What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy such as solar, wind, and geothermal that are essentially inexhaustible.
Most of the world’s energy today comes from finite sources such as oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear. In contrast, renewable energy sources are virtually infinite and can fulfill the world’s energy needs many times over.
Where does Renewable Energy come from?
Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Direct solar energy can be channeled to produce electricity, heat, light, and even cooling.
The sun also creates wind for wind turbines; it causes evaporation, clouds, rain, and then rivers for hydroelectric; it grows plants for biomass fuels; and it even affects waves and currents for ocean technologies.
Why do we need Renewable Energy?
1. Peak Oil
Reserves of oil, the world’s most important energy source, have peaked. When an oil field is about half drained its production begins to decline and become more expensive. The term Peak Oil was coined by M. King Hubbert, a geophysicist for Shell Oil, who correctly predicted in 1956 that US reserves would peak about 1970 and global reserves about 1995.
The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its 2008 World Energy Outlook, points out that the world will need 45% more energy by 2030, the equivalent of four Saudi Arabias going into production.
2. The Threat of Climate change
In addition to declining reserves and rising costs, the burning of fossil fuels also disgorges massive amounts of pollution into the atmosphere, causing health problems and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), which most scientists agree causes Global Warming.
3. Summary:
- Fossil fuels are running out, yet the demand for energy is increasing
- Fossil fuel emissions damage the environment and cause climate change
- Renewable energy offers energy security
- Renewable energy is a more modern family of energy technologies
- Renewable energy offers consumers an ethical alternative