Written by John Adrian Siegel & Victoria Croasdell

Published by NEXUS NEWS, Lansing, MI. March 2000.

     The energy of the universe is related through a variety of governing principles.   In nature these interrelated principles are balanced as plants and animals that survive in a symbiotic relationship.   This relationship creates decay and gives birth to new life as organic waste is transformed into fertilizer for plants, and the animals eat the plants creating a closed loop. In this process everything is used and renewed and the underlying beauty is recreated continuously with automatic precision. Each bug, animal, plant and microorganism is dependent on one another.
     When we focus deeper into the mystery, we see the atomic level where everything is comprised of  Protons, Neutrons and Electrons. And beyond the fundamental particles lay terms such as Quarks and the realization that everything we perceive and are, is in reality energy. The whole of creation is energy woven in endless patterns.
     Throughout the ages this truth has come to many. It has been the subject of the works of spiritual seekers, philosophers and scientists.  The relationship between energy forms is evident in many devices we use daily. At power plants, coils of wire with passing sources of magnetism, create electrical force that travels down wires that run through massive circuits and transformers until it reaches our homes.  In our homes it is stored as electrochemical energy in rechargeable devices and it directly runs stoves that produce heat energy.   It excites high frequency electromagnetic radiation used to cook in microwaves.  It creates combinations of energies that run high tech devices by transforming electricity into chemicals that react with crystals in a format we call electronics.  But our energy use is not a closed circle.
      The difference is that unlike nature, our energy use results in excess waste that can not decay to rejoin the circle.  This creates an urgent need for alternative energy sources. The coils in power plants require energy to make the source of magnetism pass the coils, which excites the movement of electrons. The problem is that this power is from steam produced by heat, derived from burning non replenishable sources of materials such as coal or from atomic energy. Coal is non replenishable and it harms the atmosphere, which in turn destroys nature. Atomic energy produces waste that is very dangerous and remains active for millions of years.  The current containment technologies will not hold the material until it is inert.
    The earth is bathed in mass quantities of safe alternative energies. Solar energy is the most abundant and is available in many forms. Photovoltaic cells produce electricity when Photons (light or more specifically light energy particles) bombard the surface of the cell that is comprised of a polarized crystalline material.  The polarization of the crystalline material predisposes it to induce a flow of electrons.  The flow of electrons in a definite direction is considered as usable electricity. Each Photovoltaic Cell induces a voltage “pressure” of about .5 V per cell. The more cells you connect in series the higher the voltage. The surface area of the cell relates to how much amperage “mass of electrons” are available. The more cells placed in parallel circuit the more amperage. Many premade panels are available that supply standard voltages and amperages in a durable housing that is easy to mount and requires no scientific background to utilize. They can directly power many devices, although batteries are often used and kept charged in case of extended periods of cloud cover. Many systems are also designed to use solar when it is available and use energy from power plants when the solar does not meet the demand for energy.
     The yield of power for a panel relates to location, weather conditions and slant of the panel. The Photovoltaic panels are dark in color as this relates well to energy, as black is an absorbent color. This common rule is true of solar water heaters and solar home heaters which are black as well. Solar is used to heat Water Heaters and house heating panels which directly  heat the air. Solar also relates to geothermal energy as the earth absorbs massive amounts of heat energy from the sun in addition to the earth’s inherent hot interior. This energy can be tapped. Some homes use this technology already through holes dug deep in the ground that pump the heat up to the houses through a system of tubes. Biomass energy (Plants as an energy resource) is another massive energy factor, as plants grown by sunlight can easily be cultivated and fermented to produce replenishable, cleaner burning fuel for homes and cars. Naturally cars can also be powered by rechargeable batteries which are charged by solar panels or wind.
     We must not loose sight of the fact that Biomass energy is what powers humans as well. From a philosophical vantage it is interesting to consider the fact that our bodies are in effect star dust powered by a star (our sun).
     Wind is also a viable energy as many reasonably priced wind generators are available for areas that meet the wind speed demand. Many start at a wind speed of 6 miles per. hour and operate at full output at 28 miles per. hour.
     Water power is another viable alternative that has been used for thousands of years.  Water power is more challenging from an environmental vantage as aquatic creatures and their environment must be taken into heavy consideration. The large quantities of energy that can be produced by this method has led to a number of overzealous endeavors that cause environmental devastation through dams and other obstructions.
      Often the solutions to energy problems lay in part with our preconceived notions. Is a device really to expensive if the energy that comes from it is free energy and the device will provide it for years with almost no maintenance. We must also consider the nature of our consumption. Michigan has a wondrous bounty of fresh water. Is it wise to use straight drinking water for toilets when that same water could first be used for laundry and then recirculated for toilet water.  With this method 1000’s of gallons of water would be not be used by each family per year.  Such reuse could save nearly half of the water used while only requiring a holding tank and a few basic parts to convert a standard toilet. This would also help create a self cleaning toilet. Do we really have the right to not think of ways to make our clean water stretch?
     Naturally weather stripping, recycling and buying responsible products can aid the effort as familiar standbys, but alternative energy dares us to reach further. Alternative energy is an elegant technology that puts a mark of value on our most precious commodities on Earth.

John Siegel and Victoria Croasdell are Co-owners of a family business MRISAR; Institute of Science, Art & Robotics. Their internationally recognized research & developmental work includes: rehabilitation robotics, bio-medics, electronics and alternative energies.  They are the founders of an environmental & humanitarian  nonprofit organization.