With advances in technology came a need for the utilization of energy and exploration of these energy sources. Some of the energy needs of the current generation include lighting up homes, turning up the heat in the cold, powering up cities, and fueling our cars.
To address these demands, the world turned to fossil fuels, hydroelectric power, and mining of minerals and radioactive materials. Most of these energy sources are not sustainable because, over time, they get depleted faster than they can replenish themselves.
Feurgy | Most of the sources of energy we use are not sustainable because, over time, they get depleted faster than they can replenish themselves
The world’s needs for power will only become more, and there’s no way those needs can continue to be met using nonrenewable sources. Moreover, depletion of these sources also harms the environment as it causes climate changes, so alternatives are in order.
The shift has now come for energy resources from non-renewable to renewable because the world has to think long term. Renewable sources of energy are those that will never become unavailable. Wind, for example, will always be available, and using it to produce energy is a method that would be useful even in a million years to come.
Renewable sources of energy and being constantly available also do little or no harm to the environment. Considering the adverse effects of climate change, actions are being taken by world governments to replace existing methods of generating energy with renewable, clean energy. The focus is now on utilizing solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
Nerdynaut | Renewable sources of energy, in addition to being constantly available, also do little or no harm to the environment
Even though hydroelectric energy sources are renewable, it’s not included as part of the world's major energy focus because it still does some harm to the environment.
The prospect of the sun meeting our energy needs is unimaginably high, the sun can produce in an hour what the entire earth needs to power itself for a whole year, and the sun is never going to stop shining. That’s a lot of potential in solar energy. As soon as the issues surrounding how to fully utilize this energy source are figured out, the world may never need to look for any additional power source to meet their needs.
Currently, solar panels are being employed to convert solar energy into electrical energy and heat energy, and this can be on as large a scale as possible. But part of the issue is that not every region in the world has access to enough sunlight all year round, which could make the sun as an energy source more seasonal than it would be preferred to be.
Not minding the limitations, because solar energy is a clean energy source with unlimited supply, the world is still trying to figure out a way to make it work.
IndiaTV News | Currently, solar panels are being employed to convert solar energy into electrical energy and heat energy
The option of using geothermal energy is based on the heat produced within the earth’s core. There are many radioactive materials deep within the core of the earth that are subject to radioactive decay. As these materials decompose, they release heat into the earth’s core. This heat can be used to generate energy by drilling wells whose water is superheated and is utilized in turning turbines that produce electricity. Experts say that running the hot water back into the earth reduces harmful emissions and makes this energy source clean.
