Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

  • Alternative Sources of Energy

ffImage

Introduction to the World of Energy

Sources of energy are very important and we perform different day-to-day tasks with the help of energy. Can you imagine your life without sources of energy? It will be very difficult to survive and life will end. But from where is this energy obtained? Are these sources man-made or natural? Have you ever heard about the alternative sources of energy that are used other than the traditional sources of energy? Let’s discuss these.

People started looking for other energy sources in the late 1900s so they could heat their homes, light their homes, and power their vehicles. People worried that sources like coal, oil, and nuclear power were depleting. Waterpower, wind power, and solar power are examples of alternative energy sources. These and other non-depletable energy sources are referred to as green or renewable.

What are Alternative Sources of Energy? 

Alternative sources of energy can be defined as the use of sources of energy other than the traditional fossil fuels (such as oil, coal, and natural gas), which are shorter in supply and which are considered harmful to the environment. It includes all renewable and nuclear energy sources. 

The most commonly used alternative sources of energy include the following:

Wind Energy

Solar Energy

Geothermal Energy

Hydroelectric Energy

Hydrogen Energy

Nuclear Energy

Tidal Energy

The above-listed sources of energy are explained below:

Uses of Alternative Sources of Energy

1. wind energy.

In this source of energy, the wind is used for producing electricity by making use of the kinetic energy created by air in motion.

Wind Energy

2. Solar Energy

In this source of energy, the radiation from the Sun is used which is capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, and generating electricity.

Solar Energy

3. Geothermal Energy

It is a source of energy that is taken from the Earth’s core. It comes from the heat which is generated during the original formation of the planet.

Geothermal Energy

4. Bioenergy

In this source of energy electricity and gas are generated from the organic matter known as biomass. Bioenergy is one of the resources available to help meet the demand for energy, it includes electricity, heat and transportation fuel. 

Bioenergy

5. Hydroelectric Energy

It is a source of energy that is obtained by falling water from high potential to low potential as potential is defined to flow down from a certain height. It is a form of energy that harnesses the power of water in motion—such as water flowing over a waterfall—to generate electricity.

Importance of Alternative Sources of Energy

The importance of alternative sources of energy are discussed below:

Protects the Environment: Alternative sources of energy help to protect the environment and give it the opportunity to regenerate.

Helps in Providing Sustainable Fuel Systems: The alternative sources of energy can help in creating a sustainable fuel system and can help in sustaining the ecological balance of a region.

Helps in Reducing the Dependence on Imported Fuels: Another use of alternate sources of energy is that it helps to reduce the dependence on imported fuels.

Helps in Enhancing Income: It helps in enhancing the income of the country by creating additional employment opportunities for the population of the country.

Useful in Conserving Fossil Fuels: When we make use of alternate sources of energy it helps us in conserving fossil fuels.

Useful in Slowing and Reversing Climate Change: Because the alternate sources of energy have a much lower carbon content it helps to slow down and reverse climate change.

Useful in Economic Growth: Producing more utility-scale energy systems can help in creating more economic growth.

Thus it can conclude that the alternate sources of energy are the future energy sources that will help in sustaining the environment as well as help in minimising the dependency on conventional energy sources. These sources of energy need to be explored more and more.

arrow-right

FAQs on Alternative Sources of Energy

1. What percentage of the world uses alternate sources of energy and which is the most widely used alternate source of energy?

From 27% in 2019 the share of renewables in global electricity increased to 29% in 2020. The increase in alternative sources of energy mainly came at the cost of gas and coal, though these two sources still represent close to 60% of the global electricity supply. The most widely used alternate source of energy in the world is hydropower energy. Before lockdown, some measures were implemented, and shares of renewables were higher due to favourable weather conditions. The global use of alternate sources of energy was 1.5% higher in 2020 than in 2019.

2. Why are we looking at alternate sources of energy?

We are looking at alternative sources of energy because as our standards of living are increasing day by day so are our energy requirements. So a need has arisen to exploit and look for more and more alternative sources of energy. Another reason why we are looking for alternate sources of energy is that our conventional sources of energy like fossil fuels get depleted very soon which is why we need to look for other alternatives as well.

3. Write some interesting facts about alternative sources of energy.

Some interesting facts about alternative sources of energy are given below:

There are over two million solar power systems installed in the United States.

The alternate sources of energy create five times more employment opportunities than the conventional sources of energy.

Solar energy is nearly 200 years old.

One wind turbine can be used to power nearly 1500 homes for a year.

Logo

Essay on Alternative Sources of Energy

Students are often asked to write an essay on Alternative Sources of Energy in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Alternative Sources of Energy

Introduction.

Alternative sources of energy are the future of our planet. They are clean, renewable, and help in reducing the carbon footprint.

Types of Alternative Energy

There are several types of alternative energy. Solar power uses the sun’s energy, wind power harnesses wind, and hydroelectric power uses water.

These energy sources are renewable, meaning they won’t run out like fossil fuels. They also produce less pollution, helping to protect our environment.

Embracing alternative energy is crucial for our planet’s future. It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to our energy needs.

Also check:

  • Paragraph on Alternative Sources of Energy

250 Words Essay on Alternative Sources of Energy

The depletion of conventional energy sources and the environmental implications of their use necessitate a shift towards alternative, sustainable energy sources. These alternatives, such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy, offer the potential to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and diminish our carbon footprint.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is a viable and increasingly popular alternative. Harnessing the power of the sun through photovoltaic cells, solar energy offers a renewable, abundant, and virtually inexhaustible source of power. The decreasing costs of solar panels and the potential for energy storage make it a compelling option.

Wind Energy

Wind energy, another significant alternative source, utilizes the kinetic energy of wind to generate electricity. Wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, present a clean, renewable energy source. However, their efficiency is contingent on wind speed and consistency, posing a challenge for its widespread adoption.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy, derived from the Earth’s natural heat, is another promising alternative. It is reliable, available round-the-clock, and has a minimal environmental impact. However, it is location-specific and requires significant initial investment.

The transition to alternative energy sources is not without challenges, including technological limitations, initial costs, and geographical constraints. However, the long-term benefits in terms of sustainability, environmental protection, and energy security make it a necessary shift. Embracing these alternatives will pave the way for a sustainable and energy-efficient future.

500 Words Essay on Alternative Sources of Energy

The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a recognition of the need for sustainable, renewable, and less harmful energy sources. The increasing environmental concerns, coupled with the finite nature of fossil fuels, have necessitated the exploration and utilization of alternative sources of energy. These alternatives, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal, geothermal, and biomass energy, present a promising route towards a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.

The Potential of Solar and Wind Energy

Solar and wind energy are the most widely recognized forms of renewable energy. Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun, converting sunlight into electricity. With the sun as an inexhaustible energy source, solar power presents a sustainable solution to energy needs. Moreover, advancements in photovoltaic technology have significantly increased solar power’s efficiency and affordability.

Wind energy, on the other hand, leverages the kinetic energy of wind to generate electricity. Wind turbines, strategically placed in areas with strong wind currents, can produce substantial amounts of energy. Wind power, like solar energy, is clean and renewable, with the potential to significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Hydroelectric, Tidal, and Geothermal Energy

Hydroelectric energy, generated by harnessing the power of flowing or falling water, is another viable alternative. The construction of dams and hydroelectric power plants enables the production of large-scale electricity, contributing significantly to the energy mix of many countries.

Tidal energy, although less utilized, holds immense potential. It involves capturing the energy produced by ocean tides and waves. With the predictable and consistent nature of tides, tidal energy can provide a steady and reliable source of electricity.

Geothermal energy, derived from the Earth’s internal heat, is another promising alternative. Geothermal power plants use the heat from deep inside the Earth to generate steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity.

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy refers to the energy obtained from organic material, including plant and animal waste. The process of burning or converting this biomass into usable energy forms is a renewable process, as new organic material is continually produced. Biomass energy not only provides a solution for waste management but also contributes to a diversified and sustainable energy portfolio.

In conclusion, the quest for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions has led to the exploration and development of various alternative energy sources. These alternatives, each with their unique advantages and challenges, play a crucial role in the gradual transition from fossil fuels. As technology advances and our understanding of these energy sources deepens, the potential for a sustainable and carbon-neutral energy future becomes increasingly achievable.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Alternative Medicine
  • Essay on Alternative Fuels
  • Essay on Alternative Energy

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Search Menu
  • Editor's Choice
  • Author Guidelines
  • Publish with us
  • Submission Site
  • Open Access
  • Self-Archiving Policy
  • About Clean Energy
  • About the National Institute of Clean and Low-Carbon Energy
  • Editorial Board
  • Instructions for Reviewers
  • Advertising & Corporate Services
  • Journals Career Network
  • Journals on Oxford Academic
  • Books on Oxford Academic

Issue Cover

Article Contents

Introduction, 1 installed capacity and application of solar energy worldwide, 2 the role of solar energy in sustainable development, 3 the perspective of solar energy, 4 conclusions, conflict of interest statement.

  • < Previous

Solar energy technology and its roles in sustainable development

ORCID logo

  • Article contents
  • Figures & tables
  • Supplementary Data

Ali O M Maka, Jamal M Alabid, Solar energy technology and its roles in sustainable development, Clean Energy , Volume 6, Issue 3, June 2022, Pages 476–483, https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkac023

  • Permissions Icon Permissions

Solar energy is environmentally friendly technology, a great energy supply and one of the most significant renewable and green energy sources. It plays a substantial role in achieving sustainable development energy solutions. Therefore, the massive amount of solar energy attainable daily makes it a very attractive resource for generating electricity. Both technologies, applications of concentrated solar power or solar photovoltaics, are always under continuous development to fulfil our energy needs. Hence, a large installed capacity of solar energy applications worldwide, in the same context, supports the energy sector and meets the employment market to gain sufficient development. This paper highlights solar energy applications and their role in sustainable development and considers renewable energy’s overall employment potential. Thus, it provides insights and analysis on solar energy sustainability, including environmental and economic development. Furthermore, it has identified the contributions of solar energy applications in sustainable development by providing energy needs, creating jobs opportunities and enhancing environmental protection. Finally, the perspective of solar energy technology is drawn up in the application of the energy sector and affords a vision of future development in this domain.

graphic

With reference to the recommendations of the UN, the Climate Change Conference, COP26, was held in Glasgow , UK, in 2021. They reached an agreement through the representatives of the 197 countries, where they concurred to move towards reducing dependency on coal and fossil-fuel sources. Furthermore, the conference stated ‘the various opportunities for governments to prioritize health and equity in the international climate movement and sustainable development agenda’. Also, one of the testaments is the necessity to ‘create energy systems that protect and improve climate and health’ [ 1 , 2 ].

The Paris Climate Accords is a worldwide agreement on climate change signed in 2015, which addressed the mitigation of climate change, adaptation and finance. Consequently, the representatives of 196 countries concurred to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions [ 3 ]. The Paris Agreement is essential for present and future generations to attain a more secure and stable environment. In essence, the Paris Agreement has been about safeguarding people from such an uncertain and progressively dangerous environment and ensuring everyone can have the right to live in a healthy, pollutant-free environment without the negative impacts of climate change [ 3 , 4 ].

In recent decades, there has been an increase in demand for cleaner energy resources. Based on that, decision-makers of all countries have drawn up plans that depend on renewable sources through a long-term strategy. Thus, such plans reduce the reliance of dependence on traditional energy sources and substitute traditional energy sources with alternative energy technology. As a result, the global community is starting to shift towards utilizing sustainable energy sources and reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels as a source of energy [ 5 , 6 ].

In 2015, the UN adopted the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and recognized them as international legislation, which demands a global effort to end poverty, safeguard the environment and guarantee that by 2030, humanity lives in prosperity and peace. Consequently, progress needs to be balanced among economic, social and environmental sustainability models [ 7 ].

Many national and international regulations have been established to control the gas emissions and pollutants that impact the environment [ 8 ]. However, the negative effects of increased carbon in the atmosphere have grown in the last 10 years. Production and use of fossil fuels emit methane (CH 4 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and carbon monoxide (CO), which are the most significant contributors to environmental emissions on our planet. Additionally, coal and oil, including gasoline, coal, oil and methane, are commonly used in energy for transport or for generating electricity. Therefore, burning these fossil fuel s is deemed the largest emitter when used for electricity generation, transport, etc. However, these energy resources are considered depleted energy sources being consumed to an unsustainable degree [ 9–11 ].

Energy is an essential need for the existence and growth of human communities. Consequently, the need for energy has increased gradually as human civilization has progressed. Additionally, in the past few decades, the rapid rise of the world’s population and its reliance on technological developments have increased energy demands. Furthermore, green technology sources play an important role in sustainably providing energy supplies, especially in mitigating climate change [ 5 , 6 , 8 ].

Currently, fossil fuels remain dominant and will continue to be the primary source of large-scale energy for the foreseeable future; however, renewable energy should play a vital role in the future of global energy. The global energy system is undergoing a movement towards more sustainable sources of energy [ 12 , 13 ].

Power generation by fossil-fuel resources has peaked, whilst solar energy is predicted to be at the vanguard of energy generation in the near future. Moreover, it is predicted that by 2050, the generation of solar energy will have increased to 48% due to economic and industrial growth [ 13 , 14 ].

In recent years, it has become increasingly obvious that the globe must decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, ideally towards net zero, if we are to fulfil the Paris Agreement’s goal to reduce global temperature increases [ 3 , 4 ]. The net-zero emissions complement the scenario of sustainable development assessment by 2050. According to the agreed scenario of sustainable development, many industrialized economies must achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the net-zero emissions 2050 brought the first detailed International Energy Agency (IEA) modelling of what strategy will be required over the next 10 years to achieve net-zero carbon emissions worldwide by 2050 [ 15–17 ].

The global statistics of greenhouse gas emissions have been identified; in 2019, there was a 1% decrease in CO 2 emissions from the power industry; that figure dropped by 7% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis, thus indicating a drop in coal-fired energy generation that is being squeezed by decreasing energy needs, growth of renewables and the shift away from fossil fuels. As a result, in 2020, the energy industry was expected to generate ~13 Gt CO 2 , representing ~40% of total world energy sector emissions related to CO 2 . The annual electricity generation stepped back to pre-crisis levels by 2021, although due to a changing ‘fuel mix’, the CO 2 emissions in the power sector will grow just a little before remaining roughly steady until 2030 [ 15 ].

