Exploring the Pros and Cons of Clean Energy Sources
We all know that fossil fuels are not only bad for the environment, but that there is also a limited supply of them on earth and we’re using it up at record speed. Climate activists have been raising this issue for decades, and governments around the world are feeling the pressure to move towards clean energy, and rightly so. The environmental and economic benefits are massive. For example:
- Reducing climate change — By using more renewable energy, we are replacing fossil fuels, which produce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.
- Improve public health — Traditional power plants emit air and water pollution that has been linked to cancer, breathing problems, heart attacks, neurological damage, and other health issues. Clean energy is simply safer.
- Bringing power to remote areas — Large power plants don’t make financial sense in rural areas. Through the construction of smaller clean energy plants, it is becoming possible for more remote areas around the world to finally get electricity.
- Local economic development — As renewable energy providers are built, people are needed to run and maintain them, which creates jobs. Local materials and local service providers are used, all contributing to the economy.
- Increase in GDP — Several countries are making money from clean energy initiatives. Germany has already exported technology and equipment used in renewable energy sources valued at around €10 billion. China, another major renewable energy exporter, has exported over $10 billion in solar panels and cells.
Which Alternative Energy Source Is Best?
When we talk about clean energy, the first alternative power source that comes to mind is nuclear energy. That’s because this type of power has been commercially produced around the world since the 1950s when the first nuclear power station was opened in England. There’s also solar energy, hydro energy, geothermal energy, and wind energy. All of them have their pros and cons. They depend on setup, maintenance costs, and regional factors, with some more efficient than others. The top five most efficient sources are:
Solar (207% efficiency) — One thing we have an abundance of on earth, at least in some regions, is sunlight. Without this renewable resource, nothing could survive. Various solar energy technologies are used to convert sunlight into energy. However, that can only be accomplished when the sun is out so when it’s overcast or at night, solar panels don’t generate power. It also takes several panels to generate a substantial amount of energy, and panels are expensive to install.
Nuclear (290% efficiency) — Because it is clean, completely renewable, and relatively cost-effective, you’d think nuclear power would be the top choice for renewable energy around the world — and for many years it looked like it was. But now, there’s the global movement to phase out nuclear power following three major nuclear accidents; the Three Mile Island meltdown in the US in 1979, the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986, and the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011. Countries like Austria, Italy, and Australia are completely opposed to nuclear power while others like Belgium, Germany, and Sweden have decided to phase it out.
Hydro (317% efficiency) — One of the cheapest and oldest methods of producing power, turbines are turned by flowing water and used to generate electricity. This type of energy is clean and abundant where there are large bodies of water. However, hydropower is only available at source, and hydro dams create all kinds of environmental problems.
Geothermal (514% efficiency) — This type of energy is derived from the sub-surface of the earth as water and/or steam carry it to the surface. While it makes sense to use something we have readily available, like the earth itself, it is expensive to explore and drill new reservoirs. It also causes major environmental issues and can even cause earthquakes.
Wind (1,164% efficiency) — Turbines turn wind into power with no pollution and at a relatively minimal expense. The cons of wind energy are that there is no power generated when there is no wind. They also constitute a risk to birds, and they can take up a lot of land space. Another issue is that the wind turbines are noisy and unsightly to some.
Floating Wind Farms: A Renewable Energy Game Changer
With an efficiency rating of a whopping 1,164%, wind power seems to be the best option. And to make it even more attractive, there’s an emerging trend of floating wind farms being built far offshore where stronger and more reliable winds can be harnessed. There are also fewer birds flying out there in the ocean and it makes noise and unsightliness much less of an issue. It also makes the amount of space they take up less of a factor. Another benefit is that there has been evidence that offshore wind farm installations have helped to restore damaged ecosystems by functioning as a type of artificial reef. The only real disadvantages are the initial cost and the costs associated with damage from storms. While there are concerns about the noise having an impact on marine life, so far this type of alternative energy has only been kind to the environment.
The World’s First Floating Wind Farms
Floating wind farms have been around since 2007 when single prototypes were installed off the coasts of the United States, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, and Italy. In 2017, Scotland installed Hywind, the first operational wind farm in the world off the coast of Aberdeen. Hywind was developed by a Norwegian company and has six turbines that can produce enough power for 20,000 homes. The farm is stable and can withstand strong storms and winds.
Global Potential
Many around the world are excited about floating wind farms, with countries like South Africa, Lithuania, and Denmark all planning to build offshore turbines in the near future. Denmark is already using wind for 47% of its power generation and adding offshore farms could take this significantly further. Asia, the Middle East, and the US are also expected to follow suit. In some areas, floating turbines are the only solution for wind energy generation. In others, it is simply an excellent option. It looks like this type of alternative energy could play an integral role in generating power around the world in the near future. Imagine a world with 100% clean energy, mostly generated from ocean winds. This kind of technology provides some real hope for our world.
Sources:
https://www.wwf.no/assets/attachments/84-wwf_a4_report___havvindrapport.pdf
https://us.sunpower.com/complete-guide-7-renewable-energy-sources
https://www.borntoengineer.com/efficient-form-renewable-energy
