Well researched writeup by Tanay as part of the I am a Young Sustainability Champion Badge programme
What are renewable energy sources? Discuss the challenges faced using renewable energy sources.
I am a Young Sustainability Champion (Junior)
Project 2
by Tanay Suresh
Renewable Energy is key to a better future, achieving the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) and Sustainable Development. It is also the main focus of UN SDG (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal) 7 - Clean and Affordable Energy.
Currently, around 80% of our total energy usage worldwide comes from coal, oil, Orimulsion or natural gas. These three types of energy are all fossil fuels, meaning that they formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. Unfortunately, using these types of energies can result in global warming, air and water quality deterioration, acid rain and oil spills. It is also predicted that fossil fuel resources will deplete within the next 50 to 100 years.
Nuclear Energy is considered to be semi-renewable because it does not produce any CO 2. However, after the atoms are split, some radioactive waste is released. Some nations dump this waste into seas while others store this. Both of these are bad and can result in ARS (Acute Radiation Syndrome), loss of habitat, loss of life and other serious issues.
Biomass Energy is simply burning living or once-living organisms and transferring that heat into energy. However, by burning the organisms, CO 2 is released, helping to cause global warming.
Solar, Hydroelectric, Wind, Geothermal, Tidal and Wave energy are all examples of Renewable Energy. They all can be used forever, without depleting their resources or harming the planet. For example, Singapore has placed Solar Panels in its 'Eco-Town' in Punggol. Denmark has many offshore wind farms (a term used to describe groups of windmills in a single installation), showing its commitment to renewable energy.
However, renewable energy has some disadvantages, including;
Credits:
https://www.globalization101.org/fossil-fuels/
https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=836
Project 2
by Tanay Suresh
Renewable Energy is key to a better future, achieving the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) and Sustainable Development. It is also the main focus of UN SDG (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal) 7 - Clean and Affordable Energy.
Currently, around 80% of our total energy usage worldwide comes from coal, oil, Orimulsion or natural gas. These three types of energy are all fossil fuels, meaning that they formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. Unfortunately, using these types of energies can result in global warming, air and water quality deterioration, acid rain and oil spills. It is also predicted that fossil fuel resources will deplete within the next 50 to 100 years.
Nuclear Energy is considered to be semi-renewable because it does not produce any CO 2. However, after the atoms are split, some radioactive waste is released. Some nations dump this waste into seas while others store this. Both of these are bad and can result in ARS (Acute Radiation Syndrome), loss of habitat, loss of life and other serious issues.
Biomass Energy is simply burning living or once-living organisms and transferring that heat into energy. However, by burning the organisms, CO 2 is released, helping to cause global warming.
Solar, Hydroelectric, Wind, Geothermal, Tidal and Wave energy are all examples of Renewable Energy. They all can be used forever, without depleting their resources or harming the planet. For example, Singapore has placed Solar Panels in its 'Eco-Town' in Punggol. Denmark has many offshore wind farms (a term used to describe groups of windmills in a single installation), showing its commitment to renewable energy.
However, renewable energy has some disadvantages, including;
- Resource Location (some countries do not have much renewable energy resources, while others have an abundance of it)
- Cost Issue (Renewable Energy is quite expensive)
- Information Barrier (there is not much information or support for starting a renewable energy program/initiative)
Credits:
https://www.globalization101.org/fossil-fuels/
https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=836