We’ve looked at the energy source that powers our world today, but now let’s explore the energy source that could potentially power our world in the future: renewables.
According to the United Nations, “Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed.” Or, put simply, renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources and can be replaced quicker than it can be used up. This means that renewable energy, unlike non-renewables such as fossil fuels, will never run out. Here are the main types of renewable energy:
Solar energy:
energy obtained from sunlight using photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels
it is the most abundant source of energy (replenishes around 10000x faster than our energy consumption rate!) and also one of the cheapest forms of electricity in the world
Wind energy:
energy from the wind, collected using wind turbines
with advancing technology, wind turbines are becoming larger and more efficient, with lots of potential for the future
Hydroelectric energy:
energy from moving or falling water, collected using turbines
it is the oldest form of renewable energy and also the most popular
Geothermal energy:
energy obtained from underground by pumping water underground and collecting steam to power a turbine
25% of Iceland’s electricity and 66% of its primary energy (energy that hasn’t been converted into other forms such as electricity) comes from geothermal energy
Bioenergy:
energy produced from burning organic matter (biomass)
burning biomass does emit greenhouse gases, but far less than fossil fuels, making them a better alternative for poorer countries that don’t have access to other forms of renewables
Renewable energy has massive potential for the future. They don’t run out, they don’t pollute the Earth, and the increasing demand and popularity of renewable energy has made them more accessible and affordable - in fact, solar and wind electricity combined are expected to overtake coal and gas usage by 2024!
But nothing is perfect, and renewable energy is no exception. While they don’t present any of the problems that fossil fuels do, renewables present new, different challenges for our energy sector. While the energy produced from renewable sources are non-polluting, the manufacturing and installation of renewables are still polluting the environment. There are also locational difficulties, a clear example being geothermal energy which can only be harnessed in certain areas of the world. The installation of certain types of renewables can also be harmful for the local environment, particularly the installation of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs, which can cause flooding, destroy natural habitats and disrupt the local wildlife. Electricity production and storage from renewable sources are also not quite as reliable as fossil fuels, and while their prices have decreased drastically over the past decade, fossil fuels are still undoubtedly cheaper than renewables. But do the cons outweigh the pros?
Definitely not. Many of the problems mentioned above are problems that will be solved as technology continues to advance. Efficiency and reliability will increase. Prices will continue to decline. The diversity of renewables means that they can be used everywhere, in one form or another, allowing every country to become self-sustaining. And the pollution associated with renewables will still be innumerably less than fossil fuels.
So, will renewables replace fossil fuels in the future? The answer to that question is undoubtedly a “yes”, or rather a “must”. The bigger question is: can renewable energy replace fossil fuels? We’ll find out in our next article…
Credits:
Image - Deccan Herald
Information - DK Simply Climate Change, UN, Government of Iceland
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