Dana
How to Make Your Energy Greener
Hydropower: This form of energy is used in more than 150 countries around the world. In 2010, hydropower generated 32 percent of global electricity.
The top 50 countries are China, Brazil, and Venezuela. Hydropower is flexible and complements wind and solar energy. In the industrial sector, it accounts for nearly 50 percent of total electricity generation.
It is particularly useful for power plants in large cities with intermittent or unreliable energy requirements. Hydropower is also available in many different types, including geothermal, solar, and wind power.
Biomass: Another type of renewable energy is biomass. This energy is made available through natural sources and is considered virtually limitless. It is considered a viable alternative to fossil fuels and produces fewer greenhouse gasses than other types of energy.
Renewable energy is a great way to make your home more sustainable and reduce the carbon footprint. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2019, renewable energy made up 11.4% of the country's energy use. It is expected to continue increasing through 2050.
Sustainable energy
Sustainable energy is the production of energy that is both renewable and compatible with our present needs. The term refers to a variety of energy sources, including electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, hot or chilled water, or any other product used in a building.
It also includes renewable on-site electricity generation. This energy source is used for heating, cooling, lighting, and other end-uses. Sustainable energy is a way to meet the future needs of our society while meeting the needs of today.
The Brundtland Commission, in 1987, coined the term “sustainability.” Sustainability is when the basic needs of people can be met forever. Sustainable energy, by definition, uses renewable sources of energy that can't be exhausted or depleted.
It is a much better alternative than the traditional fossil fuels we depend on today. Here's a look at the three main types of sustainable energy. If you're looking for a renewable source, renewable solar or wind power are both viable options.
Wind and solar power are two examples of renewable sources. Wind power, for example, converts kinetic energy into mechanical energy. Then, the turbines spin at high speeds to produce electricity. Sustainable energy also doesn't deplete our natural resources.
It's like the sun or wind – they never run out and are constantly replenishing themselves. Renewable energy systems are an important part of our search for clean and sustainable energy sources that don't cause any more damage to our environment than they already are.
Nuclear energy
If you're not yet convinced that nuclear energy is green, you might be pleasantly surprised to hear that it's a thriving alternative energy industry. The United States already uses about 20 percent of its electricity from nuclear power, and about half of that energy comes from the country's reactors.
While most of these nuclear plants are located east of the Mississippi River, three companies are currently planning to apply for a license to build smaller reactors for use in communities. All small modular reactors use water to cool the core of the reactor.
The European Commission (EC) is currently evaluating the feasibility of nuclear power. The EU considers nuclear and fossil gas to be “green” energy sources, although nuclear is the most controversial of the two.
Despite the EC's decision, half of EU member states already generate electricity with nuclear power, with only a few remaining staunch opponents. Nevertheless, France has announced a massive reinvestment in nuclear power. Other countries, such as the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, are planning to build new power reactors.
The Biden administration has taken several aggressive steps to reduce greenhouse gases. It views nuclear as a necessary part of the mix to offset the decline of carbon-based fuels.
The Energy Department has also argued for nuclear power as a green energy source because studies show that it is necessary for a carbon-free future. Although this may seem to contradict the claims of the nuclear industry, it does provide the world with an abundant supply of energy that is completely carbon-free.
Biomass energy
In addition to being a renewable source of energy, biomass can be processed to produce liquid biofuels. Solid biomass can be burned directly without processing, and it makes up half of the biomass fuels produced in the U.S. However, biomass can also be converted into biodiesel and ethanol.
Human sewage and animal manure can be processed into biogas, which is used to fuel cars. Fermented crops are used to produce ethanol, while other forms of biomass include wood and grass.
There are concerns about biomass. As it is a broad category, it can encompass almost anything. As a result, biomass often produces more air pollutants and carbon dioxide than coal-fired power plants. In addition, biomass is not environmentally friendly.