Therefore, based on the information mentioned above, the advantages of solar energy technology are a renewable and clean energy source that is plentiful, cheaper costs, less maintenance and environmentally friendly, to name but a few. The significance of this paper is to highlight solar energy applications to ensure sustainable development; thus, it is vital to researchers, engineers and customers alike. The article’s primary aim is to raise public awareness and disseminate the culture of solar energy usage in daily life, since moving forward, it is the best. The scope of this paper is as follows. Section 1 represents a summary of the introduction. Section 2 represents a summary of installed capacity and the application of solar energy worldwide. Section 3 presents the role of solar energy in the sustainable development and employment of renewable energy. Section 4 represents the perspective of solar energy. Finally, Section 5 outlines the conclusions and recommendations for future work.

1.1 Installed capacity of solar energy

The history of solar energy can be traced back to the seventh century when mirrors with solar power were used. In 1893, the photovoltaic (PV) effect was discovered; after many decades, scientists developed this technology for electricity generation [ 18 ]. Based on that, after many years of research and development from scientists worldwide, solar energy technology is classified into two key applications: solar thermal and solar PV.

PV systems convert the Sun’s energy into electricity by utilizing solar panels. These PV devices have quickly become the cheapest option for new electricity generation in numerous world locations due to their ubiquitous deployment. For example, during the period from 2010 to 2018, the cost of generating electricity by solar PV plants decreased by 77%. However, solar PV installed capacity progress expanded 100-fold between 2005 and 2018. Consequently, solar PV has emerged as a key component in the low-carbon sustainable energy system required to provide access to affordable and dependable electricity, assisting in fulfilling the Paris climate agreement and in achieving the 2030 SDG targets [ 19 ].

The installed capacity of solar energy worldwide has been rapidly increased to meet energy demands. The installed capacity of PV technology from 2010 to 2020 increased from 40 334 to 709 674 MW, whereas the installed capacity of concentrated solar power (CSP) applications, which was 1266 MW in 2010, after 10 years had increased to 6479 MW. Therefore, solar PV technology has more deployed installations than CSP applications. So, the stand-alone solar PV and large-scale grid-connected PV plants are widely used worldwide and used in space applications. Fig. 1 represents the installation of solar energy worldwide.

Installation capacity of solar energy worldwide [20].

Installation capacity of solar energy worldwide [ 20 ].

1.2 Application of solar energy

Energy can be obtained directly from the Sun—so-called solar energy. Globally, there has been growth in solar energy applications, as it can be used to generate electricity, desalinate water and generate heat, etc. The taxonomy of applications of solar energy is as follows: (i) PVs and (ii) CSP. Fig. 2 details the taxonomy of solar energy applications.

The taxonomy of solar energy applications.

The taxonomy of solar energy applications.

Solar cells are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity; typical semiconductor materials are utilized to form a PV solar cell device. These materials’ characteristics are based on atoms with four electrons in their outer orbit or shell. Semiconductor materials are from the periodic table’s group ‘IV’ or a mixture of groups ‘IV’ and ‘II’, the latter known as ‘II–VI’ semiconductors [ 21 ]. Additionally, a periodic table mixture of elements from groups ‘III’ and ‘V’ can create ‘III–V’ materials [ 22 ].

PV devices, sometimes called solar cells, are electronic devices that convert sunlight into electrical power. PVs are also one of the rapidly growing renewable-energy technologies of today. It is therefore anticipated to play a significant role in the long-term world electricity-generating mixture moving forward.

Solar PV systems can be incorporated to supply electricity on a commercial level or installed in smaller clusters for mini-grids or individual usage. Utilizing PV modules to power mini-grids is a great way to offer electricity to those who do not live close to power-transmission lines, especially in developing countries with abundant solar energy resources. In the most recent decade, the cost of producing PV modules has dropped drastically, giving them not only accessibility but sometimes making them the least expensive energy form. PV arrays have a 30-year lifetime and come in various shades based on the type of material utilized in their production.

The most typical method for solar PV desalination technology that is used for desalinating sea or salty water is electrodialysis (ED). Therefore, solar PV modules are directly connected to the desalination process. This technique employs the direct-current electricity to remove salt from the sea or salty water.

The technology of PV–thermal (PV–T) comprises conventional solar PV modules coupled with a thermal collector mounted on the rear side of the PV module to pre-heat domestic hot water. Accordingly, this enables a larger portion of the incident solar energy on the collector to be converted into beneficial electrical and thermal energy.

A zero-energy building is a building that is designed for zero net energy emissions and emits no carbon dioxide. Building-integrated PV (BIPV) technology is coupled with solar energy sources and devices in buildings that are utilized to supply energy needs. Thus, building-integrated PVs utilizing thermal energy (BIPV/T) incorporate creative technologies such as solar cooling [ 23 ].

A PV water-pumping system is typically used to pump water in rural, isolated and desert areas. The system consists of PV modules to power a water pump to the location of water need. The water-pumping rate depends on many factors such as pumping head, solar intensity, etc.

A PV-powered cathodic protection (CP) system is designed to supply a CP system to control the corrosion of a metal surface. This technique is based on the impressive current acquired from PV solar energy systems and is utilized for burying pipelines, tanks, concrete structures, etc.

Concentrated PV (CPV) technology uses either the refractive or the reflective concentrators to increase sunlight to PV cells [ 24 , 25 ]. High-efficiency solar cells are usually used, consisting of many layers of semiconductor materials that stack on top of each other. This technology has an efficiency of >47%. In addition, the devices produce electricity and the heat can be used for other purposes [ 26 , 27 ].

For CSP systems, the solar rays are concentrated using mirrors in this application. These rays will heat a fluid, resulting in steam used to power a turbine and generate electricity. Large-scale power stations employ CSP to generate electricity. A field of mirrors typically redirect rays to a tall thin tower in a CSP power station. Thus, numerous large flat heliostats (mirrors) are used to track the Sun and concentrate its light onto a receiver in power tower systems, sometimes known as central receivers. The hot fluid could be utilized right away to produce steam or stored for later usage. Another of the great benefits of a CSP power station is that it may be built with molten salts to store heat and generate electricity outside of daylight hours.

Mirrored dishes are used in dish engine systems to focus and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver. The dish assembly tracks the Sun’s movement to capture as much solar energy as possible. The engine includes thin tubes that work outside the four-piston cylinders and it opens into the cylinders containing hydrogen or helium gas. The pistons are driven by the expanding gas. Finally, the pistons drive an electric generator by turning a crankshaft.

A further water-treatment technique, using reverse osmosis, depends on the solar-thermal and using solar concentrated power through the parabolic trough technique. The desalination employs CSP technology that utilizes hybrid integration and thermal storage allows continuous operation and is a cost-effective solution. Solar thermal can be used for domestic purposes such as a dryer. In some countries or societies, the so-called food dehydration is traditionally used to preserve some food materials such as meats, fruits and vegetables.

Sustainable energy development is defined as the development of the energy sector in terms of energy generating, distributing and utilizing that are based on sustainability rules [ 28 ]. Energy systems will significantly impact the environment in both developed and developing countries. Consequently, the global sustainable energy system must optimize efficiency and reduce emissions [ 29 ].

The sustainable development scenario is built based on the economic perspective. It also examines what activities will be required to meet shared long-term climate benefits, clean air and energy access targets. The short-term details are based on the IEA’s sustainable recovery strategy, which aims to promote economies and employment through developing a cleaner and more reliable energy infrastructure [ 15 ]. In addition, sustainable development includes utilizing renewable-energy applications, smart-grid technologies, energy security, and energy pricing, and having a sound energy policy [ 29 ].

The demand-side response can help meet the flexibility requirements in electricity systems by moving demand over time. As a result, the integration of renewable technologies for helping facilitate the peak demand is reduced, system stability is maintained, and total costs and CO 2 emissions are reduced. The demand-side response is currently used mostly in Europe and North America, where it is primarily aimed at huge commercial and industrial electricity customers [ 15 ].

International standards are an essential component of high-quality infrastructure. Establishing legislative convergence, increasing competition and supporting innovation will allow participants to take part in a global world PV market [ 30 ]. Numerous additional countries might benefit from more actively engaging in developing global solar PV standards. The leading countries in solar PV manufacturing and deployment have embraced global standards for PV systems and highly contributed to clean-energy development. Additional assistance and capacity-building to enhance quality infrastructure in developing economies might also help support wider implementation and compliance with international solar PV standards. Thus, support can bring legal requirements and frameworks into consistency and give additional impetus for the trade of secure and high-quality solar PV products [ 19 ].

Continuous trade-led dissemination of solar PV and other renewable technologies will strengthen the national infrastructure. For instance, off-grid solar energy alternatives, such as stand-alone systems and mini-grids, could be easily deployed to assist healthcare facilities in improving their degree of services and powering portable testing sites and vaccination coolers. In addition to helping in the immediate medical crisis, trade-led solar PV adoption could aid in the improving economy from the COVID-19 outbreak, not least by providing jobs in the renewable-energy sector, which are estimated to reach >40 million by 2050 [ 19 ].

The framework for energy sustainability development, by the application of solar energy, is one way to achieve that goal. With the large availability of solar energy resources for PV and CSP energy applications, we can move towards energy sustainability. Fig. 3 illustrates plans for solar energy sustainability.

Framework for solar energy applications in energy sustainability.

Framework for solar energy applications in energy sustainability.

The environmental consideration of such applications, including an aspect of the environmental conditions, operating conditions, etc., have been assessed. It is clean, friendly to the environment and also energy-saving. Moreover, this technology has no removable parts, low maintenance procedures and longevity.

Economic and social development are considered by offering job opportunities to the community and providing cheaper energy options. It can also improve people’s income; in turn, living standards will be enhanced. Therefore, energy is paramount, considered to be the most vital element of human life, society’s progress and economic development.

As efforts are made to increase the energy transition towards sustainable energy systems, it is anticipated that the next decade will see a continued booming of solar energy and all clean-energy technology. Scholars worldwide consider research and innovation to be substantial drivers to enhance the potency of such solar application technology.

2.1 Employment from renewable energy

The employment market has also boomed with the deployment of renewable-energy technology. Renewable-energy technology applications have created >12 million jobs worldwide. The solar PV application came as the pioneer, which created >3 million jobs. At the same time, while the solar thermal applications (solar heating and cooling) created >819 000 jobs, the CSP attained >31 000 jobs [ 20 ].

According to the reports, although top markets such as the USA, the EU and China had the highest investment in renewables jobs, other Asian countries have emerged as players in the solar PV panel manufacturers’ industry [ 31 ].

Solar energy employment has offered more employment than other renewable sources. For example, in the developing countries, there was a growth in employment chances in solar applications that powered ‘micro-enterprises’. Hence, it has been significant in eliminating poverty, which is considered the key goal of sustainable energy development. Therefore, solar energy plays a critical part in fulfilling the sustainability targets for a better plant and environment [ 31 , 32 ]. Fig. 4 illustrates distributions of world renewable-energy employment.

World renewable-energy employment [20].

World renewable-energy employment [ 20 ].

The world distribution of PV jobs is disseminated across the continents as follows. There was 70% employment in PV applications available in Asia, while 10% is available in North America, 10% available in South America and 10% availability in Europe. Table 1 details the top 10 countries that have relevant jobs in Asia, North America, South America and Europe.

List of the top 10 countries that created jobs in solar PV applications [ 19 , 33 ]

Solar energy investments can meet energy targets and environmental protection by reducing carbon emissions while having no detrimental influence on the country’s development [ 32 , 34 ]. In countries located in the ‘Sunbelt’, there is huge potential for solar energy, where there is a year-round abundance of solar global horizontal irradiation. Consequently, these countries, including the Middle East, Australia, North Africa, China, the USA and Southern Africa, to name a few, have a lot of potential for solar energy technology. The average yearly solar intensity is >2800 kWh/m 2 and the average daily solar intensity is >7.5 kWh/m 2 . Fig. 5 illustrates the optimum areas for global solar irradiation.

World global solar irradiation map [35].

World global solar irradiation map [ 35 ].

The distribution of solar radiation and its intensity are two important factors that influence the efficiency of solar PV technology and these two parameters vary among different countries. Therefore, it is essential to realize that some solar energy is wasted since it is not utilized. On the other hand, solar radiation is abundant in several countries, especially in developing ones, which makes it invaluable [ 36 , 37 ].

Worldwide, the PV industry has benefited recently from globalization, which has allowed huge improvements in economies of scale, while vertical integration has created strong value chains: as manufacturers source materials from an increasing number of suppliers, prices have dropped while quality has been maintained. Furthermore, the worldwide incorporated PV solar device market is growing fast, creating opportunities enabling solar energy firms to benefit from significant government help with underwriting, subsides, beneficial trading licences and training of a competent workforce, while the increased rivalry has reinforced the motivation to continue investing in research and development, both public and private [ 19 , 33 ].

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted ‘cross-border supply chains’ and those investors working in the renewable-energy sector. As a result, more diversity of solar PV supply-chain processes may be required in the future to enhance long-term flexibility versus exogenous shocks [ 19 , 33 ].

It is vital to establish a well-functioning quality infrastructure to expand the distribution of solar PV technologies beyond borders and make it easier for new enterprises to enter solar PV value chains. In addition, a strong quality infrastructure system is a significant instrument for assisting local firms in meeting the demands of trade markets. Furthermore, high-quality infrastructure can help reduce associated risks with the worldwide PV project value chain, such as underperforming, inefficient and failing goods, limiting the development, improvement and export of these technologies. Governments worldwide are, at various levels, creating quality infrastructure, including the usage of metrology i.e. the science of measurement and its application, regulations, testing procedures, accreditation, certification and market monitoring [ 33 , 38 ].

The perspective is based on a continuous process of technological advancement and learning. Its speed is determined by its deployment, which varies depending on the scenario [ 39 , 40 ]. The expense trends support policy preferences for low-carbon energy sources, particularly in increased energy-alteration scenarios. Emerging technologies are introduced and implemented as quickly as they ever have been before in energy history [ 15 , 33 ].

The CSP stations have been in use since the early 1980s and are currently found all over the world. The CSP power stations in the USA currently produce >800 MW of electricity yearly, which is sufficient to power ~500 000 houses. New CSP heat-transfer fluids being developed can function at ~1288 o C, which is greater than existing fluids, to improve the efficiency of CSP systems and, as a result, to lower the cost of energy generated using this technology. Thus, as a result, CSP is considered to have a bright future, with the ability to offer large-scale renewable energy that can supplement and soon replace traditional electricity-production technologies [ 41 ]. The DESERTEC project has drawn out the possibility of CSP in the Sahara Desert regions. When completed, this investment project will have the world’s biggest energy-generation capacity through the CSP plant, which aims to transport energy from North Africa to Europe [ 42 , 43 ].

