Are you looking for a way to power your home, your business, and the world with cleaner energy? The reality of powering the world while addressing global warming through new forms of renewable energy is this: there have been incredible breakthroughs in renewable energy technology in recent years. The future of energy is here – and it’s powered by renewable energy!
1. Harnessing Renewable Resources: Paving the Way for a Brighter Future
With the world caught in a spiral of constant growth and development, looking for sources for the plentiful availability of energy is becoming increasingly important. Fortunately, renewable sources of energy have provided mankind with a rightful and sustainable solution.
Solar Energy
Solar energy may be the most well-known of all renewable resources out there. The possibility of using sunlight to power our daily lives is extremely attractive, given our planet’s increasingly erratic climate. Solar photovoltaic power is something that is becoming more and more ubiquitous. Not only have panels been getting more efficient, but they have also been noticeably decreasing in cost. This means that it is become much simpler for people to afford to use solar panels, and can be used on both a large and small scale.
Wind Energy
Wind power is another lucrative resource that can be used for energy production. Although it is more suited to large-scale harvesting, the amount of power produced also yields a greater power output than solar energy. Not only that, but it can be used to provide energy to places that lack in sunshine, as wind is still able to be harvested. That said, unlike solar panels, the cost of turbines is still relatively high.
Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power is the most effective way to harness the power of a river, by using the power of flowing water to produce a steady output of energy. By using the water in a turbine to spin magnets inside a coil, electricity is generated cleanly and efficiently. As this method is highly efficient and reliable, it can provide the base of a renewable-based energy infrastructure.
Biomass
Biomass energy is essentially the burning of organic material to produce energy. The most common source of biomass energy is the burning of wood or other organic refuse in order to produce heat. A variation of this is the large scale burning of organic material, such as plantation-grown trees, in order to create energy for large-scale use. With the help of modern technology, biomass energy is now able to be used in for production of a reliable and renewable source of energy.
Time is of the essence, however, and with the population continuing to rise and resources continuing to dwindle, it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet our energy needs. This is where renewable resources come into play, with a wide range of possibilities that are sure to provide a better and brighter tomorrow.
2. A Closer Look at Recent Renewable Energy Breakthroughs
Today’s modern world has seen unprecedented advancement in technology, particularly in the way of renewable energy. From solar cells to vertical axis wind turbines, renewable energy has come a long way in the last decade. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable renewable energy breakthroughs from the past few years.
1. Solar Power
Solar power has revolutionized the way we think of renewable energy. The technology has become increasingly efficient and affordable, allowing businesses and households around the world to benefit from an increasingly common solar panel field. In 2019, the solar industry set a new record for the size of a single solar panel field at around 1 trillion watts, enough electricity to power millions of households. On top of that, there has also been impressive breakthroughs in solar storage technology, helping create a more reliable power source.
2. Biofuels
Biofuels have been around for some time now as a renewable energy source. What’s been coming out of the lab lately are new and improved forms of biofuels, which are created from plant materials instead of traditional fossil fuels. These biofuels have been proven to produce more energy than traditional fossil fuels, while having a lower environmental impact. This is expected to have a big impact on both transportation and electricity generation over the coming years.
3. Wave and Tidal Energy
Wave and tidal energy is one of the newer forms of renewable energy, but it has the potential to become an important power source in the future. The technology works by using wave or tidal forces to move turbines beneath the surface of the water, generating electricity in the process. The technology is still in its early stages, but the potential here is massive, as harvesting the energy from the oceans could have a significant impact on the global energy market.
4. Wind Power
Wind power is another renewable energy breakthrough that has been making waves in the industry lately. The most noteworthy development here is the installation of vertical axis wind turbines, which are more efficient and more affordable than their horizontal axis counterparts. This has allowed the wind power industry to expand into locations that were previously inaccessible, such as urban areas and other congested areas.
These are just a few examples of the impressive advances in renewable energy technology in recent years. With many new breakthroughs emerging, it’s clear that renewable energy will continue to be a major player in the future of global energy.
3. Exploring the Benefits of Cleaner Alternatives
As society continues to develop and modernise, we find ourselves facing a variety of new environmental problems which threaten the safety and wellbeing of our planet. With the effects of global warming becoming increasingly more evident, many are turning to cleaner alternatives for the production of energy. Taking advantage of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal, we create a way to reduce our national carbon footprint while also helping to protect our planet from further damage.
From an economic standpoint, investing in renewable sources of energy can also bring several benefits to the table. Unlike traditional forms of energy which must be sourced from finite stocks of resources, renewable energy is provided by nature and can never run out. This means that the nations of the world who undertake the task of developing these sorts of energy sources can achieve greater economic stability through the reliable and consistent income their clean energies can provide.
From a practical standpoint, the advantages of cleaner alternatives are clear as day. Having more affordable electricity bills is one of the most immediate and noticeable benefits that these energy sources can offer, with renewable energy prices being much lower than those of traditional energy sources. It should also be noted that, since cleaner energy requires very little maintenance, the cost of labour for those responsible of managing these sources of energy is much lower. Furthermore, the emissions that come from burning renewable sources such as wood or biofuel are nowhere near as damaging as emissions from fossil fuels such as coal or oil.
In conclusion, switching to renewable energy can be beneficial both from an economic, environmental and practical point of view. Adopting and investing in these sources can bring us all varied rewards, proving why cleaner alternatives are the energy sources of the future. Here are essential points to consider:
- Renewable energy sources will never run out, meaning that income from them can be reliable and consistent.
- Electricity prices from renewable sources are significantly lower than those from traditional ones.
- Renewable energies require less maintenance, resulting in lower labour expenses.
- Emissions from renewable sources are much less damaging than those of traditional sources.
4. Reaping the Rewards of a More Sustainable Tomorrow
A resilient and sustainable society will be among the greatest rewards of transitioning to a more circular economy. This will provide us with healthier, reliable, sustainable living areans and improved quality of life, which are important outcomes of creating a more circular future. We will be reaping both environmental and economic benefits, in addition to social and quality-of-life ones. Here are some of these rewards:
- Greater economic security – a move to a circular economy can help create jobs, stimulate local economies, protect natural resources and provide more investment opportunities. For instance, making use of the full potential of existing assets, such as land or natural resources, can happen if we apply circular approaches.
- Improved social justice – the traditional linear economy is very resource-intensive, making it hard for those in poverty to access essential goods and services. By promoting a shift towards a circular economic model, social inequalities can be addressed, with businesses and governments taking part in the reduction of poverty and social exclusion.
- More resilient communities & better self-sustainability – local level circular economy initiatives can help communities become more self-sufficient and resilient. This is especially important in parts of the world that undergo frequent natural disasters or economic instabilities.
The potential for a circular economy is large. By designing products and services with the value from the outset, by sharing resources, reuse and repurpose, and moving to digital and virtual assets — there are innumerable potential avenues for businesses and governments to benefit from the circular economy. A system of greater efficiency, more competition, greater resource availability, and less waste is possible, and will create a sustainable future for generations to come.
By collaborating through innovation, government policies and consumer preferences, there is an opportunity to seize the rewards of transitioning to a more circular economy. The rewards of a more sustainable future are many; the challenge is how we make it a reality.
It is heartening to see the world’s commitment towards finding renewable energy solutions. Our future depends on it, and these renewable energy breakthroughs are a strong show of what can be done together, when we join forces to power the future.
