Activity 3.2.3 – Alternative Energy

 

Renewable energy is energy that can be readily available within a short time frame. These renewable energy sources are called alternative energy because most countries do not rely on them as their main source of power. (Mutiti) Most countries run on non-renewable sources like fossil fuels and nuclear. These countries call this energy conventional energy.

During the 1970s the world went through an energy crisis that increased interest in alternative energy. The hazards associated with nuclear power and the dwindling supplies of fossil fuels sparked this interest. The main argument for the use of renewable energy is that the resources used are easily reproduced. While an energy source like solar is considered unlimited or completely renewable there is another category called semi-renewable. These are sources in theory that can be produced at least as quickly as it is used. Since the world’s reliance on non-renewable energy is high these resources will eventually run out and become too expensive to run on. Gathering alternative energy is cleaner for the environment than gathering most non-renewable energy. Alternative energy does have drawbacks. The energy is not concentrated enough and is not easily moved. The energy collected is difficult to store.

Solar energy is the most abundant source of alternative energy on the planet. It is involved in the production of other forms of energy. Only a small percentage of energy from the sun reaches the earth but this is more than enough to meet the world’s energy requirement. Whether heating and cooling homes using passive solar power or collecting solar power with photovoltaic cells, we have been using the sun’s energy for a long time. Solar plants do not produce any greenhouse gases and solar energy can be easily harnessed with the layout of a building or the placement of photovoltaic cells on top of buildings.

Not everything about solar energy is a good thing. For solar to work you need to have the sun. Some areas will be better suited for the use of solar than others. Since solar power cannot be stored and used on demand it is difficult to rely on this energy when it is cloudy or at night. The process of manufacturing photovoltaic cells does produce some hazardous waste and uses fossil fuels. The amount of greenhouse gases produced when manufacturing photovoltaic cells will hopefully be offset by future use of solar energy. The chemicals used to lubricate and clean some of the solar thermal systems can potentially be hazardous. Another factor when considering solar energy is the placement of solar farms. Large solar fields can damage the fragile balance of the ecosystem wherever they are placed.

Alternative energy can help ease the worlds reliance on fossil fuels. More research needs to be done to improve the technology to collect, store and use alternative energy. Education on the benefits and consequences of alternative energy is also needed.

Source

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.