The costs of manufacturing materials for PV devices have recently decreased, which is predicted to compensate for the requirements and increase the globe’s electricity demand [ 44 ]. Solar energy is a renewable, clean and environmentally friendly source of energy. Therefore, solar PV application techniques should be widely utilized. Although PV technology has always been under development for a variety of purposes, the fact that PV solar cells convert the radiant energy from the Sun directly into electrical power means it can be applied in space and in terrestrial applications [ 38 , 45 ].

In one way or another, the whole renewable-energy sector has a benefit over other energy industries. A long-term energy development plan needs an energy source that is inexhaustible, virtually accessible and simple to gather. The Sun rises over the horizon every day around the globe and leaves behind ~108–1018 kWh of energy; consequently, it is more than humanity will ever require to fulfil its desire for electricity [ 46 ].

The technology that converts solar radiation into electricity is well known and utilizes PV cells, which are already in use worldwide. In addition, various solar PV technologies are available today, including hybrid solar cells, inorganic solar cells and organic solar cells. So far, solar PV devices made from silicon have led the solar market; however, these PVs have certain drawbacks, such as expenditure of material, time-consuming production, etc. It is important to mention here the operational challenges of solar energy in that it does not work at night, has less output in cloudy weather and does not work in sandstorm conditions. PV battery storage is widely used to reduce the challenges to gain high reliability. Therefore, attempts have been made to find alternative materials to address these constraints. Currently, this domination is challenged by the evolution of the emerging generation of solar PV devices based on perovskite, organic and organic/inorganic hybrid materials.

This paper highlights the significance of sustainable energy development. Solar energy would help steady energy prices and give numerous social, environmental and economic benefits. This has been indicated by solar energy’s contribution to achieving sustainable development through meeting energy demands, creating jobs and protecting the environment. Hence, a paramount critical component of long-term sustainability should be investigated. Based on the current condition of fossil-fuel resources, which are deemed to be depleting energy sources, finding an innovative technique to deploy clean-energy technology is both essential and expected. Notwithstanding, solar energy has yet to reach maturity in development, especially CSP technology. Also, with growing developments in PV systems, there has been a huge rise in demand for PV technology applications all over the globe. Further work needs to be undertaken to develop energy sustainably and consider other clean energy resources. Moreover, a comprehensive experimental and validation process for such applications is required to develop cleaner energy sources to decarbonize our planet.

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

World Health Organization . COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health: The Health Argument for Climate Action. Geneva : World Health Organization , 2021 .

Google Scholar

Google Preview

Hunter DB , Salzman JE , Zaelke D . Glasgow Climate Summit: COP26. UCLA School of Law, Public Law Research Paper No. 22-02. 2021 . doi: org/10.2139/ssrn.4005648 30 March 2022 , date last accessed).

UNFCCC . Paris Agreement-Status of Ratification, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate , 2016 . https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/status-of-ratification ( 25 January 2022 , date last accessed).

UNFCCC . The Paris Agreement. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021 . Retrieved 18 September 2021 . https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement ( 2 February 2022 , date last accessed).

Watts RG. Engineering Response to Climate Change. 2nd edn. Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press , 2013 .

Sorensen B. Renewable Energy: Physics, Engineering, Environmental Impacts, Economics and Planning . 4th edn. London : Academic Press , 2010 .

IEA, IRENA, WMO, WBG, WHO . Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2021. Washington, DC : The World Bank , 2021 .

Edenhofer O , Pichs-Madruga R , Sokona Y , et al.  Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation: Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press , 2011 .

Roaf S , Roaf S , Crichton D , et al.  Adapting buildings and Cities for Climate Change: A 21st Century Survival Guide . 2nd edn. Oxford : Architectural Press , 2009 .

Sims RE . Renewable energy: a response to climate change . Solar Energy , 2004 , 76 : 9 – 17 .

Muneer T. Solar Radiation and Daylight Models. 2nd edn, London : Routledge , 2004 .

Martin J . ‘Green growth’: from a growing eco-industry to economic sustainability . Energy Policy , 2012 , 48 : 13 – 21 .

IRENA. A Roadmap to 2050: International Renewable Energy Agency: Global energy Transformation. Abu Dhabi : IRENA , 2018 .

Kost C , Mayer JN , Thomsen J , et al.  Levelized Cost of Electricity Renewable Energy Technologies. Freiburg : Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), 2013 , 144 .

Cozzi L , Gould T , Bouckart S , et al.  World Energy Outlook 2020. Paris : International Energy Agency , 2020 .

Ku AY , de Souza A , McRobie J , et al.  Zero-emission public transit could be a catalyst for decarbonization of the transportation and power sectors . Clean Energy , 2021 , 5 : 492 – 504 .

Bouckaert S , Pales AF , McGlade C , et al.  Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector. Paris : International Energy Agency , 2021 .

Fraas LM . History of solar cell development . Low-cost Solar Electric Power. 2014 : 1 – 12 . doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-07530-31 .

Gahrens S , Alessandra S , Steinfatt K. Trading Into a Bright Energy Future. The Case for Open, High-Quality Solar Photovoltaic Markets . Abu Dhabi : IRENA , 2021 , 1 – 44 . https://irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Jul/IRENA_WTO_Trading_Energy_Future_2021.pdf ( 21 April 2022 , date last accessed).

IRENA . Solar Energy—International Renewable Energy Agency . 2021 . www.irena.org/solar ( 2 February 2022 , date last accessed).

Honsberg C , Bowden S . Sun Position Calculator . 2014 . http://pveducation org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/sun-position-calculator ( 25 January 2022 , date last accessed).

Green MA , Hishikawa Y , Dunlop ED , et al.  Solar cell efficiency tables (version 52) . Progress in Photovoltaics , 2018 , 26 : 427 – 436 .

Kylili A , Fokaides PA . Investigation of building integrated photovoltaics potential in achieving the zero energy building target . Indoor Built Environment , 2014 , 23 : 92 – 106 .

Maka AO , O’Donovan TS . A review of thermal load and performance characterisation of a high concentrating photovoltaic (HCPV) solar receiver assembly . Solar Energy , 2020 , 206 : 35 – 51 .

Mohamed ET , Maka AO , Mehmood M , et al.  Performance simulation of single and dual-junction GaInP/GaAs tandem solar cells using AMPS-1D . Sustainable Energy Technologies Assessments , 2021 , 44 : 101067 .

Maka AO , O’Donovan TS . Dynamic performance analysis of solar concentrating photovoltaic receiver by coupling of weather data with the thermal-electrical model . Thermal Science Engineering Progress , 2021 , 24 : 100923 .

Maka AO , O’Donovan TS . Transient thermal-electrical performance modelling of solar concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) receiver . Solar Energy , 2020 , 211 : 897 – 907 .

Radovanovic M , Popov S , Dodic S. Sustainable Energy Management. Cambridge, MA : Academic Press , 2012 .

Salvarli MS , Salvarli H . For sustainable development: future trends in renewable energy and enabling technologies . In: Al Al Qubeissi M, El-kharouf A, Soyhan HS (eds). Qubeissi M , El-kharouf A , Soyhan HS (eds). Renewable Energy-Resources, Challenges and Applications . London : IntechOpen , 2020 .

Maka AO , Salem S , Mehmood M . Solar photovoltaic (PV) applications in Libya: challenges, potential, opportunities and future perspectives . Cleaner Engineering Technology , 2021 , 51 : 100267 .

IRENA . Renewable Energy and Jobs—Annual Review 2021, (REJ) . 2021 . https://www.irena.org/publications/2021/Oct/Renewable-Energy-and-Jobs-Annual-Review-2021 ( 2 January 2022 , date last accessed).

Obaideen K , AlMallahi MN , Alami AH , et al.  On the contribution of solar energy to sustainable developments goals: case study on Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park . International Journal of Thermofluids , 2021 , 12 : 100123 .

IRENA . International Renewable Energy Agency, Renewable Energy and Jobs—Annual Review 2020. Abu Dhabi : IRENA , 2020 .

Strielkowski W , Civín L , Tarkhanova E , et al.  Renewable energy in the sustainable development of electrical power sector: a review . Energies , 2021 , 14 : 8240 .

Grid-Arendal . Natural Resources—Solar Power (Potential) . 2008 . https://www.grida.no/resources/7308 ( 9 February 2022 , date last accessed).

Kannan N , Vakeesan D . Solar energy for future world: a review . Renewable Sustainable Energy Reviews , 2016 , 62 : 1092 – 1105 .

Löf GO , Duffie JA , Smith CO . World distribution of solar radiation . Solar Energy , 1966 , 10 : 27 – 37 .

Kabir E , Kumar P , Kumar S , et al.  Solar energy: potential and future prospects . Renewable Sustainable Energy Reviews , 2018 , 82 : 894 – 900 .

Johansson TB , Goldemberg J. Energy for Sustainable Development: A Policy Agenda. New York : United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) , 2002 .

Lowe R , Drummond P . Solar, wind and logistic substitution in global energy supply to 2050—barriers and implications . Renewable Sustainable Energy Reviews , 2022 , 153 : 111720 .

Asmelash E , Prakash G. Future of Solar Photovoltaic: Deployment, Investment, Technology, Grid Integration and Socio-economic Aspects . Abu Dhabi : IRENA , 2019 .

Griffiths S . Strategic considerations for deployment of solar photovoltaics in the Middle East and North Africa . Energy Strategy Reviews , 2013 , 2 : 125 – 131 .

Hafner M , Tagliapietra S , El Andaloussi EH . Outlook for Electricity and Renewable Energy in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries. WP4b, Energy and Climate Change Mitigations, MEDPROTechnical Report No. 16/October 2012 . www.medpro-foresight.eu ( 25 January 2022 , date last accessed).

Martí A , Luque A. Next Generation Photovoltaics: High Efficiency Through Full Spectrum Utilization . 1st edn. Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press , 2003 .

Dimroth F , Kurtz S . High-efficiency multijunction solar cells . MRS Bulletin , 2007 , 32 : 230 – 235 .

Kashmir J . Solar Energy for Sustainable Development . 2018 . https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/solar-energy-sustainable-development/ ( 15 January 2022 , date last accessed).

Email alerts

Citing articles via.

  • Advertising and Corporate Services

Affiliations

  • Online ISSN 2515-396X
  • Print ISSN 2515-4230
  • Copyright © 2024 National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy
  • About Oxford Academic
  • Publish journals with us
  • University press partners
  • What we publish
  • New features  
  • Open access
  • Institutional account management
  • Rights and permissions
  • Get help with access
  • Accessibility
  • Advertising
  • Media enquiries
  • Oxford University Press
  • Oxford Languages
  • University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

  • Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
  • Cookie settings
  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

UN logo

Search the United Nations

  • What Is Climate Change
  • Myth Busters
  • Renewable Energy
  • Finance & Justice
  • Initiatives
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • Paris Agreement
  • Climate Ambition Summit 2023
  • Climate Conferences
  • Press Material
  • Communications Tips

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.

Fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that take hundreds of millions of years to form. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide.

Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Transitioning from fossil fuels, which currently account for the lion’s share of emissions, to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis.

Renewables are now cheaper in most countries, and generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels.

Here are a few common sources of renewable energy:

x

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather. The rate at which solar energy is intercepted by the Earth is about 10,000 times greater than the rate at which humankind consumes energy.

Solar technologies can deliver heat, cooling, natural lighting, electricity, and fuels for a host of applications. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.

Although not all countries are equally endowed with solar energy, a significant contribution to the energy mix from direct solar energy is possible for every country.

The cost of manufacturing solar panels has plummeted dramatically in the last decade, making them not only affordable but often the cheapest form of electricity. Solar panels have a lifespan of roughly 30 years , and come in variety of shades depending on the type of material used in manufacturing.

x

WIND ENERGY

Wind energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air by using large wind turbines located on land (onshore) or in sea- or freshwater (offshore). Wind energy has been used for millennia, but onshore and offshore wind energy technologies have evolved over the last few years to maximize the electricity produced - with taller turbines and larger rotor diameters.

Though average wind speeds vary considerably by location, the world’s technical potential for wind energy exceeds global electricity production, and ample potential exists in most regions of the world to enable significant wind energy deployment.

Many parts of the world have strong wind speeds, but the best locations for generating wind power are sometimes remote ones. Offshore wind power offers t remendous potential .

x

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Geothermal energy utilizes the accessible thermal energy from the Earth’s interior. Heat is extracted from geothermal reservoirs using wells or other means.

Reservoirs that are naturally sufficiently hot and permeable are called hydrothermal reservoirs, whereas reservoirs that are sufficiently hot but that are improved with hydraulic stimulation are called enhanced geothermal systems.

Once at the surface, fluids of various temperatures can be used to generate electricity. The technology for electricity generation from hydrothermal reservoirs is mature and reliable, and has been operating for more than 100 years .

x

Hydropower harnesses the energy of water moving from higher to lower elevations. It can be generated from reservoirs and rivers. Reservoir hydropower plants rely on stored water in a reservoir, while run-of-river hydropower plants harness energy from the available flow of the river.

Hydropower reservoirs often have multiple uses - providing drinking water, water for irrigation, flood and drought control, navigation services, as well as energy supply.

Hydropower currently is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It relies on generally stable rainfall patterns, and can be negatively impacted by climate-induced droughts or changes to ecosystems which impact rainfall patterns.

The infrastructure needed to create hydropower can also impact on ecosystems in adverse ways. For this reason, many consider small-scale hydro a more environmentally-friendly option , and especially suitable for communities in remote locations.

x

OCEAN ENERGY

Ocean energy derives from technologies that use the kinetic and thermal energy of seawater - waves or currents for instance -  to produce electricity or heat.

Ocean energy systems are still at an early stage of development, with a number of prototype wave and tidal current devices being explored. The theoretical potential for ocean energy easily exceeds present human energy requirements.

x

Bioenergy is produced from a variety of organic materials, called biomass, such as wood, charcoal, dung and other manures for heat and power production, and agricultural crops for liquid biofuels. Most biomass is used in rural areas for cooking, lighting and space heating, generally by poorer populations in developing countries.

Modern biomass systems include dedicated crops or trees, residues from agriculture and forestry, and various organic waste streams.

Energy created by burning biomass creates greenhouse gas emissions, but at lower levels than burning fossil fuels like coal, oil or gas. However, bioenergy should only be used in limited applications, given potential negative environmental impacts related to large-scale increases in forest and bioenergy plantations, and resulting deforestation and land-use change.

