What Is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is collected from carbon-neutral renewable sources such as sunlight, water waves, geothermal heat, rain, tides, etc. It is abundant and cannot run out, unlike energy produced by fossil fuel.
Moreover, it is economical, cost-effective, and saves money. Not only that, it has multiple health and environmental advantages, which are essential for our sustainable future. As it is carbon neutral, it leaves a minimum carbon footprint. Renewable energy requires a high upfront investment only once. After that, it is considered low maintenance and economical. It saves thousands of dollars for the user during its lifespan.
Renewable energy is abundantly available as it uses natural sources to generate energy. On the other hand, fossil fuel is limited and expensive. It is fast running out. It is not fair to say that renewable energy is maintenance-free. It requires comparatively less overall maintenance. Generating technology such as wind, turbines, and solar panels either have no or few moving parts and fuel consumption. There is no refueling required, which reduces operational cost.
It saves time and money. This also limits the reliance on foreign energy sources. Additionally, renewable energy requires upfront installation cost, followed by little or no maintenance. This creates local job opportunities, thereby boosting the economy and contributing to the community.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy is harnessed by using multiple resources. Renewable energy is convertible and sun, wind, water, temperature, and Biomass are the primary sources. Each form of renewable energy has a unique advantage and disadvantages. Besides, all renewable energy is abundantly available and environmentally friendly.
The energy produced by carbon-neutral using renewable resources is cost-effective and user friendly
The different sources of renewable energy include the following:
Solar Energy
Solar Energy generates energy from the sunlight. It is made of multiple small solar cells with numerous semiconductor layers. As the daylight hits the panels and creates an electric current. Solar energy is one of the major renewable energy, abundantly available in a different part of the world. It does not emit any greenhouse gas and leave no carbon footprints.
It is produced by conducting solar radiations, a process void of any gas, chemical by-product, or smoke. Solar energy is one of the most effective technologies to meet our obligation towards climate change and limiting emissions. It requires only the initial upfront installation charges, followed by very little maintenance over its life span. Its life expectancy is up to 40 years. Solar energy allows decentralization, which leads to self-reliant societies. Simultaneously, some places get more sunlight than others, which influence the solar energy production potential. The system’s potential to produce energy varies after sunset.
Wind Energy
Wind energy converts the rotational energy into electrical energy. It generates energy through offshore or onshore wind turbines. The energy produced by wind farms and wind turbines makes a huge contribution to our energy needs. Like other renewable energy forms, wind energy is also plentiful, unlike its alternative, fossil fuel, which is finite and is fast running out. Wind energy does not produce any emissions. It is one of the cheapest energy forms. Wind energy is extremely space effective as turbines are spread out, and the land between can be used for other purposes. It can be generated even in remote regions and for industrial purposes as well. Wind energy requires a low operating cost, which leads to decreased electricity charges. It is expected that as the technology develops, wind energy is expected to get cheaper.
Hydropower
Hydropower energy is produced from water using hydroelectric plants. Water flows through the turbine and generates electricity. A groundbreaking innovation in hydropower is a wave turbine, which engages the breaking wave power. Hydropower uses running water to produce energy without reducing its quantity. It is either done using running river water or accumulated storage. This type of renewable energy has storage capacity, which ensures flexibility to complement the changes in demand. The water collected can also be used for drinking or irrigations. It leaves a minimum carbon footprint and therefore helps in fighting climate change
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Energy is generated and stored in the earth. Thermal Energy determines the temperature of any matter. In other words, it’s the energy produced by the radioactive decay of the materials within the earth’s crust. It has huge potential. The approximate global energy demand 15 terawatts (TW), which is nowhere, close to the huge energy research available under the earth. The Geo-Thermal plant’s expected production is 0.035 to 2 TW, but any Geo-Thermal plant can rarely perform to its full potential. Like other renewable energy sources, it is a constant and abundant source of energy. Geothermal is generously available and can sustain its consumption rate. Furthermore, it needs limited or no maintenance, which makes it more cost-effective. Geo-Thermal is an environment-friendly energy source, but there is some concern related to carbon emission.
Biomass/biofuel
Biomass/biofuel energy is the energy produced by burning renewable organic material such as wood, household waste, plants, etc. Biomass/Biofuel alternatively called bioenergy is widely and always available. It is carbon neutral and contributing to our sustainable future. Biomass/Biofuel offers an effective energy alternative reducing the dependence on fossil fuel. It is cost-effective and inexhaustible. Landfills lead to greenhouse gas emissions and contamination of air, water, and soil. Biomass/Biofuel helps reduce waste by converting organic material into energy. Biomass/Biofuel is not variable and intermittent, unlike other renewable energy alternatives. On the other hand, Biomass/Biofuel has other environmental downsides. Its plant requires a lot of space, which limits the areas for its installation.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, renewable energy is infinite as it is harnessed from natural resources. It will never run out, unlike fossil fuel. Renewable energy is generated from carbon-neutral renewable resources. Therefore, it is environmentally friendly and with limited or no emission. It is essential for our sustainable future. One of its biggest advantages is that it has a wide reach, even the remote area without any grid access can benefit from renewable energy. Moreover, it is cost-effective with little maintenance. With technology development and innovation in the field, it is expected to get cheaper