In fact, Congress has passed legislation to regulate the emission of carbon dioxide by biomass-fired power plants. This legislation aims to make biomass more environmentally friendly. The Seattle Times explains the issue in a more technical way.
While biomass is an environmentally friendly source of energy, some scientists say that it can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Burning biomass releases about the same amount of carbon dioxide as fossil fuels, but biomass's release is balanced by its own growth.
As a bonus, biomass doesn't require as much land as fossil fuels, which require decades to regenerate. That means the biomass plant can also help grow more land. This is an important aspect of making biomass energy green.
Wind energy
Wind energy is one of the most popular green energy sources. This energy source does not produce greenhouse gases or pollute when it is converted to electricity. Its popularity stems from the fact that it is relatively cheap to produce.
Some countries have higher wind speeds than others. But even those areas do not have enough wind for wind farms. Wind energy is often combined with solar energy systems. Although wind energy does not provide all the power we need, it is the fastest-growing source of energy worldwide.
The economics of wind turbines are best realized when the project size matches the energy demand. Residential projects require small turbines with a maximum of 10 kilowatts. Midsize machines can meet larger commercial onsite loads.
Utility-scale machines have higher capacity and cost but are required for projects connected to the electrical grid. However, it is advisable to check with a utility before installing wind turbines on your property.
The industry is still in its early stages. Many wind farms do not recycle old turbine blades. This may lead to pollution. However, companies are working to address this problem by reducing the amount of waste generated from wind turbines.
For instance, some companies are selling old wind turbine blades to companies in Asia and Latin America. Increasingly, they are looking to make new products from these materials. The future is bright for wind energy as it is green energy.
Photo-voltaic
Photo-voltaic technology uses semiconductors to produce power. When exposed to high-energy photons, semiconductors' electrons can be excited to higher states, allowing them to act like conducting materials.
Single-crystal silicon PV cells have a dark uniform appearance. They are made by melting raw silicon into thin sheets. This type of cell is faster and less expensive than monocrystalline cells, but it has a lower efficiency.
The power output of a photovoltaic module depends on the ambient temperature, including the amount of solar radiation that is received by the module. The temperature T of the p-n junction affects the main electrical parameters, such as the short circuit current ISC and the open circuit voltage VOC.
The degradation of each individual module may significantly affect the performance of the entire string. Moreover, not all modules degrade at the same rate.
The most common PV system is called a panel, and it uses the same principles as a conventional electricity grid. Its power output can range from just a few milliwatts to thousands of watts.
One solar PV array may be as small as a wristwatch, while a large array can power thousands of homes and even the electric power grid. A PV array can be of any size and shape, but they are best when they are big enough to provide sufficient energy to power a building or home.
Geothermal
There is no doubt that we need cleaner, renewable energy, and geothermal is the answer. Unfortunately, conventional geothermal systems are only effective in specialized areas.
Fortunately, recent advancements in oil and gas technology will make geothermal even more active in the coming decades. This green energy source is inexhaustible, flexible, and dispatchable, and it is poised to change our world for the better.
The energy green from geothermal is available in two forms – liquid and vapor. The former produces superheated steam while the latter creates hot water. Geothermal reservoirs are usually located within metamorphic or igneous rocks and are often fractured.
This is because geothermal formations are hot by definition. Some plants experience pressure declines, and operators have started reinjecting water to maintain the pressure of the reservoir.
Geothermal power plants rely on geothermal heat and steam to power turbines. These power plants use a process called the binary cycle to generate electricity.
In this cycle, the water and steam are heated to between 300 and 700 degrees Fahrenheit. The steam is used to turn a turbine and drive a turbine to produce electricity. This process requires the use of pipes to transport geothermal water to the surface.
Sources:
- Biomass: U.S. Energy Information Administration, https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/
- Wind energy: U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy
- Photo-voltaic: Solar Energy Industries Association, https://www.seia.org/initiatives/about-solar-energy
