In order to understand alternative energy sources we must first know what they are. Alternative energy sources can be described as energy that actually won’t pollute as much fossil fuel, in addition to being less harmful to the environment as well as humans, lower in cost, lastly, comes from sources of which we won’t run out of.
Alternative energy is not to be confused with renewable energy. Alternative energy is deemed “ renewable”, the reason being it comes from energy that is refillable by natural processes upon usage. Examples of alternative energy are nuclear, solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. As you might have guessed the sun is the biggest alternative energy source because the sun is a necessary component in the natural processes.
How can alternative energy sources be beneficial for the environment without being costly? “ Studies indicate that energy efficiency technologies cost substantially less than building or purchasing new energy supply.” In addition, “ Energy efficiency also helps minimize the need to build new and expensive power plants.” As well as, “ Reducing usage lowers operating costs and can help make industry, farms, and merchants more economically competitive. Energy efficiency investments start saving energy immediately and have short paybacks. As the population continues to increase day after day, so does the demand for oil and other natural resources. Eventually we will get to a point where we will need to find different ways of efficiently producing energy at a low cost. Twenty to thirty years ago it was hard to imagine what sources of energy other than obvious possibilities like solar panels and windmills that could efficiently supply the world.
The advancement of technology today is opening new doors in the energy field that are likely to change the way we think about energy. The natural resources of Earth continue to be used more and more each year throughout the world. Coal and oil, for example, are consumed with incredible speed. 28% of the total energy needs of the world are derived from coal. But coal mines become exhausted.
The situation is the same with oil. These sources of energy are not renewable and there is a need to discover other energy sources. This is why as a student you will be asked to write a renewable energy essay or an alternative energy essay. In every business and in every home we use energy to light and heat our houses, and offices and to make our machines and vehicles work. Our society runs on energy.
