Energy

Sustainable energy is one that meets our global demand without putting our natural resources in danger of being depleted. Sustainable energy should be widely encouraged as it does not cause any harm to the environment. All renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and ocean energy are sustainable as they are readily available. Sun will continue to provide sunlight, heat caused by sun will continue to produce winds, earth will continue to produce heat from inside and will not cool down anytime soon, movement of earth, sun and moon will not stop and this will keep on producing tides and the process of evaporation will cause water to evaporate that will fall down in the form of rain or ice which will go through rivers or streams and merge in the oceans and can be used to produce energy through hydropower. This shows that these renewable energy sources are sustainable and will continue to provide energy to the coming generations. There are many forms of sustainable energy sources that can be incorporated by countries to stop the use of fossil fuels. Sustainable energy does not include any sources that are derived from fossil fuels. This energy is replenishable and helps us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and causes no damage to the environment. If we are going to use fossil fuels at a steady rate, they will eventually expire and cause adverse affects to our planet. Most countries have already started taking steps to make use of alternative energy sources. As of today, around 20% of world’s energy needs comes from renewable energy sources. Hydropower is the most common form of alternative energy used around the world.

Need for Sustainable Energy

During ancient times, wood, timber and waste products were the only major energy sources. In short, biomass was the only way to get energy. When more technology was developed, fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas were discovered. Fossil fuels proved boom to the mankind as they were widely available and could be harnessed easily. When these fossil fuels were started using extensively by all the countries across the globe, they led to degradation of environment. Coal and oil are two of the major sources that produce large amount of carbon dioxide in the air. This led to increase in global warming.

Types of Sustainable Energy

Solar Energy

Solar energy is a great form of sustainable energy. It manifests itself in two forms, the light and the heat. Both of these forms are equally important to us. For instance, the plants need the light to grow and generate food while man needs the heat energy to maintain body temperature and power their homes and industries.

Wind Energy

Wind is another sustainable energy source. It is available naturally and can be tapped to produce vast amounts of power that can be used in many ways and places. For instance, sailors tap this energy to help the ship propel through its various directions. Nowadays, this energy sources is being commercialized. There are many companies that have invested heavily on power grids and windmills.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy allows us fetch the energy from beneath the earth. This occurs by installing geothermal power stations that can use heat coming out from inside the earth and use it to generate electricity. The temperature below the earth around 10,000 meters is so high that it can be used to boil water.

Ocean Energy

Oceans are massive. About 70% of the earth is covered with water. The potential that ocean energy has to generate power is much higher than any other source of energy. This sustainable energy allows us to harness it in 3 ways i.e. wave, tidal or ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Tides have immense power which when effectively tapped can generate a lot of energy and can be used to power millions of homes.

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is produced by burning of wood, timber, landfills and municipal and agricultural waste. It is completely renewable and does not produce harmful gases like carbon dioxide which is primarily responsible for increase in global warming. Although, carbon dioxide is produced by burning these products but that is equally compensated when plants take this carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. It also helps to reduce landfills but are not as effective as fossil fuels.

Hydroelectric Power

There are rivers or waterfalls whose energy of the moving water is captured that can turn turbines to generate power. This is commonly known as hydroelectric power. It is very common nowadays and it is powering most parts of the world and one of the biggest forms of alternative energy currently being used. There are many companies and countries that are exporting this energy to other countries who are unable to harness it on their own due to lack of the necessary resources or conditions. The energy is commonly transported in forms of power lines to various parts of the country and even outside the country.