EARLY man relied heavily on the natural energy. As the circle of life continues, we are now looking back to the Earth’s renewable resources to provide us with the energy that we need.
The United States still heavily depends on fossil fuels, most of which is imported from overseas. In 2011, the United States imported $420 billion of oil – making it the largest oil importer. Many factors indicate that fossil fuels now are insufficient for the world’s needs, necessitating the discovery of new sources of energy. Rising oil prices, foreign wars, instability of the nation, and terrorist attacks have also caused a demand for alternate sources of energy.
To modify the energy supply challenges mentioned above, the U.S. is actively pushing for advances in energy technology. The U.S. is also encouraging the increased usage of sustainable energy generated from sources such as solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, geothermal, solid waste, or hydroelectric generation.
In 2012, solar energy in the U.S. reached a capacity of half the added capacity of electricity to the country’s grid. This increase is partly due to the decreased cost of solar technology. These prices have dropped about 75 percent during the past four years.
Wind energy is captured by blowing large blades that spin, turning an internal shaft in a turbine that connects to the generator. The generator creates electricity. How much electricity depends on the size and scale of the turbine. Last year’s total combined investment between solar and wind was more than $280 billion.
Geothermal energy is produced from heat within the earth. There are three primary types of geothermal systems: dry steam, flash, and binary.
*Dry steam takes steam out of cracks in the ground and uses it to directly drive a turbine.
*Flash pulls deep, high-pressure hot water into cooler, low-pressure water creating steam that is used to drive the turbine.
*Binary uses hot water that is passed by a second fluid with a lower boiling point than water, causing the second fluid to vaporize driving the turbine.
Biomass involves fuel, heat or electricity being produced from organic matter such as plants, waste and residues that can be found in nature, landfill gases, urban waste, and wastewater treatment. Biomass comes in various forms and may be heated directly, mixed with fossil fuels, or changed into liquid fuels.
The decomposition of organic waste creates a gas source that is made up of half methane and half carbon dioxide and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. This methane is collected and burned to generate thermal steam that drives the turbines and produces electricity. This technology is best used at landfills.
Hydropower uses the current of a river to move a waterwheel or flow through dams. Ocean energy uses the movement of the ocean to create mechanical energy to generate power. Mechanical energy can be derived from waves, tides, and currents. This energy can be captured and converted into electricity.
From the discovery of coal to the implementation of solar panels, inventors have led the energy industry to where it is today. Certain trends in energy will continue in the future, as we are more aware of our limits of fossil fuels. Costs for renewable energy are falling, methods of integrating renewable energy into existing structures are improving, and new technologies are emerging. Finding a compromise between our planet’s capabilities and our energy demand will be the key to long-term solutions. With the right education, technology and government policies in place, the world is moving closer to optimizing our renewable energy future.
The United States still heavily depends on fossil fuels, most of which is imported from overseas. In 2011, the United States imported $420 billion of oil – making it the largest oil importer. Many factors indicate that fossil fuels now are insufficient for the world’s needs, necessitating the discovery of new sources of energy. Rising oil prices, foreign wars, instability of the nation, and terrorist attacks have also caused a demand for alternate sources of energy.
To modify the energy supply challenges mentioned above, the U.S. is actively pushing for advances in energy technology. The U.S. is also encouraging the increased usage of sustainable energy generated from sources such as solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, geothermal, solid waste, or hydroelectric generation.
In 2012, solar energy in the U.S. reached a capacity of half the added capacity of electricity to the country’s grid. This increase is partly due to the decreased cost of solar technology. These prices have dropped about 75 percent during the past four years.
Wind energy is captured by blowing large blades that spin, turning an internal shaft in a turbine that connects to the generator. The generator creates electricity. How much electricity depends on the size and scale of the turbine. Last year’s total combined investment between solar and wind was more than $280 billion.
Geothermal energy is produced from heat within the earth. There are three primary types of geothermal systems: dry steam, flash, and binary.
*Dry steam takes steam out of cracks in the ground and uses it to directly drive a turbine.
*Flash pulls deep, high-pressure hot water into cooler, low-pressure water creating steam that is used to drive the turbine.
*Binary uses hot water that is passed by a second fluid with a lower boiling point than water, causing the second fluid to vaporize driving the turbine.
Biomass involves fuel, heat or electricity being produced from organic matter such as plants, waste and residues that can be found in nature, landfill gases, urban waste, and wastewater treatment. Biomass comes in various forms and may be heated directly, mixed with fossil fuels, or changed into liquid fuels.
The decomposition of organic waste creates a gas source that is made up of half methane and half carbon dioxide and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. This methane is collected and burned to generate thermal steam that drives the turbines and produces electricity. This technology is best used at landfills.
Hydropower uses the current of a river to move a waterwheel or flow through dams. Ocean energy uses the movement of the ocean to create mechanical energy to generate power. Mechanical energy can be derived from waves, tides, and currents. This energy can be captured and converted into electricity.
From the discovery of coal to the implementation of solar panels, inventors have led the energy industry to where it is today. Certain trends in energy will continue in the future, as we are more aware of our limits of fossil fuels. Costs for renewable energy are falling, methods of integrating renewable energy into existing structures are improving, and new technologies are emerging. Finding a compromise between our planet’s capabilities and our energy demand will be the key to long-term solutions. With the right education, technology and government policies in place, the world is moving closer to optimizing our renewable energy future.
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/.