Last semester I took a course at Iowa State denoted ME433: Alternative Energy Conversion. This (and my Nuclear Engineering class) is one of the most interesting classes I've taken in college, and it's also one of the few fields in which I'd like to practice after I've graduated. I've always wanted to make machines more efficient and less harmful to the environment and/or its users. To help spread ideas and information, I decided to post the list of alternative energy conversions we're learning about in class. Check out one or two, I dare ya.
- Hydrogen Economy
- Fuel Cells
- Wind Power Generation
- Hydroelectric Power Generation
- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
- Tidal Power
- Wave Power
- Photovoltaics
- Solar Thermal Power Generation
- Passive Solar
- Active Solar for Heating (Air/Water)
- Biomass for Power Generation
- Biomass for Transportation
- Biological System Energy Conversion
- Geothermal for Heating
- Geothermal for Power Generation
- Ground Coupled Heat Pumps
- Fusion Thermal Source and Power Generation
- Fission Thermal Source and Power Generation
- Thermoelectrics for Power Generation and Refrigeration
- Thermonic Power Generation
- Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Power Generation
- Solar Sails
- Perpetual Motion
(Impossible though it is, it was still on the list)
