Originally published July 17 2005
World powers continue to explore alternative energy sources
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Gas prices continue to soar, and public clamor for environmentally friendly energy sources is getting louder, so world powers are pumping increasing amounts of funds into alternative energy research, and the Mail and Guardian reports that wind, alcohol, the sun and even bananas are all being considered as sources of power.
From bananas to wind farms, alcohol and the sun, the search for alternative energy sources has taken on a new urgency as oil prices hit record levels.
Some countries, such as Japan and South Korea, have launched major drives to move away from traditional power sources, but the percentage of energy produced remains small -- apart from the controversial nuclear option.
Oil, almost all of it imported, accounts for 52% of Japan's total energy supply, the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy says -- down from 80% before the first oil price shock of 1973.
But oil has been replaced mainly by nuclear energy and natural gas, with "new energy" sources such as solar and wind power accounting for just 1% of the total energy supply.
This is despite the fact that Japan is the world's top producer of solar power -- generating 48,5% of the total -- followed by Germany, the United States and Australia.
The main source of alternative energy is from city and industrial waste, which makes up 90% of the total alternative energy and is used in 31 cities and more than 500 factories.
With geography and climate playing a large part in the exploitation of alternative energy sources, a new government study in New Zealand has shown that wind energy could supply about 35% of the country's future electricity demand.
However, the privately run 24,75-megawatt project, comprising 15 towers, can only serve half the needs of Ilocos Norte, one of the country's 75 provinces.
The government is also trying to convince Filipino motorists -- without much success -- to mix biodegradable diesel fuel extracted from coconut oil in the tanks of vehicles with diesel engines.
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