Going green is no longer a niche concept. Regular Joe’s and Jane’s are now knowledgeable on subjects such as climate change and pollution and are using their dollars to make more responsible choices. There are all sorts of "green" options available.

We have solar garage door openers and outdoor lights, solar or human-powered electronics chargers, electric vehicles and more. But one area where we are still lacking in the ability to go green is in home electrical power generation.

Part of the problem has been the expense, but another issue with the renewable energy options we have available, is how to store excess power generated during prime conditions for later use.With the increasing cost of operating a dirty, non-renewable power plant, the time for renewable energy could soon be upon us.

There have been great advancements in solar and wind technology, and the costs of these power generation sources is on the decline. Renewable energy collection sources are getting more advanced, able to extract the most energy possible from the smallest amount of space.

Micro wind turbines and ultra thin silicon solar panels are revolutionizing the efficiency of renewable energy collection. However storage of excess energy produced has been an ongoing issue.Battery technology, while improving, still leaves a lot to be desired in terms of the storage of excess energy.

It is not always sunny and it is not always windy. We also don't always need to use all the energy produced one a day that is prime for wind or solar energy production. So how do we manage that deficit? Well, the obvious solution is to find some means of storing the excess energy produced during times of plenty so it can be accessed during off hours.

A Canadian company called Hydrostor came up with a simple but ingenious solution. With the Hydrostor system, excess energy from wind turbines is being converted into air compressed into a balloon sunk under water. This is currently being tested with offshore wind turbines.

If it is successful, it could be a technology that could be used on both a smaller and larger scale. It would be an efficient solution for storage for both as a commercial power producer or a home power generator.For many years, energy storage has been one of the greatest impediments to the adoption of alternative energies.Certain conditions are required for these alternative forms of power generation -- such as a sunny day or a windy one -- and these conditions aren't always prevalent. In times of plenty, more energy is produced than is required. Simple technologies such as the use of underwater balloons to store the excess energy could be one option in the future, for renewable energy storage. 


Chris Keenan is a green and general blog writer. He writes for many sites including Precision Garage Door. Chris also maintains a personal house and garden blog.