What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy comes
from sources or processes that are constantly replenished. These sources of
energy include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric
power.
Renewable sources are
often associated with green energy and clean energy, but there are some subtle
differences between these three energy types. Where renewable sources are those
that are recyclable, clean energy are those that do not release pollutants like
carbon dioxide, and green energy is that which comes from natural sources.
While there is often cross-over between these energy types, not all types of
renewable energy are actually fully clean or green. For example, some
hydroelectric sources can actually damage natural habitats and cause
deforestation.
The
Development of Renewable Energy
Although renewable
energy is often seen as a solution for the future of our power needs, we have
been harnessing the natural power of nature for centuries. Windmills and water
wheels were used to power granaries, while the sun has been used to create fire
for heat and light.
However, humans became
increasingly dependent on the use of fossil fuels including coal and natural
gas. The widespread use of these types of energy has been shown to have had a
detrimental impact on the planet, with increasing global temperatures, an
increase in extreme weather events and the loss of natural habitats as a
result.
Recent advances in
capture and storage, along with the global drive towards Net Zero, has created
an expansion in renewable and green energy production. These advances range
from small-scale production, such as the placing of solar panels on a home, to
large-scale facilities like offshore wind farms.
Types
There are area range of
renewable sources that have been developed, with each offering their own
advantages and challenges depending on factors such as geographical location,
requirements for use and even the time of year.
Solar
Power
The potential for the
sun to supply our power needs is huge, considering the fact that enough energy
to meet the planet’s power needs for an entire year reaches the earth from the
sun in just one hour. However, the challenge has always remained in how to
harness and use this vast potential.
We currently use solar
energy to heat buildings, warm water and power our devices. The power is
collected using solar, or photovoltaic (PV), cells made from silicon or other
materials. These cells transform sunlight into electricity and can power
anything from the smallest garden light to entire neighbourhoods. Rooftop
panels can provide power to a home, while community projects and solar farms
that use mirrors to concentrate the sunlight can create much larger supplies.
Solar farms can also be created in bodies of water, called ‘floatovoltaics’
these provide another option for locating solar panels.
As well as being
renewable, solar powered energy systems are also clean energy sources, since
they don’t produce air pollutants or greenhouse gases. If the panels are
responsibly sited and manufactured they can also count as green energy as they
don’t have an adverse environmental impact.
Wind
Power
Wind energy works much
like old-fashioned windmills did, by using the power of the wind to turn a
blade. Where the motion of these blades would once cause millstones to grind
together to make flour, today’s turbines power a generator, which produces
electricity.
When wind turbines are
sited on land they need to be placed in areas with high winds, such as hilltops
or open fields and plains. Offshore wind power has been developing for decades
with wind farms providing a good solution for energy generation while avoiding
many of the complaints around them being unsightly or noisy on land. Of course,
offshore use has its own drawbacks due to the aggressive environments the
turbines need to operate in.
Hydroelectric
Power
Hydroelectric power
works in a similar manner to wind power in that it is used to spin a
generator’s turbine blades to create electricity. Hydro power uses fast moving
water in rivers or from waterfalls to spin the turbine blades and is widely
used in some countries.
Hydroelectric dams are
a renewable energy source, but these are not necessarily green energy sources.
Many of the larger ‘mega-dams’ divert natural water sources, which creates a
negative impact for animal and human populations due to restricted access to
the water source. However, if carefully managed, smaller hydroelectric power
plants (under 40 megawatts) do not have such a catastrophic effects on the
local environment as the divert just a fraction of the water flow.
Biomass
Energy
Biomass energy uses
organic material from plants and animals, including crops, trees, and waste
wood. This biomass is burned to create heat which powers a steam turbine and
generates electricity. While biomass can be renewable if it is sustainably
sourced, there are many instances where this is neither green nor clean energy.
Studies have shown that
biomass from forests can produce higher carbon emissions than fossil fuels,
while also have an adverse impact on biodiversity. Despite this, some forms of
biomass do offer a low-carbon option given the correct circumstances. Sawdust
and wood chippings from sawmills, for example, can be used for biomass energy
where it would normally decompose and release higher levels of carbon into the
atmosphere.
Geothermal
Geothermal energy uses
the heat trapped in the Earth’s core which is created by the slow decay of
radioactive particles in rocks at the centre of the planet. By drilling wells,
we are able to bring highly heated water to the surface which can be used as a
hydrothermal resource to turn turbines and create electricity. This renewable
resource can be made greener by pumping the steam and hot water back into the
earth, thereby lowering emissions.
