If someone were to approach you and ask, “what is the future of electricity?” I’m sure several thoughts would pass through your mind regarding society and our ability to adapt to certain changes. Before you become overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty, let’s take a look at a few ideas relating to the future of electricity and where things are heading:

Electricity will eventually become wireless

According to experts in the energy industry don’t be surprised if the future of electricity holds no wires – not even in your home. In 2007 a team at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) conducted a long awaited, and much anticipated experiment with wireless electricity – and they were victorious! With the continuing success in the studying and development of wireless electricity, this concept no longer appears to be far-fetched and don’t be surprised if the future holds a world full of homes and appliances that are “wireless” in nature – charging themselves off the air perhaps?

Consumers will be in control

It is said that the future of electricity will see a marketplace that is controlled by the consumers, rather than the utility companies – having complete control over how and when the electricity reaches your home. It’s become standard that when you leave your house for the day, or even for a vacation, electrical power is still fed to your home. Well it seems we are leaning towards a future where consumers will be able to “shut-off” their home when desired – disconnecting it from the grid and allowing that power to be fed back into the supply lines. Experts have not stated as to when this system will take effect, whether it be 10 years or 50, but regardless one can hope that a future with consumer controlled electricity distribution is a better future indeed.

Clean electrical energy with no outages

Are you aware that the unused portions of electricity production emit massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the air and atmosphere? Well it’s true. Having a future with green and clean electricity is very likely. By utilizing renewable energy sources we will not only create a more sustainable method of power, but help save the environment at the same time. Currently, a huge chunk of our electricity is produced by consuming fuels that are walking down the path of extinction – it’s time to eliminate fuel consumption and promote a future where electricity is green with minimal impact to this beautiful planet of ours.

It’s becoming more common to hear of power outages, especially if you live in a region that receives a moderate amount of precipitation – in the form of rain and snow storms. Wouldn’t it be nice to look forward to a future where power outages are obsolete? Well this seems to be where technological advancements are taking us. As long as our communities continue to grow on a global level, so does our dependency on a reliable supply of constant power. Alternative energy solutions will enable us to live in a world free of power interruptions – and benefit from an infinite source of clean energy.

Everything will be electric

If you’ve spent any time in Japan you will know that our future holds a world full of electrical gadgets, and the conversion of common items into electrical articles. Electric shoes? What about combs or glasses? I know it may seem like a shot in the dark, but when you really think about it everything eventually incorporates the use of electrical power. Take a look at the toothbrush for example, for so many decades with was non-powered and then some one thought it would be efficient to add power and create vibrations – increasing the overall effectiveness of it’s original design. Get my drift?

It is speculated by economists and energy heavyweights that the world’s oil resources will become dry within the next 30-40 years at our current rate of consumption, and as home owners this event will present a unique challenge of finding clean, renewable energy to heat your home and fuel your vehicles. If you’re the type to think “well there’s no point worrying about this now, 40 years is a long time” you better take a step back and think again. If you wait until these effects are more visible, alternative energy will be in higher demand, which in turn will result in these resources being more expensive – so if you were smart you would begin converting your home to alternative energy now, rather than later.

There are all kinds of renewable energy solutions that will provide an alternate source of heating for your home. Not only will switching to off grid alternative energy ensure that your home remains heated and powered during an oil or power crisis, but you will also save money – sometimes up to 40% depending on what energy source you are utilizing.

Oil Versus Alternative Energy Sources

Just like our current sources of energy, alternative energies are natural. The main difference between alternative energy resources and what we’re currently using is that alternative energy is renewable, where coal and oil are not. Another main difference is the price – most renewable energy resources are cheap, and will remain this way with some newer sources even becoming free. Below you will find a few alternative energy sources that you can begin incorporating into your home for heating:

• Corn, Rye and Wheat – All three of these energy sources can be purchased fairly cheap and by the bushel. You could even be proactive and turn unused land into a crop of your own alternative energy source. To burn corn, rye or wheat you will need to purchase a furnace specific to these fuels – once you’re set up you can get about 500,000 BTU’s per bushel.
• Solar Energy – The most popular off grid technique for energy and heating is using Solar panels and systems to pull energy from the sun. Hydronic systems are the most common for heating your home, as they act like a boiler and use the sun to heat the system’s water, which in turn heats your home.
• Geothermal Energy – Not as common as Solar Energy, Geothermal uses heat and energy from the earth. If you dig deep enough to a specific depth in the ground where the earth remains a constant 70 degrees. Rather than sucking every natural resource out of our planet, why not harness the natural heat from the planet itself.

Both Hydronic and Geothermal Energy systems use similar methods to heat your home. Tubes are inserted from the heating system and ran throughout your home, usually within your concrete or wood flooring. Within this series of tubes is a liquid, usually a water and anti-freeze mixture, which circulates in and out of the system receiving its heat from the source – either solar or geothermal. Most standard hot water heaters or pump systems can be used in conjunction with solar and geothermal heating set ups.

The goal is not to make your life more complicated by installing some sort of alien heating system that will require an abnormal amount of maintenance, but rather to install an efficient, cost effective and self sustainable home heating system that will utilize cleaner, renewable energy sources instead of the standard oil and coal sources that we’ve been using for ages. Yes, it will initially cost you a little bit more to get an efficient system installed and running – but we’re thinking long term, and there’s a good chance that within in the first year of using alternative energy for heating your home you will recoup the investment on the savings from your energy bill alone.

Alternative energy systems are more reliable, last longer, and will provide you with a constant energy source regardless of the world energy market situation. It’s definitely a win-win situation.