What are renewable energies?

Renewable energies are a type of energy derived from natural sources that can be replaced faster than they can be consumed. An example of these sources is, for example, sunlight and wind; These sources are continually renewed. Renewable energy sources abound and we find them in any environment.

In contrast, fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are non-renewable energy sources that take hundreds of millions of years to form. Fossil fuels produce energy by burning, causing harmful emissions in the form of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

Renewable energy generation produces far fewer emissions than burning fossil fuels. A transition from fossil fuels, which currently account for the majority of emissions, to renewable energy is essential to address the crisis caused by climate change.

Today, renewable energy is cheaper in most countries and generates three times more jobs than fossil fuels.

Here are some common sources of renewable energy:

SOLAR ENERGY

Of all the energy sources, solar energy is the most abundant and, in addition, it can also be obtained even under cloudy skies. The rate at which the Earth intercepts solar energy is approximately 10,000 times faster than the rate at which humanity consumes the energy.

Solar technologies can produce heat, cooling, natural light, electricity, and also fuels for a multitude of applications. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy, either through photovoltaic panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.

Although not all countries are equally benefited by sunlight, we know that in any country an important contribution of solar energy to all its energy sources would be viable.

The cost of manufacturing solar panels has dropped precipitously over the last decade, making them, in addition to being affordable, often the most economical way to produce electricity. Solar panels have a useful life of around 30 years and come in a wide variety of shades depending on the type of material used during their manufacturing.

 

WIND POWER

Wind energy takes advantage of the kinetic energy of moving air through the use of enormous wind turbines located on land surfaces, in the high seas or in fresh waters (on the water surface). Wind energy has been used for millennia, but technologies, both on land and on water, have evolved in the last few decades to become a powerful way to produce electricity thanks to taller turbines and rotors that have larger diameters. .

Although average wind speeds vary markedly depending on each location, the global technical potential for wind energy exceeds the global production of electrical energy, also taking into account the potential in most regions of the planet to allow significant deployment. of this wind-based energy.

In many areas of the world we find strong winds with very high speeds; However, the best places to generate this energy are sometimes located in the most remote locations. The generation of wind energy in aquatic areas has significant potential.

 

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Geothermal energy uses the thermal energy available from the Earth's interior. Heat is extracted from geothermal deposits through wells or other means.

Reservoirs with these high enough temperatures and naturally permeable are called hydrothermal reservoirs, while reservoirs that have sufficient heat, but use means of hydraulic stimulation, are called enhanced geothermal systems.

Once on the surface, fluids at various temperatures can be used to generate electricity. This technology, which consists of generating electricity through geothermal deposits, is already mature and reliable, and has been in use for more than 100 years.

 

HYDROELECTRIC POWER

Hydroelectric energy takes advantage of the energy produced by the movement of water when it rises or falls steeply. It can be generated from reservoirs and rivers. Hydroelectric plants in reservoirs use stored and stagnant water, while river hydroelectric plants use the energy produced by the flow of water in a river.

Hydroelectric reservoirs usually have multiple applications, producing drinking water, water for irrigation, flood and drought control, navigation services and also this energy supply that we indicate.

Hydroelectric energy is currently the largest source of renewable energy within the electricity sector. It is based on generally stable rainfall patterns and can be negatively affected by droughts caused by climate change, or even by changes in ecosystems, which also produces this problem and which can affect these rainfall patterns.

The infrastructure needed to create hydroelectricity can also cause changes to ecosystems in very negative ways. For this reason, there are many who defend this small-scale energy source as a more environmentally friendly option and especially suitable for communities located in very remote locations.

 

OCEAN ENERGY

Ocean energy derives from technologies that use the thermal energies of seawater, waves or water currents, for example, to produce electricity or heat.

Ocean energy systems are still in an early stage of development with a variety of wave and tidal current conversion devices in the experimental phase. The theoretical potential of ocean energy exceeds any current energy needs in human beings.

 

BIOENERGY

Bioenergy is produced from various organic materials, called biomass, such as wood, coal, manure and other fertilizers used for the production of heat and electricity, and agricultural crops used for liquid biofuels. Most of the biomass is used in rural areas for cooking, providing lighting and heat in rooms, and by the most disadvantaged populations in developing countries.

Modern biomass systems incorporate specific trees or crops, residues from agriculture or forest environments, as well as organic waste streams.

The energy created from burning biomass forms greenhouse gas emissions, although at lower levels than the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil or gas. However, bioenergy should only be applied in certain situations since its potentially negative impacts on the environment are related to a large-scale increase in bioenergy plantations and forests, which generates deforestation and a change in the use of the areas. of Earth.

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