South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is historically dominated by an agricultural economy and a rural lifestyle, but the state has recently sought to variegate its economy to entice and retain residents. However, it is still largely rural and has the fifth-lowest population density among U.S. states, with an estimated population of only 812,383 as of 2009.
The state government is trying to keep up with current trends in various aspects that pave the way for economic growth and development. Turnkey solutions are needed in all fronts in order to maximize state assets and resources. Of specific importance is the energy sector because the political and economic aspects of fossil fuels are not in any way promising. This is precisely the reason why renewable energy is gaining popularity nowadays. To date, South Dakota has seven major renewable energy sources namely: geothermal, hydro conventional, solar, wind, wood waste, landfill gas and biomass.
It is important to note that virtually all renewable energy sources depend on nuclear power. Fortunately, the sun at the center of our solar system is one giant nuclear reactor. The sun generates sunlight and solar radiation that is converted into energy through natural resources. In general, sunlight is the basis for solar power, biomass, wind energy, among others. On the other hand, fossil fuels are a form of biomass but a crude one with resource limits and deleterious side effects in the form of environmental pollutants.
Wind is produced when the sun heats up the Earth’s surface at different rates. The air that lies directly above a hot surface will rise and cool air from adjacent areas will rush in to fill the void. This movement of air creates wind in its most basic form. Renewable energy in the form of wind means increased economic opportunity in rural South Dakota. A U.S. Department of Energy Study revealed that increasing wind generation to 20 percent of the nation’s electricity would create almost 3,100 long-term jobs in South Dakota and most of the jobs would be in rural areas of the state, where opportunities to create new jobs are limited.
Solar energy is the most basic form of renewable energy. Sunlight can be converted directly to heat or electricity depending on the type of equipment used. Solar energy is regarded as a renewable energy because it will last for as long as the sun exists, which should be around 4 billion years.
When water flows, it packs a lot of inertia and stored energy. This basic principle forms the basis for hydropower which is typically seen on large-scale projects in the form of dams. A dam is constructed in a river, creating a reservoir. With the help of gravity, water is then released through pipes into the dam. The flowing water spins turbines, generating massive amounts of electricity.
Geothermal energy is a form of energy that utilizes the intrinsic warmth of the ground to produce power in the form of heat. Approximately six to seven feet below the surface, the temperature of the ground is regulated. By simply exchanging liquids above and below the ground, temperature regulation can be achieved. This renewable energy source is increasingly being integrated into residential areas in South Dakota.
Biomass is another renewable energy source, which is basically organic material such as manure. As you can surmise, it is not necessarily a clean one. The concept behind biomass is to convert the chemical energy in the biomass into usable power. This is typically achieved by burning it, and this is where the problem lies because doing so causes pollution. Moreover, it also has to be grown, harvested and then converted into power.
The aforementioned forms of renewable energy can be tapped in South Dakota to meet the state’s energy requirements. However, for residential and commercial purposes, it would be wise to bank on a company whose main focus is to create long-term sustainable value by providing solutions for renewable energy. One company with a sterling reputation quickly comes to mind – Power Plus - a leading renewable energy products retailer dedicated to providing renewable energy enthusiasts with the best, one-stop-shopping and customer service in the business.
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