Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy
There are many energy sources today that are extremely limited in quantity. Some of these sources are oil, natural gas and coal. It is a matter of time before they are exhausted.
Estimates are that they can meet our energy needs for another seventy years and fifty. Thus, in an attempt to find alternative forms of energy, the world turned to renewable energy as a solution. There are many pros and cons of this.
Renewable energy sources include solar, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, ocean and biomass. The advantage of the most common of all is that they are renewable and may be exhausted. They are a clean energy because they do not pollute the air, and do not contribute to global warming or the greenhouse effect. Given that natural sources are the cost of operations also reduces the need for less maintenance on their facilities. A drawback common to all is that it is difficult to produce large amounts of electricity from fossil fuel counterparts can. As they are also new technologies, the cost of opening is high.
Solar energy uses the sun’s energy. This is an advantage because the systems can go into existing buildings and does not affect land use. But because the area is great for collectors, more material is needed. Solar energy is also controlled by geography. And it is limited to a few days day and not covered.
Wind energy uses the power of wind to generate electricity. Despite being the largest producer of jobs, it is subjected to strong winds. Wind turbines are large and although you can use the space beneath them for cultivation, many think they are unattractive. They are also very noisy to operate. In addition, they threaten wild birds.
Hydroelectric power water to produce energy. This is the most reliable of all sources of renewable energy. On the negative side, it affects ecology and causes problems downstream. The decomposition of vegetation along the river may cause the accumulation of methane. Methane gas is contributing to the greenhouse effect. Dams can also alter the natural flow of the river and wildlife. Colder, oxygen poor water can be discharged into the river, killing fish. And discharge of the dam can cause flooding.
The geothermal steam from the earth of the earth to produce energy. It uses less land than other plants. They can operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The disadvantages are that it is very site specific and, with the heat of the earth, it can also make toxic chemicals to produce steam. Drilling geothermal reservoirs and finding them can be an expensive task.
electricity is produced by biomass energy from wood, agricultural waste and municipal. It saves on the transportation of waste to landfill, but can be expensive and ecological diversity of land may be affected. In addition, the process should be simplified.
The ocean energy is a clean and abundant energy. However, it has a high cost. Thermal energy also requires almost a degree Fahrenheit difference forty year round temperature. In addition, construction of pipelines and cause damage to the ecosystem.
There are several advantages to using renewable energy sources. There are also some disadvantages. In fact, energy demand will increase. Through research and development, as well as, new technologies, it is hoped that most of the disadvantages of renewable energy sources can be eliminated and we can successfully integrate it into our diet.
Category: Hydro Energy