For more information on renewable sources of energy, please check out the following websites:

International Renewable Energy Agency | Renewables

International Energy Agency | Renewables

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change | Renewable Sources of Energy

UN Environment Programme | Roadmap to a Carbon-Free Future

Sustainable Energy for All | Renewable Energy

alternative sources of energy essay

Renewable energy – powering a safer future

What is renewable energy and why does it matter? Learn more about why the shift to renewables is our only hope for a brighter and safer world.

alternative sources of energy essay

Five ways to jump-start the renewable energy transition now

UN Secretary-General outlines five critical actions the world needs to prioritize now to speed up the global shift to renewable energy.

alternative sources of energy essay

Climate issues

Learn more about how climate change impacts are felt across different sectors and ecosystems, and why we must nurture rather than exploit nature’s resources to advance climate action.

Facts and figures

  • What is climate change?
  • Causes and effects
  • Myth busters

Cutting emissions

  • Explaining net zero
  • High-level expert group on net zero
  • Checklists for credibility of net-zero pledges
  • Greenwashing
  • What you can do

Clean energy

  • Renewable energy – key to a safer future
  • What is renewable energy
  • Five ways to speed up the energy transition
  • Why invest in renewable energy
  • Clean energy stories
  • A just transition

Adapting to climate change

  • Climate adaptation
  • Early warnings for all
  • Youth voices

Financing climate action

  • Finance and justice
  • Loss and damage
  • $100 billion commitment
  • Why finance climate action
  • Biodiversity
  • Human Security

International cooperation

  • What are Nationally Determined Contributions
  • Acceleration Agenda
  • Climate Ambition Summit
  • Climate conferences (COPs)
  • Youth Advisory Group
  • Action initiatives
  • Secretary-General’s speeches
  • Press material
  • Fact sheets
  • Communications tips

Alternative Energy Use

Use the MapMaker Interactive to explore alternative energy use by countries across the globe.

Earth Science, Geography, Human Geography

Loading ...

Alternative energy is energy that does not come from fossil fuels , and thus produces little to no greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2). This means that energy produced from alternative sources does not contribute to the greenhouse effect that causes climate change . You can explore CO2 emissions using the MapMaker Interactive here. These energy sources are referred to as “alternative” because they represent the alternative to coal , oil , and natural gas , which have been the most common sources of energy since the Industrial Revolution . These fossil fuels emit high levels of CO2 when burned to produce energy and electricity. Alternative energy, however, should not be confused with renewable energy , although many renewable energy sources can also be considered alternative. Solar power , for example, is both renewable and alternative because it will always be abundant and it emits no greenhouse gases. Nuclear power, however, is alternative but not renewable, since it uses uranium , a finite resource. Learn more about renewable energy using the MapMaker Interactive here . This map shows the average percentage of a country’s total energy use that came from alternative sources between the years 2006-2010. Alternative energy here includes hydroelectric energy , solar energy, geothermal energy , wind energy , nuclear energy , and biomass energy . The data come from the World Bank . It is important to note that while the World Bank considers nuclear energy an alternative energy source, not all energy policy experts agree on how to categorize nuclear energy.

In 1980, only three countries—Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland—got more than 30 percent of their energy from alternative sources, including nuclear energy. In 2009, an additional seven countries got more than 30 percent of their energy from alternative sources. These were Paraguay, Tajikistan, France, Sweden, Costa Rica, Lithuania, and Armenia.

In 2010, Iceland used the equivalent of 16,842 kilograms of oil per person, the highest per capita energy consumption of any country in the world. However, most of that energy is not coming from oil, because Iceland gets 85 percent of its energy from alternative sources, including hydroelectric and geothermal.

In 2009, Paraguay got 99.45 percent of its energy from hydroelectricity. The source of this enormous hydroelectric capacity is the Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric facility in the world. The dam is built on the Parana River on the Brazil-Paraguay border.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the G-20 group of major economies that gets less than one percent of its energy from alternative sources. A major oil exporter, Saudi Arabia gets 100 percent of its energy from fossil fuels.

Articles & Profiles

Audio & video, media credits.

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Factchecker

Last updated.

January 22, 2024

User Permissions

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.

If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service .

Interactives

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.

Related Resources

What is Alternative Energy: Types of Alternative Energy Sources

alternative sources of energy essay

Inspire Clean Energy

category: Clean Energy 101

Don't worry about climate change— do something about it.

Our clean energy plans are the easiest way to reduce your home's carbon footprint.

What are alternative energy sources?

Alternative energy refers to energy sources other than fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum, and diesel) and includes all renewable and nuclear energy sources.

Although  nuclear energy is not as bad for the environment as fossil fuels , it still isn’t classified as a renewable energy source because nuclear material cannot be replenished within a human’s lifetime. Nuclear energy is produced by using elements like uranium and thorium, which cannot be replenished and have a finite amount in existence.

What is an advantage to alternative energy technology?

The major advantage of alternative energy technology is that it won’t run out. Our days using fossil fuels are numbered, and so any and all alternative energy sources are beneficial over traditional sources. Another huge advantage is that many of them do not require the same damaging and expensive extraction techniques, as much of it is available to us here on the surface.

If you have been thinking of lowering your reliance on fossil fuels, and are wondering how to get started, you can look into  changing energy plans .

What are the different types of alternative energy?

There is a surprising number of forms of alternative energy, some well known, while others are relatively unheard of. They are:

  • Wind energy:  This is one of the cleanest and most accessible sources of energy.  Wind power is sustainable  and does not release carbon emissions as a by-product. It’s also entirely renewable, as there will always be wind. Energy sources such as fossil fuels often fluctuate in price. A  typical wind farm  repays its carbon footprint in around six months or even less, which provides decades of zero-emission energy that displaces fossil fuel energy.
  • Solar energy:  This is probably the most commonly known source of alternative energy, and for good reason.  Solar energy is completely renewable , and the costs expended on installation can be made back through energy bill savings. The only potential setback of solar panels is that they are prone to deterioration over time and aren’t completely weather-safe in countries with erratic weather conditions.
  • Nuclear energy:  This is taken from the core of an atom, which must be split to gain its energy, a process called fission. This is harnessed in a power plant, where rods of nuclear material adjust how much electricity is produced. The more rods that are present during the chain reaction, the slower and more controlled the reaction will be. Removing the rods will allow a stronger chain reaction and create more electricity. Whether or not nuclear energy should be considered renewable is a constant debate.
  • Hydrogen gas:  This is an important energy carrier and a potential alternative clean energy fuel with a notable stake in the global fuel market. However, today, hydrogen gas is largely produced from fossil fuels, which pose a threat to the environment. A more sustainable version of this energy source has been described as biohydrogen, and there are hopes it will be derived from organic, biodegradable waste in the future.
  • Tidal energy:  This method of energy production is still fairly new and has only produced a small amount of energy so far, so it will be a long time before we see real results from tidal energy.
  • Biomass energy:  This type of energy can come in several forms. Biomass energy can include anything from burning wood to burning waste, as many countries do now. With biomass in the form of burning wood, the heat generated is often equivalent to that of a central heating system, and the costs involved tend to be lower than a household or building that uses fossil fuels. It’s not, however, a green energy source, even if it is technically renewable.
  • Biofuels:  Biofuels are somewhat similar to biomass, but biofuels use biological matter (animal and plant) to create energy. Biofuel is renewable when plants are used because, of course, plants can always be grown. However, they do require dedicated machinery for extraction, which can indirectly contribute to increased emissions even if biofuels themselves don’t. In 2020, total biofuels consumption accounted for about 5% of total U.S. transportation sector energy consumption.

What are examples of alternative energy?

Besides the seven energy sources listed above, other alternative energy sources include geothermal power, wave energy, hydroelectric energy, solar thermal energy and even space solar energy.

Geothermal energy is that generated in the earth and harnessed, while wave and hydroelectric energy harness the power of water. Of course, solar thermal energy and space solar energy are other ways of harnessing solar energy.

Are there any companies that use renewable energy sources to provide electricity to homes?

Yes! Inspire is a  clean energy company  that provides clean and sustainable energy options like  wind power to homes  across the U.S. Since launching in 2014, we've helped avoid seven billion pounds of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere.

We are dedicated to creating a transformative smart energy experience that’s best for our customers, our partners, our team, and of course, our planet.

Why are alternative fuels called green energy?

Alternative fuels are often described as “green” or renewable energy, but this isn’t always the case. Alternative energy is a broader category that encompasses all non-fossil-fuel-based energy sources and processes, of which renewable energies are only a part.

What are the pros and cons of alternative energy?

This can depend on the specific source of energy, of which there are many, for example:

  • Biomass comes from the burning of organic matter, which is an efficient use of waste. However, this process requires large landfill spaces and may result in pollution due to the burning of this matter.
  • The pros of wind energy are that it is sustainable, wind turbines are relatively harmless to surrounding wildlife and are inexpensive to build and maintain.
  • Solar power has similar pros and cons to wind energy: the sun will always shine just in varying amounts on each day. The pros of solar power are that there’s an unlimited supply of sunlight. However, it relies entirely on sunlight, so  panels only produce energy when the sun is shining . This renders solar panels fairly useless on overcast days, during the night, or if a building has a west-facing roof.

Each individual source of energy has its own set of pros and cons, as well as variables that should be taken into account, such as location, climate, financial benefits and, most importantly, the overall reduction of damage done to the environment.

Why do we use alternative sources of energy?

One of the main reasons we use alternative sources of energy is to reduce our carbon footprint. As of 2020, the production and consumption of renewable energy have reached record highs. As biofuels, geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy continue to increase, so does the use of renewable energy. Local governments and citizens can access renewable energy. From a local government perspective, renewable energy can help meet local goals while leading by example. Renewable energy can provide economic and environmental benefits, including producing energy that releases no greenhouse gas emissions, reducing dependence on imported fuels, and supporting economic development.

With electricity generation being the leading cause of industrial air pollution in the U.S., it’s clear why there is a push for alternative energy sources. As technology advances, we can now make an abundant energy supply with little to no impact on the environment. Alternative sources of energy also provide more pricing stability since they do not entail fuel costs or transportation. Alternative energy sources can also reduce CO₂ emissions. CO₂ emissions pose an environmental threat that may cause droughts, heat waves, coastal flooding, severe storms, and more.

Some of the most commonly used renewable power sources include:

  • Wave and tidal power
  • Low-impact hydroelectricity

How do you use alternative energy sources?

With alternative energy sources trending, you may be starting to wonder how you access alternative energy? Do you have to install your own solar system? Do you have to install a wind turbine? While you could install your own renewable energy on-site, you don’t necessarily have to. We can provide access to renewable energy sources. Simply visit  Inspire Clean Energy  and enter your ZIP code to check availability.

Installing solar panels is a trending way to power your home with renewable energy. With enough solar panels, you may even be able to power nearby homes. As demand for solar has increased, prices have decreased. In addition, there are tax incentives for installing solar panels. While you may replace your electricity bill with a solar payment, should you choose to finance the solar system, over time, a solar system can pay for itself. In the U.S., the average cost to install a solar system is around $12,000, after federal tax incentives. If you are considering installing solar panels, you should receive an estimate to determine if it’s in your budget or not. Most companies will provide a complimentary estimate. You may want to compare the cost of subscribing to a service such as Inspire. You may not have to put up the investment and time to access renewable energy.

Why is nuclear energy not a renewable source of energy?

Nuclear energy is more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, but it’s not considered a renewable energy source. Nuclear energy is not an alternative source of energy because the materials used in a nuclear power plant are not renewable. Within a human’s lifetime, nuclear material cannot be replenished. Around the world, nuclear energy is a common source for generating electricity. While nuclear power plants are more environmentally friendly, it isn’t easy to harvest nuclear energy. In addition, nuclear energy can produce radioactive waste, which can be toxic. While nuclear energy may help global warming, we still need renewable energy sources. Each resource can play an essential part in reducing our carbon footprint and saving the environment.

What is the most used alternative energy source?

In 2020, wind was the most used renewable energy source in the United States, which saw a 14% growth from 2019 to 2020. Renewable energy became the second most prevalent energy source in the United States, producing 21% of the total electricity generated in the U.S. in 2020. Renewable energy was second to natural gas, which produced nearly double the electric output of renewables. The growth of renewable energy in 2020 was due in part to the rapidly diminished usage of coal, while electrical generation steadily grew for renewable energy, particularly wind and solar.

Offshore, distributed, and utility-scale wind are three different types of wind power. Offshore wind power is more complicated to build and more expensive than nuclear power. Offshore wind turbines need to be near bodies of water. In the U.S., wind energy provides 88,000 jobs and counting. Wind turbines are often built on the same land that is used for farming. While they may be expensive to make, they do not require fuel to operate.

The downside is that wind is often intermittent. In addition, turbines can be noisy. While they are best in rural areas, it can be challenging to transport wind turbines. As technology continues to advance and the use of wind turbines increases, we can hopefully learn to overcome some of the challenges associated with wind energy.

What is the cheapest alternative energy source?

In 2019, according to IRENA Renewable Power Generation Costs, solar and wind were reported to be the cheapest energy sources. In 2019, wind turbine energy costs had an average of $0.053 per kWh, while the price of photovoltaic solar was $0.068 per kWh.

While you may pay an electricity bill every month, you may have no idea what your actual cost per kWh is. For an exact comparison, you can reference your utility bill to see what energy rates are in your area. For comparison purposes, electricity usually costs about $0.05 to $0.17 per kWh. IRENA predicts that we could see solar and wind electricity available for as low as $0.03 per kWh within the next few years.

With solar booming, we may run into a problem down the road when a large handful of homes need solar replacement. Solar panels are difficult to recycle, which could cause delays in replacing solar systems. The government and third-party companies are investing research and planning into developing solar systems. Eventually, they will need to place a strong focus on how to recycle solar panels.

Which alternative energy is growing the fastest?

At the top of the list, hydropower, solar power, and wind energy are growing quickly. Hydropower might not be the first renewable energy source that comes to mind, but it’s widely used and deserves recognition. Wind energy has surpassed hydropower in recent years, but some still believe hydropower is the most used and fastest-growing renewable energy source. Dams supply much of the water that is released and delivered to the turbine to generate power. Natural running rivers or tides can also provide water for hydropower. One benefit of hydropower is that it can provide backup energy with short notice since it can be generated quickly. China gets about 15% of its energy from hydropower, making it the largest hydroelectric user globally.

In addition to hydropower, solar power, and wind energy, we should also mention bio-power and geothermal. Bio-power is a fast-growing renewable energy source that uses agricultural by-products and modern biomass to create energy. Geothermal energy is produced mainly in Iceland, producing nearly 26.5% of the country’s electricity. In addition, it also makes 87% of Iceland’s housing and building needs by utilizing natural hot water sources underground.

Is alternative energy cost-effective?

Because the phrase “alternative energy” is a blanket term that takes into account more than 10 different sources, this is dependent on the specific energy source.

