The advent of renewable energy has wholly revolutionized the global energy sectors into driving desired changes with unparalleled speed. Until a decade ago, only a few businesses had acknowledged the scope of this new technology that would lead us to a greener future. Now, prominent household names, including Google, are investing magnificent amounts of money in making these projects work at a rapid pace for our planet’s sake.
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy refers to the form of energy derived or extracted from the earth’s natural resources. Unlike traditional energy, it’s not exhaustible or finite. For example, wind, sunlight, and water are natural alternatives that don’t rely on fossil fuels. Also, renewable energy is considered the interconnecting link to the green future we strive for since it’s significantly less detrimental to our already struggling environment.
6 Links to A Green Future
There are six renewable energy resources, including wind, solar, ocean, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass. While a few of these resources are re-shaping the energy sector gradually, others are making a comparatively extinguishing and quick stand. Not to mention, although some of these resources’ significance isn’t yet widely realized or understood, they’re still making progress and surfacing despite the current limitations.
To put things into further context, let’s understand the benefits and limitations of these six types of renewable energy resources in brief detail:
1. Wind
Turbines and wind-powered machinery situated on open green fields capture the energy retrieved from wind flow and convert it into electricity. Nowadays, we can see several energy sector businesses planting single-wind turbines and other commercial systems using this particular type of renewable energy to boost a positive attitude among competitors.
The wind is a clean energy source that does not release carbon dioxide or other harmful toxins that pollute the air in any way. Moreover, making investments in wind-powered technology opens up new career opportunities, jobs, and avenues since the equipment installed on wind farms must be maintained and serviced with proficiency to keep them running.
Current Limitations
Considering that most wind farms are planted in remote areas, they aren’t much help for the bustling cities where electricity is needed the most. The reason behind this is that while wind turbines produce close to no pollution, they generate noise and dominate skylines, which is unsuitable for the local wildlife like birds in the area.
2. Solar
Solar energy captured from the sunlight turns into heat, electricity, and even hot water. The Photovoltaic (PV) systems we usually see on rooftops or wide-open fields convert direct sunlight into electricity through solar cells. The best long-term benefit of this renewable energy is that it is an endless supply of a natural resource that could eventually make our reliance upon fossil fuels obsolete.
Current Limitations
While installing solar panels is not that much of a limitation for industrial sectors, personal households can’t usually find spaces with ample sunlight to use this energy appropriately. The upfront maintenance costs can also be an unrealistic expense for them.
3. Ocean
The ocean is a source of renewable energy that offers us thermal and mechanical power. While thermal energy production depends upon the ocean’s warm water going through different systems, mechanical energy relies on the tide’s ebbs and flow generated by the earth’s rotation. Ocean energy, also referred to as wave energy, is an abundant natural resource for cities near oceans and harbors. Moreover, it’s an untapped natural resource that can potentially produce power for around 93,850 homes in the U.S. alone with just 1 TWh/yr of wave energy!
Current Limitations
Individuals living in landlocked areas can’t reap benefits from this particular energy resource. Moreover, the plantation of ocean energy machinery can disrupt the ocean floor and sea life habitat to some extent.
4. Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric power is associated with the energy produced from dam turbines to turn into electricity, also referred to as pumped-storage hydropower. We can see this as an excellent alternative to ocean energy for the landlocked areas that store water in large reservoirs for public consumption. In general, hydroelectric is one of the best types of renewable energy due to its versatility since we can incorporate it at both large and small-scale projects on dams, rivers, and streams.
Current Limitations
The animals living in the waterways where the hydroelectric equipment is placed may suffer due to changing water levels and currents. This type of energy source is also impacted by droughts. Changes in water levels impact energy production. Plus, most hydropower facilities haven’t yet found a way to develop more energy than they use for production.
5. Geothermal
Geothermal energy is the heat trapped under the earth’s crust which often escapes naturally, resulting in disruptive volcanic occurrences. We can produce renewable energy from the heat rising to the earth’s surfaces, saving our earth from natural disasters in the process. While this natural energy is not as common as other renewable energy resources, it still packs plenty of potential for extensive energy supply. Since this system can be built underground, there’s significantly less footprint on the land.
Current Limitations
While cost and infrastructure planning is the major limitation of producing this renewable energy with geothermal plants costing between 2.5 to 5 million to build. Construction of these plants can also cause instability in the land and trigger earthquakes.
6. Biomass
Lastly, we can produce a significant amount of bioenergy from biomass, which is an organic matter extracted from previously living plants and organisms. A few examples of this inaugural renewable energy include harnessing methane gas and burning biomass produced by the natural decomposition of organic materials found in landfills and waterways. Simply put, bioenergy production creates a balanced atmosphere that we can benefit from if our ultimate goal is to see a greener tomorrow.
Current Limitations
We currently don’t have the technology required for replacing fossil fuel consumption with bioenergy production. It can also lead to deforestation because of the vast amounts of wood that is needed to produce enough renewable energy.
As consumers, we have several opportunities to improve our environment by opting for greener energy solutions. We can elevate our standard of living with safer, eco-friendly products that don’t rely upon resources that harm our ecosystem. The day we all begin to strive for the same purpose together as a community, leaving a carbon footprint would become a thing of the past!