Article on renewable energy best form of energy
Answers
RENEWABLE ENERGY BEST FORM OF ENERGY
-XYZ
Together with the rapid growth of the world population, the limited ability to supply of non-renewable leads to energy demand on a rise especially in developing countries. This situation results in the risk of depletion of cheap fossil energy and environmental pollution as well as climate change. According to Loir, there will probably be sufficient oil and gas for this century, and coal for 2 or more (Loir .N 2007, p.843). Or Edwin Cartlidge reports “the annual total consumption of energy sources by the world population is about 1.4×1017 kWh, of which the proportion of the fossil energy has accounted for 90% of the energy sources used” (Physics World 7/2007). Therefore, researchers around the world have been constantly trying to find solutions to diversify energy sources and reduce harmful emissions and greenhouse emissions into the environment and renewable energy sources have taken the spotlight. Thus, what is the renewable energy? The Oxford Dictionary (2000) defines renewable energy as natural energy that can be used again and again and will never run out. There are four major types of renewable energy: solar, hydro, wind and geothermal energy.
The use of renewable energy has many potential benefits, including human beings and environment.
Firstly, renewable is one of the most important advantages of renewable energy. Essence of RES is derivation from natural processes so the energy is sustainable and never run out. Truly, renewable energy is really important and necessary to human beings when fossil fuels are more and more exhausted. With the never-ending supply of renewables, we would feel secure when having abundant supply of energy to last our planet, our human race and our economies, for generations and ever. Khemani (2011) says: “As long as human life is there, there will be earth, sun, wind and water, and the energy from these sources will also be available as long as they are there”. With the abundance from many renewable resources and development of science and technology, he strongly believes that renewable energy can meet the world’s energy needs today and tomorrow.
Besides, one of the greatest alternative energy benefits is that it is so much better for environment than the use of fossil fuels that contribute heavily to issues such as acid rain, smog and global warming. On the contrary, renewable energy has little or no waste products such as carbon dioxide or other chemical pollutants. Renewable energy systems produce much lower carbon dioxide emissions as opposed to carbon-intensive fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas while they are being used only a small amount of fuel during the manufacturing of equipment (Walser 2012). With renewable energies, energy is usually converted from one form to another without the creation of pollutants. Chandler (2006) takes solar energy an example, light energy from the sun can be converted directly to electricity using photovoltaic without the production of any pollutants like carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gasses. Similarly, wind power energy relies on moving air and converts it into electricity without polluting the environment. Therefore, it is obvious that the non-pollution or minimal impacts on environment are the positive advantages of renewable energy.
Thirdly, another benefit of renewable energy is a diversified energy mix (Pasolini 2012). It is an important and necessary supplement for global energy security while fossil fuel sources are more and more running out. In some circumstances, renewable energy can be more reliable than other forms of electricity. For example, if the grid gets breakdowns, renewable energy technologies such as generators powered by photovoltaics (PV) can supply electricity automatically. Efficient storage media such as batteries and fuel cells are keys for a renewable-powered grid. If battery storage is added to the system, it can supply electricity even after the sun goes down or through several cloudy or stormy days (Pasolini 2012).
Finally, renewable energy not only is regarded as an unlimited resource but also plays an important role to regional development. Renewable energy and energy efficiency can help revitalize rural communities (Parker 2010). For example, wind turbines or solar panel systems can provide energy and provide rural communities with new tax revenue. Farmers on windy lands can lease space to wind developers, earning thousands of dollars for each turbine every year.