The availability of
geothermal energy is closely tied to geographical location, with places such as
Iceland having an easily reached, ready supply of geothermal resources.
Tidal
Power
Tidal power offers a
renewable power supply option, since the tide is ruled by the constant
gravitational pull of the moon. The power that can be generated by the tide may
not be constant, but it is reliable, making this relatively new resource an
attractive option for many.
However, care needs to
be taken with regard to the environmental impact of tidal power, as tidal
barrages and other dam-like structures can harm wildlife.
Merits
Renewable energy offers
a range of benefits including offering a freely available source of energy
generation. As the sector grows there has also been a surge in job creation to
develop and install the renewable energy solutions of tomorrow. Renewable sources
also offer greater energy access in developing nations and can reduce energy
bills too.
Of course, one of the
largest benefits of renewable energy is that much of it also counts as green
and clean energy. This has created a growth in renewable energy, with wind and
solar being particularly prevalent.
However, these green
benefits are not the sole preserve of renewable energy sources. Nuclear power
is also a zero-carbon energy source, since it generates or emits very low
levels of CO2. Some favour nuclear energy over resources such as solar and
wind, since nuclear power is a stable source that is not reliant on weather
conditions. Which brings us onto some of the disadvantages of renewable energy
Demerits
As mentioned above,
many renewable energy sources cannot be relied upon all the time. When the sun
goes down or hides behind a cloud, we cannot generate solar power and when the
wind doesn’t blow, we cannot create enough wind energy. For this reason, fossil
fuels are still in use to top-up renewable sources in many countries.
This variable
production capacity means that large energy storage solutions are required to
ensure there is enough power when renewable energy generation dips. An
alternative solution is to deploy several renewable technologies, creating a
more flexible system of supply that can counteract dips in production for a
given source.
Some renewable
resources, such as hydropower and biomass, do not suffer with these problems of
supply, but these both have their own challenges related to environmental
impact, as noted above.
In addition to this,
some renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind farms, create complaints
from local people who do not want to live near them.
However, this is not
always the case, as shown by the example of Ardossan Wind Farm in Scotland,
where most local residents believe the farm enhanced the area. Furthermore, a
study by the UK Government found that, "projects are generally more likely
to succeed if they have broad public support and the consent of local communities.
This means giving communities both a say and a stake." This theory has
been proven in Germany and Denmark, where community-owned renewable projects
have proven popular.
What
is Non-Renewable Energy?
Non-renewable
energy comes from sources that will either run out or not be replenished for
thousands (or millions) of years. That is, they are natural resources that
cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up
with consumption. These include fossil fuels, such as coal, and natural gases
that are burned to generate electricity.
Fossil fuels
Carbon
is the main element in fossil fuels. For this reason, the time period that
fossil fuels formed (about 360-300 million years ago) is called the
Carboniferous Period. All fossil fuels formed in a similar way. Hundreds of
millions of years ago, even before the dinosaurs, Earth had a different
landscape. It was covered with wide, shallow seas and swampy forests. Plants,
algae, and plankton grew in these ancient wetlands. They absorbed sunlight and
created energy through photosynthesis. When they died, the organisms drifted to
the bottom of the sea or lake. There was energy stored in the plants and
animals when they died.
Over time, the dead plants were crushed under
the seabed. Rocks and other sediment piled on top of them, creating high heat
and pressure underground. In this environment, the plant and animal remains
eventually turned into fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum). Today,
there are huge underground pockets (called reservoirs) of these non-renewable
sources of energy all over the world.
Merits
Fossil
fuels are a valuable source of energy. They are relatively inexpensive to
extract. They can also be stored, piped, or shipped anywhere in the world.
Burning
fossil fuels also upsets Earth’s “carbon budget,” which balances the carbon in
the ocean, earth, and air. When fossil fuels are combusted (heated), they
release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a gas that keeps
heat in Earth’s atmosphere, a process called the “greenhouse effect.” The
greenhouse effect is necessary to life on Earth, but relies on a balanced
carbon budget.
Demerits
However,
burning fossil fuels is harmful for the environment. When coal and oil are
burned, they release particles that can pollute the air, water, and land. Some
of these particles are caught and set aside, but many of them are released into
the air.
