Abstract
This chapter describes alternative energy sources. A combined heat and power (CHP) plant provides 70% of the energy in coal in a useful form, 24% as electricity, and 46% as useful heat. CHP offers the prospect of providing heat in high-dwelling density areas at prices cheaper than present gas prices. Because CHP has high-conversion efficiency, it is least sensitive to the price of coal. Substitute natural gas (SNG) can be produced from coal with a conversion efficiency of 70%. Proper house orientation, position, window area, and internal layout increase the solar gains to meet about 30% of the heating load. If the building is insulated to the maximum cost-effective level, then the solar gain contribution can rise to 50%. This method of harnessing solar energy, referred to as passive solar technology, is only of significance for new buildings. For such buildings it is a very cheap method of reducing energy consumption. Wave energy is also another important source of energy. Because wave machines have no fuel costs, they provide the cheapest form of electricity production once installed.
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