Why Renewable Energy Holds Importance

Sustainable Energy sources are most often regarded as including all renewable sources, such as biofuels, solar power, wind power, wave power, geothermal power and tidal power. It usually also includes technologies that improve energy efficiency. Sustainable energy is the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. With modern day concern that global warming is for real there is an increasing demand by business and householders for information on the renewable energy options that are available.

Renewable energy can be described as a form of sustainable energy that is a product of the earth’s natural environment. Any source of energy that can provide an ongoing flow and/or be replaced by nature falls into the category of renewable energy. They are those that are naturally available and replenished. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydro (water), geothermal, Tidal power or ocean wave energy, and biomass. Use of renewable energy sources reduces dependence on fossil fuels, diversifies energy resources, and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants associated with fossil fuels. These technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies.

A non-renewable resource is a natural resource which cannot be produced, re-grown, regenerated, or reused on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. These resources often exist in a fixed amount, or are consumed much faster than nature can recreate them. Reliance on non-renewable resources such as oil, gas and coal is unsustainable since they will run out one day. If we run out of fossil fuels, we will have to use some sort of alternative energy produced from the wind, the sun or from water power. These energy sources can easily be replenished in a short amount of time. Alternate sources such as solar and wind power, are infinite and have the added advantage of being non-polluting. Climate change and the need to manage diminishing fossil fuel reserves are today two of the biggest challenges facing the planet. In order to secure the future for ourselves and generations to follow, we must act now to reduce energy consumption and substantially cut greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide.

Unfortunately, the cost of some of the renewable energy sources is currently above those of the non-renewable sources. However, increased use of the non-renewables increases demand and lowers unit cost, so we are approaching the time where the old, non-renewable sources will be less competitive. There is no shortage of solar-derived energy on Earth. Indeed the storages and flows of energy on the planet are very large relative to human needs.

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