Fossil
fuels are a valuable source of energy. They are relatively inexpensive to
extract. They can also be stored, piped, or shipped anywhere in the world.
Burning
fossil fuels also upsets Earth’s “carbon budget,” which balances the carbon in
the ocean, earth, and air. When fossil fuels are combusted (heated), they
release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a gas that keeps
heat in Earth’s atmosphere, a process called the “greenhouse effect.” The
greenhouse effect is necessary to life on Earth, but relies on a balanced
carbon budget.
Coal
Coal
is a black or brownish rock. We burn coal to create energy. Coal is ranked
depending on how much “carbonization” it has gone through. Carbonization is the
process that ancient organisms undergo to become coal. About 3 meters (10 feet)
of solid vegetation crushed together into 3 meter (1 foot) of coal!
Peat
is the lowest rank of coal. It has gone through the least amount of
carbonization. It is an important fuel in areas of the world including
Scotland, Ireland, and Finland.
Anthracite
is the highest rank of coal. Anthracite forms in regions of the world where
there have been giant movements of the earth, such as the formation of mountain
ranges. The Appalachian Mountains, in the eastern part of the United States,
are rich in anthracite.
We
mine coal out of the ground so we can burn it for energy. There are two ways
that we can mine coal: underground mining and surface mining.
Underground
mining is used when the coal is located below the surface of the Earth,
sometimes 300 meters (1,000 feet) deep—that’s deeper than most of the Great
Lakes! Miners take an elevator down a mineshaft. They operate heavy machinery
that cuts the coal out of the Earth and brings it above ground. This can be
dangerous work because cutting coal can release dangerous gases. The gases can
cause explosions or make it hard for miners to breathe.
Surface mining is used when the coal is
located very near the surface of the earth. To get to the coal, companies must
first clear the area. They take away the trees and soil. The coal can then be
cut out of the ground more easily.
Merits
Coal
is a reliable source of energy. We can rely on it day and night, summer and
winter, sunshine or rain, to provide fuel and electricity.
About
half the electricity in the United States comes from coal. It gives power to
our lights, refrigerators, dishwashers, and most other things we plug in. When
coal is burned, it leaves “byproducts” that are also valuable. We use the
byproducts to make cement, plastics, roads, and many other things.
Demerits
Using
coal is also harmful. Mining is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
Coal miners are exposed to toxic dust and face the dangers of cave-ins and
explosions at work.
Entire
habitats are destroyed during this process.
When
coal is burned, it releases many toxic gases and pollutants into the
atmosphere. Mining for coal can also cause the ground to cave in and create
underground fires that burn for decades at a time.
Petroleum
Petroleum
is a liquid fossil fuel. It is also called oil or crude oil.
Petroleum
is trapped by underground rock formations. In some places, oil bubbles right
out of the ground. Most of the world’s oil is still deep under the ground. We
drill through the earth to access the oil. Some deposits are on land, and
others are under the ocean floor. Once oil companies begin drilling with a
“drill rig,” they can extract petroleum 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365
days a year. Many successful oil sites produce oil for about 30 years.
Sometimes they can produce oil for much longer.
When
oil is under the ocean floor, companies drill offshore. They must build an oil
platform. Oil platforms are some of the biggest manmade structures in the
world! Once the oil has been drilled,
it must be refined. Oil contains many chemicals besides carbon, and refining
the oil takes some of these chemicals out.
We
use oil for many things. About half of the world’s petroleum is converted into
gasoline. The rest can be processed and used in liquid products such as nail
polish and rubbing alcohol, or solid products such as water pipes, shoes,
crayons, roofing, vitamin capsules, and thousands of other items.
Merits
There
are advantages to drilling for oil. It is relatively inexpensive to extract. It
is also a reliable and dependable source of energy and money for the local
community.
Oil
provides us with thousands of conveniences. In the form of gasoline, it is a
portable source of energy that gives us the power to drive places. Petroleum is
also an ingredient in many items that we depend on.
Demerits
However,
burning gasoline is harmful to the environment. It releases hazardous gases and
fumes into the air that we breathe. There is also the possibility of an oil
spill. If there is a problem with the drilling machinery, the oil can explode
out of the well and spill into the ocean or surrounding land. Oil spills are
environmental disasters, especially offshore spills. Oil floats on water, so it
can look like food to fish and ruin birds’ feathers.
