Currently renewable energies are taking transcendence within the energy models of different countries and, in fact, there are more and more countries that produce their energy from natural sources. An exemplary case is Costa Rica, which bases practically the entire electrical matrix on renewable energy.
To claim this type of energies, we will dedicate this post of ecology see to talk about What are renewable energies. If you feel like learning everything about this issue, we encourage you to continue reading and know what these energies are to their importance, several examples, their advantages and disadvantages and their differences with non -renewable energies.
What are renewable energies and what is their importance
Let’s start this section defining what renewable energies are. These are defined as the energy obtained from renewable or inexhaustible sources. The fact that they are inexhaustible is because they exist in immense amounts or that have the ability to regenerate through natural processes at a higher pace that is consumed.
Characteristics of renewable energy
Its main particularity is that its obtaining and subsequent use does not generate serious polluting products or emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Therefore, many call renewable energies as Clean or green energiessince they are friendly to the environment. It does not mean that they are harmless, everything has its impact on the environment, but this is much lower and different from the energies that are not renewable.
Importance of renewable energies
So why are renewable energies important? As we mentioned before, renewable energies themselves do not emit greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, therefore they are neutral carbon and do not contribute to climate change. Taking into account that we are going through an unprecedented climatic crisis and that one of the causes that triggered this crisis is the exploitation of fossil fuels for energy generation, renewable energies are the environmentally friendly replacement of fossil fuels. For this reason, renewable energies have enormous importance worldwide when elaborating plans for Climate change mitigation. Undoubtedly, renewable energies are and will be fundamental in sustainable development models that countries must design to combat climate change.
Examples of renewable energies
Fortunately, according to the characteristics of each site, there are several renewable energy types. Here we will give some examples:
- Solar energy: It is the energy obtained from the sun’s rays that reach the earth’s surface and can be classified into photovoltaic solar energy and solar thermal energy. It is possibly the most used.
- Wind energy: It is one that is generated from the force of the wind and obtained thanks to wind turbines. There are wind farms both on earthly surface and in the middle of the sea.
- Hydroelectric energy: In this case, the river water movement or other bodies of water is used, specifically currents or jumps. For its use, hydroelectric dams are installed.
- Geothermal energy: Here the internal heat of the earth linked to volcanoes, fumaroles, geysers and hot springs is used. It is one of the less exploited renewable energies.
- Marine energy: It is the one obtained by the force of the waves, tides and currents of the sea. Here also the osmotic energy produced from the salinity gradients of the sea is also included.
- Biomesto: Thanks to biomass, that is, organic fraction from living beings can be obtained. An example of biomass as a source of energy is the combustion of firewood for heating. Following this example, we can say that biomass is one of the first energy sources used by the human being.
- Biogas: The raw material of biogas arises From the gases that are released when organic matter decomposes. These gases go through a purification process and then can be used as electricity or heat.
- Biofuels: Biofuels, such as bioethanol or biodiesel, can replace conventional fuels. Each type of biofuel has its specific obtaining process, but in common we can emphasize that all of them are obtained from plant biomass. The positive thing about this is that agricultural-industrial waste can be used to obtain biofuels.
In the case of nuclear energy, also called nuclear fission, we want to mention it separately because it usually generates confusion. This is the one that is released as a result of a reaction where heavy atomic nuclei are divided, in general uranium is used. So, Nuclear energy is not a renewable energysince the presence of uranium on Earth is finite and does not regenerate in the amounts that are required. However, it is considered a Clean energysince its obtaining Does not emit greenhouse gases To the atmosphere, that is, it does not emit polluting gases in the process of obtaining and use (although it is not when the facilities and other aspects must be built). On the other hand, if the waste that can generate are polluting.
Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy
Next, we will mention the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energies to be able to know them a little better:
Advantages of renewable energy
- In themselves they are neutral carbon, therefore, they help fight climate change.
- They allow to conserve those non -renewable resources of the planet.
- They are inexhaustible, so that their use for future generations is guaranteed.
- They do not generate waste or polluting by -products.
- They are safe energies, their use does not put human health at risk.
- They can be used in places where the electricity grid does not reach, consequently they allow to reduce the energy dependence of third parties.
- Its production constitutes a source of green employment.
Disadvantages of renewable energy
- The facilities required to produce renewable energies require large spaces and are expensive.
- The construction of these facilities can cause contamination.
- Some types of renewable energy, such as solar or wind, are not continuous. They depend on the moment of the day and also on the season of the year.
You can learn more reading this other post about the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy.
Differences between renewable and non -renewable energies
When we talk about renewable energies, it is impossible not to name those that are not renewable. That is why, to clarify concepts, we will talk about their differences here.
- The main difference is based on their availability. While Renewables are inexhaustible, non -renewable can be exhausted And its renewal is not possible, at least in a human time scale.
- Another difference is The footprint they leave in the environment. The exploitation of renewable energies does not imply great impacts on the environment compared to the exploitation of non -renewable energy, which leads to climate change and air, soil and water pollution.
- All countries have some type of renewable energy, but not all have non -renewable energies. That is why, The use of non -renewable energy generates dependence on other countries while the use of renewable energy counteracts this dependence.
Know more about the differences of these with the reading of this other article on renewable energies and non -renewable energies: examples and differences and with the video that you will see below. In addition, we recommend you read renewable energies in Spain.
If you want to read more articles similar to Renewable energies: What are and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of renewable energy.
