Photo by Karsten Wurth from Unsplash
In school, news, magazines, and social media, we see topics about renewable energy. It is a topic that is addressed worldwide in correlation with global warming. Currently, the majority of the countries utilise fossil fuels for energy use. If you’re wondering why fossil fuels are not the best power sources, the answer is simple.
Fossil fuels aren’t renewable. When we say renewable, we are pertaining to naturally available types of energy. These are energy that will never run out, in one’s lifetime. For some renewable energy, there can be shortages, but as long as our planet is in good condition, they’ll be around.
Fossil fuels aren’t renewable and can be harmful
Aside from the fact that fossil fuels aren’t renewable, their production is also harmful to the environment. Here’s a refresher: fossil fuels are formed from the remains of dead living things. Once they’re burned, they produce large amounts of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide released is then trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere.
If you’re wondering what triggers climate change, the answer is fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide it releases keeps the planet warm. But, too many gases in the Earth’s atmosphere put arctic beings at risk. That’s why renewable energy is considered to be the best energy source.
To get to know how we can utilise a better energy source, let’s get to know 3 different types of renewable energy and how they work.
Solar energy
Let’s start with the most famous one: solar energy. Solar energy is the energy that is produced by the sun. It is abundant and will be around as long as the sun exists. Solar power is now being utilised more than it was ever before. With the use of solar panels, the light emitted by the sun can be converted into energy.
Solar panels are photovoltaic cells that absorb the sun’s heat. The heat collected will then be converted into alternating current with the use of an inverter so that it can be compatible with home appliances and other equipment.
In the last decade, solar energy has been utilised by a lot of huge businesses. Even residential areas in the U.S. and Australia have started to shift to solar panels. Also, their market price has decreased, which attracted more consumers to start their clean power source agenda.
How it is utilised globally
Solar panel installations are expensive. People view it as an investment. You can expect to spend around $10,000 to $20,000 for a home solar panel installation. But, the great thing about solar panels is that they are built to last a maximum of 35 to 40 years when taken care of.
In China, some of their cities use electric cars and buses for public transportation. Their electric buses have a terminal where they recharge at night. All it takes is just 2 hours minimum for the buses to be charged. News says that China is also planning on releasing electric cars to improve their cities’ air pollution and as part of their plan to opt for better energy use.
In Australia and the U.S., some residential areas are 100% off-grid, while some still rely on fossil-fueled energy while still navigating solar. Huge businesses like Apple, IKEA, and more have shifted to solar energy as well. This big move is a great way to influence other businesses to also do the same.
In resorts and other leisure-related businesses, solar panels are great to be utilised. It is not only efficient but can also help your business save money in the long run.
Wind energy
Just like the sun, the wind is an abundant source of energy. Wind turbines are a great source of electricity. They are so powerful that they are utilised as power generators. If you’ve ever visited a scenery with beautiful windmills, you know how massive they are. From afar, wind turbines look small. But once you get closer, you’ll be surprised at how tall and big they are.
Wind turbines are placed in high areas where the winds are strong. If electric fans rely on electricity for their propeller blades to move, wind turbines rely on wind. If you ever see a windmill or wind turbine’s blades move, it is because of the wind. As it moves, it powers generators which then produce electricity.
How it is utilised
Usually, wind turbines are used in rural areas. Since they require to be placed somewhere with strong winds which are usually in high areas, rural areas are the ones who utilise them the most.
But, a lot of factories and business manufacturers are also utilising wind energy because most of their warehouses are located in rural areas. If you’re wondering what country utilises wind energy the most, the answer is China.
China is known to have the largest onshore wind farm in Gansu Province. The U.S. is the second country in the world to utilise wind energy. Aside from that, water turbines are also used for water pumping.
Hydropower a.k.a. water power
Out of the three renewable energy sources that I’ve discussed, hydropower is the most commonly used. Hydropower, also known as water power, is the energy produced by natural moving water. It is the largest and oldest source of renewable energy.
Just like wind turbines, hydropower plants use a turbine to push and turn the water that flows. The turbine serves as the wheel that powers generators. We can say that water is the ‘fuel’ and the turbine is the wheel that spins the generator to produce electricity.
How it is utilised
Hydropower is utilised more than we know. In the U.S., 7.3% of its electricity comes from hydropower. If you’re wondering what country is the largest producer of hydropower, the answer is non-other than China.
A lot of water dams also have hydropower plants to generate electricity. In this modern age, its main purpose is to produce electricity. But before, hydropower was used to drive mills for grain flours. It is considered one of the most efficient and reliable mechanical energy sources even today.
To cap it off,
Aside from these three, more renewable energy sources are utilised worldwide. Renewable energy is not only abundant but also very beneficial to the planet. Hopefully, in the future, we get to see and make use of more clean energy sources instead of fossil fuels, which only harm and trigger the planet’s health to deteriorate.
About the author:
Bianca Banda is a writer for Penrith Solar Centre, an Australian solar company that advocates better energy resources to improve the quality of life on Earth.