Natural Gas
Natural
gas is another fossil fuel that is trapped underground in reservoirs. It is
mostly made up of methane. You may have smelled methane before. The decomposing
material in landfills also release methane, which smells like rotten eggs. There
is so much natural gas underground that it is measured in million, billion, or
trillion cubic meters. Natural gas is found in deposits a few hundred meters
underground. In order to get natural gas out of the ground, companies drill
straight down. However, natural gas does not form in big open pockets. Natural
gas is trapped in rock formations that can stretch for kilometers.
To
reach natural gas, some companies use a process called “hydraulic fracturing,”
or fracking. Hydraulic means they use water, and fracturing means to “split apart.”
The process uses high-pressure water to split apart the rocks underground. This
releases the natural gas that is trapped in rock formations. If the rock is too
hard, they can send acid down the well to dissolve the rock. They can also use
tiny grains of glass or sand to prop open the rock and let the gas escape.
We use natural gas for heating and cooking.
Natural gas can also be burned to generate electricity. We rely on natural gas
to give power to lights, televisions, air conditioners, and kitchen appliances
in our homes.
Natural
gas can also be turned into a liquid form, called liquid natural gas (LNG). LNG
is much cleaner than any other fossil fuels.
Liquid natural gas takes up much less space
than the gaseous form. The amount of natural gas that would fit into a big
beach ball would fit into a ping-pong ball as a liquid! LNG can be easily
stored and used for different purposes. LNG can even be a replacement for
gasoline.
Merits
Natural
gas is relatively inexpensive to extract, and is a “cleaner” fossil fuel than
oil or coal. When natural gas is burned, it only releases carbon dioxide and
water vapor (which are the exact same gases that we breathe out when we
exhale!) This is healthier than burning coal.
Demerits
However,
extracting natural gas can cause environmental problems. Fracturing rocks can
cause mini-earthquakes. The high-pressure water and chemicals that are forced
underground can also leak to other sources of water. The water sources, used
for drinking or bathing, can become contaminated and unsafe.
Other
Non-renewable Energy Sources
Fossil
fuels are the leading non-renewable energy sources around the world. There are
others, however.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear
energy is usually considered another non-renewable energy source. Although
nuclear energy itself is a renewable energy source, the material used in
nuclear power plants is not. Nuclear energy harvests the powerful energy in the
nucleus, or core, of an atom. Nuclear energy is released through nuclear
fission, the process where the nucleus of an atom splits. Nuclear power plants
are complex machines that can control nuclear fission to produce electricity.
The
material most often used in nuclear power plants is the element uranium.
Although uranium is found in rocks all over the world, nuclear power plants
usually use a very rare type of uranium, U-235. Uranium is a non-renewable
resource.
Merits
Nuclear
energy is a popular way of generating electricity around the world. Nuclear
power plants do not pollute the air or emit greenhouse gases. They can be built
in rural or urban areas, and do not destroy the environment around them.
Demerits
However,
nuclear energy is difficult to harvest. Nuclear power plants are very
complicated to build and run. Many communities do not have the scientists and
engineers to develop a safe and reliable nuclear energy program.
Nuclear
energy also produces radioactive material. Radioactive waste can be extremely
toxic, causing burns and increasing the risk for cancers, blood diseases, and
bone decay among people who are exposed to it.
Biomass Energy
Biomass
energy, a renewable energy source, can also be a non-renewable energy source.
Biomass energy uses the energy found in plants.
Biomass
energy relies on biomass feedstocks—plants that are processed and burned to
create electricity. Biomass feedstocks can include crops such as corn or soy,
as well as wood. If people do not replant biomass feedstocks as fast as they
use them, biomass energy becomes a non-renewable energy source.
WHY IS SOLAR ENERGY BECOMING THE PREFERRED SOURCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ACROSS THE WORLD?
Solar
energy is one of the most abundant energy resources on Earth. It is a renewable
energy resource that can provide suitable power for your home’s needs. It’s
also continuously growing in popularity nowadays since it can provide
significant benefits to human and environment.
As
a homeowner, the use of solar energy is a great way to contribute to a cleaner
future. This renewable resource is a clean and safe alternative energy solution
that can help reduce the production of harmful pollution. Hence, utilizing
solar power can be an excellent way to fight climate change and help reduce
your home’s carbon footprint.
Apart
from financial benefits, there are also other pertinent reasons why you can
switch into utilizing renewables such as solar power. To give you more idea,
here are a few reasons why solar power is an excellent alternative energy
resource for your home.
