THROUGHOUT history, energy consumption patterns have changed significantly from a non-complex task like burning wood for heat to the enormous power created from nuclear energy. People have found new ways to develop energy sources and use them to their advantages, as they were determined to find the most efficient and economical ways to make their lives easier, safer and cost-effective. Energy will always be a conscientious effort with the increasing emphasis on sustainability and energy independence.
So how did we go from burning wood for heat and light, to drilling for oil, to the development of renewable energy sources?
Let’s take a step back in time.
Around 1 million B.C., man was able to control fire by burning wood, straw, and even dung to cook, stay warm, and to protect themselves from animals. The Chinese refined crude oil to burn in lamps and heat their homes as far back as 2000 B.C. And in 1200 B.C., the Polynesians used the wind to sail the ocean while the Persians built the first windmills in 600 B.C. Water was used to turn large wheels to make energy for small machines in 200 A.D. Europe.
As the 1700s approached, humans began to enjoy the advantages of using fire. Wood, served as the predominate form of energy. Water wheels were built in streams and rivers to capture energy as a power source, along with wood combustion for heating and cooking. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin took that famous kite into the storm to study electricity from lightening.
Large amounts of coal were discovered in North America. This form of energy began to replace other energy sources, such as water and wind, and became the main source of energy around the world. The 1800s brought about the Industrial Revolution which started our need for more energy to run many new machines. During the earlier years of the Industrial Revolution, steam-powered machines used in the manufacturing industry began to replace wood as the dominant source of energy. As more energy was needed, so was the need for coal.
By the 1950s, other efficient sources of energy began to supplement coal. Oil and natural gas were easier to handle and to transport and was a cleaner source of energy. Soon natural gas and oil became the dominant source of energy surpassing the century-old coal dominance. The demand for natural gas and oil continued until the mid-1970s when economic downturns and price manipulation contributed to the shortage of oil and natural gas causing spikes in fuel prices. These spikes still exist in today’s market. The 1970s also brought about a decrease in the production of U.S. oil and an increase in dependence of imported oil.
In the 1970s, the popularity of nuclear energy was growing until disasters like the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Safety concerns of meltdowns and proper disposal of nuclear radioactive waste slowed nuclear energy’s progress.
In the 1990s, concerns for climate change began. Due to pollution and the restricted availability of fossil fuel, thoughts started to shift back towards natural energy or as we call it today renewable energy. Today, solar power has grown 55 percent thanks to the lower costs of solar panel prices. Geothermal energy accounts for 27 percent of the nation’s energy supply and wind accounts for .75 percent. The largest portion of renewable energy still comes from biomass and hydroelectric resources.
So how did we go from burning wood for heat and light, to drilling for oil, to the development of renewable energy sources?
Let’s take a step back in time.
Around 1 million B.C., man was able to control fire by burning wood, straw, and even dung to cook, stay warm, and to protect themselves from animals. The Chinese refined crude oil to burn in lamps and heat their homes as far back as 2000 B.C. And in 1200 B.C., the Polynesians used the wind to sail the ocean while the Persians built the first windmills in 600 B.C. Water was used to turn large wheels to make energy for small machines in 200 A.D. Europe.
As the 1700s approached, humans began to enjoy the advantages of using fire. Wood, served as the predominate form of energy. Water wheels were built in streams and rivers to capture energy as a power source, along with wood combustion for heating and cooking. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin took that famous kite into the storm to study electricity from lightening.
Large amounts of coal were discovered in North America. This form of energy began to replace other energy sources, such as water and wind, and became the main source of energy around the world. The 1800s brought about the Industrial Revolution which started our need for more energy to run many new machines. During the earlier years of the Industrial Revolution, steam-powered machines used in the manufacturing industry began to replace wood as the dominant source of energy. As more energy was needed, so was the need for coal.
By the 1950s, other efficient sources of energy began to supplement coal. Oil and natural gas were easier to handle and to transport and was a cleaner source of energy. Soon natural gas and oil became the dominant source of energy surpassing the century-old coal dominance. The demand for natural gas and oil continued until the mid-1970s when economic downturns and price manipulation contributed to the shortage of oil and natural gas causing spikes in fuel prices. These spikes still exist in today’s market. The 1970s also brought about a decrease in the production of U.S. oil and an increase in dependence of imported oil.
In the 1970s, the popularity of nuclear energy was growing until disasters like the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Safety concerns of meltdowns and proper disposal of nuclear radioactive waste slowed nuclear energy’s progress.
In the 1990s, concerns for climate change began. Due to pollution and the restricted availability of fossil fuel, thoughts started to shift back towards natural energy or as we call it today renewable energy. Today, solar power has grown 55 percent thanks to the lower costs of solar panel prices. Geothermal energy accounts for 27 percent of the nation’s energy supply and wind accounts for .75 percent. The largest portion of renewable energy still comes from biomass and hydroelectric resources.
Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.
For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/.