Shouldn’t we evolve too? If we don’t we’ll end up like the fossils we burn.
Alternative energy refers to energy obtained through traditional processes from non-traditional fossil fuel sources (coal, natural gas, oil). Renewable energy, also known as alternative energy, is available energy derived from reintegrated sources such as the sun (solar energy), wind (wind energy), rivers (hydroelectricity), hot springs (geothermal energy), tides (tidal power) and biomass (biofuel)). Renewable energy is valuable energy derived from renewable sources replenished naturally on human timescales, including zero-emission sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, ocean waves, and geothermal heat.
Fall is due to renewable energy coming from sources or processes naturally replenished by the earth, such as the sun, wind, and water. We call these resources renewable or sustainable (like sustainable energy) because, unlike fossil fuels, this constant natural renewal makes them inexhaustible.
Our dependence on fossil fuels has been the leading cause of environmental damage. The ongoing damage from this use can be stopped if we switch to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectricity. Renewable energy production from some sources, such as wind and solar, is more diverse and geographically more widespread than technologies based on fossil fuels and nuclear power. Renewable electricity production from sources such as wind and solar is variable, resulting in a decrease in power factor and requires energy storage with a capacity equal to its total generation, or energy sources charged at the base from continuous sources such as hydroelectricity, fossil fuels or nuclear power.
By 2015, about 16 percent of the world’s electricity came from large hydroelectric plants, while other types of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, accounted for 6 percent of the total. Some energy analysts consider nuclear power a renewable energy source because of its low carbon footprint; in 2015, nuclear power generated 10.6% of the world’s electricity. In 1999, the global installed wind power capacity exceeded 10,000 megawatts or about 16 billion kWh. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. wind energy production has grown significantly over the past three decades, from about 6 billion kWh per year in 2000 to about 338 billion kWh in 2020.
Solar and wind continued to dominate renewable capacity expansion, which accounted for 91% of all net renewable energy growth in 2020. The cost of renewable energy continues to decline, and the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) is declining for wind power and solar photovoltaic. (P.V.), concentrated solar energy (CSP) and some biomass technologies.
Now that we have more innovative and cheaper ways to harvest and store wind and solar energy, renewables are becoming an increasingly important energy source, accounting for more than one-eighth of the U.S. generation. The expansion of renewable energy is also happening on a large and small scale, from rooftop solar panels that can sell energy to the national grid to giant offshore wind farms. Wind and solar-powered homes can be stand-alone or connected to a larger power grid provided by their energy supplier.
Wind pumps are still used in remote parts of the United States, but wind power has become more common. Regions with high levels of geothermal activity, such as Iceland and Indonesia, can harness this geothermal energy in magma channels and hot springs to turn turbines to generate electricity or provide natural heating for homes. Iceland is a pioneer in harnessing geothermal power, thanks to abundant thermal, easily accessible groundwater that can be converted into energy. The IEA said the spread of renewable technologies generally increases the diversity of electricity sources and, through local production, contributes to the more comprehensive energy system’s flexibility and resilience to central shocks.
Improved technologies are constantly emerging to address the shortcomings of various renewable resources. Innovation and expansion of renewable energy sources are critical to maintaining sustainable energy levels and protecting our planet from climate change. Renewable energy sources, including solar, land and sea, wind, geothermal, wave, and tidal energy, will help communities become part of the climate solution while creating well-paying jobs.
By 2050, one-third of the world’s energy will need to come from solar, wind, and other renewable sources. Solar and wind energy have unlocked the potential to generate sufficient energy supplies to meet global demand. Bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydroelectricity, and nuclear energy also bring bioenergy to the forefront in terms of financial competition, which is highly dependent on location. Sustainability companies are also stimulating renewable energy development by building their own facilities (such as solar roofs and wind farms), buying renewable electricity through sales contracts, and buying renewable energy certificates (RECs).