RATIOS ANALYSIS

AFC Energy plc and GTL Resources plc

Alternative Energy Sector

Background of Alternative Energy Sector

Alternative energy is derived from sources that are renewable, do not use up natural resources or harm the environment, or can replace fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. The meaning of energy and alternative energy changed according to the increasing demand of energy which took place due to the changing technological trends. It has become important for humans as many researchers consider it as the necessary good.

Alternative Fuels

Standard fuel sources include nonrenewable energy sources such as petroleum-based products, natural gas, coal, propane, and nuclear power. Alternative fuels on the other hand refer to any non-conventional source materials that include biofuels (e.g., biodiesel, ethanol), hydrogen, wind power, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, and solar power. The sub sectors of Alternative energy sectors are discussed below;

Hydroelectric Power Energy Sector

In hydroelectric power energy sector, flowing water generates energy that can be harnessed and converted to electricity. This is hydroelectricity. It comes from the damming of rivers and utilizing the potential energy stored in the water. As the water stored behind a dam is released at high pressure, its kinetic energy is transferred onto turbine blades and used to generate electricity.

Solar Energy Sector

Solar energy sector manifests itself as low or high temperature solar heat, wind electricity and photovoltaics (PV). Low temperature solar heat is produced by the absorption of sunlight by darkened surfaces that convert it into heat that can be used for warming water or other fluids. High temperature solar heat can be obtained by focusing sunlight and heating fluids to high temperature that can be used to generate electricity. For example, solar intensity changes coupled with topographic variability establish air movement or wind, a mechanical energy that can be converted into electricity with wind turbines.

Geothermal Energy Sector

Geothermal energy sector work on is energy obtained by tapping the heat of the earth, usually from kilometers deep into the Earth's crust. It is heat energy derived from the internal heat (molten core) of the planet and can be used to generate steam to run a steam turbine that is used to generate electricity or to provide heat.

Wind Energy Sector

In wind energy sector, wing energy is used to generate electricity using wind turbines. It is another energy source that could be used without producing by-products that are harmful.

Biomass Energy Sector

In Biomass energy sector, bio energy is released principally through the burning of wood, plant materials, and organic wastes. Biomass can be defined as the biodegradable waste products and residues from agriculture (including vegetables and animal substances), forestry, as well as the biodegradable action of industrial and municipal wastes.

AFC Energy plc

AFC Energy is engaged in the design and development of alkaline fuel cells, a technology developed to generate electricity from hydrogen. AFC Energy is the world's leading developer of low cost alkaline fuel cell technology. Focused on a large scale, industrial application AFC Energy's technology is fully scalable to provide clean electricity on demand. The fuel cell has the potential to be the catalyst which transforms the way in ...