Types of Alternative Energy Sources that Can Make a Difference in Saving the Environment

“A transition to clean energy is about making an investment in our future.” – Gloria Reuben, actress and environmental activist

In today’s world, oil and natural gas (known as fossil fuels) are the main sources of energy production globally. These fossil fuels are also used for generating electricity and other power sources needed for daily use. However, with the human population growing in millions, experts opine that oil and natural gas resources will be depleted in 2050. So, the demand for alternative sources, in other words, renewable energy has increased. This blog gives valuable information on alternative energy sources that can be substituted for oil and natural gas.

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Definition of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is the energy that can be generated from an everlasting natural source. The sources that we focus on in this blog are hydroelectric power, biomass power, wind power, solar power and tidal energy.

There are numerous benefits and advantages of renewable energy. Few are –

• Reduction in air pollution and carbon emissions during production
• Lower cost
• Job opportunities were created around the production area.

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Different Types of Renewable Energy

Countries like the US, UK and some developed countries have already proclaimed to achieve a net zero target by the year 2050. They have already resorted to using electricity generated from other sources to reduce carbon emissions from industrial sectors.

Let us discuss in detail the renewable sources of energy:

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1. Hydropower

The first image you can see in your imagination when you hear the word ‘hydropower,’ are turbines that are turned by natural water. As a reader, you will also be reminded of the natural hydropower machines invented in many countries and used to shift water from rivers to farms and fields.

The well-known rivers contain dams. The fast-moving water (in some instances, waterfalls) is used to turn turbines that generate electricity. Following are the types of hydropower plants:

1. Impoundment
2. Diversion
3. Pumped Storage

The hydroelectricity process involves the natural flowing force of rivers, unlike natural gas and oil where prices fluctuate due to political and economic changes.

Now, let us look at the famous hydroelectric power plants around the globe:

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2. Tidal Energy

The sea itself offers a perennial source of power hitherto almost unapplied. The tides, twice in each day, raise a vast mass of water, which might be made available for driving machinery. –  Charles Babbage

This type of energy generation uses the natural force of river streams and ocean currents/tides to turn turbines. Unlike hydropower plants, the cost of building a tidal energy plant is more.

Important Tidal Power Plants in the globe:

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3. Biomass Energy: 

The type of renewable energy that is known for producing more amount of carbon when compared to the others mentioned in this blog. The resources used in production of Biomass Energy are crops, municipal waste, industrial waste, straw, crops and agricultural byproducts.

Similar to burning fossil fuels to generate energy, the mentioned products, when burned, release chemical heat that can be used in electricity generation.

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For the environment, this process gives some benefits as waste gets cleared; however, it also requires the burning of wood and other resources. But, when compared to burning of fossil fuels, it is a much cleaner process. Also, the energy produced by burning can not only be used to generate electricity, but can be converted to other forms of energy. Example – methane gas, biodiesel and ethanol.

Some environmental experts state, that wooden trees from the forest generate more carbon emissions when compared to fossil fuels. At the same time, there are sources such as sawdust, wooden chips from saw mills that generate less carbon emissions when burned.

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4. Wind Energy

“The two most abundant forms of power on earth are solar and wind, and they’re getting cheaper and cheaper.” – Ed Begley, Jr.

The energy created from wind is considered the cleanest form of renewable energy. Similar to hydropower machines, this practice of using wind energy was used as early in the 6^th century (Tang Dynasty – 618 to 907 AD). The major disadvantage is, the turbines can generate electricity only when the wind is moving at fast and large amounts of speed.

Wind energy is largely used in US states such as Iowa, California, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

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Important Wind Power Plants in the Globe

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5. Geothermal Energy

A look at the name, and it is easy to know that the energy below the earth is used to turn generators. Unlike the other sources of energy, power plants can be established underground. As per experts, geothermal energy does not emit carbon and the power plant requires less maintenance.

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6. Solar Power

Once you got a solar panel on a roof, energy is free. Once we convert our entire electricity grid to green and renewable energy, cost of living goes down. – Elizabeth May

One of the most common and easiest ways to generate electric energy, that is, using energy from the Sun (an ever-lasting source). It is possible to generate electric energy via photovoltaic cell panels.

Installing solar panels is easy. They can be installed on rooftops of buildings with ease. Considered one of the cleanest forms of energy along with wind power, this type can be used to generate electricity devoid of creating greenhouse gases and no byproducts.

However, these power systems can generate electricity only when there is sufficient sunlight. So, they cannot be relied upon to produce power in areas where there is mist and darkness. Also, the weather plays an important part. If the climate is rainy and has mist, then the solar power panels will generate less electricity.

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Conclusion

According to a survey done in 2019, the three renewable energy sources that account for the highest production of electricity are

• The renewable energy generated using hydropower came to 1172 GW
• The energy generated by using wind energy came to 564 GW, and solar power came to 480 GW.

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The explosion of the human population and the rampant use of oil/gas has given rise to severe environmental issues, for example, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer etc. Generation Z in developing/developed countries have taken note of the ecological issues and favor products/services prepared from renewable technologies. Let us hope that, two decades into the future, our scientists design new technologies that can create more energy from the renewable sources mentioned in this blog to satisfy the needs of human population. 

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Blog by Sathya Narayana B.