Replacing fossil fuels with a sustainable source of energy must be a priority, and so renewable energy has become a talking point. The most common forms of renewable energy are:• Solar – energy from the sun (solar radiation) is used to generate heat or electricity. Active solar techniques include the use of solar panels (increasingly popular in domestic settings), while passive techniques lean more towards directing a building to sunlight.
• Wind – wind turbines are powered by airflow, with the energy produced being used, most commonly, to provide power for industrial purposes. Wind power is thought to be the most viable solution to long-term energy solutions.
• Hydro – the energy contained in water is immense, and when harnessed correctly, can produce huge amounts of electrical potential.
• Biomass – the least renewable energy source as the balance between rates of extraction and production needs to be carefully managed. In a way, biomass energy is really another form of solar power, as the process of photosynthesis captures energy from the sun, which is subsequently released when the plants are burnt.
In order to affect long-term change, most renewable energy projects are being carried out on a large scale, helping to quickly reduce carbon emissions and the production of greenhouse gases. This means that whilst providing a solution for the future, damage done in the past is also being rectified. The news is also good for consumers, as the price of fossil fuels continue to rise steadily, year on year.
Thankfully, people, such as Danny Sawrij, are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of renewable energy, and will look to take advantage of them where possible, choosing a cost-effective and environmentally sound option over perhaps the easier choice. This is a very positive sign for the future, and will hopefully mean the end of fossil fuel burning.
