For the longest time, we have relied on resources such as coal, petroleum, and kerosene to fulfil our energy requirements. However, these are non-renewable resources that pollute the environment. Moreover, these sources will eventually run out, causing fear of shortage. Green energy is an alternative that can help mitigate these problems. The quicker we switch to renewable sources of energy, the better.
Before we move any further, let us understand—What is green energy? In short, green energy refers to the energy that is generated from natural resources, such as the sun, wind or water. It can be harnessed using renewable technologies such as solar renewable energy, wind power, biomass, geothermal, and hydroelectric power. In this article, let us briefly discuss each of these resources and understand how they are creating a sustainable economy.
Types of Renewable Energy Sources
The most popular renewable sources include solar power, wind energy, and hydroelectric power. It is possible to produce solar and wind power on a small scale at home. They can also be generated on a large industrial scale.
Here are the six most common forms of renewable energy sources:
- Solar Energy
Solar renewable energy is most commonly produced using photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture the sunlight and convert it into electricity. Apart from powering home appliances, solar power can also be used to heat buildings as well as for cooking and lighting. In recent times, solar power has become affordable enough to serve domestic purposes, including lighting the garden. - Wind Power
Generating wind power is effective in the case of offshore and high altitude sites. It uses the power of the flow of air in the atmosphere to turn the turbines and generate electricity. - Hydropower
Hydropower or hydroelectric power uses the flow of the water in streams, rivers, and dams to produce electricity. It can work on a small scale by making the water flow through pipes in the home. - Geothermal Energy
This type of renewable energy makes use of the thermal energy stored under the earth’s crust. Geothermal energy has been used for creating hot springs for many years. Also, the steam can be used to turn the turbines and generate electricity. - Biomass
Biomass is a renewable source of energy that needs to be carefully managed if you wish to label it as a ‘green energy’. It uses wood waste and combustible organic waste to generate energy. Burning these materials emits greenhouse gases but is still much lower than petroleum-based fuels.
Use Case of Green Energy
There are plenty of applications of green energy today. After understanding what is green energy, let us look at some of the use cases of green energy:
- Heating & Cooling in Buildings
Today, green energy solutions are being used in all types of buildings, including large offices and residential homes. It includes solar water heaters, heat from geothermal and biomass fuelled boilers, as well as cooling systems powered by green sources of energy.
- Industrial Processes
The heat generated using green energy can be used for industrial processes. Hydrogen has become a large provider of renewable energy for the iron, cement, chemical, and steel industries.
- Transport
Renewable electricity is becoming a popular choice to run transportation across industries. Automotives are an obvious example as electrification advances to substitute fossil fuels, but construction and aerospace are other areas where electrification is being investigated actively.
How is Green Energy Creating a Sustainable Economy?
As green energy is replacing the negative effects of fossil fuels, it is safe to say that they are helping in creating a sustainable economy. Green energy is derived from natural resources and does not emit greenhouse gases, and is readily available.
The use of green energy can lead to a stable price of energy as these sources are usually produced locally and do not get affected by the geopolitical crisis. The economic advantages include job creation in making the facilities that serve the communities where workers can be employed. Since solar and wind power can be produced locally, the energy infrastructure is flexible and not dependent on sources that may lead to disruption.
All in all, green energy represents a low cost and eco-friendly solution for the energy requirements of many parts of the world. The efficiency will only increase with the advancements in technology, and the cost will continue to fall. This way, the accessibility of green energy will increase as the world develops. If you have still not switched to green energy sources, it is time you do so. You can explore the solar solutions on our official website to upgrade to solar and switch to a smarter way of living.
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