The world has a wide range of energy sources. In 2018 fossil fuels, like gas, oil and coal, comprised over 81 percent of continue reading this the energy consumed. Renewables, like wind, solar power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is 5 percent. Different countries employ different mixes of energy sources, balancing the environmental aspects with economics.
Energy is present in nature in many forms: sunlight as well as wind, waves oceans, and more. These sources of energy are transformed into more convenient forms of energy, like electricity or heat when they are harnessed. These sources of energy become non-renewable sources of energy when they are exhausted.
Many fossil fuels as well as some of the other sources of energy that aren’t renewable are damaging the environment. For instance, mining for oil can degrade the world’s forests. Hydraulic fracture (fracking) can trigger earthquakes and pollution of water. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burned and contributes to global warming.
Fortunately, some of the most promising energy sources are sustainable and renewable. Hydropower, solar energy and wind power for instance, can produce electricity without the need to search for new sources.
Other sustainable energy sources are emerging, like tidal and wave power. To be used at large scale, these sources of energy need to have effective distribution networks. They need to be constructed which will require the use of non-renewable energy. These sources are not able to fulfill the majority of our energy demands. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that the costs for renewable energy-related equipment have fallen significantly in the past couple of years, and efficiency is increasing rapidly.