Renewable energy sources, or alternative energy sources are driven by climate change. The goal of using these types of energy sources is to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Another benefit of using alternative energy sources is that they are renewable, meaning that they come from a source that does not run out. An increase of usage in these types of energies would help make our communities and world a more sustainable place.
Solar Energy
“As a source of energy, nothing matches the sun. It out-powers anything that human technology could ever produce. Only a small fraction of the sun’s power output strikes the Earth, but even that provides 10,000 times as much as all the commercial energy that humans use on the planet.”
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As a renewable energy source it can consume and produce energy most commonly through solar energy panels. Such panels can be placed on rooftops, unused spaces, on pavement, and in parking lots. The use of such panels in cities with adequate sun hours can be quite efficient. Unfortunately, solar energy only accounts for 1% of energy that is used and consumed. Over 85% is still based in petroleum, natural gas, and coal. These types of energy sources are not renewable, and produce more toxic air emissions and greenhouse gasses, however, they are less expensive alternatives.
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Solar energy’s current challenge is its price-tag. “Current solar cell designs require high-purity, and therefore expensive, materials, because impurities block the flow of electric charge.”
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Solar energy can also be challenging to store. Other energy sources like oil, coal, and natural gases are already stored naturally which makes them easier to handle. Engineers are currently working on solutions to these challenges in order to make solar energy more prominent in our society. However, many urban and communities have already implemented them by placing solar panels on roofs of buildings with adequate sun hours. Since the United States still relies heavily on fossil fuels we are behind the trend of using solar energy. Some countries such as Germany are leaders in using this type of energy source and solar energy accounts for nearly 7% of the electricity that they are generating. Not only do they install solar panels on rooftops but also have solar parks which collects solar power on a larger scale.
Wind Energy
Urban environments can place wind turbines in open green spaces and harness the wind that passes by. “At present, these energy resources, including wind power, are preferred around the world because they are both clean and renewable.”
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Around the world communities are looking into wind energy as a renewable energy source since it is so clean. Unfortunately, wind energy faces a similar problem to solar energy. The cost and upkeep of wind power is also expensive. In some areas “Cost, technical concerns, public opposition and environmental problems are the causes of this low share.”
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However in some places such as Montana wind energy is less expensive than other fossil fuels. This makes wind energy a much more attractive alternative energy source than others. Many countries are beginning to adopt and install this type of renewable energy despite the cost. “Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world and wind power is one of the most widely used alternative sources of energy today.”
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While many major countries such as Germany and China are implementing wind turbines to generate this type of renewable energy, there are many public concerns against it. “the environmental impacts of wind power as noise and visual effect, effects on animal and birds,.”
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These impacts are causing the public to stop and think if wind turbines are the proper choice for their own communities.
The largest wind turbine in Connecticut is located in New Haven on the Quinnipiac River. The turbine converts kinetic energy provided by the wind into electricity.
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This turbine is owned by the Phoenix Press which is in New Haven and is supposed to offset their electric bill by one third. There is enough wind in this area of New Haven to power the turbine and generate enough electricity to help their business. The electricity produced from this one single turbine helps them to produce goods for their clients. One turbine greatly helps their business. If one turbine can do that, imagine what an entire wind powered farm could do. There are such places in the United States where wind farms exist such as Iowa where they get 30% of their electricity from wind energy.
In addition to concerns of cost and environmental concerns, fossil fuels have a larger share of our provided energy since people started to use them as energy sources earlier. Fossil fuels work well currently and have worked well for many years. However, it is important to remember that these types of fossil fuels directly produce greenhouse gasses that are responsible for warming the planet. On the other hand, we will continue to have energy provided by the sun and energy harnessed from wind for a long time to come. For these reasons it is important to teach young children about the possibility of using alternative energy sources in the future; to teach them how and why these energy sources are more beneficial in the long run.