Hydroelectricity (Water)
Water is the cleanest form of energy available. It’s renewable, it produces very little waste, and it doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. In fact, the only problem with water-based sources of energy is that our supply isn’t infinite.
However, there are many countries that have a large number of rivers and other bodies of water that could be exploited for hydroelectricity. And in fact, hydroelectricity is the most widely used form of clean energy.
How does it work? Water goes through a dam and spins turbines that power generators (creating electricity). Even waterfalls can be utilized in this manner. However, dams can have an extremely negative impact on local ecosystems and communities downstream, so they are often controversial.
Geothermal Energy (Heat)
This simply refers to the heat in the Earth’s core. Many countries—including Iceland, El Salvador, and Costa Rica—rely on geothermal energy for at least some of their electricity needs. And it’s a clean, renewable source of energy that doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions.
The issue with geothermal energy, however, is that it’s not always reliable. If the temperature isn’t warm enough or if there’s no hot water source to exploit, then electricity can’t be generated. And of course, this problem is most apparent in colder regions.
Solar Energy (Light)
Solar power encompasses any energy derived from the sun. It can take the form of heat, light, or electricity. Of course, heat and light are so closely related that it’s often difficult to distinguish between them—but the fact remains that they both fall under the category of solar energy.
So what are the benefits of solar energy? The sun is an endless supply of energy, meaning it’s both reliable and renewable. Solar power doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s considered low-carbon—and in fact, some companies have achieved carbon neutrality solely through their use of solar power. Plants that absorb CO2 can be used to offset any emissions made elsewhere during the generation of solar power.
However, there are some downsides to solar energy. For one thing, it’s not always available—especially at night. And while several countries have invested in massive solar farms, they still only account for a small percentage of electricity worldwide. Furthermore, photovoltaic cells (which are needed to convert sunlight into electricity) can take up an awful lot of space.
Wind Energy (Air)
Wind energy is another clean, renewable source of energy. It’s becoming increasingly popular and accounts for approximately 4% of electricity worldwide. However, wind speeds must be relatively high before turbines can be utilized to produce electricity. And unfortunately, there simply aren’t enough regions with extremely strong winds to meet the growing demand for wind power.
The issue of space is also evident with wind turbines. Because one turbine can occupy several hundred acres, it’s difficult to find an area that won’t be disrupted by their presence.
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