have at least one low glycemic carbohydrate at each meal.

Overly cooked foods are predigested have higher sugar content and a higher glycemic index. Avoid over cooking your foods.

Fats slow down the digestion of starches. The higher the fat content of a food the lower its glycemic index. This is why the glycemic index of potato chips is lower than that of a baked potato. To lower the glycemic effect of a high glycemic food such as a French baguette add a little fat such as olive oil, good quality organic butter or some nut butter.

When you do eat a high GI index carbohydrate include protein with it. The protein will slow down the rate of digestion and can cut the glycemic index effect by about one third.

The higher the acid content of a food the lower its glycemic index. Acids in foods slow down stomach emptying, thereby slowing the rate at which the starch can be digested. Include some acidic foods in your meals like vinegar, lemon juice, limejuice, some salad dressings, and pickled vegetables. A side salad with your meal will help to keep blood glucose levels under control. Four teaspoons of vinegar in a salad dressing or about four teaspoons of lemon on your food or in your water reduces the glycemic effect by about one-third.

Include more legumes in your diet. Legumes are super nutritious, high fiber low glycemic index foods (GI ranging from 13 to 59). If you want to ensure stable long lasting blood sugar control legumes are your friends.

The glycemic index is only one of many markers you can use to choose nutritious foods. It is not the only marker to use. Often it is better to have a higher glycemic index food such as baked potato than a lower glycemic index food such as potato chips. Consider not only the glycemic index of a carbohydrate but also the nutrient value of the food when making your choice.

Even with these guidelines it can sometimes be hard to tell the glycemic effect of a carbohydrate. But when you are not carrying a reference book around with you these guidelines will help you take better care of your health and well-being.