Green energy refers to the energy created by natural resources like water, wind, or sunlight. It is power coming from renewable sources. Though green and renewable energy has some differences, keeping the environment safe is what matters.
How Does Green Energy Work?
Green energy is sourced from renewable technologies or systems, such as hydroelectric power, biomass, geothermal energy, wind power, and solar energy. These technologies are unique in their own way. For example, solar panels get energy from the sun while hydropower relies on water flow.
What Does Green Energy Mean?
For it to be called green energy, it must not produce pollution. Note that not all resources in the renewable industry are clean. For example, burning organic material may be a renewable resource. However, it generates CO2 and releases it into the atmosphere.
Green energy comes from naturally replenished sources, unlike fossil fuels that take more than a lifetime to develop. Moreover, green sources generally avoid drilling and mining activities that may damage the ecosystem.
What are Green Energy Sources?
Green energy commonly comes from the following sources:
Hydropower
Hydroelectric power is a type of energy that takes advantage of water flow in dams, streams, or rivers to generate energy. Also, you can create hydropower by using water flow through pipes at home. Moreover, it can originate from ocean tides or rainfall.
Wind Power
Wind power generally comes from higher altitude or offshore sites. It utilizes the flow and force of air all over the globe to run turbines that can create electricity.
Solar Power
Solar power is a source of green energy usually generated using PV (photovoltaic) cells that catches the sunlight and converts it into electrical power. It is power used for heating buildings, warming water, lighting homes, and cooking.
Geothermal Energy
This type of power utilizes thermal energy stored beneath the earth. Although geothermal energy requires drilling, thereby making it questionable when it comes to its environmental impact, it remains a considerable resource that can contribute vast amounts of energy.
Biomass
Biomass is a renewable resource that must be adequately managed to be called a source of green energy. This type of resource uses agricultural waste, sawdust, and wood waste to make energy. Although burning such materials discharges GHGs (greenhouse gas emissions), it is still lower than petroleum-based fuels.
Biofuels
Biofuels can be converted into fuels like biodiesel and ethanol. In 2010, this type of resource supplied 2.7% of power globally for transportation, and by 2050, it is expected to provide 25% of transportation fuel worldwide.
Conclusion
Green energy is set to be part of the world’s future. It offers a better alternative compared to most energy sources today. Not only is green energy good for ecosystems, but it also opens many job opportunities, making it economically feasible.
Fossil fuels do not offer a sustainable fix to energy needs. Therefore, developing clean energy solutions will ensure a sustainable future for energy provision while keeping Earth unharmed.