It’s a Free Source of Energy
The
sun is the largest source of free energy you can utilize on this planet. It can
provide enough power in just one minute that can supply the world’s electricity
needs for a year. The renewable energy resource like the sun is also a
sustainable and inexhaustible resource.
Just
like biomass, wind, hydro, and other renewable resources, solar energy is also
an alternative energy resource that occurs naturally. It can provide your home
with clean electricity and help power the place efficiently. Your photovoltaic
cells can also help save money right from the moment you turn them on.
The
benefits you can get from utilizing solar power are best visible during the
long run. The longer you use your solar power system, the more you can save
money by reducing your utility bills.
Apart
from electricity, you can also use solar energy for your home’s heating
purposes. You can do the process by installing solar thermal systems and
provide your house with free heated water. The system is also low maintenance
which makes it an excellent investment for your home.
It
Can Make Use of the Underutilized Land
With the increasing needs for solar
power nowadays, the use of this renewable power resource can become more
accessible for every homeowner. Apart from providing suitable power for your
home, solar energy can also make use of the underutilized land and generate
substantial value for the area.
There are vast land areas from
various countries across the globe that are far away from big capitals or
cities. Most of these areas might not be used for anything at all. However,
solar energy can make use of these underutilized land more conveniently by
installing photovoltaic solar panels on the area.
Also referred to as a photovoltaic
power station, solar farms are a vast, decentralized solar array that supplies
energy to the power grid. The primary idea of having solar farms is providing
suitable electricity for every homeowner even without installing these solar
panels on their roof.
It
Can Cause Less Electricity Loss
Electricity is transported from big
power plants to consumers via extensive networks. It also travels through the
power lines where a proportion of energy may be lost due to these lines’
resistance. Hence, long-distance electric transmissions would result in power
losses.
However, utilizing solar energy as
an alternative power resource can help reduce electricity loss. You can install
photovoltaic panels on your roof to help generate suitable energy from the sun.
Your rooftop solar power can also help increase electricity efficiency, especially
on short distances.
The energy generated from your
panels can become domestic which helps you control your home’s utility bills
and power usage effectively. Solar power systems are also durable, and
reliable, so you can assure that they can provide enough energy to help power
your home’s needs more conveniently.
It
Can Make Your Home Go Off-the-Grid
Traditional electricity might rely
heavily on fossil fuels such as coal. The power that they generate can be
harmful to the environment since burning fossil fuels would emit the harmful
greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. They also have limited resources
which could result in a volatile market where energy prices become
unpredictable.
However, utilizing solar energy can
help boost your electricity independence. You can invest in solar power systems
to help make your home go off the grid. The sun can provide your home with
enough electricity that doesn’t increase in rate. It can also help protect
yourself against the unpredictability of the utility price increase.
You can install solar panels on
your roof and technically reach an energy-independent status. You can also
invest in solar battery storage systems to help store extra solar energy for
later use. These solar batteries can provide your home with enough power
especially during nighttime and rainy days.
It’s
Good for the Environment
One of the primary benefits of
utilizing solar energy for your home is that it can provide a clean, green
source of power. The use of solar power is an excellent way to help reduce your
carbon footprint that’s harmful to the environment. It also doesn’t release any
greenhouse gases and other toxic chemicals.
Solar
power is a self-sufficient renewable energy resource. Installing solar panels
on your roof is a clean and safe way to help make the future more sustainable.
Solar energy is also an excellent alternative energy solution that can
efficiently power your home and help preserve the environment cost-effectively.
It Helps Improve Your Grid Security
The
solar cells installed in your roof functioned as a small power plant that can
generate enough energy for your home. As a homeowner, installing these panels
can help provide your place with efficient electricity and improve your grid
security as well.
Moreover,
utilizing renewables can help you save money by lowering your utility bills. It
can also help avoid natural or human-caused disasters due to climate change.
Since much of today’s energy providers can cause air pollution, then the use of
solar power can be an ideal way to fight climate change and contribute to a
more sustainable future.
Takeaway
Solar
power is a powerful energy resource that can provide suitable electricity for
your home. It’s the cleanest and most abundant renewable resource that can
efficiently power your place cost-effectively. Hence, utilizing solar energy
can provide you benefits such as those mentioned above and help preserve the
Earth for the next generations to come.
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