Renewable energy is not a new concept. Although it may seem a rather fashionable topic of conversation in certain circles, renewable energy initiatives have been with us since the beginning of man. There is some debate about the accepted definition of renewable energy, but it can be loosely defined as a form of energy that is essentially inexhaustible. Moreover, the current resource supplemented by various natural processes identifiable in the natural world.
A key difference to do when we discuss the concept of renewable energy to sustainability. One could make the argument that in the long term, fossil fuels are a renewable energy source. While the logic stands on its own, it is a failed concept. The central difference between fossil fuels and other forms of renewable energy is that fossil fuels are being depleted at a rate faster than they can be replenished. For this reason, fossil fuels are not considered truly renewable. They are simply not sustainable because of the accelerating consumption.
Some of the more popular renewable energy resources include sunshine, water and wind. Solar energy refers to the energy collected from sunlight. This form of energy is captured using a photovoltaic array, more commonly known as a collector. The sun’s rays are captured by photovoltaic array and converted to direct current (DC) electricity. From here, direct current electricity to be converted to alternating current (AC) for use in most applications. The converted electricity is then stored in a battery for use at a later date.
There are also various forms of energy that exists in the water. One of the most widely accepted is that hydro-electric power, but there are a number of others including tidal power and ocean thermal energy conversion. Hydro Electric energy generally employs the use of a dam in which the energy of the water flow is captured and used to drive a turbine. The turbine then generates a supplementary form of electricity. Tidal energy attempts to make use of natural energy potential of tidal activity in oceans. In simple terms, it is high tide captured and fed through a turbine to generate electricity. Ocean thermal energy conversion attempts to exploit the differences in water temperature from the warmer surface waters to the cooler deep water, resulting in a cyclic heat engine.
Wind power is one of the oldest accepted forms of renewable energy. It has been used for centuries as an energy source, which dates back to the creation of the sailboat. The innate potential of wind power was realized several years later in the form of a windmill. In this case, the kinetic energy from wind, used to drive a turbine, which in turn generates electricity. Wind energy has great potential for sustainable energy production, and a number of major development projects underway throughout the world.
One of the greatest challenges to humanity is to discover a way of lowering our reliance on unsustainable resources such as fossil fuels. Most, if not all, modern industrial societies rely far too much on fossil fuels and rising, but this is an undeniable reality. Conquest wars are waged to secure what is left of the world’s oil reserves. If only the resources that the powerful nations were channeled into developing sustainable energy alternatives, as opposed to running the war machine bent on dominating the oil markets. Our modern lifestyles will undergo some difficult times in the near future if this reality continues to be ignored. Ask yourself what you can do to make a difference. You may be surprised what you can do.
Jim Fritz is a committed environmentalist and a lifelong member of various environmental organizations. He is also a member of the editorial board thesolarguide. com – an enlightened source of information on recent developments in the renewable energy environmental education solar consumer goods and much more.