A Look at Alternative Energy
Around 100 years ago, when humans learned to produce power and spread it across the electrical grid as regulated energy, the environment dramatically changed. In human history, it is undoubtedly the single most important advancement. Alternative energy is the energy produced in methods that do not destroy or damage the ecosystem from natural resources, in particular by limiting the use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, and nuclear energy.
The majority of our energy consumption is food and transportation-related. Agriculture, refining, and shipping are the significant aspects of food production that require the most energy. However, several new ideas are taking place as new renewable sources of energy, such as hydro, solar, wind, biomass, nuclear, etc… But there are some issues that come with these renewable sources of energy. There are difficulties with refining it, saving it, shipping it, and distributing it until it is used. There are also government policies that are slowing down the development of these innovations, posing an obstacle to produce green energy. The different research ideas for alternative energy are, thermal storages for solar energy, offshore wind turbines being set up, hydroelectricity from tides instead of dams, and biofuels using municipal waste.
Solar Energy
In various climates and environments, solar energy is constrained by its quality and unreliability. Despite that, solar energy has benefits over other alternatives, such as greater usable capacity, limitless sunlight fuel, and small-scale solutions. Floating solar farms, microgrids in developed countries, and more durable/cheap/efficient materials are currently in production.
Wind Energy
Without toxic emissions, wind power can be cheaper than fossil fuels. Although, the limitations include the lack of wind anywhere, a lack of general appeal, and high upfront costs. Offshore wind turbines, small-scale turbines, and aerial turbines are still the areas of growth for wind energy.
Solar + Wind Energy = ?
Durability, size, recyclability, and expense are the main obstacles to energy storage. Researchers are attempting to turn solar and wind energy into ammonia so that it can be processed as oil products and exported. Ammonia is a very efficient hydrogen carrier that can be shipped with ease. Energy storage refers to the energy production process so that it can be used later or marketed. Baseload power can’t be generated by renewable energy such as solar and wind. But we have to conserve energy for later use when it’s available.
Hydro Energy
Hydroelectric power also referred to as hydroelectricity, is a source of energy that utilizes the moving power of water, like water rushing through a waterfall to produce energy. Hydro is helping to build rural populations, but the cons include environmental damage and high initial capital costs.
Biomass
Unlike many other renewables, biomass energy can be used to produce liquid fuels. Its strengths are that it can be used with the infrastructure in cars as well as operate with the infrastructure in cars. The negatives are that it is too costly, has led poor farmers to have human rights concerns, and uses money for agriculture.
renewable energy continued…
While all renewables have a reduced impact on the environment than fossil fuels, we do have to be cautious about selecting the right long-term choices. Developing countries will receive a huge increase in renewable energy. Making these energy sources viable for these countries is the biggest barrier. For each region, we would have to use various energy sources and set up the necessary incentives to implement them. Government policy, especially in developed countries, is a major problem. Smaller-scale renewables, where massive power plants and transmission lines have collapsed, will provide billions of people access to power. Even 100 percent of the output of renewable energy is not strong enough. We need to build productive industries like transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, etc., and make it sustainable.
A solution using modern-day technology
Artificial photosynthesis (AP) is a technique that can mimic the mechanism of photosynthesis and generate the same products, including the separation of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen ions. This will create a method of energy transfer that can re-create photosynthesis which will absorb sunlight and separate molecules of water. The aim of artificial photosynthesis is to create a fuel from the sun that can be easily processed and used when sunlight is not available. Solar fuels are fuels produced using the energy of sunlight from natural substances such as water and carbon dioxide.
advantages of (AP):
- produces fuel that is energy efficient
- renewable energy that can be utilized for transportation
- will not emit any greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
disadvantages of (AP):
- materials used for AP tend to tarnish/rust when they come in contact with water (may become less of use over time)
- photodamage can occur over time (the material starts to change and that occurs following prolonged exposure to direct solar radiation)
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