The energy demand of the world is growing day by day, due to the rapid increase in human population. But human population growth is not the only thing resulted in increased the energy demand, another factor that plays a very important role in the amelioration in the standard of living of people living in underdeveloped, developing and developed countries. This increased energy demand has put a lot of stress on the natural resources like coal, oil and natural gas, which are expected to run out in a few decades as they are non-renewable resources, i.e. which are not replaceable on human timescale.
This is where the idea of sustainable energy gives some hope to the people of this world. The concept behind sustainable energy is to ensure that the present energy requirements are being met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs too. Thus sustainable energy in other words refers to renewable energy sources. These energy resources are efficient and are also to large extent pollution free. So today we have a list of Top 10 Sustainable Energy Resources For Future.
10. Radiant energy
Radiant energy is the energy of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves are present all around us,so exploiting them for energy production would be a very nice idea. The SI unit of this energy is joule. Radiant energy can be visible or invisible. To take advantage of this form of energy sophisticated machinery is required. Radiant energy not only heats up a building, but it also conducts electricity. Researchers are working to find the best possible method of exploiting this source of energy.
9. Tidal power
Tidal power is also known as tidal energy. It converts the energy of tides into electricity. It takes advantage of the rising and falling of tides under the effect of gravitational pull of the moon. So as long as the moon has energy, which will be as long as the sun is present as the sun provides energy to the moon, this form of energy can be exploited. Although, tidal power is not being used widely but it has a good future prospect.
8. Wave power
Just as tidal power, wave power also takes advantage of the natural inundations of waves on seas. The energy generated by the movement of waves is used to do useful work, like electricity generation. There are many methods of generating electricity through waves but none of them are being used commercially on a large scale, but they do have a good future prospect.
7. Wind energy
Wind energy refers to the energy gotten from the movement of winds. Wind mills are used for this purpose. When wind blows, these turbines move producing electricity. This can prove to be an effective energy source in places where the velocity of wind is high.
6. Biofuel
Biofuel is a type of fuel generated from organic materials like fruits, grains or vegetables etc. The process involved in formation of these fuels is biological carbon fixation. Bioethanol is a fuel produced by fermentation and is obtained using crops such as corn or sugarcane. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and animal fats. These fuels are being used to some extent in vehicles in many countries.
5. Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is thermal energy from the earth’s core. This thermal energy can be used for heating for generating electricity. The geothermal energy in the earth’s core originates from the formation of the planet (20%) and from radioactive decay of minerals (80%). The benefits of geothermal energy are that it is pollution free, cost effective, and sustainable. But its drawbacks are that it is localized source of energy and cannot be transported to other places and after a certain time the energy of a certain area runs out.
4. Biomass
Biomass is a renewable energy source. In this source you obtain energy from organic dead matter or from any kind of biological/organic waste. Biomass is actually carbon, hydrogen and oxygen based. Biomass energy is gotten from five major energy sources: garbage, wood, waste, landfill gases, and alcohol fuels. This can prove to be very efficient energy source as it reduces pollution, and as long as there is life, waste of all kinds will continue to generate. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel or biogas.
3. Solar energy
Solar energy refers to energy coming from the sun in the form of heat and light. The energy from the sun can be used for heating or producing electricity. Solar heating is of two types: passive heating and active heating. And solar energy can be used to produce electricity using photovoltaic cells. As long as the sun is shining, estimated for more than 5 billion years, solar energy will continue to strike earth which can be harnessed according to needs.
2. Nuclear power
Nuclear power refers to the use of atomic nuclei of radioactive isotopes to produce energy. Nuclear fission, which is the spilling up of large nuclei into smaller ones, is used for this purpose. Nuclear fission is being used to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power provides about 6% of the world’s energy and 13–14% of the world’s electricity. In countries like France, Belgium and Lithuania, of the total energy production more than 50% is nuclear generated electricity. More than 439 nuclear power plants are working in the world. The biggest benefit of this energy is that a small amount of nuclear fuel can produce a large amount of energy, but it has its disadvantages and possible adverse effects too.
1. Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the most common type of renewable energy and is widely used. Its basic principle is water falling from a considerable height under the effect of gravity that makes the turbine move which in turn produce electricity. It accounts for about 16 percent of global electricity consumption and is being used in 150 countries. It is a really nice energy source as it is renewable and is pollution free.
You can share your thoughts and tell us alternative Energy Resources. Cooling tower maintenance is one of the services using which sustainable energy can be conserved.
