RENEWABLE ENERGY
Together with the rapid growth of the world population, the limited ability to supply of
non-renewable leads to energy demand on a rise especially in developing countries. This
situationresults in the risk of depletion of cheap fossilenergy and environmental pollution
as well as climate change. Therefore, researchers around the world have been constantly
trying to find solutions to diversify energy sources and reduce harmful emissions and
greenhouse emissions into the environment and renewable energy sources have taken
the spotlight. Thus, what is the renewable energy? We can say that it is natural energy
that can be used again and again and will never run out. There are four major types of
renewable energy: solar, hydro, wind and geothermal energy.
The use of renewable energy has many potential benefits, including human beings and
environment. Firstly, renewable is one of the most important advantages of renewable
energy. Essence of renewable energy sources is derivation from natural processes so the
energy is sustainable and never runs out. Truly, renewable energy is really important and
necessary to human beings when fossil fuels are more and more exhausted. With the
never-ending supply of renewables, we would feel secure when having abundant supply
of energy to last our planet, our human race and our economies, for generations and
ever. Besides, one of the greatest alternative energy benefits is that it is so much better
for environment than the use of fossil fuels that contribute heavily to issues such as acid
rain, smog and global warming. On the contrary, renewable energy has little or no waste
products such as carbon dioxide or other chemical pollutants. Renewable energy systems
produce much lower carbon dioxide emissions as opposed to carbon-intensive fossilfuels
such as oil, coal and natural gas while they are being used only a small amount of fuel
during the manufacturing of equipment. With renewable energies, energy is usually
converted from one form to another without the creation of pollutants. Similarly, wind
power energy relies on moving air and converts it into electricity without polluting the
environment. Therefore, it is obvious that the non-pollution or minimal impacts on
environment are the positive advantages of renewable energy. Finally, renewable energy
not only is regarded as an unlimited resource but also plays an important role to regional
development. Renewable energy and energy efficiency can help revitalize rural
communities. For example, farmers on windy lands can lease space to wind developers,
earning thousands of dollars for each turbine every year.
Although the advantages of using renewable energy are obvious, we must also consider
some limiting sides from the energy. The biggest disadvantage of renewable energy is
that the cost of the energy is relatively higher than non-renewable energy. The initialcosts
of renewable energy still make many people ignore it completely when comparing it with
fossil fuel. For example, installation of solar energy water heater costs many times in
comparison with a heater. Another disadvantage is relying too much on weather
conditions and geographic locations to create energy. Each type of renewable sources is
justbetter suited to some places. This means that you cannot use each of these renewable
sources in all locations. For example, we cannot generate hydro-electric power without
having a fast-flowing water source, such as a river or waterfall. In addition, the energy
also brings some inconvenient problems. Take solar energy water heater as an example,
it is inefficient because in summer ambient temperatures are high and the use of hot
water is not needed; however, in the winter we could not have hot water due to low light
of the sun.
From allwhat was saidabove, it is clear that renewable energy plays a role more important
with every passing day to both human beings and environment. Renewable energy is
becoming an important solution to the world’s energy need. Besides, renewable energy
also brings many positive impacts to protecting environment, diminishing effects of
global warming or pollutions. Despite some drawbacks of the energy, there are also
reasons to believe the problems will be solved soon thanks to strong investment of
government and efforts’ scientists. The exploiting and converting from traditional sources
into renewable energy resources is a favorable turning-point to us. The future is indeed
bright and will be lit by alternative energy.