Wind is one example of a cost-effective alternative source of energy. Because wind turbines are relatively cheap to build and require little maintenance, energy suppliers can offer lower prices as their outgoings are less.

Besides  wind farms , the top cheapest alternative energy source is solar. As mentioned before, the sun will always shine. Of course, some days will have longer periods of sun, and some countries will have this more often.

So, how can you get these benefits? That’s what we do – we help people  change energy plans . When you sign up, we’ll purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (a way to track energy generated from renewable sources) on your behalf and let your energy provider know you’ve made the switch.

Why should we switch to alternative energy sources?

Our reliance on fossil fuels has been the main cause of damage to the environment so far, and ongoing damage from this use can be brought to a halt if we switch to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower.

Simply put, if we take advantage of the fact that there will always be sun, water and wind, and we harness their power for our electricity, we can decrease the planet’s pollution levels year-after-year. So, while the term “alternative energy sources” technically includes some sources that aren’t green, switching to more sustainable sources of energy will seriously help improve the environment.

Are you ready to access clean energy and help create a greener future? Look into  changing energy plans  today and join Inspire! We're a  renewable energy company  passionate about empowering our customers to do the right thing for the environment, themselves, and their families. We want to make it easy and affordable to choose clean energy.

Not sure if renewable energy is right for you? Read the latest  Inspire Energy reviews  to see how we've helped customers make the switch.

What is the cleanest form of renewable energy?

All forms of energy have drawbacks. However, these drawbacks vary greatly depending on the source of energy. For example, fossil fuels are the dirtiest and most dangerous, while nuclear and renewable energy sources are cleaner and far safer. And wind energy is a clean, non-polluting, free, renewable resource. 

The next cleanest form of renewable energy comes from water in the form of hydropower. The world's hydropower capacity reached a new high of 1,308 gigawatts in 2019. Hydropower is used to create electricity worldwide because it is inexpensive, easy to store and dispatch, and produced without the use of fossil fuels, which means it does not emit carbon dioxide or pollutants like power plants that burn coal or natural gas.

How is America relying on alternative sources of energy?

Until the mid-1800s, wood provided nearly all the nation's energy needs for heating, cooking, and lighting. But fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas have been the primary energy sources since the late 1800s. Until the 1990s, the most common renewable energy sources were hydropower and wood.

Biofuels, geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy have all increased their share of U.S. energy consumption since that time. In 2020, total renewable energy production and consumption in the United States set new records: The electric power sector accounted for more than  60 percent of total U.S. renewable energy consumption, and renewable energy sources accounted for roughly 20 percent of total U.S. electricity generation.

How is solar energy improving?

Solar power continues to gain clout, but its proportion of the energy market has plenty of room to expand. While solar panels are being installed on more commercial and residential rooftops every day, consumers, let alone enterprises, are still not taking advantage of the full potential of this renewable energy source.

Energy sectors are working hard to improve solar energy by 2050 and decarbonize the electric grid. Scientists are currently working on the efficiency of solar cell material and improving storage facilities and conditions. Additionally, researchers are working on grid integration, stacking two different types of solar cells, using nanomaterials, and making systems more flexible for growth. 

As solar energy prices decrease, implementation can take place on a larger scale, as can research. As a result, solar could become the most important source of energy for electricity production in a major area of the planet by 2030. This will also benefit the environment and combat climate change.

Why is wind energy promising?

Wind energy has numerous advantages, making it a promising option for renewable energy—not just for the environment but also for individuals. First, wind energy is a low-cost option at only a few cents per kilowatt-hour. Because its power is provided at a fixed price over a long period of time and its fuel is free, wind energy reduces the price unpredictability that accompanies traditional energy sources. 

Wind power can lessen the need for air-polluting energy sources such as fossil fuels, coal, natural gas, and other sources, especially because it is an environmentally favorable fuel source. As a bonus, wind energy has created over 100,000 jobs, making it one of the country's fastest-growing industries. 

Where is hydropower being used?

Hydroelectricity, or hydropower, is an energy source that generates electricity by harnessing the power of moving water, such as a waterfall. For millennia, people have exploited this force. People in Greece utilized flowing water to turn the wheels of their mills to grind wheat into flour over 2,000  years ago.

Hydropower is the most widely used renewable energy source. China is the world's greatest hydroelectric power producer, followed by countries like the United States, Brazil, Canada, India, and Russia. Hydropower accounts for over 71 percent of all renewable electricity generated on the planet. 

Once converted into energy, water power works like other energy sources to power everything that requires electricity. First, water needs to fall into a turbine or generator to create electricity. After transportation, the electricity can enter your home to power all your electronics.  

How does geothermal energy work?

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that comes from underground hot water reserves. Increased use of geothermal energy has the potential to reduce the use of fossil fuels and the accompanying greenhouse gas emissions in numerous economic sectors, including electricity, industry, and buildings.

The essence of geothermal power is harnessing the power of Earth's temperatures to power, heat, or cool our homes and businesses. Geothermal energy usually comes from volcanic regions.

First, an injection well is pumped with cold water at high pressure. The water expands natural fissures in the strata, allowing water to seep through the hot rock sideways. This is analogous to the fracking technique for extracting oil and gas without using hazardous chemicals. 

A number of “producing wells” are drilled nearby to allow the heated water to return to the surface. Drilling these wells requires some luck, since they must hit one of the tiny fissures to harvest the water. Then the hot water is transferred via a heat exchanger at the surface to boil a secondary fluid, such as butane, which creates a high-pressure gas that drives a turbine and generates power. Finally, in a closed-loop, the cooled water is pumped back into the rock strata before going to a power plant for disbursement.

Is biomass energy growing?

Biomass is organic material that is renewable and comes from plants and animals. Until the mid-19th century, biomass was the primary source of total yearly energy consumption in the United States. In fact, biomass remains a popular fuel in many locations, particularly in underdeveloped countries, for cooking and warmth. 

Many developed countries are boosting their use of biomass fuels for transportation and electricity generation as a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption. Biomass accounts for roughly 5 percent of total primary energy consumption in the U.S. 

Biomass is composed of plants or animals and contains chemical energy that has been stored from the sun. It can be burned directly for heat or processed into renewable liquid and gaseous fuels using various techniques.

In 2018, power generated from biomass and waste accounted for 70.6 million megawatt-hours (MWh), or about 2 percent of total electricity generation in the United States. Though energy output from biomass and garbage was on the rise from 2004 to 2014, it has slowed in recent years and dropped below its peak generation of 71.7 million MWh. 

Is alternative energy less expensive than fossil fuels?

Costs for newer items are higher than prices for items that have been around for a while. While renewable energy sources were initially expensive, prices dropped by up to 62 percent as they became more widely used. Solar power costs have decreased by 16 percent, while wind costs have decreased by 9 to 13 percent. Even large-scale solar power has decreased by about 85 percent. And in Europe, new coal facilities are more expensive than wind or solar farms. 

While renewable energy sources are more cost-effective, the lack of implementation is blocking the transition to clean energy for most households. Cost comparisons will not be possible until implementation methods are provided. According to all analyses, renewable energy is expected to become less expensive as infrastructure becomes available.

Can alternative energy sources replace fossil fuels?

It's hard to determine whether or not a single renewable energy source can completely replace fossil fuels. Instead, a combination of sustainable energy sources is more likely to be used to replace them. Popular Science states that by 2035, we will have transitioned to renewable energy sources for 100 percent clean power at a lower cost and with fewer transitions than projected because of a clever new Panasonic home battery system called EverVolt. 

It is possible to move to 80 or even 90 percent sustainable energy in the coming years and, in turn, move away from fossil fuels. Prices for wind turbines, solar panels, and batteries have been decreasing and will hopefully continue to do so to meet the 2035 deadline. In addition, companies could move to carbon-free power plants without increasing expenses because prior gas or coal-fired power plants were paid for by consumer expenditure. 

alternative sources of energy essay

We're on a mission to transform the way people access clean energy and accelerate a net-zero carbon future.

Explore more

Recent Posts

alternative sources of energy essay

How to Winterize a House: Essential Tips How to Winterize Your Home

alternative sources of energy essay

How to Winterize a Pool

alternative sources of energy essay

What is a Heat Pump

alternative sources of energy essay

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Car?

alternative sources of energy essay

Moving Checklist: A Timeline & Checklist for Moving Out

alternative sources of energy essay

How Do Solar Panels Work?

alternative sources of energy essay

Stronger hurricanes are coming, and climate change is one cause

alternative sources of energy essay

Wildfire smoke isn't just a West Coast phenomenon anymore

alternative sources of energy essay

Is Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels?

alternative sources of energy essay

From Sun to Tap: Inspire and GivePower Make Clean Water More Accessible in Kitengela

Top Articles

alternative sources of energy essay

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels: Some Pros But Mostly Cons of Fossil Fuels & Oil Use

alternative sources of energy essay

Average Electric Bill Per Month for 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments

alternative sources of energy essay

What is Environmental Sustainability: Definition & Examples

alternative sources of energy essay

How to Calculate Kilowatt-Hours (kWh Calculation)

alternative sources of energy essay

Average Gas Bill Cost Per Month: What's The Avg Cost of Gas In My State?

alternative sources of energy essay

How Much Are Utilities Per Month For A House?

alternative sources of energy essay

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources: What is the Difference Between Them?

alternative sources of energy essay

How Much Power Does A Wind Turbine Produce?

alternative sources of energy essay

What Uses the Most Electricity in a Home: Appliances that Use the Most Energy

alternative sources of energy essay

Together we can power a greener future

Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy

Since the beginning of the existence of this planet, the sun has been an important resource for sustaining both human and plant life. Plants, which we feed on, manufacture their food by using sunlight. Adequate exposure to sunlight has valuable health effects to humans. In addition, since historic times, man has employed the sunlight as a source of generating energy used for various industrial and household purposes.

Nonetheless, with the emergence of technology, man slowly turned from increased dependence on solar energy and adopted the use of fossil fuels and other forms of energy generation (Morris, 10). It is of essence to note that, with the depletion of fossil fuels, more emphasis is now being put on the use of solar energy as an alternate energy source. However, is its use beneficial, especially in this century?

The sunlight can be used in a number of different ways. Usually, it is converted into electricity through the use photovoltaic cells to power household and industrial electrical equipment. The advantages that the use of solar energy brings have made many people to adopt its use. As the current generation is waking up to the reality that the limited world’s resources are slowly becoming diminished, more emphasis has been put on the adoption of renewable energy sources.

However, despite these facts, some people have continued to milk the planet’s essential energy reservoirs without thinking of the next generation. Although the cost of a barrel of oil has escalated tremendously during this decade, the world’s thirst for oil has not been quenched.

A number of experts have projected that if the current trend continues uncontrolled, then the world’s demand for oil is likely to escalate by as high as sixty-five percent in the next two decades. Therefore, how will we meet all this demand for energy when the renewable resources are continually being depleted?

As an alternate energy source, the use of solar energy can go a long way in meeting the rise in the global demand for energy (DeGunther, 7). It is important to note that long after the other resources have been entirely exhausted from the face of the earth, solar energy will still be present.

So why have we not completely adopted its use? Some people have claimed that it is more cost effective to generate energy using fossil fuels. This has made renewable energy sources, such as the wind and sunlight, to go untapped. However, it seems as though this in no longer the case.

If the production of fossil fuels is cost effective, then why is it that the world’s consumption of energy far exceeds the amount that is supplied? And why has the grid been unable to meet adequately the increased demand for energy for home and industrial appliances? Currently, power failures are a common daily occurrence. That is why smart people have started to look for affordable alternatives for generating power. No wonder, solar energy have never disappointed them.

It has been said that the use of sunlight for energy generation is more expensive because of the exorbitant expenses incurred while installing the solar panels. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that in the long run, solar panels save more money or they are ‘free’ once the fixing is done (Benduhn, 4). The meager costs incurred in their maintenance cannot be compared to the costs of the use of other sources of energy. The recovery period for these costs incurred is shorter as compared to the use electricity.

In addition, some governmental agencies are providing ambitious financial incentives for individuals who want to bring the benefits of solar energy to their homes. More over, some utility organizations practice net metering programs in which an individual sells his or her surplus energy to the organizations so as to reduce the costs of electricity bill.

Solar energy equipment also utilizes less amount of energy since they do not require any fuel to ensure that they are running. As a result, they are not directly affected by the ever rise and fall of fuel prices that sometimes leads to increased burdens on the use of renewable energy sources.

The continued dependence on the renewable sources of energy is even more costly. For example, it is approximated that in the United States, the cost of electricity has been increasing at about 6.5% every year for the past three decades (Peter, para. 2). The overwhelming escalation of electricity prices can lead to super-high energy costs in the future, if no adequate efforts are done to curb this unprecedented price increase through the adoption of the use of other cheaper alternative sources of energy.

Besides the high costs of conventional non-renewable sources of energy, the millions of tons of carbon dioxide and other dangerous chemicals produced annually due to the use of fossil fuels in the generation of energy are causing a lot of destruction to our beautiful planet. If no efforts are made to reduce the emission of the dangerous compounds to the atmosphere, then the future generation will hold us accountable for not adopting the use of other environmentally friendly sources of energy.

Some people argue that solar panels require a lot of space to accommodate them. They say that to achieve high-energy efficiency, the solar panels should be installed in a wide area of land. As much as this is true, it is not a cause of neglecting the adoption of solar energy as an alternate source of energy. How much land is now uninhabited in many places around the world? This land can be put to meaningful use by installing solar panels in such areas.

In addition, the adoption of some creative strategies can easily defeat this problem. For instance, some households and business enterprises have had their grid-connected solar panels attached to utility and light poles, people with extra space have filled them up with solar panels, and some people have even set up their solar panels on the rooftops.

Interestingly, the installation of solar panels is unconstrained by geographical limits. This implies that one can comfortably install them in the remotest part of a country since energy from the sun is available independently and one does not require a connection to a power or a gas grid for them to function. Therefore, as much as solar panels require adequate installation area, better ways of surmounting this problem are available.

It has been argued that the use of solar energy is dependant on weather conditions; therefore, this makes it to be unreliable as weather conditions usually change constantly. In addition, the opponents of solar energy have put forth that its production is only limited to during the day and hence it cannot adequately meet the needs of energy.

However, these inadequacies can be surmounted by building an efficient backup system or by practicing net metering. Because the production of solar energy relies on the location of the sun, fixing some parts in the solar panels will ensure they function optimally, regardless of the weather conditions.

Even though bad weather is able to lower the effectiveness of the solar panels, the effects are not very much extensive. For example, it has been estimated that even if the U.S. could get at least forty minutes of sunshine per day, it can be adequate to produce more energy than all the fossil fuels it uses on a yearly basis.

