The term "renewable energy" refers to hydro energy from biomass, solar, wind, geothermal and ocean. They cover only 2% of global energy consumption - although their development in recent years is extremely fast. The current state of development of each technology often does not allow them even to the competitive functioning on market, because profits from them are delayed. In addition, many conventional energy sources still receive subsidies, and do not take into account associated with their use of external costs (especially the environmental pollution).
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The starting point for discussion of the "green energy" is global warming. Much attention is paid to such energy sources and technologies which acquisition and processing do not involve the emission of CO2. In addition, exploration and development of "green" energy technologies can resolve a number of other problems that conventional sources of energy create today. It is limited access to fossil fuels, especially oil. Many of them are located in politically unstable areas, which are often the subject of internal and international conflicts, including armed ones. Access to energy resources in the twenty-first century may become the most important source of global antagonisms, and today is an instrument of political and economic struggle of states and large corporations. Strong fluctuations in commodity prices on world markets destabilize the trade.
Renewable energy sources open a vast field of opportunities for social and economic change. The development of "green" technologies may constitute an impulse to the development of innovative economy, but it also creates very different labor markets that require different levels of qualifications. "Green energy" allows more people to work. Most renewable energy sources are modular in nature - can be used by many small and autonomous producers and consumers at the same time, often self-sufficient. This allows, for example, the inhabitants of sparsely populated regions to gain energy and relative independence from big distributors.
A Plan for 100% Renewable Energy by 2050
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All of the above examples do not mean that the technologies associated with renewable energy sources make in different parts of the world there will be equality and prosperity. They are only an instrument - the ultimate effect of their use is instead the result of specific policy decisions and the technical dimension of individual solutions.
Comments
I think that it is important to use alternative sources of energy. I'm a fan of solar panels, because it doesn't take many special place - it can be installed on a roof of a house/building. It is expensive, but as a good investment it will give you back money you put there - multiplied :)
I also like the idea of energy took from water, for example "collected" at dam, in Poland it is at Solina.
And - of course - wind power plants.
There is more alternative source of energy, but those are the most popular and it shows that it isn't that hard to gather the energy without pollution.
1. Goodyear releases electricity-generating tire (concept),
2. Solar energy from space (http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/japan-solar-energy-from-space/ I recommend all of you to read about this)
But the most interesting thing about which I have recently read is concept of converting wasted heat to electricity.
Main advantages:
Elimination of Ozone Depleting materials: Using the waste heat as a form of electric power has multiple advantages. Whereas on one hand, using the theoretical model of molecular thermoelectric helps in increasing the efficiency of cars, power plants factories and solar panels, on the other hand efficient thermoelectric materials make ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, outdated.
Molecular thermoelectric devices may help in harvesting energy from the sun and reduce the dependence on photovoltic cells, whose efficiency in harvesting solar energy is going down.
How It Works?
Though having worked on the molecule and thinking about using them for a thermoelectric device, Bergfield and Stafford had not found anything special till an undergraduate discovered that these molecules had special features. A large number of molecules were then sandwiched between electrodes and exposed to a stimulated heat source. The flow of electrons along the molecule was split in two once it encounters a benzene ring, with one flow of electrons following along each arm of the ring.
The benzene ring circuit was designed in such a way that the electron travels longer distance round the rings in one path, which causes the two electrons to be out of phase when they reach the other side of the benzene ring. The waves cancel out each-other on meeting. The interruption caused in the flow of electric charge due to varied temperature builds up voltage between electrodes.
The effects seen on molecules are not unique because any quantum scale device having cancellation of electric charge will show a similar effect if there is a temperature difference. With the increase in temperature difference, energy generated also increases.
Thermoelectric devices designed by Bergfield and Stafford can generate power that can lit a 100 Watt bulb or increase car’s efficiency by 25%.
So is it a thing that depends on us - simple people, students, teachers and other programmers?
Sure. I agree with Paulina who switches off light and turns water.
If somebody says it doesn't matter, I have proposition: give me 30 zł from your monthly salary. I doubt if anybody agrees. Why if such small sum doesn't matter?
It makes me angry when somebody says "I don't care because it is the fact some day the Earth will disappear or be damaged" or "come on people, we can move to other planet". In my opinion it not worthy to comment such irresponsibility. Let's damage everything and move then. Wrrr!
Fortunatelly, I have an impression there are more people who care about the environment.
We all as the human beings should care for planet on which we live, it means we should be aware what's good for it and try to prevent destroying it. Every person, even a child could help protecting it by living responsibly for example saving water, which is so important, moreover, essential for life and which is in a short supply in some parts of the world such as: Africa, South-West Asia, Australia, South America, even North America in the south part. Researches have shown that every seventh person on Earth is running out of water.
I was very familiar with ECO energy in a Company that I used to work for. They didn't use solar panel farm as it's being made in USA (Las Vegas etc.). Poland is located in a climate zone where Solar energy might be used only for about 7 out of 12 months - this is not very profitable and usable. Company I worked for made a were using a simple process to create energy - Corn Crops for Biomass. The bought many farms to made corn crops. When crops were harvested, they were put in a special silos. All that was needed extra, was some time and temperature - the crops started to decompose and created bio fuel - really a lot of it. That was very profitable way to gather quite clean energy and sell it to energetic companies.
I think ECO ways are the future of our mankind - we have reached a limit of very high pollution - it's getting higher day by day and we must stop it. Of course it will come with many protests - like every time a coal mine is being shut down - but sooner or later we will have to do it.
I love what Elon Musk did about it with their team. Like for example Tesla. It’s a huge step forward. Also their new project “Roof Tiles”. Will help you to make a solar roof which can be cheaper than usual roof tiles. So they make reusable energy more popular and affordable.
In few years I’d like to move to Holand and live in a zero-waste house. House made of trash and which uses renewable sources of energy
There is also a great world wide social movement which reminds us on the need to save energy – it is call Earth Hour and this year it was on Saturday, March 19, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time all around the World.
Sadly that's how it works, it's easier to to pollute Earth rather than doubling or even tripling electricity bills. Eventually Earth will be indeed so damaged and polluted that living here will no longer be possible, but let's hope that with science and education we can postpone that until much, much later.
This is why I think we, as nations, countries and governments, should invest in alternative sources of energy.
I think that renewable sources of energy are very important. We should switch to green energy as soon as possible, because we will someday run out of coal or oil. Our future lies in green energy, in the long run it is much more profitable than coal or gas, wind or solar power are unlimited and free! Solar panels are getting more and more efficient, and their price is decreasing. I hope that in a couple of years they will be on every roof of every home.
I think everybody should be aware how they could replace the conventional sources of energy and maybe replace traditional sources with renewable in the future.
isn't only a slogan, we will be destroying our only one place to life.
Personally I think that not only education in schools should be practiced but also the government should offer habitants benefits encouraging to use eco energy.