Currently the world relies on coal, oil and natural gas to supply its energy needs, but our reliance on fossil fuels is leading to some big problems, namely that they are running out, and unless alternatives are developed many nations could find themselves in crisis, both economic and social. To achieve energy independence and security, many technology companies are working to build systems that can lead to environmental, economic and sustainable energy development, with aims to improve the development and utilization of renewable energy.
But what is renewable energy? It is energy that is constantly replenished and will never run out, and comes from natural resources. The main source of renewable energy is the sun, and other sources such as wind, biomass, hydro and ocean energy are all directly or indirectly generated from it. Among the variety of natural sources, there are four that are noteworthy: Solar power, Wind power, Hydro electricity and Bioenergy. Solar energy can be used for heating and lighting for buildings, also a variety of commercial and industrial uses. Hydro electricity is currently more widely used than the others, and is generated by water moving through turbines, quite similar to how wind energy is generated. Bioenergy is stored energy from the sun that is contained in materials such as plant matter and animal waste, which is replenished much more quickly than fossil fuels, which take millions of years to replenish. In fact, the European strategy for renewable energy sources identifies bioenergy as the most important renewable energy source for the future.
Renewable energy can help to slow down many existing problems: such as the stability of climate, and energy independence can provide clean sources of energy that can be developed in perpetuity. But it’s not all sunshine and happiness, and developing renewable energy systems is hardly free. These supplies are expensive to develop and even more difficult to make efficient. The greatest barrier is the cost of entry, while these systems could eventually be economically beneficial; it takes years of investment, which is a very hard sell when oil is still relatively cheap and plentiful. Still, many technology companies and governments are initiating efforts and incentives to encourage development, aiming to accelerate the use of environmentally sound and cost competitive systems.
To meet the world’s voracious energy demands, renewable energy technologies must be established to ensure the long-term stability of our civilizations. But the transition from today’s mix of fossil fuels, nuclear, and big hydropower to renewable energies will not be cheap, easy or quick, we must be prepared to invest now for the benefit of mankind’s future.