Therefore, despite its little inadequacies, the adoption of solar energy as an alternate energy source can reduce the usage of the planet’s precious fossil fuels that have been estimated to be undergoing depletion at a rate of more than 100,000 times faster than they are being created (Wanamingo, para. 3).

In conclusion, it is without doubt that our continued negligence to adopt the use of solar energy as an alternate energy source puts us in a tricky situation. This calls for the enactment of appropriate energy policies to increase the use of sunlight for the production of energy.

The world’s increased energy needs cannot be adequately met by the use of the diminishing non-renewable sources of energy. Therefore, the adoption of solar energy, which is abundant, readily available, and can never be depleted, is the best alternative to this problem.

Works Cited

Benduhn,Tea. Solar power . Pleasantville, NY: Weekly Reader Pub., 2009. Print.

DeGunther, Rik. Solar power your home for dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley, 2010. Print.

Morris, Neil. Solar power . North Mankato, Minn.: Smart Apple Media, 2006. Print.

Peter, Kavar. “ Here Comes the Sun: Solar Energy Is Becoming More Attractive For Mainstream Consumers .” Affordable solar power.org. Affordable Solar Power , 14 Sept. 2005. Web.

Wanamingo, Erica S. “Solar energy.” TeenInk .com. TeenInk, n.d. Web. http://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/environment/article/4234/Solar-Energy/

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, July 21). Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-use-of-solar-energy-as-an-alternate-energy-source/

"Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy." IvyPanda , 21 July 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-use-of-solar-energy-as-an-alternate-energy-source/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy'. 21 July.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy." July 21, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-use-of-solar-energy-as-an-alternate-energy-source/.

1. IvyPanda . "Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy." July 21, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-use-of-solar-energy-as-an-alternate-energy-source/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy." July 21, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-use-of-solar-energy-as-an-alternate-energy-source/.

  • Is Solar Energy Good for the State of New Jersey?
  • The Use of Solar Energy Should be Adopted in All States in the U.S.
  • How Solar Energy Can Save the Environment?
  • Solar Energy Panels in UAE
  • Smart Grid Technology
  • New Techniques for Harnessing Solar Energy
  • Solar Energy: Definition and Ways of Usage
  • Solar Energy in the UAE
  • America’s Electric Grid Past, Present and Future
  • Solar Energy in the United Arab Emirates
  • Housing, Recreational Areas and Bathing Facilities Safety
  • Policy Change to Control Ocean Dumping
  • Water Distribution System in Boston
  • The Types of Plate Tectonics Essay
  • Control of noise and radon gas levels

Why are fossil fuels so hard to quit?

We understand today that humanity’s use of fossil fuels is severely damaging our environment. Fossil fuels cause local pollution where they are produced and used, and their ongoing use is causing lasting harm to the climate of our entire planet. Nonetheless, meaningfully changing our ways has been very difficult.

But suddenly, the COVID-19 pandemic brought trade, travel, and consumer spending to a near-standstill. With billions of people recently under stay-at-home orders and economic activity plunging worldwide, the demand for and price of oil have fallen further and faster than ever before. Needless to say, oil markets have been in turmoil and producers around the world are suffering.

Some pundits are now asking if this crisis could be the push the world needs to move away from oil. One asked: “ Could the coronavirus crisis be the beginning of the end for the oil industry? ” Another: “ Will the coronavirus kill the oil industry and help save the climate? ” Meanwhile, 2020 annual greenhouse gas emissions are  forecast to decline  between 4 – 7% as a result of the virus’ effects, and some of the world’s smoggiest cities are currently enjoying clear skies.

The idea that the pandemic could ultimately help save the planet misses crucial points. First and foremost, damaging the world’s economy is not the way to deal with climate change. And in terms of oil, what will take its place? We haven’t found a good substitute for oil, in terms of its availability and fitness for purpose. Although the supply is finite, oil is plentiful and the technology to extract it continues to improve, making it ever-more economic to produce and use. The same is also largely true for natural gas.

Climate change is real and we see its effects clearly now: In 2019 worldwide, 15 extreme weather events , exacerbated by climate change, caused more than $1 billion in damage each. Four of these events each caused more than $10 billion in damage. The large-scale use of fossil fuels tops the list of factors contributing to climate change. But the concentrated energy that they provide has proven hard to replace. Why?

A reporter raised that very question to me after a press Q&A that I did at a conference a few years ago. “We know that oil contributes to climate change and other environmental problems — why do we still use it? Why don’t we just quit already?,” he asked me.

Until that moment, I hadn’t thought enough about how my experience and background give me a clearer view than many on the promise and challenge of moving to a cleaner energy system. I have gained a wide-angle view of the energy industry as I’ve moved through my career, working in government and in consulting — for both oil and gas and clean energy clients — and then moving into the think tank world.

fossil fuel Generated from the decomposition of ancient plant and animal matter over millions of years. Coal, oil, and natural gas are fossil fuels.

To deal with the challenge of climate change, we must start by understanding the fossil fuel system — namely how energy is produced and used. Although fossil fuel companies are politically powerful, in the United States and around the world, their lobbying prowess is not the key reason that their fuels dominate the global energy system. Likewise, the transition to an all-renewable energy system is not a simple task. But the politics of blame are popular, as we’ve seen during the 2020 election campaign and in light of recent lawsuits against fossil fuel companies. There is plenty of blame to go around, from fossil fuel companies that for years denied the problem to policymakers reluctant to enact the policies needed to force real change. It has been easier for everyone to stick with the status quo.

The world needs technology and strong policy to move in a new direction. Throughout history, humanity’s energy use has moved toward more concentrated, convenient, and flexible forms of energy. Understanding the advantages of today’s energy sources and the history of past transitions can help us understand how to move toward low-carbon energy sources. With greater understanding of the climate challenge, we are making huge strides in developing the technology we need to move toward a low-carbon future. Still, understanding how we got here and why the modern world was built on fossil fuels is crucial to understanding where we go from here.

Our energy comes from the sun, one way or another

In the pre-industrial age, solar energy met all of humanity’s energy needs. Plants convert solar energy into biomass through the process of photosynthesis. People burned this biomass for heat and light. Plants provided food for people and animals, which, in turn, used their muscle power to do work. Even as humans learned to smelt metals and make glass, they fueled the process with charcoal made from wood. Apart from photosynthesis, humans made some use of wind and water power, also ultimately fueled by the sun. Temperature differences in the atmosphere brought about by sunlight drive the wind, and the cycle of rainfall and flowing water also gets its energy from sunlight. But the sun is at the center of this system, and people could only use the energy that the sun provided in real time, mostly from plants.

biomass Plant material, including leaves, stalks, and woody mass. Biomass can be burned directly or processed to create biofuels , like ethanol.

This balance between human energy use and sunlight sounds like utopia, but as the human population grew and became more urban, the bio-based energy system brought problems. In England, wood became scarce in the 1500s and 1600s, since it was not only used for fuel, but also for building material. London, for instance, grew from 60,000 people in 1534 to 530,000 in 1696, and the price of firewood and lumber rose faster than any other commodity. The once lush forests of England were denuded.

In 1900, roughly 50,000 horses pulled cabs and buses around the streets of London, not including carts to transport goods. As you can imagine, this created an enormous amount of waste. As Lee Jackson writes in his book “ Dirty Old London ,” by the 1890s London’s immense horse population generated roughly 1,000 tons of dung per day. All this manure also attracted flies, which spread disease. The transportation system was literally making people sick. The pre-fossil era was not the utopia we envision.

Fossil fuels opened new doors for humanity. They formed from the transformation of ancient plants through pressure, temperature, and tens to hundreds of millions of years, essentially storing the sun’s energy over time. The resulting fuels freed humanity from its reliance on photosynthesis and current biomass production as its primary energy source. Instead, fossil fuels allowed the use of more energy than today’s photosynthesis could provide, since they represent a stored form of solar energy.

First coal, then oil and natural gas allowed rapid growth in industrial processes, agriculture, and transportation. The world today is unrecognizable from that of the early 19th century, before fossil fuels came into wide use. Human health and welfare have improved markedly, and the global population has increased from 1 billion in 1800 to almost 8 billion today. The fossil fuel energy system is the lifeblood of the modern economy. Fossil fuels powered the industrial revolution, pulled millions out of poverty, and shaped the modern world.

How energy density and convenience drove fossil fuel growth

The first big energy transition was from wood and charcoal to coal, beginning in the iron industry in the early 1700s. By 1900, coal was the primary industrial fuel, taking over from biomass to make up half the world’s fuel use. Coal has three times the energy density by weight of dry wood and is widely distributed throughout the world. Coal became the preferred fuel for ships and locomotives, allowing them to dedicate less space to fuel storage.

Oil was the next major energy source to emerge. Americans date the beginning of the oil era to the first commercial U.S. oil well in Pennsylvania in 1859, but oil was used and sold in modern-day Azerbaijan and other areas centuries earlier. Oil entered the market as a replacement for whale oil for lighting, with gasoline produced as a by-product of kerosene production. However, oil found its true calling in the transportation sector. The oil era really took off with the introduction of the Ford Model-T in 1908 and the boom in personal transportation after World War II. Oil overtook coal to become the world’s largest energy source in 1964.

Oil resources are not as extensively distributed worldwide as coal, but oil has crucial advantages. Fuels produced from oil are nearly ideal for transportation. They are energy-dense, averaging twice the energy content of coal, by weight. But more importantly, they are liquid rather than solid, allowing the development of the internal combustion engine that drives transportation today.

Different fuels carry different amounts of energy per unit of weight.  Fossil fuels are more energy dense than other sources. 

Oil changed the course of history. For example, the British and American navies switched from coal to oil prior to World War I, allowing their ships to go further than coal-fired German ships before refueling. Oil also allowed greater speed at sea and could be moved to boilers by pipe instead of manpower, both clear advantages. During World War II, the United States produced nearly two-thirds of the world’s oil, and its steady supply was crucial to the Allied victory. The German army’s blitzkrieg strategy became impossible when fuel supplies could not keep up, and a lack of fuel took a toll on the Japanese navy.

Natural gas, a fossil fuel that occurs in gaseous form, can be found in underground deposits on its own, but is often present underground with oil. Gas produced with oil was often wasted in the early days of the oil industry, and an old industry saying was that looking for oil and finding gas instead was a quick way to get fired. In more recent times, natural gas has become valued for its clean, even combustion and its usefulness as a feedstock for industrial processes. Nonetheless, because it is in a gaseous form, it requires specific infrastructure to reach customers, and natural gas is still wasted in areas where that infrastructure doesn’t exist.

A final key development in world energy use was the emergence of electricity in the 20th century. Electricity is not an energy source like coal or oil, but a method for delivering and using energy. Electricity is very efficient, flexible, clean, and quiet at the point of use. Like oil, electricity’s first use was in lighting, but the development of the induction motor allowed electricity to be efficiently converted to mechanical energy, powering everything from industrial processes to household appliances and vehicles.

Over the 20th century, the energy system transformed from one in which fossil energy was used directly into one in which an important portion of fossil fuels are used to generate electricity. The proportion used in electricity generation varies by fuel. Because oil — an energy-dense liquid — is so fit-for-purpose in transport, little of it goes to electricity; in contrast, roughly 63% of coal produced worldwide is used to generate electricity. Methods of generating electricity that don’t rely on fossil fuels, like nuclear and hydroelectric generation, are also important parts of the system in many areas. However, fossil fuels are still the backbone of the electricity system, generating 64% of today’s global supply.

Fossil fuels still dominate global electricity generation.

In sum, the story of energy transitions through history has not just been about moving away from current solar flows and toward fossil fuels. It has also been a constant move toward fuels that are more energy-dense and convenient to use than the fuels they replaced. Greater energy density means that a smaller weight or volume of fuel is needed to do the job. Liquid fuels made from oil combine energy density with the ability to flow or be moved by pumps, an advantage that opened up new technologies, especially in transportation. And electricity is a very flexible way of consuming energy, useful for many applications.

Back to the future – the return of the solar era

Fossil fuels allowed us to move away from relying on today’s solar flows, instead using concentrated solar energy stored over millions of years. Before we could make efficient use of solar flows, this seemed like a great idea.

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is gas released when carbon-containing fuels (biomass or fossil fuels) are burned. Carbon dioxide is the most important gas contributing to climate change.

However, the advantages of fossil fuels come with a devastating downside. We now understand that the release of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from burning fossil fuels is warming our planet faster than anything we have seen in the geological record. One of the greatest challenges facing humanity today is slowing this warming before it changes our world beyond recognition.

Now that there are almost eight billion of us, we clearly see the impact of rising CO 2 concentrations. Going back to the old days of relying mostly on biomass for our energy needs is clearly not a solution. Nonetheless, we need to find a way to get back to reliance on real-time solar flows (and perhaps nuclear energy) to meet our needs. There are so many more of us now, interacting via a vastly larger and more integrated global economy, and using much more energy. But we also have technologies today that are much more efficient than photosynthesis at transforming solar flows to useful energy.

Since 1900, global population and economic activity have skyrocketed, along with fossil fuel consumption.

Unfortunately, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, the most consequential greenhouse gas, has steadily climbed at the same time, along with global average temperature. .

The earth gets plenty of energy from the sun for all of us, even for our modern energy-intensive lives. The amount of solar energy that reaches habitable land is more than 1,000 times the amount of fossil fuel energy extracted globally per year. The problem is that this energy is diffuse. The sun that warms your face is definitely providing energy, but you need to concentrate that energy to heat your home or move a vehicle.

renewable energy Renewable energy is from a source that is naturally replenished. (Ex: capturing wind using turbines or sunlight using solar cells does not change the amount of wind or sunlight that is available for future use.)

This is where modern technology comes in. Wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells convert solar energy flows into electricity, in a process much more efficient than burning biomass, the pre-industrial way of capturing solar energy. Costs for wind and solar PV have been dropping rapidly and they are now mainstream, cost-effective technologies. Some existing forms of generating electricity, mainly nuclear and hydroelectricity, also don’t result in CO 2 emissions. Combining new renewables with these existing sources represents an opportunity to decarbonize — or eliminate CO 2 emissions from — the electricity sector. Electricity generation is an important source of emissions, responsible for 27% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.

However, unlike fossil fuels, wind and solar can only generate electricity when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining. This is an engineering challenge, since the power grid operates in real time: Power is generated and consumed simultaneously, with generation varying to keep the system in balance.

greenhouse gas A gas that traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxides.

