Clean energy refers to the energy coming from renewable and zero-emission sources, which means that these sources do not generate pollution. There is a subtle difference between clean, green, and renewable energy.
To remember their differences easily:
- Clean energy does not create pollutants
- Green energy comes from nature or natural sources
- Renewable energy comes from recyclable sources
A clean and pure energy mix happens when renewable and green energy coincide.
How Does Clean Energy Work?
Clean energy generates power without negatively affecting the environment, such as releasing CO2 or carbon dioxide. Note that most clean energies are renewable, including solar power, wind power, and hydropower generation.
Why is Clean Energy Important?
Not only do renewable and clean resources preserve natural resources, but they also lessen environmental risks, such as gas leaks or fuel spills. With fuel diversity, through various power plants utilizing different power sources, there will be reliable power supplies to ensure security in meeting the world’s demands.
What are the Benefits of Clean Energy?
Clean energy offers a lot of economic and environmental benefits, such as air pollution reduction. A diverse supply of clean energy also lessens the world’s dependence on fuels. Moreover, clean and renewable energy is cost-saving, minimizing the need to source and transport fossil fuels, such as oil or coal. That is because these sources replenish naturally.
How is Clean Energy Used?
Clean energy is used in different ways. Solar energy is used to heat and light buildings, generate electricity, warm water, even for cooling, etc. Solar panels get energy from sunlight and transform it into electricity.
Moreover, these panels can be used to charge batteries and power garden lights. To power homes and buildings, solar panels can be upgraded to larger ones.
Another example is water, a clean resource that takes advantage of water flow from lakes, streams, or rivers to generate electricity. Also, with water flowing in homes via pipes daily, a move to harness this energy will help meet daily domestic and power needs.
Wind power operates by connecting a windmill and generator. The rotation of the blades can be converted into power. Wind energy has been utilized in past centuries to pump water, grind grain, and do other tasks. Presently, its purpose is to generate electricity. Offshore and onshore wind farms are beginning to be prevalent.
These renewable sources mentioned can be supplemented with tidal, biomass, and geothermal power, which also offer many applications and benefits.
Conclusion
As the dependence on fossil fuels diminishes, clean energy moves forward to power the future needs of all human beings worldwide. As the need to transition to renewable, green, and clean energy becomes more evident, much work will be done to create and install new power technologies or solutions.
Countries and governments notice the economic, societal, and environmental benefits of green, renewable, and clean energy. Also, as states, nations, and cities sign and pledge to the green energy agenda, it is expected to advance in the years to come.