5 Effective New Energy Sources

5 Effective New Energy Sources
The demand for energy in our planet is rising. This is because new tools and technology are created every day that raise the standard of living for people while also requiring energy to operate. The world’s population growth has also increased energy demand to an unsustainable level.
There are various types of energy sources, including nuclear energy, which is the most efficient and dependable of all nonrenewable energy sources, fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas), and renewable energy sources.

These are the most effective modern energy sources, and they are renewable sources because of two important characteristics. It is first obtained from readily replenishable natural resources. Second, it emits virtually little greenhouse gases.

Below, we’ll talk about how these renewable sources are getting better.

5 Effective New Energy Sources

1. Wind

This green energy source is efficient and has a good rating for sustainability. Wind turbines can be used to generate electricity from the wind, which provides a significant amount of energy to residential and commercial buildings. Although its peak efficiency is in the middle of the 50% range, its average efficiency is in the mid-30% level [1].

Despite the fact that wind energy is weather-dependent, a very windy turbine won’t turn, and since the generator won’t be driven, no energy will be produced. If you have enough land and a windy location to set up a field of massive turbines, wind power does have a high efficiency.

Installing the wind turbine, which is made primarily of cheap and readily available materials like steel, copper, and concrete, accounts for more than 60% of the production and operational costs of wind energy [2]. Due to this, wind energy is cheaper in comparison.

2. Water ( Hydroelectric)

This energy source has been used by the entire world for many years. Global hydropower output peaked in 2019 at 1,308 gigawatts [3]. Hydropower is used by energy utilities all over the world to produce electricity because it is simple to store, inexpensive to distribute, and, most significantly, produces energy without burning fuel. It doesn’t emit pollutants in the same way as burning coal or natural gas from fossil fuels does.

7 percent of all power is generated as a result of the energy generated by moving water (rivers, streams, and ocean tides). River dams that are created to control water flow produce hydroelectricity.

Transmission lines make it feasible to supply power to homes and other buildings once it is generated. Hydroelectricity is highly reliable and efficient, but it also contributes a fair amount to river pollution and the extinction of aquatic life. Additionally, rivers nourished by rainfall can experience hydroelectricity production issues.

3. Solar

Solar energy generation is one of the quickest commercial renewable resources since the sun is a naturally occurring source of energy that produces enough energy to meet the world’s energy needs. Utilizing the sun’s rays makes it possible to produce solar energy. It is effective for both household and business uses and completely pollution-free. A solar panel is extremely simple to maintain, and the majority of them have a 25-year warranty. Since solar energy relies on sunshine, its only drawback is that it is weather-dependent.

4. Geothermal

Another renewable energy source is geothermal energy, or heat from the earth. Below the earth’s surface, hot water naturally exists at various temperatures and depths. By drilling deep wells of a mile or more into these subsurface reserves, steam is transported to the surface of the earth for use in many purposes such electricity generation, cooling, heating, and other direct uses.

The Geysers are home to the biggest collection of geothermal plants. a northern California geothermal field. It uses recycled wastewater as an additional source of water. Since geothermal power does not require fuel, it is less susceptible to fluctuations in fuel prices. However, capital costs, notably the expense of drilling and the considerable financial risk involved in discovering reliable geothermal sources, are the main issue with geothermal power.

5. Nuclear power

Nuclear fission is the process used to generate this energy. Compared to other non-renewable energy sources, nuclear reactors produce more energy. Nuclear energy, with a capacity factor of 93 percent, is by far the highest producing power throughout the year [4]. Nuclear power facilities are simple to maintain and may run for a considerable amount of time without refuelling. To replace one gigawatt of power produced by a nuclear reactor, you would require two coal or three renewable energy facilities, each of a size of one gigawatt, according to the capacity factor.

Despite the existence of numerous new energy sources, the sources already mentioned are the most productive and efficient. Our energy needs can be met by these new sources, which can also significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.

 

References

[1] Pryor, S.C., Barthelmie, R.J. & Shepherd, T.J. (2020). 20% of US electricity from wind will have limited impacts on system efficiency and regional climate. Sci Rep 10, 541. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-57371-1

[2] Mckenna, Russell & Leye, P. & Fichtner, Wolf. (2016). Key challenges, prospects for large wind turbines. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 53. 1212-1221. 10.1016/j.rser.2015.09.080.

[3] Statista. (2020). Cumulative hydropower and pumped storage installed capacity worldwide from 2014 to 2019.

[4] Energy.Gov. (2020).  Nuclear Power is the Most Reliable Energy Source and It’s Not Even Close.