Engineering challenges beget engineering solutions, and a number of solutions can help. Power grids that cover a larger area are easier to balance, given that if it isn’t windy or sunny in one location, it may be somewhere else. Demand-response strategies can encourage customers with flexibility in their processes to use more power when renewable power is available and to cut back when it isn’t. Power storage technologies can save excess electricity to be used later. Hydroelectric dams can serve this function now, and declining costs will make batteries more economic for power storage on the grid. Storage solutions work well over a timeframe of hours — storing solar power to use in the evening, for example. But longer-term storage poses a greater challenge. Perhaps excess electricity can be used to create hydrogen or other fuels that can be stored and used at a later time. Finally, fossil fuel generation often fills in the gaps in renewable generation today, especially natural gas generation, which can be efficiently ramped up and down to meet demand.

Transforming solar energy flow into electricity is a clear place to start in creating a decarbonized energy system. A simple formula is to decarbonize the electricity sector and electrify all the energy uses we can. Many important processes can be electrified — especially stationary uses, like in buildings and many industrial processes. To deal with climate change, this formula is the low-hanging fruit.

The two parts of this formula must proceed together. A shiny new electric vehicle in the driveway signals your concern about the environment to your neighbors, but achieving its full potential benefit also requires a greener power system. For today’s power system in the United States, and nearly everywhere in the world, electric vehicles provide emissions benefits , but the extent of those benefits varies greatly by location. Achieving the full potential benefit of electric vehicles would require a grid that supplies all renewable or zero-carbon power, something that no area in the United States consistently achieves today.

Wind and solar power aren’t everything – the remaining challenges

“Electrify everything” is a great plan, so far as it goes, but not everything can be easily electrified. Certain qualities of fossil fuels are difficult to replicate, such as their energy density and their ability to provide very high heat. To decarbonize processes that rely on these qualities, you need low-carbon fuels that mimic the qualities of fossil fuels.

The energy density of fossil fuels is particularly important in the transportation sector. A vehicle needs to carry its fuel around as it travels, so the weight and volume of that fuel are key. Electric vehicles are a much-touted solution for replacing oil, but they are not perfect for all uses. Pound for pound, gasoline or diesel fuel contain about 40 times as much energy as a state-of-the-art battery. On the other hand, electric motors are much more efficient than internal combustion engines and electric vehicles are simpler mechanically, with many fewer moving parts. These advantages make up for some of the battery’s weight penalty, but an electric vehicle will still be heavier than a similar vehicle running on fossil fuel. For vehicles that carry light loads and can refuel often, like passenger cars, this penalty isn’t a big deal. But for aviation, maritime shipping, or long-haul trucking, where the vehicle must carry heavy loads for long distances without refueling, the difference in energy density between fossil fuels and batteries is a huge challenge, and electric vehicles just don’t meet the need.

WEIGHT OF FUEL

Gasoline carries much more energy per unit of weight than a battery. a gas-powered car with a 12.4-gallon tank carries 77.5 pounds of gasoline., a 77.5-pound battery, in contrast, would only carry an electric car 21 miles., an electric car with a range of 360 miles would need a 1,334 pound battery., weight of vehicle, despite the weight of the battery, other components of electric vehicles are lighter and simpler than their counterparts in a gasoline car. thus, the overall weight penalty for electric vehicles isn’t as severe as the weight penalty for the battery alone. .

Industrial processes that need very high heat — such as the production of steel, cement, and glass — pose another challenge. Steel blast furnaces operate at about 1,100° C, and cement kilns operate at about 1,400° C. These very high temperatures are hard to achieve without burning a fuel and are thus difficult to power with electricity.

Renewable electricity can’t solve the emissions problem for processes that can’t run on electricity. For these processes, the world needs zero-carbon fuels that mimic the properties of fossil fuels — energy-dense fuels that can be burned. A number of options exist, but they each have pros and cons and generally need more work to be commercially and environmentally viable.

Biofuels are a possibility, since the carbon released when the biofuel is burned is the same carbon taken up as the plant grew. However, the processing required to turn plants into usable fuels consumes energy, and this results in CO 2 emissions, meaning that biofuels are not zero-carbon unless the entire process runs on renewable or zero-carbon energy. For example, the corn ethanol blended into gasoline in the United States averages only 39% lower CO 2 emissions than the gasoline it replaces, given the emissions that occur from transporting the corn to processing facilities and converting it to fuel. Biofuels also compete for arable land with food production and conservation uses, such as for recreation or fish and wildlife, which gets more challenging as biofuel production increases. Fuels made from crop waste or municipal waste can be better, in terms of land use and carbon emissions, but supply of these wastes is limited and the technology needs improvement to be cost-effective.

Another pathway is to convert renewable electricity into a combustible fuel. Hydrogen can be produced by using renewable electricity to split water atoms into their hydrogen and oxygen components. The hydrogen could then be burned as a zero-carbon fuel, similar to the way natural gas is used today. Electricity, CO 2 , and hydrogen could be also combined to produce liquid fuels to replace diesel and jet fuel. However, when we split water atoms or create liquid fuels from scratch, the laws of thermodynamics are not in our favor. These processes use electricity to, in effect, run the combustion process backwards, and thus use large amounts of energy. Since these processes would use vast amounts of renewable power, they only make sense in applications where electricity cannot be used directly.

Carbon capture and storage or use is a final possibility for stationary applications like heavy industry. Fossil fuels would still be burned and create CO 2 , but it would be captured instead of released into the atmosphere. Processes under development envision removing CO 2 from ambient air. In either case, the CO 2 would then be injected deep underground or used in an industrial process.

The most common use for captured CO 2 today is in enhanced oil recovery, where pressurized CO 2 is injected into an oil reservoir to squeeze out more oil. The idea of capturing CO 2 and using it to produce more fossil fuel seems backwards — does that really reduce emissions overall? But studies show that the captured CO 2 stays in the oil reservoir permanently when it is injected in this way. And if enough CO 2 is injected during oil production, it might make up for the combustion emissions of the produced oil, or even result in overall negative emissions. This won’t be a panacea for all oil use, but could make oil use feasible in those applications, like aviation, where it is very hard to replace.

Carbon capture is today the cheapest way to deal with emissions from heavy industries that require combustion. It has the advantage that it can also capture CO 2 emissions that come from the process itself, rather than from fuel combustion, as occurs in cement production when limestone is heated to produce a component of cement with CO 2 as a by-product.

When considering how carbon capture might contribute to climate change mitigation, we have to remember that fossil fuels are not the ultimate cause of the problem — CO 2 emissions are. If maintaining some fossil fuel use with carbon capture is the easiest way to deal with certain sources of emissions, that’s still solving the fundamental problem.

Our biggest challenges are political

Science clearly tells us that we need to remake our energy system and eliminate CO 2 emissions. However, in addition to the engineering challenges, the nature of climate change makes it politically challenging to deal with as well. Minimizing the impact of climate change requires re-making a multi-trillion-dollar industry that lies at the center of the economy and people’s lives. Reducing humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels requires investments here and now that provide uncertain, long-term benefits. These decisions are particularly difficult for politicians, who tend to focus on policies with immediate, local benefits that voters can see. Last year The New York Times asked , for instance, “whether any climate policy is both big enough to matter and popular enough to happen.” Durable climate policy requires securing buy-in from a range of actors, including politicians from both parties, business leaders, and civil society. Their perspectives inevitably differ, and the lack of consensus — combined with very real efforts to exert pressure on the policymaking process — is a key reason that climate action is so politically difficult. (To try your hand at navigating the policy dilemmas, play our — admittedly simplified! — game below: “A president’s climate quandary.”)

In the United States and other parts of the wealthy world, current efforts focus on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from our energy-intensive lives. But the second part of today’s energy challenge is providing modern energy to the billion people in the developing world that don’t currently have it. You don’t hear as much about the second goal in the public discourse about climate change, but it’s crucial that developing countries follow a cleaner path than the developed world did. The need to provide both cleaner energy and more energy for developing countries magnifies the challenge, but a solution that leaves out the developing world is no solution at all.

Plentiful and inexpensive fossil fuels make transitioning away from them more difficult. Around 15 years ago, pundits were focused on “peak oil” — the idea that the world was running out of oil, or at least inexpensive oil, and that a reckoning was coming. Events of the past decade have proven that theory wrong. Instead of declining oil production and rising prices, we’ve seen the opposite, nowhere more than here in the United States. Technology has brought about a boom in oil production; geologists long knew the resources were there, but did not know how to make money producing them. There’s no reason to expect this trend to slow down anytime soon. In other words, running out of oil will not save us. The world will need to transition away from oil and other fossil fuels while they are abundant and inexpensive — not an easy task.

To achieve this technically and politically challenging transition, we need to avoid one-dimensional solutions. My own thoughts about how we need to deal with climate change have certainly evolved over time, as we understand the climate system better and as time passes with emissions still increasing. As an example, I used to be skeptical of the idea of carbon capture, either from industrial processes or directly from the air. The engineer in me just couldn’t see using such an energy-hungry process to capture emissions. I’ve changed my mind, with a greater understanding of processes that will be hard to decarbonize any other way.

The accumulation of CO 2 in the atmosphere is like putting air into a balloon. It’s a cumulative system: We’re continually adding to the total concentration of a substance that may last in the atmosphere for up to 200 years. We don’t know when the effects of warming will become overwhelming, but we do know that the system will become stretched and compromised — experiencing more negative effects — as the balloon fills. The cumulative nature of the climate system means that we need more stringent measures the longer that we wait. In other words: Sooner action is better. We need to take action now where it’s easiest, in the electricity and light vehicle sectors, and in making new buildings extremely energy efficient. Other sectors need more technology, like heavy transport and industry, or will take a long time, like improving our existing stock of buildings.

Those pushing to end fossil fuel production now are missing the point that fossil fuels will still be needed for some time in certain sectors. Eliminating unpopular energy sources or technologies, like nuclear or carbon capture, from the conversation is short-sighted. Renewable electricity generation alone won’t get us there — this is an all-technologies-on-deck problem. I fear that magical thinking and purity tests are taking hold in parts of the left end of the American political spectrum, while parts of the political right are guilty of outright denialism around the climate problem. In the face of such stark polarization, the focus on practical solutions can get lost — and practicality and ingenuity are the renewable resources humanity needs to meet the climate challenge.

Correction: An earlier version of a graphic in this piece mistakenly indicated that renewables comprise 0.6% of global electricity generation. It has been corrected to 9.3%.

About the Author

Samantha gross, related content.

alternative sources of energy essay

Why we still use fossil fuels

alternative sources of energy essay

How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting global energy markets?

alternative sources of energy essay

The United States can take climate change seriously while leading the world in oil and gas production

alternative sources of energy essay

Brookings experts comment on oil market developments and geopolitical tensions

alternative sources of energy essay

Will investments in greener energy be yet another victim of the coronavirus?

Acknowledgments.

Editorial: Jeff Ball, Bruce Jones, Anna Newbyu

Research: Historical summaries of energy transitions owe a debt of gratitude to Vaclav Smil, a prolific author on the topic and the grandfather of big-picture thinking on energy transitions.

Graphics and design: Ian McAllister, Rachel Slattery

Web development: Eric Abalahin, Abigail Kaunda, Rachel Slattery

Feature image: Egorov Artem/Shutterstock

  • Media Relations
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Towards Sustainable Energy: A Systematic Review of Renewable Energy Sources, Technologies, and Public Opinions

Ieee account.

  • Change Username/Password
  • Update Address

Purchase Details

  • Payment Options
  • Order History
  • View Purchased Documents

Profile Information

  • Communications Preferences
  • Profession and Education
  • Technical Interests
  • US & Canada: +1 800 678 4333
  • Worldwide: +1 732 981 0060
  • Contact & Support
  • About IEEE Xplore
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
  • Privacy & Opting Out of Cookies

A not-for-profit organization, IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. © Copyright 2024 IEEE - All rights reserved. Use of this web site signifies your agreement to the terms and conditions.

  • Natural Sources Of Energy

Sources of Energy

The sun is the main source of energy on Earth. Other energy sources include coal, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass, petrol, nuclear energy, and many more. Energy is classified into various types based on sustainability as renewable sources of energy and non-renewable sources of energy.

What Is Energy?

The classical description of energy is the ability of a system to perform work, but as energy exists in so many forms, it is hard to find one comprehensive definition. It is the property of an object that can be transferred from one object to another or converted to different forms but cannot be created or destroyed. There are numerous sources of energy. In the next few sections, let us discuss the about different sources of energy in detail.

Sources Of Energy

Sources of energy can be classified into:

  • Renewable Sources
  • Non-renewable Sources

Renewable sources of energy are available plentiful in nature and are sustainable. These resources of energy can be naturally replenished and are safe for the environment.

Examples of renewable sources of energy are : Solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass, hydropower and tidal energy.

A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that is found underneath the earth. These type of energy resources do not replenish at the same speed at which it is used. They take millions of years to replenish. The main examples of non-renewable resources are coal, oil and natural gas.

Examples of non-renewable sources of energy are: Natural gas, coal, petroleum, nuclear energy and hydrocarbon gas liquids.

Sources Of Energy

Difference between Renewable and Non-renewable Sources of Energy

Natural sources of energy.

During the stone age, it was wood. During the iron age, we had coal. In the modern age, we have fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas. So how do we choose the source of energy?

Good sources of energy should have the following qualities:

  • Optimum heat production per unit of volume/mass used
  • Easy to transport
  • Least Polluting

Types of Natural Sources of Energy

There are two types of natural sources of energy classified by their popularity and use,

  • Conventional Sources of Energy
  • Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

Difference between Conventional and Non-conventional Sources of Energy

In this article, you learned about natural resources, energy sources, and what makes a good source of energy. Explore more such articles at BYJU’S, which provides detailed solutions to the questions of NCERT Book for the energy source so that one can compare their answers with the sample answers given for this chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What sources of energy are renewable.

  • Biomass energy
  • Wind energy
  • Tidal energy
  • Hydro energy

What is the main source of energy in India?

What are the sources of energy in india.

Following are the sources of energy in India:

  • Natural gas
  • Thermal energy
  • Mineral oil

Can any source of energy be pollution-free?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power.

  • There are no harmful gases released into the environment.
  • It is a way for the generation of revenue in the local communities.
  • It is one of the clean sources of energy.

Disadvantages:

  • The storage of energy needs to be improved.
  • The initial setup requires a lot of investment.
  • Numerous lands will be used up.

List the examples of sources of energy

  • Biofuel energy
  • Geothermal energy
  • Solar energy
  • Nuclear energy

Watch the video and find out conservation measures we can take to save the natural resources depleting at an alarming rate.

alternative sources of energy essay

Stay tuned with BYJU’S for more such interesting articles. Also, register to “BYJU’S – The Learning App” for loads of interactive, engaging Physics-related videos and unlimited academic assistance.

Quiz Image

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs. Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

Visit BYJU’S for all Physics related queries and study materials

Your result is as below

Request OTP on Voice Call

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post My Comment

alternative sources of energy essay

  • Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

close

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • View all journals
  • Explore content
  • About the journal
  • Publish with us
  • Sign up for alerts
  • 20 February 2024

Generative AI’s environmental costs are soaring — and mostly secret

alternative sources of energy essay

  • Kate Crawford 0

Kate Crawford is a professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg, a senior principal researcher at Microsoft Research in New York City and author of the 2021 book Atlas of AI .

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have full access to this article via your institution.

Last month, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman finally admitted what researchers have been saying for years — that the artificial intelligence (AI) industry is heading for an energy crisis. It’s an unusual admission. At the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Altman warned that the next wave of generative AI systems will consume vastly more power than expected, and that energy systems will struggle to cope. “There’s no way to get there without a breakthrough,” he said.

I’m glad he said it. I’ve seen consistent downplaying and denial about the AI industry’s environmental costs since I started publishing about them in 2018. Altman’s admission has got researchers, regulators and industry titans talking about the environmental impact of generative AI.

So what energy breakthrough is Altman banking on? Not the design and deployment of more sustainable AI systems — but nuclear fusion. He has skin in that game, too: in 2021, Altman started investing in fusion company Helion Energy in Everett, Washington.

alternative sources of energy essay

Is AI leading to a reproducibility crisis in science?

Most experts agree that nuclear fusion won’t contribute significantly to the crucial goal of decarbonizing by mid-century to combat the climate crisis. Helion’s most optimistic estimate is that by 2029 it will produce enough energy to power 40,000 average US households; one assessment suggests that ChatGPT, the chatbot created by OpenAI in San Francisco, California, is already consuming the energy of 33,000 homes. It’s estimated that a search driven by generative AI uses four to five times the energy of a conventional web search. Within years, large AI systems are likely to need as much energy as entire nations.

And it’s not just energy. Generative AI systems need enormous amounts of fresh water to cool their processors and generate electricity. In West Des Moines, Iowa, a giant data-centre cluster serves OpenAI’s most advanced model, GPT-4. A lawsuit by local residents revealed that in July 2022, the month before OpenAI finished training the model, the cluster used about 6% of the district’s water. As Google and Microsoft prepared their Bard and Bing large language models, both had major spikes in water use — increases of 20% and 34%, respectively, in one year, according to the companies’ environmental reports. One preprint 1 suggests that, globally, the demand for water for AI could be half that of the United Kingdom by 2027. In another 2 , Facebook AI researchers called the environmental effects of the industry’s pursuit of scale the “elephant in the room”.

Rather than pipe-dream technologies, we need pragmatic actions to limit AI’s ecological impacts now.

There’s no reason this can’t be done. The industry could prioritize using less energy, build more efficient models and rethink how it designs and uses data centres. As the BigScience project in France demonstrated with its BLOOM model 3 , it is possible to build a model of a similar size to OpenAI’s GPT-3 with a much lower carbon footprint. But that’s not what’s happening in the industry at large.

It remains very hard to get accurate and complete data on environmental impacts. The full planetary costs of generative AI are closely guarded corporate secrets. Figures rely on lab-based studies by researchers such as Emma Strubell 4 and Sasha Luccioni 3 ; limited company reports; and data released by local governments. At present, there’s little incentive for companies to change.

alternative sources of energy essay

There are holes in Europe’s AI Act — and researchers can help to fill them

But at last, legislators are taking notice. On 1 February, US Democrats led by Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts introduced the Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2024 . The bill directs the National Institute for Standards and Technology to collaborate with academia, industry and civil society to establish standards for assessing AI’s environmental impact, and to create a voluntary reporting framework for AI developers and operators. Whether the legislation will pass remains uncertain.

Voluntary measures rarely produce a lasting culture of accountability and consistent adoption, because they rely on goodwill. Given the urgency, more needs to be done.

To truly address the environmental impacts of AI requires a multifaceted approach including the AI industry, researchers and legislators. In industry, sustainable practices should be imperative, and should include measuring and publicly reporting energy and water use; prioritizing the development of energy-efficient hardware, algorithms, and data centres; and using only renewable energy. Regular environmental audits by independent bodies would support transparency and adherence to standards.

Researchers could optimize neural network architectures for sustainability and collaborate with social and environmental scientists to guide technical designs towards greater ecological sustainability.

Finally, legislators should offer both carrots and sticks. At the outset, they could set benchmarks for energy and water use, incentivize the adoption of renewable energy and mandate comprehensive environmental reporting and impact assessments. The Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act is a start, but much more will be needed — and the clock is ticking.

Nature 626 , 693 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00478-x

Li, P., Yang, J., Islam, M. A. & Ren, S. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03271 (2023).

Wu, C.-J. et al. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/2111.00364 (2021).

Luccioni, A. S., Viguier, S. & Ligozat, A.-L. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.02001 (2022).

Kaack, L. H. et al. Nature Clim. Chang. 12 , 518–527 (2022).

Article   Google Scholar  

Download references

Reprints and permissions

Competing Interests

K.C. is employed by both USC Annenberg, and Microsoft Research, which makes generative AI systems.

Related Articles

alternative sources of energy essay

  • Machine learning
  • Computer science

Stockholm declaration on AI ethics: why others should sign

Correspondence 20 FEB 24

What the EU’s tough AI law means for research and ChatGPT

What the EU’s tough AI law means for research and ChatGPT

News Explainer 16 FEB 24

How journals are fighting back against a wave of questionable images

How journals are fighting back against a wave of questionable images

News Explainer 12 FEB 24

Cyberattacks on knowledge institutions are increasing: what can be done?

Cyberattacks on knowledge institutions are increasing: what can be done?

Editorial 07 FEB 24

AI chatbot shows surprising talent for predicting chemical properties and reactions

AI chatbot shows surprising talent for predicting chemical properties and reactions

News 06 FEB 24

How can scientists make the most of the public’s trust in them?

How can scientists make the most of the public’s trust in them?

Editorial 31 JAN 24

First private Moon lander touches down on lunar surface to make history

First private Moon lander touches down on lunar surface to make history

News 23 FEB 24

Mind-reading devices are revealing the brain’s secrets

Mind-reading devices are revealing the brain’s secrets

News Feature 20 FEB 24

Super-speedy sequencing puts genomic diagnosis in the fast lane

Super-speedy sequencing puts genomic diagnosis in the fast lane

Technology Feature 19 FEB 24

Postdoctoral Fellow

A Postdoctoral Fellow position is immediately available in the laboratory of Dr. Fen-Biao Gao at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical Schoo...

Worcester, Massachusetts (US)

Umass Chan Medical School - Fen-Biao Gao Lab

alternative sources of energy essay

Washing, Sterilisation and Media Preparation Technician

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: March 7th, 2024 About Human Technopole:  Human Technopole (HT) is an interdisciplinary life science research institute, c...

Human Technopole

alternative sources of energy essay

Scientific Officer

ABOUT US The Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) is a unique organization, supporting international collaboration to undertake inno...

Strasbourg-Ville, Bas-Rhin (FR)

HUMAN FRONTIER SCIENCE PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

alternative sources of energy essay

Tenure Track Assistant Professor towards Associate Professor in the field of biomedical sciences

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, ...

Lausanne, Canton of Vaud (CH)

University of Lausanne (UNIL)

alternative sources of energy essay

Faculty Positions at City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan)

CityU (Dongguan) warmly invites individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for various faculty positions available at the levels of Professor...

Dongguan, Guangdong, China

City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan)

alternative sources of energy essay

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

  • Explore articles by subject
  • Guide to authors
  • Editorial policies

COMMENTS

  1. Alternative Sources of Energy Essay

    Such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. In this Alternative Sources of Energy essay, the author argues that the Sun and wind have the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. Read the paper to learn about the challenges, limitations, and benefits of implementing alternative energy sources.

  2. Renewable energy

    renewable energy, usable energy derived from replenishable sources such as the Sun ( solar energy ), wind ( wind power ), rivers ( hydroelectric power ), hot springs ( geothermal energy ), tides ( tidal power ), and biomass ( biofuels ). The transition to renewable energy explained by Phil the Fixer

  3. Alternative Sources of Energy: Learn Definition, Properties ...

    Waterpower, wind power, and solar power are examples of alternative energy sources. These and other non-depletable energy sources are referred to as green or renewable. What are Alternative Sources of Energy?

  4. Essay on Alternative Sources of Energy

    Introduction Alternative sources of energy are the future of our planet. They are clean, renewable, and help in reducing the carbon footprint. Types of Alternative Energy There are several types of alternative energy. Solar power uses the sun's energy, wind power harnesses wind, and hydroelectric power uses water. Benefits

  5. Alternative Sources of Energy Essay

    Learn what alternative energy is, why it's important, and the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources. Explore the best examples of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, bioenergy, and nuclear. Find out how to transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources and the benefits of doing so.

  6. Renewable energy

    Cheap electricity from renewable sources could provide 65 percent of the world's total electricity supply by 2030. It could decarbonize 90 percent of the power sector by 2050, massively cutting ...

  7. Alternative Energy Essays (Examples)

    Home Topics Technology Alternative Energy Essays Alternative Energy Essays (Examples) 1000+ documents containing "alternative energy" . Sort By: Most Relevant Keyword (s) Reset Filters Alternative Energy Sources Concerns That Have Been PAGES 8 WORDS 2299 Alternative Energy Sources

  8. Solar energy technology and its roles in sustainable development

    Solar energy is environmentally friendly technology, a great energy supply and one of the most significant renewable and green energy sources. It plays a substantial role in achieving sustainable development energy solutions. Therefore, the massive amount of solar energy attainable daily makes it a very attractive resource for generating ...

  9. Renewable Energy

    The wind, the sun, and Earth are sources of renewable energy . These energy sources naturally renew, or replenish themselves. Wind, sunlight, and the planet have energy that transforms in ways we can see and feel. We can see and feel evidence of the transfer of energy from the sun to Earth in the sunlight shining on the ground and the warmth we ...

  10. What is renewable energy?

    Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly ...

  11. Alternative Energy Use

    Each nation's average energy use from alternative sources from 2006 to 2010. Alternative energy is energy that does not come from fossil fuels, and thus produces little to no greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2). This means that energy produced from alternative sources does not contribute to the greenhouse effect that causes climate change.

  12. Alternative Energy Sources: What is Alternative Energy?

    Alternative energy refers to energy sources other than fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum, and diesel) and includes all renewable and nuclear energy sources. Although nuclear energy is not as bad for the environment as fossil fuels, it still isn't classified as a renewable energy source because nuclear material cannot be replenished within ...

  13. Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy

    Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy Exclusively available on IvyPanda Since the beginning of the existence of this planet, the sun has been an important resource for sustaining both human and plant life. Plants, which we feed on, manufacture their food by using sunlight.

  14. Alternative Energy Sources Essay

    Alternative energy sources are forms of energy that use natural resources to produce energy. There are three main alternative energy sources that can be used in the place of fossil fuels, which are Nuclear, Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are decreasing and eventually will run out.

  15. Why are fossil fuels so hard to quit?

    renewable energy. Renewable energy is from a source that is naturally replenished. (Ex: capturing wind using turbines or sunlight using solar cells does not change the amount of wind or sunlight ...

  16. IELTS Essay: Fossil Fuels and Alternative Energy

    In conclusion, despite the economic drawbacks of a sudden shift to alternative power sources, this reorientation will have a markedly positive long-term impact on the environment. 2. Governments should therefore implement and bolster alternative energy initiatives. Summarise your main ideas. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions ...

  17. Why Alternative Energy Sources Are the Future?

    We now know that alternative energy sources are any source we use to supplement or even replace traditional energy sources used for power generation. You could almost say the same thing about renewable energy sources. But there is one subtle difference between the two. All renewable energy sources fall under the category of alternative energy ...

  18. Full article: A review of renewable energy sources, sustainability

    A qualitative research was employed by reviewing peer-reviewed papers in the area of study. This study brought to light the opportunities associated with renewable energy sources; energy security, energy access, social and economic development and climate change mitigation and reduction of environmental and health impacts. ... Renewable energy ...

  19. Towards Sustainable Energy: A Systematic Review of Renewable Energy

    The use of renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and biomass will not diminish their availability. Sunlight being a constant source of energy is used to meet the ever-increasing energy need. This review discusses the world's energy needs, renewable energy technologies for domestic use, and highlights public opinions on renewable energy. A systematic review of the literature was ...

  20. Alternative Sources of Energy: Definition, Types, Benefits

    The types of alternative sources of energy are explained below: Wind Energy The kinetic energy of high-speed winds is used to generate electricity by wind-powered generators. Windmills harness wind energy. A windmill consists of a tall pole on the top of which a fan-like structure is attached. This fan-like structure is called a wind turbine.

  21. Alternative Energy Essay by Kylie Craig

    Alternative Energy Essay by Kylie Craig "65% of global warming pollution is estimated to come from energy generation in use." The ... source of alternative energy is wind energy. Wind turbines convert wind into electricity. Of these two alternative energies, solar would be the best for Citizens of Marlborough to use. ...

  22. Alternative Sources of Energy Essay

    2619 Words 10 Pages Great Essays Read More Alternative Energy Source Analysis Our world is depending on energy. There is a great deal of information and enthusiasm today about the development and increased production of our global energy needs from alternative energy sources. Energy is a necessity for us.

  23. Alternative Energy Sources Essay

    Nearly everything a consumer purchases one way or another the cost of that product has been impacted by fossil fuels and its by-products (e.g. crude oil, coal, diesel oil, kerosine, gasoline, and plastics). Alternative energy sources (e.g., biomass, bio-fuel, geothermal energy, natural gases, hydrogen fuel, hydro-electric power, nuclear power ...

  24. Sources Of Energy

    These resources of energy can be naturally replenished and are safe for the environment. Examples of renewable sources of energy are: Solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass, hydropower and tidal energy. A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that is found underneath the earth. These type of energy resources do not ...

  25. The evaluation of renewable energy alternatives in Turkey using

    In recent years, high energy costs, increases in carbon emissions, and concerns about energy supply security have led countries to prioritize renewable energy sources in their sustainable energy policies. The selection and ranking of alternative renewable energy sources is a critical issue in establishing an effective energy policy and ensuring environmental improvement at the national and ...

  26. Generative AI's environmental costs are soaring

    In industry, sustainable practices should be imperative, and should include measuring and publicly reporting energy and water use; prioritizing the development of energy-efficient hardware ...